"A Tale of Two Toucans in Tayrona" Top 5 Page for this destination Parque Tayrona by richiecdisc

Parque Tayrona Travel Guide: 86 reviews and 343 photos

Tayrona's beaches are justifiably popular

Rightfully one of Colombia's most popular destinations, Tayrona National Park is most closely associated with breathtaking coastal scenery but the park encompasses 12 hectares of land with some of it rainforest close to 1000 meters and lowlands of brown desert-like hills. Most who visit only see the park's hallmark beaches shaded by towering coconut palms and perhaps a brief climb to indigenous Tayrona ruins in the most accessible highlands so the misconception of the park is easy to understand. To be fair, these areas are more than enough to warrant a visit to this stunning piece of paradise and it is easy enough to get lost doing just that for a number of days.

but the park is not all about beaches

The park is a bit of a mishmash of developmental styles. While it is perhaps less than pristine when it comes to the properties built to cater to tourist needs and the preponderance of horse manure on the trails, it is happily vehicle-free. This makes it perfect for hikers and even more so backpackers who truly can take advantage of the park's incredible beauty at more affordable prices than those at the mercy of the less than stellar accommodation choices.

not with guys like this showing up

It is easily reached from nearby Santa Marta. While you can certainly do the park as a long day trip and see a fair amount, with a 34000 COP ($17) entrance fee why not stay a few days and enjoy the amazing scenery a bit longer.

Last visit to Parque Tayrona: Feb 2010
Intro Updated Dec 3, 2010
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Reviews (30)

some things in life are free but not these babies - Parque Tayrona

parks fees are high Local Customs (1)

Coming from the United States, I have a very high standard when it comes to National Parks. The US might get a lot of... more travel advice

that content again Favorites (3)

Sometimes the photos you remember best are the ones you didn't take. I was laying on the beach at Tayrona, much like... more travel advice

he let me get pretty close - Parque Tayrona

a tale of two toucans Favorites (3)

The next day we hiked up the coast and had a wonderful day swimming at the various beaches we passed along the way.... more travel advice

one more trek seemed a bit overdone Favorites (3)

It's hard to pick one thing at Tayrona as so many things stand out. True to reputation, the beaches are killer. Not only... more travel advice

Restaurants (4)
See All there really were some cheaper options
Things to Do (5)
See All Canaveral
Hotels (3)
See All in a hammock nearly out at sea
Nightlife (1)
party hardy or just kick back

Comments (6)

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toonsarah Jan 26, 2011 at 12:08 PM

The beaches look great but I enjoyed the wildlife photos even more. Beautiful heron, and I see you met some cousins of our Belizean araucari toucans ;-) And the tamarins are SOOO cute!
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Nemorino Dec 11, 2010 at 5:56 AM

Great bird and monkey photos on these tips. Good that you had a chance to use your tent and stove again after lugging them all around Colombia for two months.
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willy_wonka Dec 6, 2010 at 9:24 PM

this is a fantastic page richie! just love all the wildlife photos - the lizard especially was stunning, but so were the birds. tayrona is definitely on my new "must visit colombia" list. ;-P
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Gili_S Dec 6, 2010 at 8:40 AM

Beautiful beaches and wild life photos. I even checked the map to realize where actually this place is ;-) PS: I also try to avoid crowded camps if possible.
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DoreenDe Dec 4, 2010 at 3:19 AM

Nice to know I'm still your favorite bird but I see there are more photos of them than me. ;) Enjoying the winter/Christmas time in Germany but soon I guess I'm ready for laying under a palm tree to thaw out.
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Trekki Dec 4, 2010 at 1:37 AM

My god, the park changed much since I was there 12 years ago. By then, no party scene and not many non locals. The hut was not for hammocks. But you had a great time it seems, fantastic photos of wildlife and scenery!