Visiting Tayrona National Park (Solo Travelers’ Manual)

Each travel destination has this ”top thing to do”. Or a few. Like Rome in Italy or the Eifel Tower in Paris. The same goes for Colombia, and Tayrona Park is definitely one of the most incredible and top things to do in Colombia.

Tayrona Park is one of Colombia’s most visited turist destinations, and for a good reason. It is often referred to as a nature sanctuary, and walking down its trails and discovering its tranquil beaches truly feels like a sacred experience.

I was truly looking forward to staying for a night in Parque Tayrona but as a solo female traveler I also wanted to learn beforehand, everything that would make my stay enjoyable, safe, and memorable.

There are many aspects to visiting Tayrona Park, like choosing where to stay for the night, what to pack, where to eat, which trails to take, and so on. So I will cover it all in this article, including my personal opinion on whether Tayrona Park is worth the hype.

This post is a solo traveler manual as the title suggests and given I traveled to Tayrona solo. But truly whatever your travel style you will find a well of useful information and tips for your Tayrona adventure!

What (and where) actually is Tayrona National Park?

Named after the Tairona people, an ancient Indigenous civilization that inhabited the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta region for over two millennia, Tayrona Park is a truly sacred place. 

Located on Colombia’s northern Caribbean coast near Santa Marta, Parque Tayrona is home to an infinite amount of natural wonders but also holds a deeper meaning for the people of Colombia and its heritage. Evidence of indigenous settlements is still visible within the park’s boundaries, such as El Pueblito which has now been closed to tourists as per the wishes of the indigenous residents.

Tayrona National Park is famous for its pristine beaches, glorious waters, tropical forests, and its exceptional biodiversity. Covering approximately 150 square kilometers of land and 30 square kilometers of marine territory, it is home to stunning flora like orchids and bromeliads, and incredible towering ceiba trees which I found mesmerizing!

Not even mention the wild variety of exotic animals like over 350 bird species, different species of monkeys, iguanas, and even jaguars.

The additional appeal of the Tayrona National Park is that its beaches and other attractions are not easily accessible as you will have to take a spectacular jungle walk to get there. This in fact was my favourite part of visiting Tayrona!

The jungle hike is spectacular! For me, a hike towards Cabo San Juan was a definite highlight!

I very much enjoyed a swim at the Piscinita Beach and, of course, sunset over Cabo San Juan and spending a night in the camp sleeping in the hammock!

Should you visit Tayrona National Park?

Many travelers visit Tayrona Park for the famous Cabo San Juan beach, but there is much more to Tayrona Park. It is a magical natural sanctuary very much worth visiting.

Yet recently, I heard some voices that Tayrona is becoming too commercial. That is has lost its charm.

I must admit – I felt it also during my trip.

As long as I walked the trails and admired its less popular beaches, I absolutely loved it!

The nature and wildlife in Tayrona Park are astonishing. The most beautiful, colorful butterflies, lizards, monkeys, and some crawling animals I didn’t recognize. Incredible species of birds. The trek is terrific. I really liked the beaches I visited on my way, and I enjoyed having my packed breakfast at Arecifes Beach.

But as I arrived at Cabo San Juan, I had mixed feelings. I arrived just after midday, and the camp was already full of people who arrived from Taganga on a boat and the remainder of last night’s visitors and a new load that included me, of course.

The first stretch of the beach, the one that is immediately accessible as you enter, was a little underwhelming. Yet, as I walked further, things got much better. The beach is beautiful, and the water is divine to swim in. But excess human bodies make everything a little bit less attractive.

Once all the visitors that arrived just for the day had left, the beach became a true paradise. The water was divine to swim in, and I had a great camping experience.

So if you want to truly experience Parque Tayrona, make it worthwhile, and get a chance to see it without the crowds you should stay for the night. Visiting Tayrona on a day trip is not worth it unless you are into overly touristy experiences.

Would I go again? Yes! But this time I would stay at another, less crowded camp. Having said that, if you are a solo traveler, and visiting for the first time, Cabo San Juan is still the best choice. More on this later.

