Santa Marta: Tayrona Park, Caribbean Coast and Sierra Nevada
Discover Colombia’s oldest city and some of the best landscapes. Tayrona National Park’s tropical shoreline, the lower Sierra Nevada and the ancient Lost City where native indigenous live. Enjoy summertime any time of the year.
Colombia’s oldest city and some of the best landscapes. Tayrona National Park’s tropical shoreline, the lower Sierra Nevada and the ancient Lost City where native indigenous live.
Santa Marta
One of the most attractive tourist destinations in the Colombian Caribbean, renowned for its unique blend of beaches, history, and nature. It is the oldest city in Colombia and the gateway to Tayrona National Natural Park and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range, home to ancestral indigenous communities. It offers authentic experiences that combine culture, ecotourism, adventure, and relaxation, ideal for international travelers seeking a connection with nature and Caribbean authenticity.
Highlights
- Delve into Santa Marta's rich cultural legacy on a tour of the capital’s museums and markets
- Meet members of Arhuaco tribe to learn more about life in the Amazon, before canoeing through the jungle’s waterways
- Spot an array of stunning birdlife on an expert-led tour through the forests of Minca
- Soak up the colourful streets and beachside vibes of Santa Marta, the oldest European city in South America
Program configuration
Designed as a five day overview of the region, the program balances structure and flexibility. You stay in one hotel throughout, enjoy a concise city orientation, and choose two full-day excursions that best match your interests. Our team coordinates timings, route choices and local guides so you can focus on the experience rather than the mechanics behind it.
- 5 days / 4 nights, all nights in Santa Marta area.
- Half day city tour of Santa Marta.
- Choice of 2 full-day excursions (one per day on days 3 and 4).
- Bilingual assistance (Spanish / English) and assistance card.
- Private transfers between airport and hotel with vetted drivers.
- Hotel in superior or first-class category with breakfast included.
The itinerary can be adjusted to add extra nights, introduce rest days between excursions or link Santa Marta with other regions of Colombia as part of a longer journey.
ITINERARY
We have deisgned clear, well-paced itinerary shaped by our local experts—ready to adjust to your interests, comfort level and preferred pace of travel.
Day 1
Arrival in Santa Marta
Upon arrival at Simón Bolívar International Airport or at another agreed entry point, you are met by a driver and transferred to your selected hotel in the Santa Marta coastal area. Check-in and time at leisure to settle in and adjust to the Caribbean climate. Depending on your arrival time, you may take a short walk along the beach or remain at the property to rest.
Services included: private transfer airport–hotel · accommodation with breakfast.
Hotels and Leisure
Day 2
Santa Marta city tour
This half-day tour provides a structured introduction to Santa Marta. The route generally includes the historic centre, the bay area and selected viewpoints over the coastline. According to opening times and interest, visits may include sites such as Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, Santa Marta Cathedral, Parque de los Novios and a panoramic stop near Taganga.
Services included: transport · bilingual guide · entrance fees where applicable ·
duration approximately 3 hours (morning or afternoon). City tour
Day 3 and 4
Two full-day excursions
Today is dedicated to a full-day excursion chosen in advance from the list of available programs. Options may include a coastal boat trip towards Playa Cristal, a visit to Minca with coffee and cacao experiences in the Sierra Nevada foothills, a combination of the Taironaka archaeological site and tubing on the Don Diego River, or a hiking day to Cabo San Juan inside Tayrona National Natural Park.
Services included: transport · guidance · entrance fees according to the selected excursion.
Duration varies between approximately 7 and 11 hours depending on the program.
Excursion options
Day 5
Morning at Leisure and Departure
Morning at leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities or the nearby beach, depending on your flight schedule. At the agreed time, private transfer back to the airport for your onward journey or international connection.
Services included: breakfast · private transfer hotel–airport.
Excursions options
Two full day excursions are included in this program (for Day 3 and Day 4). Below are examples of commonly requested options.
