How to Get to Tayrona from Santa Marta & Cartagena

Getting to Parque Tayrona from Key Cities

Parque Tayrona is located in the Magdalena department of northern Colombia. The main transit hubs are Santa Marta, Taganga, and Palomino. Below are detailed transportation options:

1. From Santa Marta (The Easiest Route)

• By Public Bus (Recommended for budget travelers):
  • Where to board: Go to the public market in Santa Marta (Mercado Público) at the intersection of Calle 11 and Carrera 11.
  • Frequency: Buses leave every 15–20 minutes starting at 6:00 AM.
  • Cost: $9,000 COP ($2.25 USD).
  • Duration: 1 hour to the El Zaino gate; 1 hour 15 minutes to Calabazo.
• By Taxi:
  • Taxis can be hired from anywhere in Santa Marta or the Rodadero area. Agree on a price before boarding. Expect to pay between $80,000 and $100,000 COP (~$20–$25 USD) one way.
• From Santa Marta airport: the airport is south of the city, so the drive to El Zaino takes about 1 to 1.5 hours by taxi or transfer. Whether a same-day visit works depends on your landing time and your luggage; see Tayrona in one day from Santa Marta or the airport.
• Driving & Parking: Parking is available inside the El Zaino gate (charged per day by the park concession). Visitors traveling with a rental car who prefer to leave their vehicle and luggage in a secure 24/7 covered garage in Santa Marta’s Historic Center and take the bus or a taxi can use indoor parking facilities near the Marina and Parque de los Novios such as RCBA Parking.

2. By Speedboat from Taganga (The Fastest Route)

• Departure point: Taganga beach.
• Destinations: Cabo San Juan de Guía.
• Cost: $80,000 COP ($20 USD) each way.
• Duration: 40 minutes.
• Warning: The boat ride traverses open ocean where the wind can create massive waves. The ride is notoriously bumpy, wet, and jarring. It is not recommended for pregnant women, seniors, or those with back issues. Luggage must be sealed in plastic bags.

3. From Palomino or Riohacha

• Any bus traveling west along the Troncal del Caribe highway towards Santa Marta will pass the park entrances. Stand on the main highway in Palomino and flag down any bus listing ‘Santa Marta’. It takes 45 minutes to El Zaino and costs ~$7,000 COP.

3. From Cartagena to Parque Tayrona (Direct Transfers & Shuttles)

• By Direct Shared Door-to-Door Shuttle (Most Popular):
  • Operators: Companies such as Marsol Transportes, Berlinas del Fonce, and Berlinastur offer direct minivans operating between Cartagena (Boca Grande, Getsemaní, or Walled City hotels) and the El Zaino entrance gate.
  • Duration: Approximately 4.5 to 5.5 hours depending on traffic out of Cartagena and Barranquilla.
  • Cost: $80,000 – $110,000 COP ($20–$28 USD) per person.
  • Schedule: Shuttles typically depart Cartagena at 6:00 AM, 9:00 AM, and 12:00 PM. We recommend the 6:00 AM shuttle to arrive at the park before 11:30 AM.
• By Public Bus (Cartagena Terminal to Santa Marta):
  • Take a city taxi to Cartagena’s main bus terminal (Terminal de Transportes de Cartagena).
  • Board an express bus (Expreso Brasilia or Copetran) to Santa Marta Terminal (~4 hours, ~$45,000 COP).
  • From Santa Marta, take a local taxi (~$15,000 COP) to the Mercado Público to catch the local Tayrona bus (~1 hour, ~$9,000 COP).

4. From Palomino or Riohacha

• Any bus traveling west along the Troncal del Caribe highway towards Santa Marta will pass the park entrances. Stand on the main highway in Palomino and flag down any bus listing ‘Santa Marta’. It takes 45 minutes to El Zaino and costs ~$7,000 COP.

5. Returning from Parque Tayrona (Transfers Back)

• Buses to Santa Marta & Cartagena: Public buses pass by the El Zaino and Calabazo gates heading towards Santa Marta or Palomino constantly until 6:30 PM. Direct return shuttles to Cartagena depart El Zaino at 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM.
• Speedboats to Taganga: Speedboats return from Cabo San Juan to Taganga daily around 4:00 PM (weather permitting).
• Zaino Internal Shuttle Bus & Mototaxis: To skip walking the paved 4 km (2.5 mi) road between the El Zaino gate and the Cañaveral trailhead, take the official park shuttle van for $5,000 COP (~$1.25 USD) or a motorbike shuttle for $10,000 COP.

For places to sleep outside the park, see where to stay near Tayrona.

Gallery & Visual Highlights

Explore these high-resolution captures of Tayrona National Park relating to this chapter:

• Speedboat Transport Arriving at Cabo San Juan:

• The El Zaino Main Entrance Gate:

• The Dirt Access Road to Castilletes Sector:

• Passengers Boarding a Boat off the Tayrona Coast: