The Tayrona National Natural Park (Spanish: Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona) is a protected area in northern Colombia, near the city of Santa Marta, 34 kilometers (21 miles) from the city center. The park is home to plants and animals found only in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range. It has many different climates and land features, from dry areas at sea level to places 900 meters above sea level. The park includes about 30 square kilometers (12 square miles) of ocean in the Caribbean Sea and about 150 square kilometers (58 square miles) of land.

In 2022, it was the second most visited national park in Colombia, with 545,760 visitors.

History

The Tayrona National Park was established by the 191st Law of the Colombian Institute for Agrarian Reform (INCORA) to ensure the protection of the region and keep the natural environment safe.

Geography

The park covers an area of 150 square kilometers (58 square miles). It is located in the area under the control of the Santa Marta city, in the Department of Magdalena, along the north coast of Colombia, which is next to the Caribbean Sea.

Taganga is the southernmost part of the park. The western boundary follows the coastline toward the northeast, including one kilometer of sea area, until it reaches the Piedras River. The boundary then follows the left side of the river until it meets the North Highway. From there, it moves westward, crossing several landmarks with clear marks on the land:

• Santa Rosa Hill
• Tovar Hill
• Guacamayo Pick
• Aguas Muertas Hill
• Cielito Pick
• Hondonada Site
• Humo Hill

The boundary also crosses several creeks, such as the Piedras River, Cañaveral, Santa Rosa, La Boquita, Cinto, and other water branches, including the Rodríguez and Gairaca creeks.

Temperatures in the park and nearby cities range from 27 to 35 °C (81 to 95 °F) at sea level. Rainfall in this region varies from none to about 975 millimeters (38 inches) per month. However, the overall climate is tropical and hot, and farming in the area needs water from streams that flow down from snowy mountains.

Flora and fauna

Scientists have carefully grouped the animals living in the park, which include about 108 types of mammals and 300 types of birds. The Mantled howler, the oncilla, deer, and more than 70 types of bats are common animals found in the park.

The 300 types of birds in the park include the montane solitary eagle, the military macaw, black-backed antshrike, white-bellied antbird, and the lance-tailed manakin. There are also about 31 types of reptiles, 15 types of amphibians, 202 types of sponges, 471 types of crustaceans, 96 types of annelids, 700 types of molluscs, 110 types of corals, and 401 types of sea and river fish.

The park has more than 350 types of algae and more than 770 types of plants.

This park is one of three national parks in the Colombian Caribbean that have coral reefs on their land, the other two being Old Providence McBean Lagoon and Rosario and San Bernardo Corals.

Archaeology

There is evidence from long ago showing that people lived in the area of the park until the 16th century. Today, the area has eco-tourism facilities, including walking paths. The Archaeologic Museum of Chairama is located at the Cañaveral Site, near the mouth of the Piedras River. Other attractions include Los Naranjos Path, Castilletes Beach, The Pool, the Piedras River, and the San Juan Out.

The site of El Pueblito, which was once a popular hiking area, has been closed since 2019 because the indigenous people wanted it that way.

In recent years, Tayrona National Natural Park has become a center for regenerative and wellness tourism in northern Colombia. The area around the park has developed ways of living and working that protect the environment while using technology. One well-known project in this area is Bio Coliving Tayrona, an eco-friendly living and working space near the park’s entrance.

Tours and experiences

In recent years, Tayrona National Natural Park has become a place for regenerative and wellness tourism in northern Colombia. The area around the park has started to see new ways of living and working that protect the environment while using digital tools. One well-known project in this area is Bio Coliving Tayrona, an eco-friendly living and working space near the park’s entrance.

Bio Coliving Tayrona uses solar-powered offices, buildings designed to connect with nature, and technology like satellite internet and tools that check stress levels. These features help visitors and remote workers relax in nature. The project aims to reduce work stress, protect wildlife, support local jobs, and encourage responsible tourism. Its activities support the goals of protecting Tayrona and respecting the traditions of the Indigenous Kogui people in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

The Tayrona region also offers some of the most varied and safe ecotourism experiences along Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Groups like Bio Coliving Tayrona organize special tours lasting four to six days. These tours visit four to six famous beaches in the park, such as Playa Cristal, Bahía Concha, Neguanje, Gayraca, and Cinto. Tours are available in English and Spanish. Visitors can learn more about these trips through Bio Coliving Tayrona’s website or Instagram page.

Recreational scuba diving

Tayrona has protected areas near the shoreline that are used for recreational scuba diving. These areas have shallow sections for training and other sections with currents and greater depth that are good for drift diving.