The best way to visit Tayrona Park

The most popular way of visiting Tayrona Park is by spending a night in the park. The majority of travelers book an overnight stay in a hammock or a tent on Cabo San Juan beach and spend those two days hiking between a few of its famous beaches.

The best way to organize this trip is to stay near the park for a couple of days, leave your luggage at the hostel or hotel, and venture to Tayrona National Park only with your small backpack. Considering you will most likely sleep in a hammock and will walk for quite a bit, it’s best to leave your main luggage or backpack behind.

The majority of hotels in the area will happily store your backpack for a night without a charge if only you book at least one night with them. So you can stay in Santa Marta, Mendihuaca, or even Palomino and take a two-day trip to Tayrona from there.

If you choose the El Zaino entrance you will start your Tayrona visit with an incredible El Zaino trek.

You will hike through the tropical forest and appreciate the incredible wild fauna and flora of the park. After settling at your camp you can then hike to nearby beaches, swim in the sea, and wait for the most spectacular sunset.

Where to stay for visiting Tayrona National Park?

There are several locations you could choose from if you want to visit Tayrona National Park. Many visitors choose Santa Marta or Palomino as their base.

However, I believe that there are many advantages to staying closer to the Park. Firstly, you can arrive as early as you need to, without stress and hassle and even without having to use public transportation.

Staying on the outskirts of Tayrona in places like Mendihuaca Beach or Los Cocos also gives you a slightly different perspective on coastal life, and allows you to really get the feel of the Colombian Caribbean.

Here are all the possible options to set your base to see that Tayrona National Park:

Santa Marta

Santa Marta is the most popular area to stay for a Tayrona Park trip. From Santa Marta, you can visit Tayrona Park, but also arrange a trip to Minca and other beautiful places.

It all depends on how much time you have available. If you want to see as much as possible in a short time, Santa Marta is probably the best option.

I also really like Santa Marta. It’s a great, vibrant, and colorful town with the best sunsets, a great relaxed vibe, and fantastic restaurants and nightlife.

How to get to Tayrona Park from Santa Marta?

The best way to get to Tayrona Park from Santa Marta is by local bus. You can get one from in front of the municipal market. Those are blue urban buses that go to Palomino. The ticket costs 15000 COP, and the journey will take around 45 minutes. 

If you are wondering where to stay in Santa Marta be sure to head over to this post where I explain what are the best areas to stay and I give some accommodation recommendations!

Taganga

The most popular way to visit Tayrona National Park from Taganga is by speed boat. This is a pretty adventurous way to visit Tayrona and, in my opinion, has few drawbacks.

The ride is over 30 minutes long and can get pretty rough. Most importantly, the return ride is around 4 p.m., so you will only be able to see Cabo San Juan at its peak and pack full of tourists. It will definitely feel very touristy and rushed.

It is, however, a great option if you are short on time and cannot spare an extra day to spend a night in the park.

It is very easy to find the boat to Tayrona National Park in Taganga. The leaves daily between 9:30 and 10:30, right from the Taganga beach. The trip cost around 100.000 COP return, but please note that you will not be paying the Tayrona park entry fee with this trip.

Zaino

Zaino is the location of the main Tayrona Park entrance, and you will find quite a few nice hostels in this area. Zaino is the best area to stay if you want to walk to Tayrona Park and be there as early as possible.

Be prepared, though – this place is far from the city and all its conveniences.

I really like this area and stayed there for a couple of nights. It was in Zaino where for the first time I spent the night in an actual Caribbean hostel with parts of the wall replaced by nets and set in the middle of lush countryside with all the perks and scares that come with it. I spent far too much time in the evening just laying in my hammock, right next to the river listening to all sounds of nature and contemplating life.

I also fought with a giant moth at night, eventually gave up, and went to sleep outside in the hammock where it wouldn’t be flapping its wings above my face. I woke up to a family of mini bats making a home in the outside canopy of my room. I wasn’t even paying attention to the lizards crawling my walls anymore. But I have also seen Guacamaya sitting on a branch right behind me, which was one of the best experiences ever!

Be sure to pop into The Coconuts for a cold beer and a delicious meal!

It was a good couple of days 🙂

Costeno Beach

Costeno Beach is definitely where you will find a ”destination accommodation”. What do I mean by that?

