Santa Marta: Tayrona Park Hike to Cabo San Juan

Top rated
4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7
40 reviews
Activity provider:
Gran Colombia Tours
Santa Marta: Tayrona Park Hike to Cabo San Juan
Top rated
4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7
40 reviews

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Tayrona National Natural Park on a full-day trip from Santa Marta. Wander along Crystal Beach, swim at Cabo de San Juan, and savor a Caribbean meal (at your expense).

About this activity

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Duration 9 hours
Check availability to see starting times
Live tour guide
Spanish, English
Private or small groups available

Highlighted reviews from other travelers

M
Morgan – United States

Daniel was a great tour guide for Tayrona! He spoke passionately about his love for the nature in the park and answered all our random questions about life in Colombia. A great day of walking, swimming, and sun! Highly recommend to anyone looking to go to Tayrona.

K
Kris – Australia

If you want to see Tayrona at its best—wild, humid, and full of monkeys—go with Guillermo. Communication was easy, pick-up from Taganga was seamless, and he sorted all tickets and logistics like a man who’s seen things. The hike itself is no stroll in the park (except, technically, it is), but worth every sweaty step. We saw a three-toed sloth, howler monkeys, capuchins, tamarins, bats, lizards, birds, crabs – you name it. Guillermo knew them all, and could explain the region’s history and Indigenous significance without once sounding like a bored schoolteacher. The landscape? Outrageous. White sand beaches with fat, lounging boulders; dense jungle where the light hits like a disco ball; palms straight from a fever dream. And just when you’re thinking it can’t get better, he takes you to a swimming spot so glorious it rewires your brain. Skip the resorts. Do this instead. It’s the Caribbean of my dreams, and Guillermo’s your man.

Select participants and date

Highlights

  • Treat your eyes to the jewels of Colombian nature on a full-day walking tour
  • Hike through the lush verdant beauty of Tayrona National Natural Park
  • Swim in clear waters surrounded by lofty palm trees at Playa Cabo de San Juan
  • Admire biodiversity of flora and fauna against the backdrop of the Sierra Nevada
  • Savor the flavors of the tropics during a typical Caribbean lunch (not included)

Full description

If you are short of time but don’t want to leave Santa Marta without visiting its main destination, don’t worry, our tour in Tayrona Park is what you need! With this day trip to Tayrona Park, we will pick you up from your hotel and take you to all of the places you need to know: Cabo San Juan, Arrecifes, and crystal-clear beaches among others. Have a traditional lunch by the sea (not included) and spend the rest of the day relaxing near the beach. You can choose a private option that includes transportation forth and back to your lodgings, or a shared option in which you can get to the park on public transportation.

With the private option one of our professional drivers and an experienced guide will pick you up from your hotel in Santa Marta and safely drive you for less than an hour to get to the Park. We suggest you start this trip before 8 a.m. so you don’t get stuck in traffic on the way back. If you choose the shared option, you can take a public transportation in El Rodadero, at 7:15 am that will take you to the entrance of the park. There, the tour guide will be waiting for you.

From the entrance you will start hiking deep in the woods along the marked trails until you get to the first beach: Arrecifes (reefs). This is the biggest beach in the park and one of the campsites but, as it is not possible to swim in its waters due to the strong sea currents, you will only stay there for a couple of minutes to have a break.

Ready again, you will keep walking down and up the natural paths with its incredible natural Crystal-clear beaches. These are one of the top 25 most beautiful beaches of South America due to its turquoise crystal-clear calm waters.

And last but not least you will get to the final destination: Cabo San Juan, known for having a picturesque viewpoint from a kiosk and another campsite.

Once in here, you will enjoy a traditional Caribbean lunch by the sea (not included) and you will have the rest of the day to lie under a palm tree’s shade, relax, swim, walk by the seashore, or even talk with some other travelers. Then hike back again to the entrance of the Tayrona Park. From there, our driver will take you back to your hotel in Santa Marta where you can rest.


Includes

  • Guide
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (only private option)
  • Entry to Tayrona Park: San Juan’s Cape
  • All-risk insurance
  • Extra purchases
  • Lunch

Not suitable for

  • People with mobility impairments
  • Wheelchair users

Meeting point

You must make your own way to the meeting point at Calle 10 #1-14, Rodadero, Local 1, by 7:15 AM. From there, you will take public transportation to the El Zaino entrance, where your tour guide will be waiting for you.

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Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera
  • Sunscreen
  • Water
  • Cash
  • Weather-appropriate clothing

Know before you go

  • Operates in all weather conditions

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.7 /5

based on 40 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.9/5
  • Transportation
    4.7/5
  • Value for money
    4.2/5

Customer photos

+5
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M
Morgan – United StatesMay 3, 2025 – Verified booking
Daniel was a great tour guide for Tayrona! He spoke passionately about his love for the nature in the park and answered all our random questions about life in Colombia. A great day of walking, swimming, and sun! Highly recommend to anyone looking to go to Tayrona.
K
Kris – AustraliaApril 16, 2025 – Verified booking
If you want to see Tayrona at its best—wild, humid, and full of monkeys—go with Guillermo. Communication was easy, pick-up from Taganga was seamless, and he sorted all tickets and logistics like a man who’s seen things. The hike itself is no stroll in the park (except, technically, it is), but worth every sweaty step. We saw a three-toed sloth, howler monkeys, capuchins, tamarins, bats, lizards, birds, crabs – you name it. Guillermo knew them all, and could explain the region’s history and Indigenous significance without once sounding like a bored schoolteacher. The landscape? Outrageous. White sand beaches with fat, lounging boulders; dense jungle where the light hits like a disco ball; palms straight from a fever dream. And just when you’re thinking it can’t get better, he takes you to a swimming spot so glorious it rewires your brain. Skip the resorts. Do this instead. It’s the Caribbean of my dreams, and Guillermo’s your man.
R
Richard – AustraliaJanuary 16, 2025 – Verified booking
We loved having our guide Alexe along with us as we learned so much about the park and Colombia. We loved the varied landscapes and animals in the park and enjoyed a cooling swim. A great day out.

Product ID: 413987

Activity provider:
Gran Colombia Tours

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