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How to get from Barranquilla to Tayrona National Park
Tayrona National Park offers some of the best beaches, breath-taking hikes and unparalleled sights in Colombia and according to many, even South America.
Here you’ll find activities like snorkelling, horse riding, camping, bird and animal watching, visiting archeological sites and why not, nude bathing.
Tayrona National Park covers 225 km² and has many access points. Most visitors enter via El Zaino or Calabazo, since they are relatively easy to reach from other major destinations in Colombia.
Given its proximity to Santa Marta, most visitors chose to hop on a bus from here, but many travellers also go straight to the park from Barranquilla. Instead of spending the night in Santa Marta, you overnight in one of the most unique places to stay in Colombia in or near Tayrona Park. A guaranteed unforgettable stay.
2 ways to get from Barranquilla to Tayrona National Park
When travelling the 112 km from Barranquilla to Tayrona National Park, you have 2 options: a 3-hour minivan ride to the El Zaino entrance at Tayrona Park, or a 3.5-hour bus with a transfer in Santa Marta. Rates range from 20,000 COP ($5.00) to 50,000 COP ($12.50).
The minivan is the easiest way to travel from Barranquilla to Tayrona National Park.
When is Tayrona National Park closed?
It’s important to know that Tayrona National park is closed for a proportion of February, June and October every year.
The indigenous communities living in Tayrona request this so that they can physically and spiritually clean the area, allowing the plants and wildlife to return.
In 2022, Tayrona National Park will be closed:
- 1-15 February
- 1-15 June
- 19 October – 2 November
The dates vary slightly every year, so make sure to check out Parque Tayrona for the latest information.
Entrance into Tayrona
Below, we explain how to get from Barranquilla to the most popular entrance to Tayrona National Park, El Zaino, by direct transport.
If you want to enter Tayrona Park by one of the other 4 entrances, you’ll first have to travel from Barranquilla to Santa Marta. Check out the Santa Marta to Tayrona guide to see how to go from there.
Coming from Cartagena? Then check out this guide about how to travel from Cartagena to Tayrona National Park.
El Zaino entrance
A ticket for Tayrona can be bought with either cash or card (card is accepted only at El Zaino and Calabazo). The price for foreigners during low season is 57,500 COP ($14.00) or 66,500 COP ($16.50) in high season – December to January, during Easter holiday and mid-June to July.
Also take into consideration that insurance is mandatory, which is sold at the park entrance, for 5,000 COP ($1.20) per day. This has to be paid in cash.
Barranquilla to Tayrona National Park by Minivan
From Barranquilla to Tayrona, minivans take 3 to 3.5 hours depending on traffic and stops along the way. Travelers prefer this option because the driver can pick you up from any hotel in Barranquilla and drop you at most hotels or entrances in Tayrona.
Tickets for Marsol Transportes can be booked via WhatsApp or phone call (+57 3197601810) and Tickets for Caribe Vans can be booked via WhatsApp or phone call (+57 300 5438797).
Barranquilla to Tayrona National Park by Bus
A simple and budget-friendly way to go from Barranquilla to Tayrona is to take any bus to Guajira region (Palomino and Riohacha) and ask the driver to drop you off at the park entrance in El Zaino.
You can book the tickets online to Palomino or Riohacha, but we recommend asking the bus driver in advance to make sure that they will stop at the park entrance.
If the buses won’t stop at the park entrance, you can just buy a ticket to Santa Marta and from there find another bus headed to Palomino or Guajira which run frequently.
Here’s some more information on getting the bus from Santa Marta to Tayrona.
If you’d prefer a private transfer, you can also book one through BookAway, which offers nice cars with professional drivers.
Getting around inside Tayrona
Once inside the park, getting around is mainly done by walking, but horse riding and a small bus exist at the El Zaino entrance. We recommend taking the bus because it skips 30-minutes of walking along a road, and it takes you straight to the start of the trail – that’s where the fun begins.
The bus from El Zaino to the Cañaveral area, a 10-minute ride, will cost 5,000 COP ($1.20).
Our favourite places to stay in Tayrona
Tayrona National Park offers some of the best beaches in Colombia. There aren’t many places in the world where you can stay in the jungle and be close to amazing beaches.
The majority of accommodations are situated just outside of Tayrona National Park, making it easy to visit there. It’s a popular spot in Colombia, so make sure to book in advance or you’ll miss out on the best.
Check out our favourite accommodations to see if they’re still available:
Senda Watapuy - Treating Yourself
This is one hotel you’ll never forget. Senda hotels really know how to offer you the most luxurious and memorable stay possible.
The cabanas are a dream. Some of them even have their own private infinity pool! If these are not available anymore, nothing to worry about, the main pool is pretty incredible too. Not many people can say that they’ve stayed in such a beautiful place.
- Jungle-style retreat
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Bamboo cabanas with infinity pools
- Exceptional breakfast included
Double rooms cost $80+ per night
Senda Casa Tayrona Los Naranjos - Treating Yourself
This place books up fast! Once you see the pictures, you’ll realise why. It feels like you’re staying in your own private villa, due to the small number of rooms.
The views can’t get much better than this. One way you’re overlooking the turquoise sea, and behind you is a huge lake. The rooms are luxurious and spacious, also offering great views of the landscape.
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Incredible views
- Beach-style luxury rooms
- Delicious breakfast included
Double rooms cost $80+ per night
Senda Koguiwa - Mid Range
Senda Koguiwa is the kind of place we all dream about staying in. Staying here is the ultimate jungle retreat.
You will be surrounded by nothing but jungle, whilst sleeping in luxury thatched-roofed huts. Take a refreshing dip in their outdoor swimming pool, or visit their own lake and see the ducks.
Finish the day off with dinner at their delicious onsite restaurant. Things can’t get more perfect than this!
- Incredible value
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Luxury hut-style rooms
- Delicious breakfast included
Double rooms cost between $40-$80 per night
La Casablanca Tayrona House - Budget Friendly
Staying near Tayrona National Park doesn’t have to be expensive. La Casablanca is a budget-friendly option, but with all of the amenities of a mid-range hotel. It has a pool, spacious rooms, plenty of places to hang out and a great location.
The owner Juan will make your stay one that you won’t forget. That, coupled with the stunning surroundings of the hotel, will leave you relaxed and rejuvenated after your stay.
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Close to Tayrona National Park
- Amazing owner
- Delicious breakfast included
Double rooms cost between $20-$40 per night
Tayrona Travel Guides
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Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she’s not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines… Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she’ll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