Costeno is a beautiful surfing beach with not much to do but with some incredible hostels and a couple of resorts. It is a place where you come to stay in an awesome social hostel, chill, and have some parties 🙂 Costeno Beach Hostel is the most famous of them all but La Brisa Tranquila is also a great option!

Los Naranjos, Los Cocos and Mendihuaca Beach

Not far from Consteno and slightly closer to Tayrona you will find awesome alternative and very tranquil areas which are perfect for visiting the park but also getting a well-deserved beach break.

Los Naranjos Beach is one of my favorite spots on the Colombian coast. Very much off the beaten path, absolutely stunning and tranquil and paradise-like!

I stayed there for four days, two of which were dedicated to the Tayrona Park trip, and the remaining I spent relaxing on the beach and working (as much as I could force myself to)

Mendihuaca is on another level! Mendihuaca is not just a great place to make a base for the Tayrona Park trip. It is a great place to stay, full stop. It is a tranquil beach 20 minutes walk from Costeno, dotted with eco hostels and with beautiful rivers entering the sea and offering excellent bathing and kayaking opportunities. I totally fell in love with Mendihuaca, and I decided to write a separate post about it.

There isn’t much happening in any of those areas. But it’s a wonderful place to just stay and recharge before and after the Tayrona trek and maybe even stay at a more fancy beachside resort.

Palomino

Although it does take around 45 to get from Palomino to Tayrona National Park, many visitors decide to make Palomino a base for their Tayrona trip. And you can’t blame them, really. Palomino is known for being one of the hippiest towns in Colombia, and it is a great town to stay in for more than just a few days. It’s not just a Tayrona trip base, it’s a destination in itself.

In order to get to Tayrona National Park from Palomino, you will have to take the return bus to Santa Marta from the main road in Palomino and ask the driver to drop you off at the Tayrona entrance. The ticket shouldn’t cost more than 8000 COP, and the journey will last around 45 minutes.

How many days do you need in Tayrona National Park?

I definitely think that one day in Tayrona Park is a waste of time, effort, and money.

There is quite a bit of walking involved and there are few gorgeous beaches to visit, therefore staying overnight is the best choice.

By spending a night in Tayrona Park, you will give yourself enough time to take a rest after the hike, properly explore the area, experience the incredible sunset, and see this beautiful place in a more tranquil setting after the day-trippers have gone.

I took my time walking back the next day. As I left pretty early to avoid the heat, I had enough time to stop at the Piscinita beach for a swim, stop at the restaurant for refreshing watermelon juice and coffee, and take more pictures.

I also really enjoyed the experience of sleeping in the hammock and waking up early to watch the sunrise.

What’s more, given the cost of the Tayrona National Park entrance, staying there for only a few hours is really not worth it given the gate closes at 5 pm.

You can definitely choose to stay two nights in Tayrona and spend each night at a different campsite, or in an eco-lodge. Some travelers even opt for a two-night stay if they are starting from the Calabazo entrance, hiking to Playa Brava on the first day, and moving to Cabo San Juan on the second day. 

Which entrance to Tarona Park is the best?

There are few ways to enter Tayrona National Park, but there are two official entrances – El Zaino and Calabazo, with El Zaino being the most popular one.

El Zaino is the entrance I recommend, especially if this is your first visit to Tayrona National Park and you are traveling solo. The trek from El Zaino is easy to follow, and there are plenty of other travelers on the hike.

El Zaino is easily accessible from the main road and gives the best access to all the most popular beaches, as well as Cabo San Juan and an overnight camp. From the El Zaino entrance, you will also have the option to take a horse ride all the way to Cabo San Juan.

If you decide to visit for the second time and want to see more remote beaches and experience a bit more of a challenging trek, enter via the Calabazo entrance. This is a much less popular entrance hence there is a greater possibility you will meet much fewer travellers and tourists. From Calabazo, you can hike to more remote Playa Brava, and if you are an avid hiker and want to stay in Tayrona for more than one night – this is your entrance. 

In comparison, it takes around 1.5 hours to get to Cabo San Juan from El Zaino and around 4 hours from Calabazo. 

