Tayrona National Park and Cabo San Juan
Jungle trails, boulder-strewn beaches and the palm-fringed Cabo San Juan lookout on Colombia's most famous stretch of Caribbean coast. A guided day trip from Santa Marta.
Magdalena, Colombia
Santa Marta & Tayrona
Santa Marta is Colombia's oldest surviving Spanish city and the gateway to one of the most varied corners of the Caribbean: a colonial old town on a warm bay, the jungle-and-boulder beaches of Tayrona National Park, coffee and waterfalls in the Sierra Nevada foothills at Minca, a river-meets-sea village at Palomino and, for those with four days to spare, the long walk to the Lost City of the Tayrona.
This guide covers the headline sights in sensible order, with day trips, boat days, food and nightlife, plus a spread of places to stay from the old town and the bay to El Rodadero, eco-lodges near the park and cabins in the hills. Check your government's current travel advice for Colombia before you book, and confirm park and trek dates with your operator.
Don't miss
Tayrona National Park and Cabo San Juan
Jungle trails, boulder-strewn beaches and the palm-fringed Cabo San Juan lookout on Colombia's most famous stretch of Caribbean coast. A guided day trip from Santa Marta.
Museo del Oro Tayrona
A compact museum in the old customs house showing Tayrona goldwork, ceramics and stone beads, the best short introduction to the culture behind Tayrona and the Lost City.
Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino
The sugar estate where Simon Bolivar died in 1830: colonial buildings, botanical gardens, a monument and a contemporary art museum, a few kilometers from the old town.
Diving in Taganga and Tayrona
Beginner-friendly scuba and certified dives off Taganga's rocky coast and inside Tayrona, where the Caribbean reef is close and the instruction is relaxed.
Things to do in Santa Marta & Tayrona
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Playa Cristal and Tayrona by Boat
Skip the long hike and reach Playa Cristal's clear, sheltered water by boat from the Santa Marta coast, with time for snorkeling and a beach lunch.
Lost City (Ciudad Perdida) Trek
A multi-day jungle trek to Ciudad Perdida, the Tayrona stone city older than Machu Picchu, with river crossings, village stays and indigenous guides in the Sierra Nevada.
Minca Coffee, Cacao and Waterfalls
A cool, green mountain village above Santa Marta with coffee farms, cacao tastings and swimmable waterfalls. The easiest escape from the coastal heat.
Palomino River Tubing
Float down the Palomino River on an inner tube from the Sierra Nevada foothills to a wild Caribbean beach, with a nature trail hike and a village stop.
Santa Marta Historic Centre Walking Tour
Colombia's oldest surviving Spanish city: a cathedral, leafy plazas, colonial streets and the bayfront promenade, covered on foot with a local guide.
Museo del Oro Tayrona
A compact museum in the old customs house showing Tayrona goldwork, ceramics and stone beads, the best short introduction to the culture behind Tayrona and the Lost City.
Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino
The sugar estate where Simon Bolivar died in 1830: colonial buildings, botanical gardens, a monument and a contemporary art museum, a few kilometers from the old town.
Diving in Taganga and Tayrona
Beginner-friendly scuba and certified dives off Taganga's rocky coast and inside Tayrona, where the Caribbean reef is close and the instruction is relaxed.
Playa Blanca and Inca Inca Beach Day
A full beach day on the sheltered bays south of Santa Marta, with a boat or road transfer, lunch and time to swim in calm water.
Santa Marta Marine World Aquarium
A small seaside aquarium on the Rodadero coast with Caribbean fish, sharks and marine exhibits, a cheap, easy stop for families on a hot afternoon.
Sunset Sailing on Santa Marta Bay
A relaxed evening sail around the bay as the sun drops behind the Sierra Nevada foothills, with drinks on deck and the lights of the old town coming on.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
AC Hotel by Marriott Santa Marta
Santa Marta
A modern, design-led hotel from a major international brand, a reliable base in Santa Marta for travelers who want predictable standards and easy access to day trips.
Check rates →Best Western Plus Santa Marta Hotel
Santa Marta
A mid-range international-brand hotel in Santa Marta with the familiar comforts of a chain: air conditioning, breakfast and a front desk that handles tours.
Check rates →Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida
Playa Dormida
A beachside resort near Playa Dormida on the north side of the bay, for travelers who want pools, sand and a resort pace between excursions.
Check rates →La Casa del Farol Hotel Boutique
Santa Marta
A boutique stay for travelers who want character over chain comfort, a small property with a personal feel suited to the colonial streets of Santa Marta.
Check rates →3H Hotel Rodadero Santa Marta
El Rodadero
A practical base in El Rodadero, Santa Marta's beach-resort district, close to the sand, restaurants and family-friendly promenade.
Check rates →Ecohotel Yachay Tayrona
Tayrona Park area
A nature-focused stay near the Tayrona coast for travelers who want jungle sounds, early park access and a quieter night than the city.
Check rates →Finca Barlovento Maloka
Tayrona Park area
A countryside-style finca stay in the Tayrona area, a quiet, open-air base for hikers and travelers who prefer nature to nightlife.
Check rates →Ecohab Los Naranjos
Los Naranjos, Tayrona coast
An eco-cabin stay on the Tayrona coast near Los Naranjos beach, for travelers who want the sea and the forest outside the door.
Check rates →Mi Casa En Minca
Minca
A stay in the cool hills of Minca, a base for coffee farms, waterfalls and birdwatching away from the coastal heat.
Check rates →La Casa del Mono Minca
Minca
A cabin-style stay in Minca for travelers who want a private nook in the forest, close to trails, rivers and the village.
Check rates →Santa Marta & Tayrona guides
Santa Marta in Three Days: Old Town, Tayrona and the Mountains
A sequenced three-day plan: the old town and bay on day one, Tayrona on day two, and a cool day in Minca on day three, with swaps for beach and trek lovers.
Where to Stay in Santa Marta: Old Town, Beaches, Tayrona and Minca
A guide to choosing a base: the historic centre, the bay resorts, El Rodadero, eco-lodges near Tayrona and the hill village of Minca.
Tayrona National Park: Planning Your Visit
How to plan a visit to Tayrona: entrances, the hike to Cabo San Juan, swimming safety, closures, boats and whether to stay overnight.
The Lost City Trek: What to Expect on Ciudad Perdida
A practical guide to the Lost City trek: route, difficulty, camps, packing, the best season and how to respect the Sierra Nevada communities.
Eating and Drinking in Santa Marta: Seafood, Arepas and Fresh Juices
A guide to the food of Santa Marta and the Caribbean coast: breakfast dishes, fried fish, street food, fruit juices, coffee, cacao and where to eat.
The Best Time to Visit Santa Marta: Seasons, Weather and Closures
When to go: the dry and wet seasons, winds, park and trek closures, holidays and festivals, with advice on what each month suits.
