How To Visit Cabo San Juan in Tayrona: Hiking Routes & Camping Guide

Dreaming of powdery white sand and turquoise waters?

Cabo San Juan is Tayrona’s most famous beach—and for good reason. But getting there isn’t as simple as hopping off a bus and stepping into paradise.

Having lived in northern Colombia for two months, I’ve visited Cabo San Juan twice. I’ve hiked both main routes – once staying overnight in a hammock, and once on a day trip.

From long entry queues and wrong turns to ankle-deep mud and relentless heat, I’ve learned firsthand what to expect (and what not to do)—so you don’t have to.

But the reward? 100% worth it.

Waking up to the sunrise over the Caribbean, with howler monkeys in the distance and waves crashing below—what could be better?

In this guide, I’ll break down the best hiking routes (El Zaino or Calabazo), your camping options, as well as must-know tips & tricks to make your experience unforgettable.

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Cabo San Juan Tayrona: Overview

If you haven’t got time to read the whole guide, below is a quick summary.

Where is Cabo San Juan?

Cabo San Juan is located within Tayrona National Park on Colombia’s northern coast, about an hour east of Santa Marta.

It is arguably the park’s most popular beach and its iconic twin bay attracts both day trippers and overnight campers.

Unless you take the boat from Taganga, you can only reach Cabo San Juan by hiking through the park – it takes about 2 hours.

👉 For full step-by-step instructions from all popular destinations, check out my How To Get To Tayrona National Park Guide

Calabazo or El Zaino Entrance?

There are two main entrances to Tayrona National Park.

The one you choose depends on the kind of experience you’re after and whether you want to camp – knowing this beforehand is crucial.

I have visited Tayrona twice, and have used both entrances.

Calabazo (recommended for a day trip)

If you’re short on time and can only visit Tayrona on a day trip, I recommend entering Calabazo and exiting through El Zaino.

This way you are not retracing your steps and get to explore more of the park.

• Least popular = less tourists & less queues
• It takes 3 hours to reach Cabo San Juan (and is slightly more strenuous)
• Chance to visit Playa Nudista before

El Zaino (recommended for campers)

If you’re planning to camp overnight in Cabo San Juan, then you have to start at El Zaino – you can only book hammocks or tents at this entrance.

After camping overnight at Cabo San Juan, if you decide you want to explore more of the park, you can head to Playa Nudista and then exit through Calabazo.

Or you can simply retrace your steps and return the next day via El Zaino – I’d recommend this as exiting through Calabazo is very strenuous as it is uphill.

• Most popular entrance = more tourists + longer queues (arrive early)
• 2 hours to reach Cabo San Juan + well-maintained footpath

Tayrona National Park Entrance Fee

When you arrive at Tayrona National Park, the first thing you’ll need to do is pay your entrance fee.

If you’re coming for the day, you can enter through El Zaino or Calabazo and pay your entrance fee at either – but, if you want to camp, you can only book this at El Zaino.

Tayrona National Park has a limit of 6,900 visitors per day. To guarantee your spot and avoid long queues, try to arrive before 10 AM.

In the low season, you’ll be fine simply turning up on the day and booking (this is what I did both times).

However, if you’re visiting during the high season or on a public holiday, I’d recommend booking your ticket in advance here.

Low season prices

• Foreigners: 73,500k COP ($17)
• Colombians: 33k COP ($8)

High season prices

High season is from June-July, December-January, and all public holidays.

• Foreigners: 87k COP ($21)
• Colombians: 39k COP ($9.50)

👉 be sure to bring your passport when buying your ticket. The entrance fee can be paid by card but everything else is in cash so bring plenty

Additional fees

• Obligatory 6k COP ($1.50) insurance (per day that you’re in the park)
• Purchase camping at the entrance (only El Zaino)
• If starting in El Zaino: 7k ($1.70) bus to the start of trail
• If starting in Calabazo: 22k ($5) mototaxi to start of trail, 5k maintenance

How To Get To Cabo San Juan: 4 Different Ways

There are 4 different ways to reach Cabo San Juan, depending on your fitness and the experience you’re after.

Here are your options for you to compare –

Hiking from El Zaino to Cabo San Juan

This is the most popular hiking route and the best option for those hoping to camp overnight.

