Santa Marta Magdalena, Colombia

Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona

The Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona is situated on the northern coast of Colombia, a mere 30-minute drive from Santa Marta, Magdalena. This expansive national park encompasses around 150 square kilometers of land and over 30 kilometers of coastline, offering long, picturesque stretches of sandy shoreline. However, most of the park's beaches are not suitable for swimming due to their rugged terrain. Visitors will marvel at the park's stunning capes, coves, and lagoons.

Explore places to stay near Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona and enjoy the serene beauty of its picturesque beaches and lush surroundings.

Notably, the park boasts some of Colombia's most popular beaches, including La Piscina, a small, picturesque beach protected by a coral reef and deemed safe for swimming. Conversely, Arrecifes, a beautiful, wide, sandy beach surrounded by lush forest, is considered unsafe for swimming. Cañaveral, with similar scenery and safety levels, also offers nearby campsites. La Piscinita is a secluded cove that may permit swimming, depending on weather conditions, signaled by posted flags. Finally, Cabo San Juan de Guia Beach, often abbreviated as "El Cabo," is Tayrona's most famous beach and considered a safe swimming spot.

Visitor Reviews

Visitor reviews highlight the incomparable beauty of the beach, with spectacular natural landscapes that allow visitors to relax and forget their worries. Some visitors complain about the physical exhaustion of the walk and the additional costs to enter the park, but others recommend it as a very good visit option. However, one visitor warns others not to buy from a specific store at the park entrance as they experienced poor quality products and lost their money. Another review simply describes the beach as a delicious and magical place.

Where to Stay near Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona?

Most visitors to Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona stay in the nearby town of Santa Marta or the small village of Taganga, both of which offer a range of accommodations from budget hostels to luxury hotels. For those looking to stay closer to the park, ecohabs and campsites within the park, such as those near Cañaveral, provide a unique experience just a short walk from the beach.

The following map shows available accommodations and their prices. See the full list of accommodation options here.

Where is Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona?

Latitude: 11.3064 / Longitude: -74.0658

Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona is located in Santa Marta Magdalena. The following map of Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona shows the exact location.

Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona: Weather Today

📅 Monday, May 18, 2026
Today is an underwhelming day for a trip to the beach, as light drizzle and blustery winds create an unsettled atmosphere. While the air temperature will reach 31.1 °C, the combination of frequent rain and strong winds makes for a rather uncomfortable experience on the sand. The sea remains quite rough with choppy waves, which will likely make swimming difficult and potentially hazardous. If you do head out, the water is warm at 28.5 °C, but please exercise caution given the conditions. With a high UV Index of 8.8, remember that the sun can still be intense even through the clouds, so protection is essential. Overall, it is best to skip the beach today and wait for calmer weather to enjoy the coastline safely.
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Air

Low / High26.6°C/31.1°C
Feels Like (High)35.3°C
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Sea

Sea Temperature28.5 °C
Wave Height1.7 m
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Rain

Rain Chance100%
Rainfall0.5 mm
Rain Duration4 h
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Sun

Sunrise / Sunset05:33/18:13
Sunshine Hours12.0 hrs
UV Index8.8
Cloud Cover15%
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Wind

Speed27.6 km/h
Gusts54.7 km/h
DirectionNE

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