How to get from Santa Marta to Tayrona

Santa Marta is one of the most popular and tourist-dense Colombian cities, thanks to its easy accessibility and diverse cultural landscapes. If you are done exploring Santa Marta and want to make your way to Tayrona, this comprehensive guide should take care of all your needs.

From stunning views to the rich history and culture, both Santa Marta and Tayrona are known for their individuality. Also, being the gateway to the stunning Tayrona National Natural Park, a trip makes for a lifetime of memories.

If you want to ensure a smooth and streamlined experience traveling from Santa Marta to Tayrona, we have all the details sorted in this guide.

3 Best ways to get from Santa Marta to Tayrona

Your journey to Tayrona doesn’t have to be uncomfortable or expensive. With the short distance between these two spots and the popularity of Tayrona, it isn’t surprising that there are multiple transportation modes that you can opt for.

The best part of it all is the views that you get to witness along the way. If we had to explain it in short, magnificent would be the right word.

Following are a few different ways you can travel to Tayrona without a hitch:

Shuttle from Santa Marta to Tayrona

Public and luxury coach buses are one of the best ways for you to travel from Santa Marta to Tayrona. The prices are cheap and they are available at different times of the day so you can plan your trip without any hassle.

Since most people visit Tayrona for the national park, most of the buses play to match the timing of the national park to ensure that the tourists can make the most out of the experience. If buses aren’t your jam, there are shuttle services too, which offer great comfort while traveling.

Fare – The fare for shuttle services generally ranges from $15-$20. You can book your tickets online for the best prices and deals. Check out the schedule and book your shuttle tickets from Santa Marta to Tayrona here!

Shuttle from Sayulita to Puerto Vallarta

Packaged Tours from Santa Marta to Tayrona

If your intent for traveling to Tayrona is to visit the national park, there are packaged tour options available, which are worth looking into. These are arranged by the travel companies and what’s great is that the package takes care of your transportation and also the tickets to the national park.

All you have to do is show up. This way, you can get rid of the complexities and make the most out of the situation at hand. They are slightly more expensive than the standard shuttle services, so that’s one thing that you have to keep in mind while booking them.

Fare – The private packaged tours from Santa Marta to Tayrona can range from $50-$70 depending on the season, the kind of services and amenities that you are availing, and the service provider as well. Check out the schedule and book your tour tickets from Santa Marta to Tayrona here!

Coach bus

Private Transfers from Santa Marta to Tayrona

The last option is probably the most expensive one in the lot. This includes renting out a car or availing taxi services to pick you up from your hotel at Santa Marta and drop you off at Tayrona. From there, you can go ahead and engage in the activities of your choice and make the most out of the expedition.

What we’d recommend is that you pick this if you are planning to explore Tayrona by itself and not focus on visiting the national park only.

Fare – The price for private taxis can start from $80 and go as high as $200 or more. 

Check out the schedule and book your private transfer tickets from Santa Marta to Tayrona here!

Private transfer

How far is Santa Marta from Tayrona?

The exact distance is under 100 km. It depends on where in Tyrona you are visiting.

For example, if you are visiting the national park, the distance is around 16 km. If it’s somewhere else in Tayrona, the distance can increase subsequently.

Things to do in Tayrona

Is there anything else to do in Tayrona besides exploring the national park? Well, not many people know or realize this but the answer is yes. You can do a lot of amazing activities in Tayrona and make the most out of the experience without any compromise at all.

We’d recommend that you keep visiting the national park for one day and do the following on the other days.

  • Explore the beaches

Tayrona’s beachside experiences are quite underrated but if you love the crystal clear waters and sandy beaches, there are quite a few different ones you can explore while in Tayrona.

  • Hike to Pueblito

For adventure enthusiasts, planning a hike to Pueblito will expose you to some of the stunning views around and once you reach the top, soaking in the view around you is beyond comprehension.

  • Try snorkeling and diving

The last activity that deserves a shoutout is trying your hands at some water activities. Snorkeling and diving are probably two of the best options that you can consider among the list of options. Also, once you are done, relaxing on the hammocks by the beachside adds to the fun.

While you are in Tayrona, don’t forget to explore the local cafes and restaurants because the food is delectable.

Getting to Tayrona from Santa Marta

An easy and reliable way to buy tickets fast and at a good price from Santa Marta to Tayrona is gottoGO, you can search all transportation options.  Look for buses, shuttles, private transportation around Colombia with a reliable and easy-to-use platform, you can compare prices and schedules as well as do your search online.

Conclusion

Traveling to Tayrona isn’t as hectic as you were imaging. Since the rush is quite a lot due to tourists visiting the national park, our suggestion would be to book your tickets ahead of time so you don’t have to pay high prices at the last minute. Besides that, bask in the beauty of the place and make the most of your travel plans.

FAQs

What is the best way to get from Santa Marta to Tayrona?

The easiest and most cost-effective solution to travel from Santa Marta to Tayrona is via a shuttle service. They are easily accessible and can be booked online. You can look for transport options from Santa Marta to Tayrona here.

What is the best price to travel to Tayrona?

If you want to travel under a budget of $20 per person, shuttles are great. But, for a comprehensive travel experience to the national park, you can opt for packages too. You can look for prices from Santa Marta to Tayrona here.

What to do in Tayrona?

Besides visiting the national park, you can also consider exploring the local town and checking out the food and the markets.

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