Playa Cristal by boat
Boat excursion along the coast towards Playa Cristal, one of the emblematic beaches in the Tayrona area, with time allocated for swimming and relaxation. The experience focuses on views of the coastline and access by sea rather than extended hiking.
Minca Tour: Cafe & Cacao
Full-day program to Minca, a town in the lower Sierra Nevada. Includes short walks, a visit to a coffee and cacao farm, explanations of artisanal production and the possibility of a swim in a nearby waterfall or natural pool.
Taironaka & River Tubing
Visit to the Taironaka archaeological site, with remains of ancient terraces linked to Tayrona culture, followed by a controlled tubing descent on the Don Diego River until its meeting point with the Caribbean Sea.
Cabo San Juan Hike (Tayrona Park)
Full-day hiking itinerary inside Tayrona National Natural Park, typically entering through Cañaveral and walking past sectors such as Arrecifes, Arenilla and La Piscina Natural before reaching Cabo San Juan. Suitable for travelers accustomed to longer walks in warm climates.
Included services
- Private transfers airport–hotel–airport in Santa Marta.
- 4 nights of accommodation with breakfast, local taxes and hotel insurance.
- Half-day city tour of Santa Marta with bilingual guide.
- Two full-day excursions selected from the available options.
- Transport required for each included excursion.
- Medical assistance card valid for the program dates.
- Pre-trip advisory and on-trip assistance from Fluent by Transamerica.
Not included
- International flights to and from Colombia.
- Meals not specified in the final program.
- Tips for drivers and guides (gratuity guidelines can be provided).
- Port fees, local taxes or park charges not mentioned as included.
- Optional activities and additional excursions beyond the two included days.
Are you planning a longer trip?
Let us know your plans and a Fluent advisor will prepare a tailored made program, reflecting your travel dates and preferred level of activity.
¿Quieres alargar tu estancia?
Si planeas que tu estadía supere 4 días te sugerimos las siguientes excursiones adicionales:
Take the first step toward an exceptional journey
Share a few details with us and a Travel Advisor will craft a personalized version of this itinerary—tailored to your travel dates, interests, and preferred pace.
Good to know
When does Tayrona Park close?
Typically three times a year for conservation and cultural practices. Exact dates vary; we confirm with official sources at the time of booking.
What should I bring for Playa Cristal Beach by boat?
Sun protection, hat/long-sleeve UV shirt, cash, and ID. Boat operations are always subject to weather conditions
Is Santa Marta and the surrounding area safe?
We follow strict safety protocols and work only with authorized operators. We recommend basic precautions and daytime, pre-verified routes.
Is tap water safe to drink in Santa Marta?
Tap water is not recommended for drinking; bring bottled water or a purification system.
Can I pay by card during excursions?
In beaches and natural areas, cash is more common; carry cash for small entrance fees and local crafts.
What is the best time of year to visit?
- Dry season: Dec–Apr & Jul–Aug.
- Rainy periods: May–Jun & Sep–Nov.
High demand periods mean higher occupancy and prices.
What is the physical activity level for the excursions?
- City Tour: low.
- Minca Town: ~3 hrs with uneven terrain.
- Cabo San Juan Beach: ~2 hrs through humid forest.
- Taironaka River: ~20 minutes of easy walking.
Are any vaccines required?
Yellow fever vaccine is recommended for Tayrona (consult your doctor).
We will provide updated requirements as needed.
What happens if weather conditions prevent the boat from operating?
We reschedule or offer an equivalent land-based excursion, depending on availability.
Irotama Resort
Located on the serene beaches of Pozos Colorados, Irotama Resort is one of Santa Marta’s signature seaside properties—a classic Caribbean retreat that has welcomed travelers for decades. The resort’s wide beachfront, shaded gardens, and multiple pool areas create a relaxed environment ideal for slow mornings and easy afternoons.
