How to Get From Cartagena to Tayrona
Bus · Minivan · Private Transport
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Tayrona National Park stretches along the Caribbean coast about 175 kilometres (109 miles) east of Cartagena. Jungle-covered hills tumble down to palm-backed coves and calm, clear bays. The bus is the cheapest way to get from Cartagena to Tayrona National Park at $23 (73,000 COP), and it takes around 6h 10m - 7h. A private transfer is the quickest option at 4h 45m - 5h, if you'd rather go door to door.
Distance from Cartagena to Tayrona
Cartagena and Tayrona are about 175 km (109 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 230 km by road. The quickest way to get from Cartagena to Tayrona is by taking the private transport, which takes around 4h 45m - 5h.
3 ways to travel from Cartagena to Tayrona
There are three ways to travel from Cartagena to Tayrona. You can choose between the bus, minivan, and private transport. The journey takes 4h 45m–6h 10m and the quickest way is by private transport. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $23 (73,000 COP).
Reach out to our Community
3Hello, good morning, I wanted to ask whether you knew if, being in baru, you can go directly to the tayrona national park or whether you definitely have to take the transport from cartagenera. Thank you.
Hi Pato, you'll need to go to Cartagena first, as there is no direct transportation from Baru to Tayrona National Park.
From Cartagena, BookAway (bookaway.com) offers private transfers to Tayrona. Or, you can travel by bus from Cartagena to Santa Marta, then another bus to Tayrona National Park.
PD: Esta respuesta está escrita en inglés para que sea útil para los viajeros de todo el mundo. Recomiendo usar Google Translate para traducir esta respuesta al español.
Hello, on 04.012023 I am arriving with my girlfriend by sailing boat from Panama via San Blas to Cartagena. Our motorbike is being delivered by plane from PTY to Bogota. Yes, the Panamericana is to be ridden onwards all the way to Ushuaia...
Now we could simply fly onwards. But I would like to stay two nights in Cartagena. After that, chill in Tayronna Park. Does that make sense, since we ultimately have to get to Bogota anyway. Or better just to Isla Grande?
Hi Marco, that sounds like a great adventure to start the new year. You could stay in Cartagena and make a day trip to Isla Grande (geckoroutes.com). Then after two days, you can travel from Cartagena to Tayrona Park to explore the park. From Tayrona, you can travel back to Santa Marta and take one of the many flights departing to Bogota every day. Hope that trip itinerary makes sense! Have a fantastic trip!
PS: Diese Antwort ist auf Englisch verfasst, um sie für Reisende aus allen Ländern hilfreich zu machen. Wir empfehlen die Verwendung von Google Translate, um diese Antwort ins Deutsche zu übersetzen.
Hi, I have rented a car in Cartagena and plan to drive to Tayrona on August 11th. How is the road? is it safe?
It is not a long drive (about 4 hours) and there are not direct fligts from Cartagena to Santa Marta.
Let me know please about the road conditions and safety! Thank you. Luca
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Tayrona?
Tayrona National Park is a magical paradise on Colombia's north coast. With lush jungles and breathtaking beaches, it is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Its beauty is unparalleled in Colombia, some would say even in Latin America.
Despite the increasing number of tourists visiting Tayrona, many areas remain off-limits, allowing the park to maintain its untouched glory. But don't worry, there's still a huge part of it you can explore while hiking, diving, snorkelling and camping. Tayrona National Park is an adventurer's dream!
Access points
Tayrona National Park spans 225 km² and has many access points. The most popular are:
- El Zaino – the main entrance with the most facilities
- Calabazo – a quieter, more scenic hiking route into the park
Both are easily accessible from Santa Marta, with buses departing frequently from the city centre. You can also reach the park from Barranquilla, Palomino, or Cartagena.
If you want to stay close to nature, consider skipping Santa Marta and spending the night in one of the most unique places to stay in Colombia, right by Tayrona National Park. It’s an experience you won’t forget.
When is Tayrona National Park closed?
Tayrona National Park closes three times a year to give the environment time to rest and recover.
These closures are requested by the Indigenous communities who live in and protect the area. During this time, they carry out physical and spiritual restoration practices to cleanse the territory, restore balance, and allow nature and wildlife to regenerate.
Tayrona has followed the same closure schedule for several years:
- 1-15 February
- 1-15 June
- 19 October - 2 November
During these dates, the park is completely closed to visitors. If you're planning a trip, make sure it doesn’t fall within these periods.
While the schedule is usually consistent, the dates can change slightly from year to year. It’s always best to check out Parque Tayrona's website for the latest information.
Entrance into Tayrona
For foreign visitors, the entrance fee is $28 (87,000 COP) during high season and $23 (74,000 COP) during low season. You can pay with cash or card, but card payments are only accepted at the El Zaino and Calabazo entrances. All other entrances require cash only.
In addition to the entrance fee, there’s a mandatory insurance charge of $1.90 (6,000 COP) per person, per day. This must be paid in cash at the entrance.
High season runs from:
- 15 June - 15 July
- 15 December - 30 January
- Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday
- All Colombian long weekends with public holidays
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Cartagena to Tayrona, roughly 175 kilometres (109 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $23 (73,000 COP). The quickest trip takes 4h 45m.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Cartagena to Tayrona?
The distance from Cartagena to Tayrona is 175 kilometres (109 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Cartagena to Tayrona?
The fastest way to get from Cartagena to Tayrona is by private transport and takes 4h 45m - 5h.
What is the cheapest way to get from Cartagena to Tayrona?
The cheapest way to get from Cartagena to Tayrona is by bus with ticket costs starting from 73,000 COP.
About the Author
Senior Travel Writer
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.
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