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Located approximately four and a half hours' drive from Cartagena following the coastal road northeast, Parque Nacional Tayrona is paradise perfected.
The park sits at the edge of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range, the highest coastal mountain range in the world and stretches over 35 miles from near to Santa Marta in the West to Rio Piedras in the East. The national park is everything you could want from a picture postcard beach location. Palm fringed beaches and golden sand that stretches out in front of you. This tropical beach paradise has a backdrop of lush green rainforest. There are numerous paths that link the various beaches and bays, which make perfect walking trails to while away the days in paradise.
This is an amazing place to sit back and relax, amble the beach and jungle trails and spot the local wildlife. Although the sea can be choppy in parts there are several swimming locations to cool down from the tropical heat. For photographers the area is divine with plenty of fantastic scenery and images to capture. The national park was once home to the indigenous Tayrona Indians and archaeological remains can still be found. The best preserved of these is the pre-Hispanic village of Pueblito, believed to have been the site of a major Tayrona settlement.
Covering an area of 37,000 acres of which 7,000 correspond to coastal waters, Tayrona Park has a dry tropical climate with temperatures which vary between 15°C and 29°C. The majority of the park is covered by virgin tropical forest and inhabited by over 100 species of mammals, 200 species of birds and 50 species of reptiles. The Paujil, a kind of hen, is often represented in Tayrona gold work and is indigenous to the area, as is the majestic condor which nests in the highest peaks of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Monkeys can often be seen along the fringes of the beaches.
Please note that there is a requirement to have a valid yellow fever certificate in order to enter the Tayrona National park.
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Suggested itinerary featuring Tayrona National Park
This sample itinerary will give you an idea of what is possible when you travel in Tayrona National Park, and showcases routes we know work particularly well. Treat this as inspiration, because your trip will be created uniquely by one of our specialists.
Places near Tayrona National Park
- Santa Marta 11 miles away
- Caribbean Coast 117 miles away
- Cartagena 118 miles away
- Los Llanos 298 miles away
Photos of Tayrona National Park
Our expert guides to exploring Tayrona National Park
Written by our specialists from their own experiences of visiting Tayrona National Park, these guides will help you make the most of your time there. We share both our practical recommendations and the best ways to appreciate Tayrona National Park at its best.
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What to do in Colombia: our highlights guide What to do in Colombia: our highlights guide
What to do in Colombia: our highlights guide
From cultured Cartagena to youthful Medell铆n, you can witness how Colombia is reinventing itself on a tailor-made Audley trip.
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Accommodation choices for Tayrona National Park
We've selected a range of accommodation options for when you visit Tayrona National Park. Our choices usually come recommended for their character, facilities and service or location. Our specialists always aim to suggest properties that match your preferences.
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Ecohabs
Tayrona National Park -
Cayena Beach Villa
Tayrona National Park