With direct access to the sea and sweeping views of the coastline, Irotama works beautifully as a base for day trips to Tayrona and the Sierra Nevada. It’s especially appealing to travelers who enjoy a traditional resort-style stay with space, comfort, and the convenience of staying right on the sand.
Mercure Resort
Set in the Bello Horizonte district—one of Santa Marta’s most pleasant coastal stretches—Mercure Santa Marta Emile blends contemporary design with the relaxed feel of a tropical escape. Rooms are bright and modern, many overlooking the mountains or the sea, and the pool area provides a perfect spot to unwind after a day of exploring.
Its location, just minutes from both the airport and Santa Marta’s hotel zone, makes it a seamless base for excursions to Tayrona, Minca, or the city’s historic quarter. Mercure is an excellent choice for travelers who prefer clean lines, modern amenities, and predictability without sacrificing a sense of place.
Marriot Resort
Facing one of Santa Marta’s most peaceful beaches, the Marriott Resort blends contemporary style with a sense of quiet Caribbean ease. Days here revolve around unhurried mornings, shaded pools, and long stretches of soft sand framed by the Sierra Nevada in the distance. Service is consistent and refined, making it an ideal base for travelers who value comfort, familiar standards, and a restorative setting between excursions. A reliable choice for those seeking simplicity, relaxation, and beachfront serenity.
Mercure Resort
Sazué Mall brings a modern, open-air shopping and dining experience to the Bello Horizonte beach district. Its relaxed terraces, thoughtful landscaping, and collection of cafés, restaurants, and boutiques make it the ideal stop before or after excursions.
Whether you’re picking up essentials, enjoying a coffee, or choosing a casual dinner close to your hotel, Sazué Mall is a comfortable and easygoing part of Santa Marta’s coastal lifestyle.
Santa Marta City Tour
Duration: 3 hours
Available schedules:
Morning: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Afternoon: 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Day description:
During this tour we explore Santa Marta’s most emblematic corners, breathe in its unmistakable Caribbean atmosphere,
and uncover secrets known only to locals. The route offers an authentic experience that blends history, culture, and
panoramic views of the Samarian coastline—ideal for photography and for connecting with the essence of this magical city.
Places to visit:
- Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino: The historic estate where Libertador Simón Bolívar spent his final days.
- Historic Centre: Colonial architecture, plazas, colorful streets, and vibrant local culture.
- Santa Marta Bay: One of the most beautiful bays in the Americas, home to the city’s famous waterfront promenade.
- Taganga Viewpoint: Panoramic views of the Caribbean Sea and the picturesque fishing village.
- Santa Marta Cathedral: The first cathedral built in South America.
- Parque de los Novios: The city’s culinary and nightlife hub.
- Pibe Valderrama Statue: A Colombian football icon and beloved local symbol.
In the afternoon you may choose one of the following options:
1. Boat Ride
Departing from the marina, this coastal journey reveals the essence of the “Pearl of America”. The sun sets in a palette
of endless colors that illuminate centuries of history and tradition. On board, music and local flavors connect you with
the Caribbean spirit. A scenic experience that celebrates Colombia’s culture, beauty, and warm hospitality.
Approx. duration: 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
2. Thermal Springs
Just 30 minutes from Santa Marta, the Ciénaga Volcano invites you to discover a natural sanctuary nestled between jungle
and mountains. From within, mineral-rich thermal waters emerge—revitalizing the body and soothing the spirit. For two
peaceful hours, nature guides a journey of well-being and deep connection. An authentic Colombian Caribbean experience,
where the earth shares its purest energy.
Approx. duration: 6:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino
This 17th-century hacienda is one of Colombia’s most meaningful historical sites—the place where Simón Bolívar, the Liberator of South America, spent his final days. Its whitewashed buildings, shaded courtyards, and botanical gardens offer a quiet, reflective atmosphere far from the city bustle.
A guided visit brings the story of Bolívar’s last journey into focus while providing insight into the colonial history of Santa Marta. It’s a meaningful cultural stop that roots your journey in the region’s deeper past.
