Tayrona SierraNevada
3
Day Itinerary •
Colombia
Three days in Tayrona and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta delivers the most extraordinary combination of Caribbean beaches and ancient indigenous civilisation in Colombia, where the snow-capped peaks of the world's highest coastal mountain range rise directly from the sea and the extraordinary beaches of Parque Tayrona are framed by giant granite boulders, palm forest and the Sierra Nevada above. This focused route covers the essential Tayrona and Sierra Nevada experience. The extraordinary beaches of Cabo San Juan, La Piscina and Arrecifes within Tayrona National Park, the ancient Tairona archaeological site of Pueblito hidden in the jungle, the extraordinary colonial city of Santa Marta, and the remarkable Kogui and Arhuaco indigenous communities at the foot of the Sierra Nevada.
Best Time To Visit
December to April, dry season for clearest seas
Getting There
Fly into Simon Bolivar International Airport (SMR), Santa Marta
Getting Around
Taxi and bus to Tayrona, walking inside the park
Budget Per Day
Approx 60 to 150 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, jungle hiking trails inside Tayrona
DAY 1
SANTA MARTA AND MINCA
MORNING
SANTA MARTA COLONIAL CENTRE AND QUINTA DE SAN PEDRO ALEJANDRINO
The extraordinary colonial city of Santa Marta, the oldest surviving Spanish city in South America founded in 1525, with a remarkable cathedral, colonial plaza and the extraordinary Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, the colonial hacienda where Simon Bolivar died in 1830. The hacienda museum is the most important Bolivar site in Colombia, preserved exactly as it was at the Liberator's death. Entry approx 18,000 COP. The extraordinary botanical garden surrounding the hacienda is remarkable. 30 min taxi
MIDDAY
MINCA CLOUD FOREST, SIERRA NEVADA FOOTHILLS
The extraordinary cloud forest village of Minca at 600 metres on the lower slopes of the Sierra Nevada, the finest birdwatching destination in the Caribbean region with over 200 species recorded including the remarkable Santa Marta parakeet found nowhere else on earth. The extraordinary waterfalls of Pozo Azul and La Victoria are 30 minutes walk from the village. The view from the extraordinary Mirador La Cantera over the Caribbean and Santa Marta below is the finest in the Sierra foothills. 30 min taxi back
AFTERNOON
SANTA MARTA TAGANGA FISHING VILLAGE AND CARIBBEAN COAST
The extraordinary Taganga fishing village 3km from Santa Marta, a traditional Caribbean fishing community in a remarkable horseshoe bay where colourful fishing boats anchor in the turquoise water and the finest fresh fish restaurants in the region line the beach. The extraordinary view back along the Sierra Nevada coastline from the Taganga headland is the finest coastal panorama in the Santa Marta region. The evening atmosphere is extraordinary.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Museo del Oro Tairona in Santa Marta's colonial centre, one of the finest gold museums in Colombia outside Bogota, contains remarkable Tairona goldwork and ceramic pieces from the ancient civilisation that built Tayrona's extraordinary stone cities. Entry approx 4,000 COP. The Tairona gold pieces are extraordinary and the museum is almost always empty.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Lulo, Santa Marta Outstanding breakfast in Santa Marta's colonial centre. Fresh lulo juice and Caribbean arepas. | Lunch: Casa Loma, Minca Outstanding farm-to-table restaurant in the cloud forest. Fresh trout and Sierra Nevada coffee. | Dinner: Donde Chucho, Taganga The finest fresh fish restaurant in Taganga. Extraordinary whole snapper and coconut rice on the beach.