Please note that if you are thinking of choosing the Calabazo entrance in order to visit Pueblito (the indigenous people’s village), this is no longer possible. At the request of the indigenous communities, the village has been closed to visitors.

This hike is meant to be pretty challenging. Many hikers opt for a two-night stay from this entrance and, after spending the night at Playa Brava, continue towards Cabo San Juan the next day. This option is definitely for more experienced hikers.

I have not personally done this trek, but I have heard many opinions that this route is hard and unsuitable for solo travelers. I would recommend that you do this trek in a company or with a guide.

If you are short on time you can also access Tayrona Park for a day by boat from Taganga, which will give you a few hours to visit and will allow you to avoid the entrance fees. 

Staying inside Tayrona National Park

If you are planning on spending the night at Cabo San Juan, I highly recommend booking and paying for your hammock or tent at the entrance. Both hammocks and tents get booked pretty quickly, and the last thing you want is to arrive at the destination and find out you have nowhere to sleep.

You will be asked if you want to book your ”accommodation” at the time of purchasing the ticket.

Once your hammock or tent is booked, you can take your time hiking, exploring, and taking as many breaks as you want, while those who didn’t book would rush to the camp. It’s a no-brainer.

If you are not sure what option to choose, don’t worry, I got you covered. Here is the breakdown of all the sleeping options inside Tayrona Park:

Camping/Hammocks at Cabo San Juan

I stayed in a hammock and I think this is the best option. Tents can get a bit hot and stuffy.

If you choose to sleep in a hammock you will also be asked if you want one ”at the top” (also called the mirador), or at the ”bottom”.

Which should you choose – top or bottom?

The bottom is the main camp on the ground and the ”top” is on top of the hill. This is a slightly pricier option. The views are incredible but it gets windy and cooler at night. It’s also further from any facilities like toilets, the restaurant, and lockers. There is also no light and the hammocks are closer to each each other. If you think you might need a bathroom at night be prepared for a hike in the dark.

I chose the bottom because it was just such a more convenient option. Hammocks are comfortable enough, and there is a decent distance between them, so although you are sharing the space with strangers, it still feels pretty private.

You will be given a locker to store your belongings (bring a padlock!), and there are pretty good shower facilities at Cabo San Juan.

The bathroom is near and you can easily walk from the bar/restaurant to your hammock once you are really for sleep. They are also cheaper.

The price for a hammock is 40,000 COP on the ground and 60.000 at the ‘’top’’.

Tents cost 140,000 COP for a larger 2-person tent, or 70,000 COP for a smaller tent for one person. You can also bring your own.

An important tip – If you want to secure the bottom hammock be sure to book it at the entrance, they go really fast! Or arrive as early as possible!

Arrecife Beach

If you are looking for a cheaper and quieter option, there is Arrecife Beach and the surrounding area. You will have a few options at Arrecife. 

You can stay at the cabin, which can be booked online, or at the campsite, where you can rent a tent or park your own. This camp looked pretty good, and there were a couple of small restaurants where you could get breakfast. This could be a great option if you travel in a group, yet as a single traveler, I preferred staying at a bit busier location.

Although Arrecife is a beautiful beach, swimming there isn’t possible as it is the most dangerous beach in Tayrona Park. If you opt to stay in this area, you will need to walk to La Piscina or Cabo San Juan for a dip.

Ecohabs Tequendama at Cañaveral Beach

If you fancy a luxury stay at Tayrona Park, you can choose to stay at Eco Hubs Tequendama. Ecohabs Tequendama consists of 14 huts perfectly integrated into nature and inspired by the indigenous constructions of the ancient Tayrona tribe, based on wood, with high roofs, which are covered with palm leaves, to reach an ideal temperature. They are located at Cañaveral beach, therefore a bit far from other beaches. Also an excellent option for a more extended stay.

Camping at Castilletes

Castilletes is a camp and accommodation hub located just before the start of the main Tayrona trek. It is pretty far from the main beaches, and you will need to walk the length of the hike daily to reach Cabo San Juan and then back. It is probably a great option if you plan to stay at the park for more than one night.

Make sure to let the shuttle driver know that this is where you are staying so he will stop at the camp.

