Tayrona park from Palomino : A Local's Day Trip Guide (2026)
- Aloha Palomino
- Jul 11
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 24
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. Getting back from Tayrona to Palomino is just as easy — buses run the same route until around 6 p.m.
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*
Visitor type | 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.
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.
Frequently asked questions: Tayrona park from Palomino
How do I get from Palomino to Tayrona National Park?
Take the COOTRANSORIENTE bus (white, green and blue) heading toward Santa Marta on the main highway and ask to be dropped at the Zaino entrance. Transport costs around COP 10,000. At Zaino you pay the park entrance plus insurance, then take a second small bus into the park to the start of the walking trail.
How far is Tayrona park from Palomino?
Tayrona park from Palomino is just 45 minutes by bus — one of the closest and easiest day trips you can do from town.
How much does it cost to enter Tayrona National Park?
For foreign non-residents, entrance is COP $81,000 in low season and COP $96,500 in high season. For Colombian nationals and foreign residents over 25, it's COP $36,500 in low season and COP $43,000 in high season. Bahía Concha has a separate, lower rate all year.
How do I get back from Tayrona to Palomino?
The same route works in reverse — buses run between Tayrona and Palomino until around 6 p.m., so plan to leave the park with time to spare.
When is Tayrona National Park closed? Tayrona closes three times a year: February 1–15, June 1–15, and October 19 to November 2. These closures are agreed with the four Indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta to let the territory rest. If your trip falls on those dates, Quebrada Valencia and Los Flamencos stay open.
Can you visit Tayrona as a day trip from Palomino?
Yes. At 45 minutes away, Tayrona works perfectly as a day trip — leave early and you'll have a full day in the park. Just remember the park closes at 5 p.m. and the last buses back pass until around 6 p.m.
Can you sleep inside Tayrona National Park?
Yes. Most accommodation inside the park is in hammocks or tents, though some spots like the camping areas and Cabañas Don Pedro offer more comfort, and a few have actual rooms. Bring cash — there are no ATMs inside the park.
What should I bring to Tayrona?
Cash, plenty of water, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, good walking shoes and swimwear. Note that the park doesn't allow pets, speakers, single-use plastics, unauthorized drones or liquor bottles.
