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Bucketlist Bri

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48 Hours in Tayrona National Park, Colombia

Last Updated: October 20, 2021 · Colombia, South America

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The Caribbean coast called and said it was time for another adventure. So with a curious heart and a frugal budget, I left behind my rainy Bogotá home to spend 11 days on the sunny northern coast of Colombia. First destination: Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona – where we spent two days swaying in hammocks and exploring palm-shaded forest trails.

Tayrona National Natural Park, popular for its rich biodiversity, rainforest, palm-trees, and diverse wildlife, is quite the tourist hub. But after seeing it in person, there’s no wonder why this place is so sought after. If you enjoy hiking, nature, sweating, swimming, beaches, mountains, and yummy coconut ice cream, then you should consider a trip to Tayrona National Park!

Here’s my guide for visiting Tayrona National Park including how to get there, where to sleep, things to do, and more!

2 Day Itinerary: Tayrona National Park, Colombia

  • 2 Days in Tayrona National Park Colombia
  • 2 Days in Tayrona National Park Colombia

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

Getting to Tayrona National Park

Hot, salty air greeted us as we stepped out of the air conditioning at Cartagena’s international airport. It was just past 11 pm and we still had a 5+ hour overnight drive to make. So the 7 of us, tired yet excited, squeezed in a van and took off.

Tayrona National Natural Park, Colombia | Bucketlist Bri

It was still dark when we arrived but within several minutes the sun quickly lit up the sky. The entrance to the park was marked in big letters across a yellow gate, but it wouldn’t be open for another 3 hours.

So there we sat, observing the shop owners sweep away leaves and trash from outside their shop, meanwhile spraying mosquito repellent and watching the dogs gnaw at their flea bites.

Tayrona National Natural Park, Colombia | Bucketlist Bri

Traveler’s tip: There’s an entrance fee, which is quite pricey if you’re not a Colombian resident (I got by as a “resident” from my student visa stamp). Book your hammock in advance at the gate from one of the representatives that will come around. It is 28,000 pesos to secure a hammock in picturesque Cabo San Juan de Guia, but once you’re there you can book another night for 25K pesos. Once you have your park wristbands and are inside, there are bus/vans that take you to the start of the hiking point, for 3,000 pesos per person.

Hiking to El Cabo San Juan de Guia on foot

While there are two other beaches you can stay at, El Cabo San Juan is the most popular – and prettiest. It takes quite a bit of effort to get there though.

Tayrona National Natural Park, Colombia | Bucketlist Bri

The hike will drench your clothes, especially in the tropical climate so come (lightly) prepared. We hiked through shaded palm-tree coves, on sandy beaches under the scorching sun, over bridges, down horse trails, past pueblitos, fincas, and more. You may get lucky and see monkeys or exotic birds!

As usual, I often trail behind the group so I can take photos of the scenery. It’s the perfect opportunity to take in the landscape with the lush Sierra Nevada mountains in the background and the sandy white beaches with hues of blue and green water up close.

Sleeping in Hammocks in Tayrona 

With achy muscles and sweat-stained shirts, we finally made it. Tents sprinkled the green ground, past which stood a single restaurant and little shop. Our sleeping quarters were essentially an over-sized open bungalow lined with colorful hammocks on both sides. We happily threw our stuff down and just lied there, slowly swaying with the warm sea breeze.

It would be my first time sleeping in a hammock on the beach. I didn’t know what to expect, but there’s always a little sense of adventure in trying out new things. Just don’t forget your sweater at home, because at night the hot wind turns glacial when it’s blowing right over you.

Tayrona National Natural Park, Colombia | Bucketlist Bri

The beach itself is emblematic of everything you could want from a beach, minus the people. Golden sand, teal waters, and towering palm trees. El Cabo San Juan is most popular for its picturesque little thatched-roof bungalow that sits proudly atop of a cluster of rocks at the beach’s corner.

Traveler’s tip: For a few extra bucks you can sleep up in the private bungalow in a hammock. While it offers beautiful 360-degree views of the area, it’s less convenient. You have to climb up and down the rocks – with a torchlight or cell phone – every time you’d like to use the restroom.

Tayrona National Natural Park, Colombia | Bucketlist Bri

The sheer effort of arriving at El Cabo San Juan makes it seem that much better. With no service or wifi, you’re just that much further away from the city and civilization. However, while it still feels remote compared to some other places, you can definitely tell this place has been under Lonely Planet’s spotlight.

Eating & Exploring Tayrona

It’s not the most budget-friendly of places, neither. As there is only one restaurant belonging to the hostel, they take advantage of the fact that you’re hungry and far from other food. Dinner or lunch will cost between 15-30,000 pesos. The cheapest was 13,000 for vegetable rice with fries.

Tayrona National Natural Park, Colombia | Bucketlist Bri

Traveler’s tip: Around lunchtime/in the afternoon, there will be a person on the beach selling hot sandwich-like bread for around 7,000 pesos. There are lots of choices and the portion is just right for one moderately-hungry person. Treat yourself afterward to the most creamy and delicious natural coconut ice cream for just 3,000 pesos. Make sure to find the ice cream man before he goes home around 4 pm though! It was so good I went back for another. 🙂

Other than swimming, eating, and playing card games, there is not a whole lot going on in Cabo San Juan.

Definitely take the morning (before it gets too hot) and go explore the nearby beaches (one is said to be a nude beach). However, these beaches are just for looks as the tides are very strong and have taken many traveler’s lives. “Don’t become a statistic,” the sign read.