• Easy hike, relatively flat, boardwalk & designated path
• 2-3 hour hike
• Very busy
• Horseback ride if you don’t want to hike (40k each way)

Hiking from Calabazo to Cabo San Juan

This hiking route is better for those visiting on a day trip, as you will visit more of the park and avoid retracing your steps.

• More strenuous hike with steep areas & slightly longer
• 3-4 hour hike
• Minimal tourists
• Chance to visit Playa Nudista

Boat from Taganga to Cabo San Juan

This is the best way to reach Cabo San Juan if you’re not a fan of hiking and want to skip straight to the beach.

• 45 minutes – 2 hour journey (depending on conditions)
• The boats depart from Playa Taganga (15 minutes from Santa Marta) around 10:00 AM
• The return boat from Cabo San Juan to Taganga departs at 4:00 PM.
• 80k-100k one way

👉 this is not an option for the faint-hearted – the boat ride can be rough & bumpy, especially in the windy season from December – March

Organized tour

If you prefer a stress-free experience with everything organized for you, then it’s worth considering a day tour.

These organized tours also come with round-trip transportation from Santa Marta, a delicious lunch, and a knowledgeable guide.

• Tayrona Sailing Boat Tour – for those who don’t want to hike ($100 – entrance fee included)
• Tayrona Guided Tour – guided walk from El Zaino to Cabo San Juan ($60 – entrance fee included)

Hiking from El Zaino to Cabo San Juan (for overnight campers)

Choosing to hike from the popular El Zaino entrance to Cabo San Juan is the best option if you’re hoping to camp and stay overnight.

Below I have detailed the route you will take, as well as the beaches you will pass, to make the journey as straightforward as possible for you.

Entrance to Cañaveral

After paying your entrance fee and watching the short video, your journey to Cabo San Juan begins.

There is a short shuttle bus from the park entrance to Cañaveral, where the trail officially starts – this costs 7k COP.

You can choose to walk this (1 hour) but I would highly recommend just taking the bus. This part of the walk is pretty uneventful and conserving your energy is best.

Cañaveral to Arrecifes

Getting from Cañaveral to Arrecifes takes about 1 hour.

This is the easiest part of the hike and you are largely covered by lush jungle greenery throughout. There is a wooden boardwalk to follow.

Keep an eye out for wildlife in this part as it’s where I saw the most monkeys!

Once you start to reach the massive boulders, you will start to catch a glimpse of the ocean and the impressive Arrecifes Beach.

While postcard-perfect, Arrecifes Beach has one of the strongest currents and is not suitable for swimming.

Arrecifes to La Piscina

The walk from Arrecifes to La Piscina takes about 30 minutes.

The first part of this stretch feels a little strenuous, as you are out in the sun for the first time, but this does not last long.

You have to cross a couple of small streams (you’ll need to remove your shoes), before heading back into the shade of the trees.

The path here is not clearly marked and it is more of a muddy trail. If it has been raining, you can expect this part to be extremely muddy.

👉 I recommend simply taking your shoes off and walking through the mud, instead of trying to avoid it

When you’re back in the open, you are welcomed by the first shallow pools of water and one of the most incredible paths through the palm trees.

La Piscina to Cabo San Juan

Great news – you’ve reached La Piscina!

I actually prefer La Piscina to Cabo San Juan as it’s much less crowded.

This is the first part of the park that is suitable for swimming – I’d recommend relaxing here a bit (it is much less crowded than Cabo San Juan).

There is also a lovely restaurant called Ecohabs – it is very expensive but you can pay by card.

You then have a further 30-minute walk through the scenic jungle and sandy stretches before reaching Cabo San Juan.

Camping Cabo San Juan

You’ve done it – you’ve made it to Cabo San Juan, and now you can relax!

Just as you arrive at Cabo San Juan, there are some huts on the right-hand side where you sort out your camping – I’d do this first so you can chill after.

If you have booked in advance at El Zaino entrance, you’ll exchange your tickets here and be directed to your tent/hammock.

If you haven’t booked in advance but spontaneously decide you want to camp, you can also book directly here (subject to availability).

Hammocks (recommended)

You’ve got a couple of options for hammocks depending on your preference.

I stayed in the regular camping area, as the watchtower was sold out – but if you get the chance to stay in the watchtower you have to do it!

Main camping area hammocks

This is where the majority of the hammocks are and where I stayed.

