Tayrona SierraNevada
5
Day Itinerary •
Colombia
Five days in Tayrona and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta gives you the full extraordinary range of the most biodiverse mountain range on earth, from the extraordinary Caribbean beaches and jungle trails of Tayrona National Park and the ancient Tairona stone cities to the extraordinary cloud forest of Minca, the remarkable indigenous communities of the Sierra Nevada foothills, and the colonial city where Simon Bolivar died. This extended route covers Tayrona and the Sierra Nevada completely. Santa Marta colonial city and the Quinta de San Pedro, two full days inside Tayrona National Park with an overnight at Cabo San Juan, the Pueblito Tairona ruins, the Minca cloud forest and its extraordinary birdwatching, the Ciudad Perdida Lost City trek overview, the Palomino beach, and the remarkable Kogui and Arhuaco indigenous culture.
Best Time To Visit
December to April, dry season, park open
Getting There
Fly into Simon Bolivar International Airport (SMR), Santa Marta
Getting Around
Collective bus to Tayrona, walking inside park, mototaxi to Minca
Budget Per Day
Approx 60 to 150 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, jungle hiking and some steep trails
DAY 1
SANTA MARTA
MORNING
SANTA MARTA COLONIAL CITY AND QUINTA DE SAN PEDRO ALEJANDRINO
The extraordinary colonial city of Santa Marta, the oldest surviving Spanish settlement in South America founded in 1525, with the remarkable Catedral Basilica de Santa Marta and the colonial Plaza Bolivar. The extraordinary Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino hacienda where Simon Bolivar died on December 17, 1830 is the most important Bolivar site in Colombia, perfectly preserved with remarkable furnishings and an extraordinary botanical garden. Entry approx 18,000 COP. 20 min taxi
MIDDAY
MUSEO DEL ORO TAIRONA AND COLONIAL AFTERNOON
The extraordinary Museo del Oro Tairona in Santa Marta's colonial centre, one of the finest pre-Columbian collections in Colombia, with remarkable Tairona goldwork including extraordinary nose ornaments, pectoral pieces and ceramic vessels from the ancient civilisation that built the stone cities of the Sierra Nevada. Entry approx 4,000 COP. The extraordinary colonial streets around the cathedral are the finest in the Caribbean coast region. 20 min taxi
AFTERNOON
TAGANGA FISHING VILLAGE AND CARIBBEAN BAY
The extraordinary Taganga fishing village 3km from Santa Marta in a remarkable horseshoe bay, one of the finest traditional Caribbean communities on the Colombian coast. The extraordinary view back along the Sierra Nevada coastline from the headland above the village, with the snow peaks visible on clear days above the jungle, is the finest coastal panorama in the region. The fresh fish restaurants on Taganga beach serve the finest grilled snapper on the coast.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Playa Blanca on the Isla de la Barra 30 minutes by boat from Taganga is the finest deserted beach near Santa Marta, a pristine Caribbean sweep of white sand with clear turquoise water and almost no visitors. Hire a local fishing boat from Taganga for approx 20,000 COP return. The finest half-day escape from Santa Marta.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Lulo, Santa Marta Outstanding breakfast in the colonial centre. Fresh Caribbean fruits and arepas con queso. | Lunch: La Canoa, Santa Marta Outstanding Caribbean seafood restaurant near the waterfront. Extraordinary fish stew and coconut rice. | Dinner: Donde Chucho, Taganga The finest fresh fish on the bay. Extraordinary whole snapper with patacon and cold Aguila beer.
DAY 2
TAYRONA NATIONAL PARK
MORNING
ENTER TAYRONA AND HIKE TO LA PISCINA AND CABO SAN JUAN
Enter the most extraordinary national park in Colombia at El Zaino gate and walk the magnificent coastal jungle trail through towering primary forest alive with howler monkeys, toucans and remarkable iguanas to the extraordinary La Piscina natural pool and on to the extraordinary double bay of Cabo San Juan. The 8km trail takes 2.5 to 3 hours at a comfortable pace through extraordinary jungle scenery unlike any park in the Americas. Entry approx 60,000 COP.