DAY 2
TAYRONA NATIONAL PARK
MORNING
ENTER TAYRONA NATIONAL PARK AND HIKE TO ARRECIFES
The most extraordinary national park in Colombia, where the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta drops directly into the Caribbean Sea through extraordinary jungle, and the beaches are framed by massive granite boulders unlike any other in the Americas. Enter at the El Zaino gate and walk the extraordinary coastal jungle trail through towering trees, howler monkeys and remarkable bird life to the extraordinary Arrecifes beach. Entry approx 60,000 COP per person. Do not swim at Arrecifes, the rip currents are deadly. 1 hour walk
MIDDAY
LA PISCINA NATURAL SWIMMING POOL AND LUNCH
The extraordinary La Piscina natural rock pool in Tayrona, the finest safe swimming spot in the park where calm water is sheltered by a natural rock barrier from the open Caribbean. The extraordinary turquoise water enclosed by jungle on one side and giant boulders on the other is unlike any natural pool in Colombia. The park restaurant at La Piscina serves the finest fresh fish on the entire Tayrona trail. Entry included in park fee. 45 min walk
AFTERNOON
CABO SAN JUAN BEACH AND OVERNIGHT
The most extraordinary beach in Colombia and one of the finest in all of South America, where an extraordinary double bay of white sand is framed by enormous granite boulders with the Sierra Nevada peaks visible above the jungle behind. The extraordinary headland viewpoint at Cabo San Juan gives the finest panorama in Tayrona, with both bays visible simultaneously. Hammocks in the trees, ecohab cabins and the extraordinary night sounds of the jungle make overnight here unforgettable.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Playa del Muerto on the eastern edge of Tayrona park, reached by a 40-minute boat ride from Taganga rather than the main park trail, is the finest and least visited beach in the entire park. The extraordinary isolation, the clear water and the remarkable giant boulders make it the finest hidden beach in Tayrona. Boat service from Taganga approx 15,000 COP each way.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early breakfast before departure Light breakfast in Santa Marta before taking the collective bus to El Zaino gate. | Lunch: La Piscina park restaurant Fresh grilled fish, patacon and coconut lemonade at the park restaurant beside the natural pool. | Dinner: Cabo San Juan camp restaurant Simple but extraordinary dinner at the camp. Fresh fish, rice and beans under the stars.
DAY 3
PUEBLITO AND RETURN
MORNING
PUEBLITO, ANCIENT TAIRONA CITY IN THE JUNGLE
The extraordinary Tairona archaeological site of Pueblito hidden in the jungle above Cabo San Juan, reached by a steep 1-hour climb through extraordinary tropical forest on a trail of ancient stone steps. The ruined city of circular stone platforms, terraces and channels built by the Tairona civilisation before the Spanish conquest is extraordinary in its jungle setting. The Kogui indigenous community maintains a living presence at the site. Entry included in park fee. 1.5 hours walk down
MIDDAY
LA PISCINA FINAL SWIM AND TRAIL RETURN
A final swim in the extraordinary La Piscina natural pool before the return walk through the jungle trail to El Zaino gate, passing through the extraordinary coastal forest where howler monkeys call from the canopy and remarkable iguanas bask on the trail. The extraordinary diversity of birds visible on the return walk in the midday heat, including the remarkable keel-billed toucan and extraordinary blue-crowned motmot, is the finest birdwatching on the Tayrona trail. 45 min bus back
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO SANTA MARTA AND MERCADO PUBLICO
Return to Santa Marta in the afternoon and explore the extraordinary Mercado Publico, the finest traditional market in the Caribbean region, with fresh Caribbean fish, extraordinary tropical fruits, local cheeses and the finest fresh-squeezed juice stalls in Colombia. The extraordinary malacon waterfront at Santa Marta at sunset, with the Sierra Nevada snow peaks visible above the city in clear weather, is the finest farewell to the Caribbean coast.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary indigenous Kogui community at the base of the Sierra Nevada near Pueblito is one of the finest opportunities to learn about the living descendants of the Tairona civilisation, who consider themselves guardians of the Sierra Nevada and have rejected most of the outside world since the Spanish conquest. Guided cultural visits can be arranged through Santa Marta tour operators who work respectfully with the community.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cabo San Juan camp Simple camp breakfast before the Pueblito climb. Depart early before the heat builds. | Lunch: On the trail or La Piscina Packed food from the camp or the park restaurant at La Piscina for a final lunch in the jungle. | Dinner: La Casa del Farol, Santa Marta Outstanding Caribbean restaurant on the Santa Marta malacon. Extraordinary fresh ceviche and sea bass.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Santa Marta, Night 1 Casa de Isabella or Hotel Boutique Don Pepe. Colonial centre. Approx 60 to 150 USD per night. Tayrona Park, Night 2 Ecohabs at Cabo San Juan or hammock camp. Book months ahead. Approx 40 to 120 USD per night. Budget Option Dreamer Hostel or Casa de Felipe, Santa Marta. Approx 15 to 40 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Book Tayrona park accommodation months ahead. Ecohabs and hammock camps fill up completely in high season.
2. Tayrona closes August to October for ecological recovery. Check dates before booking any trip.
3. Enter the park at El Zaino gate. Bring cash as there are no ATMs inside the park.
4. The Cabo San Juan headland viewpoint at sunset is the finest view in all of Tayrona. Arrive before 5pm.
5. Do not swim at Arrecifes beach. The rip currents are extremely dangerous. La Piscina is safe.
6. Minca cloud forest above Santa Marta is the finest birdwatching in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
Total Budget
35 to 210 USD/day