Playa Brava (Teyumakke camp and eco-lodge)

Playa Brava (Teyumakke camp) is definitely a more remote location, nevertheless, a great option to spend the night in Tayrona Park, especially if you are an independent adventure seeker.

This camp offers a beautiful location, and the camp offers excellent facilities. 

You will be able to swim at Playa Brava, and you will have the option to sleep in the elevated eco-hub, hammock, or bring your own tent. There are also bungalows for those preferring a bit more conventional stay. There are showers, toilets, and a restaurant on the site. 

The price of a hammock at Teyumakke Camp Playa Brava is 35.000 COP, which includes a mosquito net and a blanket

There are also many camping options within Tayrona Park and I have seen many visitors bringing their own tents. There are dedicated camping areas within Tayrona Park and you can check those in this post. 

Where to eat at Tayrona National Park?

Food and drinks in Tayrona National Park are on the pricier side.

On Cabo San Juan Beach, there is a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner at pretty overpriced rates. I refused to pay 25.000 COP for scrambled eggs. Instead purchased Tayrona bread filled with onion and spinach for 10,000 COP. It was delicious and filled me for the whole return journey. You will also be able to buy empanadas and sandwiches on the beach.

The dinner at Cabo San Juan restaurant ranges between 35.000 and 60.000.

But there are a few other, street-food-like options as well, and many visitors pack their own lunch. And drinks for the evening 😉

What to see and do at Tayrona National Park?

Beaches

Even though Colombia is not most famous for its beaches, the Tayrona Park offers a pristine and paradise-like experience. What’s more, you can actually swim at some beaches, which is not always the case at most of the beaches on the Colombian Caribbean coast.

Here are the beaches in Tayrona National Park you should visit:

Castilletes – a wild beach not suitable for swimming but great for camping or a pit stop during your hike! This is the first beach you will see during your hike from the El Zaino entrance.

Arrecifes – it is said to be the most dangerous beach in Tayrona Park and very much not suitable for swimming. But it is one of the most beautiful wild beaches so don’t miss it!

La Piscina Beach – If you are hiking from the park’s main entrance, this is where you will be able to have your first dip. I really like this beach and loved having a refreshing swim there!

Playa Brava – a beautiful and secluded piece of paradise, best reached from the Calabazo entrance.

Cabo San Juan – the most famous beach in Tayrona Park. It gets very crowded, but if you stay here for the night, you will truly appreciate it once all the day trippers have left.

Playa Nudista (Playa Boca del Saco 2) – pass Cabo San Juan the next beach is a nudist beach so if that’s your vibe, go for it. It is also a stunning beach and you can keep your cloths on 😉

Playa Cristal – a very popular day trip from Santa Marta or Tagagnga but this beach cannot be reached on foot.

Meeting the Indigenous Kogui People

Tayrona National Park is also home to 4 different indigenous ethnic groups. The name Tayrona originates from the name of the Tairona people – the ancient civilization that thrived in northern Colombia between 200 CE and 1600 CE.

While visiting Tayrona Park, you will be able to meet the Kogui people, selling their crafts and offering coconut water while you hike. I highly encourage you to support this community by purchasing the goods. Coconut water is very refreshing when walking in high temperatures, and you can support an ancient community at the same time. 

Kogui and their culture and heritage are fascinating. I encourage you to read about it in this post and learn about ancient civilizations before visiting places like Tayrona Park or Lost City. Your experience will be so much reacher because of that!

Hiking

Hiking is one of the best things to do in Tayrona Park and there are plenty of trails to choose from. The best is just to hike from one beach to another with some breaks for a swim!

But if you fancy a bit of a challenge you can hike from Cabo San Juan to Playa Blanca but be aware that it is a longer and a challenging trek. I do not recommend doing it on your own.

You can also take a very scenic 9 Piedras (9 Stones) hike which can be done on the way to Cabo San Juan from El Zaino or you can come back later and do the hike when you are more rested. It is a short 1.2 km hike which will take less than an hour and is worth a slight detour.

Dont walk into the lagoon though – there are alligators!

Is traveling to Tayrona National Park solo safe?

It is very safe to travel to Tayrona National Park solo. It is a very popular destination and there are always going to be another traveler on the trail. Just stick to the trail and you will be just fine.