MIDDAY
LA PISCINA NATURAL POOL AND LUNCH
The extraordinary La Piscina natural rock pool, the finest safe swimming spot in Tayrona, where calm turquoise water is sheltered by a natural rock barrier and the extraordinary surrounding jungle creates the finest natural swimming experience in Colombia. The park restaurant serves the finest fresh fish on the trail. Stay and swim for as long as the trail allows before pushing on to Cabo San Juan. 45 min walk
AFTERNOON
CABO SAN JUAN HEADLAND AND OVERNIGHT
The extraordinary Cabo San Juan, the finest beach in Colombia and one of the finest in South America, where a double bay of white sand is framed by enormous granite boulders with the extraordinary Sierra Nevada peaks above the jungle behind. The headland viewpoint gives the finest panorama in the park. The extraordinary night at Cabo San Juan, sleeping in a hammock under the stars with the Caribbean surf below, is the most memorable in Colombia.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Playa del Muerto on the eastern edge of Tayrona, reached by boat from Taganga rather than the main park trail, is the finest and least visited beach in the entire park. The extraordinary isolation, the massive boulders and the clear water make it the finest hidden beach in Colombia. Boat from Taganga approx 15,000 COP each way. Almost no tourists make this extraordinary journey.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Early breakfast before departure Light breakfast in Santa Marta before the collective bus to El Zaino. | Lunch: La Piscina park restaurant Fresh grilled fish and coconut lemonade beside the extraordinary natural pool. | Dinner: Cabo San Juan camp Simple dinner under the stars at the extraordinary Cabo San Juan headland camp.
DAY 3
PUEBLITO AND MINCA
MORNING
PUEBLITO ANCIENT TAIRONA CITY
The extraordinary Tairona archaeological site of Pueblito hidden in the jungle above Cabo San Juan, reached by a steep 1-hour climb on ancient stone steps through extraordinary tropical forest. The ruined city of circular stone platforms, agricultural terraces and carved channels built by the Tairona civilisation before the Spanish conquest is one of the most extraordinary jungle archaeological sites in Colombia. The living Kogui community maintains a presence here. Entry included in park fee. 2 hours walk and bus
MIDDAY
RETURN TO SANTA MARTA AND ASCENT TO MINCA
Return from Tayrona to Santa Marta and take a mototaxi up the extraordinary mountain road to Minca at 600 metres on the lower slopes of the Sierra Nevada. The extraordinary ascent from the hot Caribbean coast into the remarkable cloud forest takes 45 minutes and crosses an extraordinary ecological transition from tropical dry forest to humid cloud forest. The temperature drops 10 degrees in the extraordinary journey. 30 min mototaxi
AFTERNOON
MINCA CLOUD FOREST AND POZO AZUL WATERFALL
The extraordinary cloud forest village of Minca, the finest birdwatching destination in the Colombian Caribbean region with over 200 species recorded including the remarkable Santa Marta parakeet found nowhere else on earth. The extraordinary Pozo Azul waterfall 30 minutes walk from the village is the finest swimming hole in the Sierra Nevada foothills, a deep blue pool beneath a 10-metre cascade in extraordinary cloud forest. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Ciudad Perdida Lost City trek from Santa Marta is a 4 to 6-day multi-day jungle expedition to a pre-Columbian Tairona city discovered only in 1972, predating Machu Picchu by 650 years. The extraordinary stone terraces and plazas of Teyuna city are reached only on foot through extraordinary Sierra Nevada jungle. Book through licensed Santa Marta operators only. One of the finest multi-day treks in all of South America.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cabo San Juan camp breakfast Simple breakfast at the camp before the Pueblito climb. Depart early before the heat builds. | Lunch: On the trail or Santa Marta Packed food from camp or lunch in Santa Marta on the way to Minca. | Dinner: Casa Elemento, Minca Outstanding restaurant at the finest hammock guesthouse in Minca. Extraordinary farm food and Sierra views.
