Tag Archives: Tayrona

Two Days Exploring Tayrona National Park

After a rather mellow 4 days in Cartagena, upon arrival in Santa Marta it was all business mode. First evening was spent exploring neighborhood and town. Day 2 & 3 were dedicated to exploring the 58 sq miles that make up Tayrona Park. Created in 1864 the area’s unique flora and fauna, made up two ecosystems between the mountain and sea, is home to a wide variety of species and other forms of life. Indigenous descendants of hunting tribes from the 6 & 7 century still inhabit the area and uphold their ancestor’s traditions; their overall population is estimated at around 3,000. However, the crown jewel of the park are stunning beaches that make up it’s coastline attracting millions of tourists from Columbia as well as abroad.

Day 1

The hardest of the two days consisted of a 2.5 hour hike through the mountains and 4 coastal beaches to make it to Cabo de San Juan de Guía. There visitors -many backpackers– have the option to rest in their laurels after the long trek on the camping grounds or hammocks (you can rent these for the night). Libby and I chilled on the beach for a few hours then headed back through the mountains in the opposite direction– after all this is a honeymoon. #DameMiCama

Day 2

Completely opposite approach from day 1.
Objective: go to Tayrona Park’s Playa Cristal.
=>> Driver picked us up at hotel, got on a small boat and boom we were there. Easy peachy.