Cathedral
Dating back to the 1700s, Santa Marta Cathedral is recognized as Colombia’s oldest church and one of the most iconic structures in the city. Its white façade, calm interior, and religious artworks soften the rhythm of the city around it. For a moment of quiet and cultural context, the cathedral offers a grounding glimpse into Santa Marta’s colonial beginnings.
Parque de los Novios
Parque de los Novios is the social heart of Santa Marta’s historic center—a lively square surrounded by beautifully restored republican-era buildings, cafés, and restaurants. By late afternoon, the area transforms into one of the city’s most atmospheric spots.
It’s an excellent place to enjoy a drink, wander, or watch Santa Marta’s warm, coastal rhythm unfold.
Taganga
Nestled between dry coastal mountains, Taganga is a small fishing village known for its dramatic bay views and simple, traditional lifestyle. The lookout point above the village offers one of the most panoramic views in the region—an essential photography stop.
Taganga’s rustic charm and maritime heritage provide an interesting contrast to the more polished beach zones nearby.
Playa Cristal by Boat
Experience overview:
Your coastal adventure begins with hotel pick-up and a transfer toward the main Palangana entrance, where local guides greet the group and introduce the experience.
From here, you board off-road buggies designed to travel through the forested trails that cross this protected natural area. Over roughly one hour, the route offers unique coastal scenery, including Playa Gairaca and the Siete Olas viewpoint—an ideal stop for panoramic Caribbean shots.
The journey continues to Neguanje Bay, where a brief eight-minute boat ride leads to a pristine white-sand beach with crystal-clear water. You will have time to relax, swim, and enjoy a traditional local lunch.
Includes:
- Entrance fees to the park
- Professional guide
- Travel insurance
- Typical lunch
- Boat transport and ground transport
Not included:
- Meals or services not explicitly stated as included
Minca: Coffee & Cacao in the Sierra Nevada
Experience overview:
This day takes you into Minca, a small, laid-back town in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. As you leave the coast behind, the air becomes cooler, the scenery greener, and the pace noticeably slower—a welcome change of rhythm from the city and the beach.
On arrival, you set out on a guided walk of around three hours through tropical landscapes, clear rivers and lush vegetation. Along the way, you visit a traditional coffee and cacao farm, where local producers explain each step of their artisanal process—from bean to cup and from cacao pod to rich chocolate. Of course, there is also time to taste the results.
The route continues to the “Oído del Mundo” waterfall, a spot considered sacred for its pure waters and surrounding forest. Here you can pause, cool off and simply listen to the sounds of the mountain while you reconnect with nature.
The experience concludes with a typical lunch served in a bamboo house surrounded by hills and quiet. After lunch, a short walk brings you back to the vehicle for the return journey to Santa Marta, with the late afternoon light over the mountains as your backdrop.
Includes:
- Round-trip ground transport: hotel – Minca – hotel
- Typical lunch
- Bilingual guide (English / Spanish)
Recommendations:
- Have breakfast before departure
- Wear comfortable clothing
- Wear your swimsuit under your clothes
- Use suitable walking shoes
- Bring water to stay hydrated
Taironaka & Don Diego River Tubing
Stepping away from the coastline, this journey begins with a drive toward the Don Diego River—one of the gateways to the ancestral world of the Tayrona civilization. From here, a gentle 20-minute walk through vibrant jungle scenery brings you to Taironaka, a sacred archaeological site where ancient stone terraces, pathways and reconstructed dwellings reveal the sophistication of a culture deeply connected to the natural world.
With your guide, you explore the site’s terraces and learn how the Tayrona designed their settlements in harmony with the mountains. A visit to the small archaeological museum adds depth to the experience, offering a closer look at their worldview, craftsmanship and spiritual ties to the surrounding forest.