Tayrona National Natural Park, Colombia | Bucketlist Bri

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take the back forest trails up to the indigenous pueblo (village) that sits atop the mountain. Take proper shoes, clothes and drinking water. These trails are much less frequented and so you will probably see more wildlife. We came across several lizards (small and big) and snakes, a little wild pig, and we heard some monkeys!

Seeing the sunrise and sunset in Cabo San Juan (from the little bungalow atop the rocks) is a must. The sunset was a dusty, vivid orange and the sunrise early the next morning was a dark, stormy purple. The beach is abandoned at sunrise which makes it the perfect time to sit and watch the world wake up while breathing in the fresh, salty air.

Tayrona National Natural Park, Colombia | Bucketlist Bri

On your journey back to civilization you can either rent a horse, hike, or take the speed boat to Taganga.

Traveler’s tip: If you walk, skip all the detours and gain 30 minutes by hiking the horse trail. It saves a bit of time, but it’s also less scenic as you join the road and walk another 2km.

We arrived back at the entrance around 8 am, just the time that newcomers were lining up to enter the park. I was thinking how strange that that was me just 48 hours earlier.

Tayrona National Park, Colombia | Bucketlist Bri

We ate a delicious breakfast with fried plantains, scrambled eggs, and soup just before waving down the bus to head to our next leg of the trip. Up next: Cabo de la Vela in La Guajira desert!

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By: Bri · In: Colombia, South America · Tagged: traveltales

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Comments

  1. Yasmine says

    August 7, 2017 at 3:40 pm

    This was a pleasure to read and I loved all your descriptions. You really brought the experience to life, and it sounds like it was pretty incredible. This National Park is now on my bucketlist!

    Reply
    • Bri says

      August 9, 2017 at 2:33 am

      Thanks so much Yasmine! Your words are so kind. I’m really glad you enjoyed reading it! And yes, it’s definitely bucketlist-worthy. 😉

      Reply

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National Park Week has got me feelin’ a serious National Park Week has got me feelin’ a serious case of nostalgia for our 2-week Southwest USA road trip! 🏜

The NP’s we visited on this trip:

📍Arches National Park
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Head to my blog bucketlistbri.com for the full 2-week itinerary plus detailed guides & itineraries to each NP!*

*except for BCotG

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I saw her giggling and chatting with a friend from across the street and, despite my shyness, waltzed over to ask if I could take her photo. 

She was simply radiating sitting there; an amateur portrait photographer's dream. Except I don't even own a portrait lens and this was only the second time ever in my life that I whisked up the courage to ask for something that feels so... intimate. 

But without hesitation, she gazed into my lens and pierced my heart. It was like being drawn to a joyous light that I just couldn't resist. So I dared to ask. 

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I think her sweet smile & kind eyes speak for themselves... ✨ 

You can read more about the indigenous Kaqchikel Maya and the colorfully painted town of Santa Catarina Palopó, Guatemala on my blog @bucketlistbri 💜
10 years together 💛😱 It’s not our annive 10 years together 💛😱 

It’s not our anniversary (it was technically last month, depending on who you ask) and we're not even celebrating Valentine's Day today, but...

I just wanted to remind the internet that I have a pretty badass partner (& not to mention the best cat dad) who puts up with both my silly madness and my need to live around the world in pursuit of adventure. 

If I have any advice for love and long-term relationships, it's this:

Keep choosing each other;
again, and again, and again,
over everything else, no matter what you go through. 

❤️❤️❤️

Can you guess which one of us first "friend-requested" the other all those years ago? 😉

#internationalcouple #ourlove #travelcouplegoals #10yearstogether #digitalnomadcouple #adventuretogether
On every adventure, I’ve thought of you. I am On every adventure, I’ve thought of you. 

I am the granddaughter of a guiding light, a woman so lovely and gentle and spiritual and strong that she attracted to her all walks of life. 

I was the butterfly enamored by her glow. The ship lost at sea that found safety at her shores. 

On every adventure, I’ll think of you. On every adventure, you’ll be with me. 

🦋 ✨
Add this hike to your Caribbean bucket list! ☀️ 

Guadeloupe is rich in breathtaking, diverse landscapes — La Pointe des Châteaux is no exception! Magnificent rocky pillars jut out of the ocean & create a magnificent view that’s best experienced at sunrise from atop Morne Pavillon, the hill marked by the large cross on its summit.

TIPS FOR VISITING:

🚗 Like everywhere in Gwada, you'll need a rental! Parking is free.
☀️ Sunrise and sunset are around 6am and 6pm
🥾 The hike itself only takes 15-20 minutes and is easy!
🦀 Watch for wildlife and other critters (this is a protected heritage site!)
🌊 Plenty of beaches are nearby, including a nude beach and a private beach with cool wave splashing action called "La Douche" (meaning shower 🚿) 

Read more about this epic spot + other must-see places in Guadeloupe on the blog @bucketlistbri 🌴

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I'M READY FOR YA, 2022 ✌️ HERE'S WHY: ✍️ I'M READY FOR YA, 2022 ✌️ HERE'S WHY:

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💻  It's the year I register my LLC and level up my business. 

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And some folks will think (do think), "overnight success." But the reality is (as my sweet friend @redwhiteadventures reminded me), it's been about putting one foot in front of the other -- just like on a hike up a mountain (or in this case, to the cliffsides overlooking the Caribbean and Atlantic!). 

2022 is going to be the view from the top!! (Sure, I may get there, and see another summit I want to climb. But I'm so ready for the challenge(s), the journey, & the adventure!) ⛰ 

What are you excited about in 2022?! 

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