The camp is also very safe even at night. Of course, don’t leave your valuables unattended, I highly recommend locking your documents and electronics in the locker.

Things to know before going

When to go (and closure dates – important!)

The optimal time to explore Tayrona’s natural wonders is during the dry season, spanning from December to April, with January through March offering particularly favorable conditions. This period boasts pleasant weather, minimal rainfall, and well-maintained trails. For those seeking a quieter experience, September to November provides less crowded beaches and easier accommodation options.

• Peak seasons: December-January and June-July (expect crowds)
• Avoid: Semana Santa (Holy Week in April) and long holiday weekends

Important Closure Notice: 

Be aware that every year from February 1 to 15, June 1 to 15, and October 19 to November 2 Tayrona Park remains closed.

Entrance fees

The Tayrona National Park entrance cost varies depending on the time of the year and whether you are a Colombian resident. I will provide prices for foreign nationals but for full a price breakdown you can visit Tayrona National Park’s official website.

Here is the full breakdown (prices in COP)

Tayrona National Park entrance fees during peak season (June 15 to July 15 – December 15 to January 30 – Thursday to Holy Sunday – Weekends with Holiday Bridge) 

• The entrance fee for foreign Nationals is 73500 COP

Tayrona National Park entrance fees during off-peak season 

• Foreign nationals 62000 COP

In addition to the entrance fee, it is obligatory to purchase insurance which costs 6.000 COP per day – this is obligatory regardless of whether you have already purchased the insurance elsewhere.

After crossing the gate and purchasing the tickets, I recommend taking a shuttle to the actual beginning of the trek. I would say, don’t be a hero and just take the shuttle. It is scorching hot and humid in the park, and you will walk plenty. Also, if you are in a hurry to book your overnight stay or hammock – taking a shuttle will save you a lot of time. The shuttle costs 5.000COP one way.

Gates to Tayrona National Park open at 8 am and close at 5 pm.

Try to arrive at Tayrona Park as early as you can. The queues, especially on the weekends can get massive and you really don’t want to waste 3 hours of your day standing in line. 

Don’t be surprised if your bag will be checked at the entrance. This is a normal procedure as some objects like plastic bags are not allowed in the park. 

Also, be sure to bring your passport with you as you will need it for the registration!

Take a packed breakfast

If you are staying closer to Tayrona a lot of hotels and hostels will offer a packed breakfast for your trip. I was leaving my hostel before the actual breakfast and they asked me the day before if I wanted a packed breakfast. It was such an amazing idea and many hotels will have this on offer.

What to pack

What to Pack for the Tayrona National Pack Visit

Here is the list of essential and recommended items you should pack for your overnight stay and hike in Tayrona National Park.

Take plenty of water! The hike takes around 2 hours and it’s hot! Also, the water at the park is expensive – a one-liter bottle will cost 5000COP! I have seen some travellers carry a lot of water but this was a bit too much to carry for me. I had a big 1.5-liter bottle and then just got some more as needed.

Toilet paper – I was lucky enough not to have to find out if there is enough, but just in case there isn’t – you don’t want to be surprised!

Passport (essential)– You will be asked for a passport when purchasing the ticket. You will not be able to enter without it. 

Cash (essential) – You can pay for your entry ticket by card, but this is it. Everything else is cash only. 

Mosquito spray/repellant (essential) – I was never the one getting bitten by mosquitos much. Until I arrived on Colombia’s Caribbean Coast. Bring good mosquito repellant, otherwise, you will get eaten alive at night. 

Sunscreen (essential) – Once you are out in the open space, there will be no place to hide from the sun. 

Padlock for the locker (essential) Those are not provided at Tayrona Park and you will need it for the locker. 

Swimming costume – Skinny dipping is not allowed unless you are directly heading for the nudist beach (it’s an option).

Towel – For the beach and shower. I carry one microfibre towel, which dries quickly, is very light, and is versatile. The great thing about microfibre towels is that sand doesn’t stick to them either. 

Power Bank: There are some charging stations located at Cabo San Juan but it offers limited access at limited times. I love not relying on those things. My power bank lasts me three whole days when I can charge my phone, camera, and other electronics.

