Caribbean · Colombia

Santa Marta and Tayrona

Jungle that meets the sea, unspoiled beaches and the Sierra Nevada.

4 to 6 days (more if you include the Lost City)
Tailor-made trip
Verified local operators
Service in English and Spanish

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Why go

Discover Santa Marta and Tayrona

Santa Marta, founded in 1525, is one of the oldest cities in the Americas and the gateway to some of Colombia's most spectacular landscapes.

Tayrona National Natural Park joins the jungle with golden-sand beaches and giant boulders. Behind it rises the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the world's highest coastal mountain range, home to Indigenous peoples and the Lost City.

It is a destination for travelers looking for nature, hiking, quiet beaches and ancestral culture.

Experiences

What you can't miss

Tayrona Park

Jungle hikes to beaches such as Cabo San Juan and La Piscina.
The Lost City

A multi-day trek to an Indigenous city built centuries before Machu Picchu.
Minca

A mountain village with coffee farms, waterfalls and birdwatching.
Palomino

Quiet beaches and tubing down the river to the sea.
Historic center and El Rodadero

Seafront promenade, cathedral, restaurants and city beaches.
Indigenous culture

Respectful encounters with communities of the Sierra Nevada.

When to go

The driest season runs from December to April, and July–August is usually good too. Tayrona Park closes for a few weeks each year for environmental recovery; we confirm the dates when we quote.

How many days

4 to 6 days (more if you include the Lost City). We can help you combine it with other destinations depending on how much time you have.

How to get there

Simón Bolívar Airport (SMR) in Santa Marta, with direct flights from Bogotá (about 1 h 30 min) and Medellín. From Cartagena it is about 4 hours by road.

Good to know

Tayrona involves walking: bring comfortable shoes, insect repellent and light luggage.
Swimming is not allowed at several of the park's beaches because of strong currents; always follow the signs.
The Lost City trek is only done with authorized operators and requires good physical condition.