Parque Tayrona Entrance Fee 2026, Opening Hours & Closure Dates
Official 2026 Tayrona National Park entrance fees: foreigners 81,000–96,500 COP (~US$20–25), Colombians 27,500–43,000 COP. El Zaino hours (7 AM) & 2026 closure dates (Feb 1–15, Jun 1–15, Oct 19–Nov 2).
Before you go: Tayrona’s scheduled closures in 2026 are February 1–15, June 1–15 and October 19 – November 2. In 2026 the park also closed or restricted some sectors at short notice for security and road-access reasons, so always check the official Parques Nacionales channels (parquesnacionales.gov.co) before you travel.
Opening Hours by Entrance (2026)
Each entrance has its own last-entry time, and the schedule changes with the season:
| Entrance | High season: entry / exit | Low season: entry / exit |
|---|---|---|
| El Zaino (main gate: Cañaveral, Arrecifes, Cabo San Juan) | 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM / 6:00 PM | from 8:00 AM / 5:00 PM |
| Calabazo (Pueblito trail) | 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM / 5:00 PM | 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM / 5:00 PM |
| Palangana (Neguanje, Playa Cristal) | 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM / 5:00 PM | 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM / 5:00 PM |
| Bahía Concha | 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM / 6:00 PM | 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM / 5:00 PM |
Arrive in the morning: the trails to the beaches are long and unlit after dark, and each sector stops selling tickets once its daily visitor capacity is reached.
Entrance Fees 2026 (Official Rates)
Rates set by Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia (Resolution 551 of December 19, 2025), in Colombian pesos (COP). High season is December 1 – January 31, June 1 – July 31, Easter week (Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday), long holiday weekends and the October school break; all other dates are low season.
| Visitor category | Low season | High season | Bahía Concha (all year) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign visitors (non-residents) | 81,000 | 96,500 | 43,500 |
| Colombians & foreign residents, over 25 | 36,500 | 43,000 | 26,000 |
| Colombians & foreign residents, ages 5–25 | 27,500 | 30,500 | 15,000 |
| Born in Santa Marta, over 25 | 18,000 | 43,000 | 11,500 |
| Born in Santa Marta, ages 5–25 | 17,500 | 30,500 | 11,500 |
Children under 5 do not pay (the official fee table starts at age 5). For foreign visitors, 81,000–96,500 COP is roughly US$20–25.
How to Pay, and Why You Can’t Reserve
- No reservation system: Parques Nacionales sells entry day by day at each ticket office until the sector’s daily capacity is reached.
- Official online payment: you can pay the fee in advance through the official Parques Nacionales payment link, but paying online does not reserve a spot or guarantee entry.
- At the gate: bring your original passport (or Colombian ID) and cash or a card. Distrust third-party websites that claim to sell “official” tickets.
Other Costs
- Accident insurance: every visitor must buy accident insurance with visitor assistance from an insurer approved by Parques Nacionales (about 7,000 COP per person per day). It is paid to the insurer, not to the park.
- El Zaino shuttle (optional): a paved 4 km road links the El Zaino gate with the Cañaveral trailhead. Walking takes about 45 minutes; a shuttle van covers it for roughly 5,000 COP each way.
Scheduled Closures
The park closes three times a year so the ecosystems can recover and the indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (Kogui, Arhuaco, Wiwa and Kankuamo) can carry out traditional practices. No visitors can enter during these periods:
- February 1–15: Kugkui Shikasa.
- June 1–15: Saka Juso.
- October 19 – November 2: Nabbatashi.
Dates can change from year to year, and in 2026 there were also unscheduled closures, so confirm on the official Parques Nacionales website before you travel.
For a one-day plan from the city, see Tayrona day trip from Santa Marta.
Gallery & Visual Highlights
Explore these high-resolution captures of Tayrona National Park relating to this chapter:
-
Information Office at the El Zaino Entrance:
-
A Panoramic View of the Park’s Coastal Forest:
-
Pristine Uninhabited Beach in Tayrona National Park:
-
Lush Forest-Covered Hills Overlooking the Sea:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the entrance fee to Parque Tayrona in 2026?
In 2026, foreign non-residents pay 81,000 COP in low season and 96,500 COP in high season. Colombian citizens and Andean community residents over 25 pay 36,500 COP (low) or 43,000 COP (high), and youth aged 5–25 pay 27,500 COP (low) or 30,500 COP (high). Daily mandatory medical insurance costs approximately 7,000 COP per day.
What are the opening hours for Parque Tayrona entrances?
At the main El Zaino gate, entrance hours are 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM in high season (8:00 AM to 5:00 PM in low season). Calabazo allows entry from 6:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and Palangana/Bahía Concha open from 7:00 AM.
When is Parque Tayrona closed in 2026?
In 2026, Parque Tayrona closes for three scheduled indigenous ecological resting periods: February 1–15 (Kugkui Shikasa), June 1–15 (Saka Juso), and October 19 – November 2 (Nabbatashi).