Torch or headlamp – for the night trips to the bathroom. There is also no light where the hammocks are – in case you need to access your locker or padlock combination. The phone torch would probably do, but I dropped my phone in the sea on the first day and it obviously died on me. I couldn’t be more grateful for the head torch I take with me on all trips. It’s a great reading lamp too!

Book – There I no signal or internet around Tayrona Park. And accidents happen. I ended up with no phone and couldn’t be more grateful for my book! 

Toothpaste and toothbrush / Soap – Self-explanatory

A big bottle of water and snacks – Don’t overdo it, though! It’s a long hot walk, so you don’t want to carry too much. 1.5l to 2l bottle will do. Once at the park, you can refill your bottle. It’s not cheap, but there is no need to carry 5 liters on the hike. If you don’t want to eat at the restaurant or buy snacks at the stands, bring your own food. However, please keep in mind that it’s hot, and you want to make sure your supplies don’t spoil in hot weather. 

Warmer clothes for the night – I was pretty surprised when I got cold at night. I have never been cold at night around the Colombian Caribbean, even in the Guajira desert. I was very pleased with the long trousers and sarong I packed for this purpose. 

Forbidden items!

There are items that are not allowed to be brought to the park which include – drugs, alcohol, plastic bags, drones, or musical instruments.

Be prepared that you might have your bags searched before being allowed to enter and it is absolutely normal practice.

What to wear

It is hot and humid on the hike in Tayrona Park, and you won’t be able to escape it. I was sweating buckets all the way to Cabo. It is important you wear light, comfortable, and breathable clothing. Carry as little as possible. I have seen people in flip-flops, carrying two bags or a five-liter water bottle, struggling only an hour into the trek. It’s not a very difficult hike, but it is a hike on often uneven surfaces, and slippery, and you want to make it as effortless as possible. 

For the Tayrona National Park, it’s best to wear comfortable and non-slippery shoes. I don’t recommend hiking boots (it’s hot!). I recommend comfy trail runners, non-slippery trainers, or hiking sandals. I wore the latter and was very happy and comfortable. 

Breathable and comfortable clothing. Shorts and a T-shirt are fine, just make sure you are comfy. There are steps and boulders you will have to traverse. Make sure your moves are not restricted. I saw people wearing training outfits as well as girls wearing more fancy outfits (for those Insta shots, hahaha). It’s up to you and your priorities. It’s not a Kilimanjaro trek – just a hot and sweaty one. 

Rain jacket – It might rain, although, in this heat, I would rather get wet than bake in the rain jacket. I took mine, though. Never used it. 

Pack a pair of flip-flops and some sleeping gear for the camp – it’s nice to relax and change into non-sweaty clothing for the night. 

Take the shuttle to the start of the trail!

The proper trail doesn’t start until some 4km after the park entrance. It’s just a simple road so take the shuttle which costs 5000COP. You will walk plenty so don’t be a hero haha.

Money and ATM’s

There are no ATM’s at the Tayrona National Park so bring enough cash to last you for the whole length of the stay.

You can pay for the entrance ticket by card and in theory, you can pay by card in some restaurants but the signal is often bad and terminals don’t always work. Just bring cash.

Where to next?

If you follow my Colombia itinerary you are probably heading towards Palomino! Maybe you are wondering if it’s still worth visiting. Then be sure to check out my Palomino post!

If you are heading in the other direction, you are probably planning a stay in Cartagena! Cartagena is one of the must-see places to visit in Colombia and if you visiting for the first time – here is a breakdown of all the best places to stay in Cartagena for first-time travelers.

If you are heading straight to Rincon del Mar, be ready to never want to leave! It is my favorite beach town in Colombia! And on the way be sure to stop for a few days in  Santa Marta. And while there you will definitely not wanna miss a trip to magical Minca!

In this post, you will learn how to visit both Punta Gallinas and Cabo de la Vela and why you should actually stay for a couple of days in Riohacha!

Oh and if you are planning on visiting the Colombia coffee region be sure to read my coffee region guide as well as guides to towns like Salento, Jardin, or Filandia.

Happy Colombia travels!

Pati