photo by Serje (via Flickr)
photo by Mark Kent (via Flickr)
photo by David Shankbone (via Flickr)
Just a short one hour drive from Santa Marta is one of the most famous travel destinations in Colombia – Tayrona National Park. This tropical haven boasts 30 square kilometers of sea, and 150 square kilometers of beach and rain forest, with mild tropical temperatures year-round. It also has some of the most scenic and photographed beaches in Colombia. It's the perfect place to get away from modern life...there is no internet, only the pure connection to nature and your own sense of adventure.
An eco-lover's dream
Created in 1964, and becoming a National Park in 1969, Tayrona is an important ecological preserve for some of Colombia's most rare and endangered species. In fact, the cotton-top tamarin now only exists in the wild at Tayrona National Park. Other flora and fauna in the park include more than 400 species of birds, 70 species of bats, a variety of reptiles and amphibians, monkeys, jaguars, deer, and hundreds of varieties of tropical marine life, including stunning coral reefs. If you're lucky (or not?), you might see a Portuguese Man of War. Just be sure not to get too close!
Activities for everyone
Whether you are a bonafide beach bum who only wants to lay on the sand with a cocktail and enjoy the warm waves of the Caribbean, or an adrenaline junkie looking for adventure, Tayrona has something for you. Popular activities include snorkeling, scuba diving, swimming, hiking (with plenty of boulder scrambling), camping, or exploring the archeological site of Pueblito – the park's own mini version of Ciudad Perdida (the lost city). It is important to note that swimming is too dangerous at most of the beaches because of currents, so if that is your preferred activity, head to the beaches at La Piscina or El Cabo.
photo by Irene Serrano (via Flickr)
Epicurean delights
While food within the park is a little more expensive than average (you can bring in your own food), you would be missing out not to sample some of the fresh-squeezed juices, hand-made arepas, and just-caught seafood. There are a few small villages with restaurants and food stalls. You can find a variety of tropical fish plates with rice, fresh prawns, and fried plantains. Alcohol is also served in the park, and is one of the items you cannot carry in on your own.
Plan your stay
You can stay for a day, or plan to spend several days and nights exploring the wonders of the park, which offers several options for overnight accommodations, and they cover price points for every budget. The cheapest option is a hammock in a common building, and options go up from there, including renting a tent (or bringing your own), to cabanas, and more traditional rooms. It all just depends on the experience you want to have – rugged or luxurious.
Let Uncharted Colombia help you get the most out of your trip with our Tayrona Scuba Diving Day Trip. Explore the beauty and majesty of Tayrona National Park and the Caribbean coast. Colombia is waiting.