DAY 4
MINCA CLOUD FOREST
MORNING
MINCA DAWN BIRDWATCHING WITH A LOCAL GUIDE
The extraordinary dawn birdwatching in the cloud forest around Minca with a local Kogui-descendant guide, the finest birdwatching guide in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The Santa Marta mountains are one of the most biodiverse bird areas on earth, home to 19 endemic species found nowhere else, including the remarkable Santa Marta parakeet, the extraordinary Santa Marta bush-tyrant and the rare Santa Marta wren. Guide approx 60,000 COP for 3 hours. 30 min walk
MIDDAY
MIRADOR LA CANTERA AND COFFEE FARM VISIT
The extraordinary Mirador La Cantera viewpoint above Minca, a 45-minute walk through coffee farms and cloud forest to a remarkable hilltop overlooking the entire Caribbean coast, Santa Marta and the Sierra Nevada peaks in both directions simultaneously. The extraordinary view is the finest in the Sierra Nevada foothills. The La Victoria coffee farm on the way back offers extraordinary tours of the shade-grown Sierra Nevada coffee production. Tour approx 25,000 COP. 45 min mototaxi
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO SANTA MARTA AND MERCADO PUBLICO
Return to Santa Marta and explore the extraordinary Mercado Publico, the finest traditional Caribbean market in the region with fresh Caribbean fish, extraordinary tropical fruits, local Sierra Nevada cheeses, coconut products and the finest fresh-squeezed juice stalls in Colombia. The extraordinary malacon waterfront at Santa Marta at sunset, when the Sierra Nevada snow peaks glow pink above the city, is the finest farewell to the mountain coast.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Hacienda La Isabella above Minca at 1,200 metres is the finest single-origin coffee farm in the Santa Marta Sierra Nevada, producing remarkable shade-grown arabica at extraordinary altitude. The hacienda tour includes a full explanation of the extraordinary Colombian coffee production process from cherry to cup, ending with the finest coffee tasting in the Sierra Nevada. Book through Casa Elemento in Minca.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Minca guesthouse breakfast Fresh Sierra Nevada coffee and tropical fruit before the dawn birdwatching departure. | Lunch: La Victoria coffee farm Extraordinary lunch at the coffee farm. Fresh farm produce, local cheese and extraordinary Sierra Nevada coffee. | Dinner: La Casa del Farol, Santa Marta Outstanding Caribbean restaurant on the Santa Marta malacon. Extraordinary ceviche and grilled fish.
DAY 5
PALOMINO
MORNING
PALOMINO, THE FINEST UNSPOILT CARIBBEAN BEACH
The most extraordinary unspoilt Caribbean beach near Santa Marta, a wide sweep of wild golden sand 80km east of the city where the extraordinary Rio Palomino river meets the Caribbean Sea in a remarkable river mouth bar. The beach is backed by extraordinary coconut palms and the first major foothills of the Sierra Nevada rise directly behind. Almost no development. The extraordinary combination of mountain, jungle, river and Caribbean Sea is unique on this coast. 30 min walk to river
MIDDAY
RIO PALOMINO RIVER TUBING
The most extraordinary river activity on the Caribbean coast, floating down the extraordinary Rio Palomino on inner tubes through remarkable riverside jungle and the remarkable indigenous Kogui community lands, emerging after 2 hours into the Caribbean surf at the river mouth beach. The extraordinary transition from cool mountain river to warm Caribbean sea is one of the finest natural experiences in Colombia. Local guides provide tubes for approx 20,000 COP. 1.5 hours bus
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO SANTA MARTA AND DEPARTURE
The extraordinary coastal bus journey back west along the Caribbean highway to Santa Marta, with the Sierra Nevada rising on the right and the Caribbean stretching to the horizon on the left. The extraordinary final view of the snow peaks of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the highest coastal mountain range on earth rising from sea level to 5,775 metres in under 50km, is the most remarkable geographical sight on the Colombian coast.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Playa Mendihuaca between Palomino and Santa Marta is the finest hidden beach on the stretch of coast between the two, an extraordinary wild bay with unusual dark golden sand, massive boulders and almost no visitors despite being accessible from the main coastal highway. Ask the bus driver to drop you at Mendihuaca. The extraordinary empty beach stretches for a kilometre in both directions.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Santa Marta hotel breakfast Good breakfast before the Palomino bus. Collective runs from Santa Marta market terminal. | Lunch: El Paraiso, Palomino beach Outstanding Caribbean fish and coconut rice at a palm-shaded beach restaurant on the Palomino shore. | Dinner: Mercado Publico, Santa Marta Final extraordinary fresh fish dinner at the market before departure. The finest value meal in Santa Marta.
Where To Stay
Santa Marta, Nights 1 and 5 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. Book months in advance. Approx 80 to 120 USD per night all-inclusive. Minca, Night 3 to 4 Casa Elemento or La Semilla Hostel. Cloud forest hammock guesthouses. Approx 15 to 60 USD.
Top Tips
1. Book Tayrona Ecohabs months ahead. They sell out completely in high season without exception.
2. Tayrona closes August to October. Verify the park is open before booking flights.
3. Do NOT swim at Arrecifes beach inside Tayrona. The rip currents have killed many visitors.
4. The Ciudad Perdida Lost City trek is 4 to 6 days from Santa Marta. Requires significant planning.
5. Minca is the finest birdwatching in the Sierra Nevada. Hire a guide from La Minca hostel.
6. Palomino river tubing on the Rio Palomino into the Caribbean is the finest activity on this coast.
Total Budget
35 to 210 USD/day