There are only 9 miles (15 km) between the center of Santa Marta and the entrance of the Tayrona National Park. The two easiest options to make this short trip are taking a private car or a group shuttle.
Once you arrive at the park entrance, you'll have to hike through the jungle for around 40 minutes until you reach the beach or accommodation points.
If you're interested in a more extensive jungle trek, including a tour of the Lost City, consider taking our 7-day trek.
By Private Transfer
Duration: 25 minutes
It's easy to hire a private driver to take you to the entrance of the Tayrona National Park. One of the perks of taking a car is that it allows you to choose which entrance you want to use. Zaino is the most popular park entrance, and it offers one of the easiest treks to the beach.
By Group Shuttle
Duration: 40 minutes, more with stops
If you buy a ticket for a group shuttle, the van will pick you up at your hotel and take you as far into the national park as cars are allowed to go.
However, keep in mind that before you begin the drive to Tayrona, you will most likely need to stop to pick up other passengers in Santa Marta. This all depends on where your hotel is situated, but it will most likely add a few extra minutes to your journey.
Map
