How To Get From Santa Marta To Tayrona
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Last updated
Getting from Santa Marta to Tayrona is simple. You have three options: bus, boat, and private transport. Check out our guide for more details.
Edit 07/2024: We’ve completely redesigned this article.

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How To Get From Santa Marta To Tayrona
Before diving into the details, here’s a small piece of advice: It’s best to stay near the Tayrona Park entrance and start early the following day. This way, you can avoid the crowds and the heat. If possible, spend one or two nights there!
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Did you check out our fantastic travel guides on Tayrona and Santa Marta?

Best Ways To Travel From Santa Marta To Tayrona

Here are your 3 options.
1# Take the public bus from Santa Marta – Tayrona
There are two places where you can take the bus from Santa Marta to Tayrona:
- At the central bus station – Outside the city
- At the Mercado Publico (Market) | Calle 11 con Carrera 11 — it’s a city bus with no trunk for your luggage.
Bus Santa Marta – Tayrona: 1 hour | Price: Around 15 000 COP
2# Take a boat to Tayrona
It depends on where you want to go.
Let’s start with the most famous beach: Cabo San Juan.
You can take a taxi from Santa Marta to Taganga (about 20 minutes).
Once you’re in Taganga, you have to find a boat to Tayrona National Natural Park
- Ask one of the boat companies on the dock. I recommend “Chez Boaz”.
- The last boats leave before 9h30
- The sea is rough from October to March. This boat ride is scary for people who are not used to it
- Boats leave from Cabo San Juan around 4 pm
- You’ll have to pay for the entrance park.
- The boat ride lasts 1h and costs about 120,000 COP
The boat Taganga – Tayrona is the fastest way to get to Cabo San Juan in Tayrona.
Another solution is to take a boat tour to Playa Cinto (my favorite beach near Santa Marta).
It’s the perfect day trip if you want to visit several beaches and chill out.
Santa Marta: The most beautiful Tayrona Park beaches by boat 1d
Sail along the Colombian Caribbean coast looking for the secret beaches of Tayrona National Park.
View this tour3# Private transports from Santa Marta
Another easy way to travel to Tayrona from Santa Marta is to contact a private transport
- Taxi in Santa Marta | Around 150 000 COP | 45 min
Favorite tours in Santa Marta
Directly contact the best local agencies for this destination
Santa Marta : The Lost City [Ciudad Perdida] trek 4d
Colombia
4 Days
1 place
Discover the magic of the Ciudad Perdida and its importance for the indigenous communities.
View this tour
Santa Marta: The most beautiful Tayrona Park beaches by boat 1d
Colombia
1 Day
3 places
Sail along the Colombian Caribbean coast looking for the secret beaches of Tayrona National Park.
View this tour
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