After this quiet step into the past, the day shifts to something wonderfully playful: tubing down the Don Diego River. Floating on large inner tubes, you drift along a gentle current that winds through dense tropical vegetation. The soundtrack is pure nature—birds, breeze, and water—until the river opens dramatically into the Caribbean Sea. It’s one of those rare moments where jungle and ocean meet in perfect simplicity.
The program also includes a visit to the Macondo Labyrinth, a space inspired by the magical realism of the Caribbean. Here, trails, stories and landscapes intertwine to create a light but meaningful cultural encounter before enjoying a well-deserved lunch.
Includes:
- Round-trip ground transport
- Entrance fees to Taironaka
- Guided visit to archaeological terraces and museum
- Tubing experience on the Don Diego River
- Typical lunch
What to bring:
- Comfortable clothing and walking shoes
- Swimsuit worn under your clothes
- Sun protection and insect repellent
- Water for hydration
Cabo San Juan Hike · Tayrona National Park
Experience overview:
After breakfast at the hotel, you set off early toward the Cañaveral sector, one of the main entrances to Tayrona National Natural Park. As soon as you step onto the trail, the scenery shifts into dense tropical forest—humid, green and alive. The route unfolds gradually, and over the next two hours you walk beneath towering palms, listening to the sounds of birds and the Caribbean breeze filtering through the canopy.
The trail eventually opens to the coast, revealing Tayrona’s emblematic shoreline. You continue past Arrecifes, where large rock formations shape the waves, then along the quieter stretches of Arenilla Beach and the Natural Pool—each one a moment to pause, breathe and take in the contrast between jungle and sea.
Your destination is Cabo San Juan del Guía, one of the most iconic landscapes in northern Colombia. Here, golden sand curves around twin bays framed by green hills, while calm, clear waters invite travelers to rest and swim. You have time to relax, enjoy the scenery and have lunch—either brought as a picnic or purchased locally, according to preference.
In the afternoon, you begin the return journey along the same coastal path, taking in the late-afternoon light over the forest and beaches. After completing the two-hour walk back to Cañaveral, your transport awaits for the drive back to the hotel.
Includes:
- Round-trip ground transport
- Accompanying bilingual guide
- Entrance fees to Tayrona National Natural Park
Notes:
- Lunch is not included (picnic option or local restaurant at Cabo San Juan)
- Suitable for travelers accustomed to longer walks in warm, humid climates
- Comfortable footwear, hydration and sun protection recommended
Essential Information
Review key information about your destination, including passport, visa and vaccination requirements. We strongly recommend confirming all details with the relevant authorities before travel, as regulations can change.
Passport Information
Your passport must be valid for at least six (6) months after your journey ends and should have a minimum of two (2) blank visa pages for entry and exit stamps for each country visited on your journey.
Visa Information
Visa requirements and laws regarding entry into foreign countries change frequently, and you, as the guest, are solely responsible for ensuring that you have the necessary travel documents for entry into all countries during your journey. Non-U.S. citizens should contact the appropriate consular office for entry requirements pertaining to their journey.
Our partner VisaCentral offers convenient U.S. passport and visa processing. Visit them at visacentral.com or call 844 823 1224 and reference A&K’s account number 73001. Service fees apply. Citizens of other countries should contact the appropriate consular office for entry requirements pertaining to their journey.
Holders of U.S. or Canadian passports are not required to obtain a tourist visa for entry into Colombia. Canadian passport holders must pay a reciprocity fee of COP 256,000 (approximately CAD $87) to customs officials upon arrival. This fee is payable in cash in US or Canadian dollars or by major credit card.
Vaccination Requirements
A yellow fever vaccination, administered at least 10 days prior to your arrival, is required for this destination only if you are arriving from, or have transited through, a yellow fever-endemic area in South America or Africa. The CDC and WHO each provide a current list of all affected countries.
Please be sure to carry the International Certificate of Vaccination provided by your physician, as you may be denied entry without it. If your physician advises against receiving the vaccination, they can provide you with the necessary documentation, which you should keep with your travel documents.