• 50k COP per night
• Mosquito nets & lockers
• Easy access to toilets & showers
• Less tranquil & more noise

Watchtower hammocks

Perched on a rocky outcrop above the beach, these hammocks give you a 360-degree view of the ocean.

Waking up to the sun rising over the ocean is an unforgettable experience and a real bucket list experience in Colombia.

• 60k COP per night
• There are lockers but no mosquito nets
• Much cooler, refreshing sea breeze
• Feels more secluded – amazing photo opportunities

👉 there are only 16 watchtower hammocks, so get there early to guarantee yourself a spot

Tent

Tents are also an option if you’re looking for a bit more privacy, or if there are two of you sharing.

Renting a tent will set you back 80k COP per night for two people.

If you’re happy to carry your tent around with you all day, you can bring your own and rent a space for 20k COP.

You can expect these tents to be basic, and they get very hot when the sun is up.

Cabins

Private cabins offer a more comfortable stay compared to tents or hammocks.

However, these are not luxurious cabins – they are simple, rustic, and have shared bathrooms.

Each cabin costs 200k COP per night for two people.

Restaurant & Facilities

Cabo San Juan has a restaurant with decent but pricey food – you can expect to pay 40k-70k per meal.

There is also a small “convenience store” selling the essentials; basic toiletries (tampons/toothpaste), snacks, suncream & drinks

The Cabo San Juan campsite has cold showers & bathrooms – this had a fee of 1k COP.

Hiking from Calabazo to Cabo San Juan (for day trippers)

Hiking from the Calabazo entrance to Cabo San Juan is the best option if you’re visiting for a day trip, as you avoid retracing your steps and get to see more of the park.

If you’re visiting on a day trip, I’d suggest entering through Calabazo, making your way to Cabo San Juan (and relaxing here for a couple of hours), before hiking and exiting through El Zaino.

Entrance to Playa Nudista

When entering through Calabazo, there is no obligatory safety video and it all feels a lot more unofficial.

As soon as you arrive you will be approached by people asking if you want to take a motorbike to the start of the trail – you absolutely do!

From the entrance to the start of the trail, there is a 2-hour hike. It is steep and uneventful, so I’d recommend taking the bike and conserving your energy.

After about 10 minutes on the bike, you will reach the start of the trail.

While there are signposts to guide you, the route is much less clear than entering through El Zaino – there is no boardwalk and you are walking through the jungle.

After about 15 minutes, you will reach the most important sign. Left to Playa Brava or right to Cabo San Juan – of course, take the right.

👉 if you want to camp but want to avoid Cabo San Juan, I’d recommend taking this route to Playa Brava, camping there, and then exploring Cabo San Juan the next day

I loved this route as I only saw one other group of tourists the whole time, making the experience much more tranquil and authentic.

There are quite a few ups and downs, and the hike is slightly more strenuous. However, as you start to approach Playa Nudista, you’ll get amazing views from above.

Playa Nudista to Cabo San Juan

Playa Nudista was my favorite beach in Tayrona National Park.

When I arrived, I had the entire beach to myself which made the experience even more special.

The waves are very rough so I just paddled a little to cool off – be weary as this beach is not suitable to swim.

From Playa Nudista, there is roughly a 20-minute walk through the jungle to reach Cabo San Juan.

This is not so well sign-posted – I’d suggest downloading maps.me and following this as a guide.

Cabo San Juan Tayrona: Things To Know Before You Go

I’ve visited Tayrona National Park, and Cabo San Juan Beach, twice.

There were many mistakes I made the first time. Here are my top tips & things to know before you go –

• Take double the amount of cash you think you’ll need – everything in Tayrona is cash payment, & everything is double the price
• Bring only a small day bag – lightweight clothing, a raincoat, some snacks, a towel
• Insect repellent & suncream – the only repellent I found that worked well was Nopikex
• I hiked both times in my Birkenstocks – I personally don’t think you need hiking boots so don’t stress if you don’t have any
• You don’t have to retrace your steps – you can exit through Calabazo if you want to explore more
• Pueblito (Indigenous village) is closed to tourists

Other Places To Stay In or Near Tayrona

If you’re not looking to camp at Cabo San Juan, there are many other accommodation options inside or near the park.

Inside Tayrona National Park

Cabo San Juan is undoubtedly the busiest campsite and is well-geared towards tourism.

If you’re looking for a quieter, more off-the-beaten-path experience, then perhaps one of these other options could suit you better.

