Tayrona Tour from Cartagena: Private Full-Day Park Trip

Our Tayrona tour from Cartagena is built for travelers who want to see one of Colombia’s most beautiful places without overnight logistics. Tayrona National Natural Park is where the jungle-covered foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta meet the Caribbean, with giant granite boulders, golden coves and howler monkeys calling from the canopy.

It is a long day, roughly 14 hours door to door, but traveling privately makes a Tayrona tour from Cartagena as comfortable as possible. Transportation, a bilingual guide and the park entrance are all included. For wildlife, Indigenous culture and park rules, read our Tayrona National Park guide before you go.

How the Tayrona tour from Cartagena works

We collect you at your hotel, vacation rental or the Cartagena cruise terminal before dawn, and confirm the pickup time the day before. The drive to the park takes about four to five hours each way in a private air-conditioned vehicle, depending on traffic and road works.

At the entrance your guide handles the formalities and recommends the sector and trail that best fit your group’s fitness and interests. From there you hike forest trails toward the coves. Calmer beaches such as La Piscina and Cabo San Juan are generally better for a swim when conditions are calm. In the afternoon you head back and arrive in Cartagena in the evening.

Why go private with us

• Leave as early as you like to make the most of your time inside the park.
• Rest, nap or stop when you need to on the long drive, with no fixed bus schedule.
• Park entrance is included, and your guide helps with the rules at the gate.
• Your guide adapts the plan if the group prefers shorter walks or more beach time.

Because the vehicle and guide cost the same for the whole group, the price per person goes down as your group grows.

Good to know before you go

The park closes several times a year under the “Respira Tayrona” initiative. The announced 2026 closures were February 1 to 15, June 1 to 15 and October 19 to November 2. Dates can change and extra closures can happen, so we confirm the park’s status before your trip.

Some stretches of coast, including Arrecifes, have strong currents, so swim only where it is permitted. Bring hiking shoes, a swimsuit, sunscreen, insect repellent, water and a rain jacket in the wetter months. The park recommends yellow fever vaccination, so consult a travel health professional before you go. Meals, drinks, tips and horse rides inside the park are not included, so carry some cash for food along the way.

Planning your day trip

A Tayrona tour from Cartagena suits travelers who are comfortable with an early start and a long ride in exchange for jungle trails and wild beaches. If you are short on time, the National Aviary of Colombia tour is a closer nature escape. You can see every option on our Cartagena day tours page.

Ready for the place where the mountains meet the sea? Check your date and book your private Tayrona day trip.