Tayrona park from Palomino : A Local's Day Trip Guide (2026)

Tayrona National Park is the most famous natural attraction on Colombia's Caribbean coast — and one of the best day trips you can take from Palomino. I'm Paola, and after living here since 2017, this is exactly how I tell our guests to do it.

How far is Tayrona park from Palomino ?

Tayrona park from Palomino by bus, is just 45 min— one of the closest and easiest day trips you can do. That's one of the quiet advantages of staying in Palomino: you're close to the park.

Transport COP 10,000 aprox. For come back to Palomino the buses pass until 18:00 and the park close at 17:00.

How to get to Tayrona park from Palomino, step by step

Getting there is simple. Take the bus heading toward Santa Marta COOTRANSORIENTE is white, green and blue on the main highway and ask to be dropped at the Zaino entrance — the main gate of Tayrona Park.

At Zaino you pay your park entrance plus a small insurance fee. From there, you take a second small bus that goes into the park and drops you at the start of the walking trail. The trail then leads you on foot through the jungle and along a series of beautiful beaches, each one a little different.

Colombian nationals or foreign residents*

Tipo de visitante	Low season	High Season	Bahía Concha (all year)
5 years to 25 years of age and younger	$27.500	$30.500	$15.000
Over age 25	$36.500	$43.000	$26.000

Foreign no resident*

Low season	High Season	Bahía Concha (all year)
$81.000	$96.500	$43.500

Cabo San Juan and the park's beaches

The most popular beach is Cabo San Juan — the postcard spot with the iconic hut on a rock between two bays. It's stunning, and it's also where most people go, so it can get busy.

If you prefer somewhere quieter, keep walking or explore the other beaches along the way. The park is big, and the further you walk, the more peaceful it gets. Not every beach is safe for swimming — the Caribbean here has strong currents — so always check the signs and local advice before getting in the water.

Should you stay overnight in Tayrona?

If you can, yes — I highly recommend spending one night inside the park. Waking up in Tayrona, before the day visitors arrive, is a completely different experience.

Just know what to expect: most accommodation inside the park is in hammocks or tents. Some spots, like the camping areas and Cabañas Don Pedro, offer a bit more comfort, and a few places have actual rooms. Bring cash, a light sleeping layer and mosquito repellent.

If you'd rather sleep comfortably and visit Tayrona as a day trip, that works perfectly too — you're only 45 minutes away.

What to bring

Cash (there are no ATMs inside the park), plenty of water, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, good walking shoes and swimwear. Take all your trash back out with you — Tayrona is a protected area and keeping it clean is part of visiting it.

Where to stay near Tayrona: Palomino

Palomino is one of the best bases for visiting Tayrona — close enough for an easy day trip, but calm, walkable and far from the crowds. At Casa Aloha, our guests head out to Tayrona in the morning and come back to a quiet room, a private desk and Starlink Wi-Fi to rest and catch up on work.

If you're planning to explore Tayrona and want a peaceful home base in Palomino, message me — I'm happy to help you plan your trip.

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Important: park closure dates and entry rules

Tayrona National Park closes three times a year. These closures are agreed between Colombia's National Parks authority and the four Indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, giving the territory time to rest and allowing for environmental, cultural and spiritual activities. Ecotourism activities and services are suspended during these periods:

• February 1–15 (Kugkui shikasa season)

• June 1–15 (Saka Juso season)

• October 19 – November 2 (Nabbatashi season)

  
  

If your trip falls on these dates, plan another day trip instead — Quebrada Valencia and Los Flamencos stay open.

Entry rules to keep in mind: the park does not allow pets, speakers, single-use plastics (bags, styrofoam, packaging, bottles, cups, cutlery, straws, stirrers), unauthorized drones, liquor bottles or hallucinogenic substances. Coming prepared makes entry at Zaino much smoother.