• Arrecifes – most affordable campsite (book here)
• Playa Brava – from Calabazo entrance (very tranquil & beautiful)
• Ecohabs Tayrona – luxury option

Near Tayrona National Park

If you’re short on time, I’d recommend staying as near as possible to the national park and visiting on a day trip.

Even if you decide to stay in the park overnight, I’d recommend staying nearby the night before/after to cut down on traveling time.

Note: most hostels near Tayrona allow you to store your bags for free while hiking/staying in the park

The area around Tayrona National Park (and all the way along to Palomino) is home to some of the most incredible hostels in the world – they’re well worth checking out.

Valley Hostel Tayrona

Valley is one of my favorite hostels in the entire world.

I stayed here on two occasions: once in a shared dorm and once in their best private room with views overlooking the valley.

Here’s what I love about it –

• Located just 5 minutes from the entrance to Tayrona
• Incredible views of the valley & wildlife – jungle swimming pool & giant hammocks
• Open-air private rooms & dorms

Shared dorms from $16 & private rooms from $38.

Journey Hostel Tayrona

If you’ve heard of Tayrona, then you’ve probably heard of The Journey Hostel.

Simply put, it is a must-visit if you’re in the area. The views are absolutely stunning and it is the best place to meet other travelers.

The highlights for me were –

• Only 5 minutes from the entrance to Tayrona
• Infinity pool & deck area with amazing views (sunset views too)
• Incredibly social – many activities, family dinners, monkey walks

Shared dorms from $18 & private rooms from $77.

FAQs

How long is the hike to Cabo San Juan Tayrona?

If you’re hiking from the El Zaino entrance, the hike to Cabo San Juan Tayrona takes 2-3 hours.

If you are coming from the Calabazo entrance, the hike takes a little longer and is a bit more strenuous about 3-4 hours.

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Is Tayrona worth visiting?

Tayrona National Park is absolutely worth it!

Tayrona National Park is the jewel in Colombia’s crown and is one of the only places in the world where snow-capped mountains meet the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.

Think of pristine white-sand beaches, lush jungle trails, abundant wildlife, and rich cultural history.

Whether you’re hoping for a multi-day hike and exploration or simply prefer to relax in the sun, you cannot miss Tayrona when visiting Colombia.

How do I get from Minca to Parque Tayrona?

If you’re traveling from Minca to Tayrona, you’ll be pleased to hear that there is no need to return back to Santa Marta city center.

First, you will take the bus from Minca to Santa Marta – but ask to get off at the Mamatoco Bus Stop just outside of the center.

From this bus stop, you can take the public bus to Tayrona National Park.

I’ve written a full post with step-by-step instructions which you can check out here.

Full Post: How To Get From Minca to Tayrona National Park: Step-By-Step

Can you swim in Cabo San Juan?

Yes! You can swim at Cabo San Juan, and it’s one of the safest beaches in Tayrona.

Unlike many other beaches in the park with strong currents, Cabo San Juan has calmer waters thanks to the protective bay formed by the large rocks.

There are also lifeguards on duty.

Can you stay overnight in Tayrona National Park?

Yes, you can stay overnight in Tayrona National Park.

For a truly unforgettable experience, and the opportunity to appreciate the park without the crowds, I would highly recommend this.

There is a range of camping options depending on your budget and preference – hammocks, tents, or cabins.

Cabo San Juan is the most picturesque camping site, but also the busiest and most expensive. Other options are Arrecifes (cheaper) or Playa Brava (more peaceful).

How much is the hammock in Tayrona?

If you’re hoping to camp at Cabo San Juan, the prices are as follows –

• 50k COP for a hammock in the regular campsite
• 60k COP for a hammock in the watchtower

You can also consider Arrecifes (cheaper) or Playa Brava (more peaceful).

Are there jaguars in Tayrona National Park?

Yes, there are jaguars in Tayrona National Park, but sightings are extremely rare.

Cabo San Juan Tayrona National Park: Final Thoughts

Cabo San Juan is one of the most iconic spots in Tayrona National Park, offering a stunning mix of golden beaches, lush jungle, and a unique camping experience.

Whether you’re staying overnight in a hammock, tent, or cabin, or just visiting for the day, it’s a must-see destination in Colombia for backpackers and nature lovers alike.

If you have visited Cabo San Juan, I would love to hear from you – reach out to me on Instagram or Pinterest and let me know how it was!