Tayrona National Park, Colombia
Many travellers only come to Santa Marta to visit nearby Tayrona National Park, however there are many other things to do. Like the 3 days long hike to the forbidden city. Santa Marta has a vivid nightlife. Aracataca, the Birthtown of Gabriel Garcia Márquez is nearby, further to the east you can find Palomino, with beautiful beaches and a bit even further you can visit a famous desert with real sand dunes.
Tayrona lies on the Caribbean Coast. It is a mountainous area covered with dense forests. The beaches are insanely beautiful. It is like a painting. Huge rocks, sandy beaches, palm trees, flowers, and the jungle.
It is easy to get here from Santa Marta, there are buses coming here quite frequently. I made a mistake by going to the bus terminal. The buses from there are more expensive, so instead I should have just asked the reception at the hostel. They would have told me which corner to stand in the city, and a cheaper bus would have arrived soon.
At the entrance you have to buy the ticket and accommodation. There are two options: rent a hammock, which will be under a roof, and the walls are made of a mosquito net. You will share this area approximately with twenty other people. It is kind of like a stable, but it has a nice vibe. Other, and a bit more expensive option would be a tent for rent.
In the Camping area water for showers is only between a certain period in the evening, there isn’t any hot water of course, but it isn’t necessary since the weather is hot. Same for the electricity, however you have restaurants as well, where the food is nice and the price is okay.
I would recommend spending at least two nights at Tayrona, so you will have time to enjoy nature and beaches. Bring lots of water. At least 4 litre per day.
