Minca To Tayrona National Park: A Step-By-Step Travel Guide

Planning to travel from Minca to Tayrona National Park?

Here’s the good news – you can skip the chaos of Santa Marta’s center entirely.

Below, I will walk you through the exact steps you need to make this journey affordably and efficiently.

With pristine white-sand beaches, lush jungle trails, and unrivaled biodiversity, Tayrona National Park is a must-visit jewel in Colombia’s crown.

It’s the perfect next stop after Minca; a charming mountain town in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada.

You’ll be pleased to know that you don’t have to return to the chaotic center of Santa Marta to get from Minca to Tayrona.

Having lived in the area for two months, I have mastered making this journey affordably and in the quickest time.

Keep reading to seamlessly transition from Minca’s cool mountain air to Tayrona’s Caribbean coastline with my helpful step-by-step instructions.

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How To Get From Minca To Tayrona: Overview

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

Minca to Tayrona: 2 Different Ways

There are two main ways to travel from Minca to Tayrona National Park, depending on your budget and desired level of comfort.

As a budget backpacker, I would personally recommend taking the public bus. The journey is very straightforward and affordable.

However, if you’re traveling in a group, or simply prefer convenience and comfort, a taxi would be best.

By bus (recommended)

Traveling by bus is very straightforward and affordable. It is the way I would recommend for budget backpackers.

You will need to take two buses –

• Minca to Mamatoco Bus Stop (outskirts of Santa Marta)
• Santa Marta to Tayrona National Park (Calabazo or El Zaino entrance)

Step 1: Minca to Mamatoco (Santa Marta)

The buses in Minca all depart from the Cootransminca Office in the center of town (next to the yellow bridge).

They are small vans known as ‘colectivos’ and depart roughly every 30 minutes, or when the bus is full.

The bus from Minca to Santa Marta (Mamatoco) costs 10,000 COP ($2.30) and takes about 45 minutes.

Tip: you do not need to book this ticket in advance. However, I’d recommend getting to the office to purchase your ticket about half an hour before.

The best part about traveling from Minca to Tayrona National Park is that you do not need to return to the center of Santa Marta (and that dreaded public market).

You will instead get off at the bus stop called ‘Mamatoco’ – this is located on the outskirts of Santa Marta.

Get off at Mamatoco and you will be directed to the buses heading to Tayrona National Park.

Step 2: Santa Marta to Tayrona National Park

The next step is to get from Mamatoco (Santa Marta) to Tayrona National Park.

Tip: there are two entrances to Tayrona National Park. Calabazo is the nearest entrance to Santa Marta (and the one I would recommend), but El Zaino is the most popular

All buses head in the same direction, with the final destination as Palomino. The buses stop anywhere along the main road, simply let the driver know.

The journey to the Calabazo entrance takes about 40 minutes, while the journey to El Zaino takes about an hour.

The bus from Santa Marta to Tayrona National Park costs 8,000 COP ($1.80).

By taxi

If you’re a fan of comfort and convenience, perhaps taking a taxi from Minca to Tayrona National Park is your best bet.

Also, if you’re traveling as a large group, this could work out more cost-effective.

To get from Minca to Tayrona by private transfer, you have a few options –

• Book your private transfer in advance (here)
• Book your taxi using Uber or Indrive
• Ask your accommodation to book a taxi for you
• Hail a yellow taxi from the street (not recommended)

A taxi from Minca to Tayrona National Park can cost anywhere between 150,000 – 250,000 COP ($35-$57).

This journey can also take up to 2 hours.

Where to stay in Tayrona

When visiting Tayrona National Park, you have the option of staying inside the park itself or nearby.

I was lucky to live near Tayrona for 2 months and explored many of the popular hostels in the area – they are some of the most incredible in the world.

I’ve also stayed inside the park itself, camping in a hammock on Cabo San Juan beach, which is a totally unique and unforgettable experience.

If you benefit from time, I’d suggest spending the night before/after the hike in a nearby hostel, and a night in the park itself – this way you get the best of both worlds.

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

Valley Hostel (my pick)

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.

The Journey Hostel

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.

Inside Tayrona National Park

If you benefit from time, I would totally recommend staying a night in the national park.

Camping in the jungle and waking up to the sound of howler monkeys and crashing waves is a truly unique experience.

Staying a night also allows you to beat the crowds and experience the beauty of the park without heaps of tourists.

Staying inside Tayrona National Park certainly isn’t cheap, and I’d recommend bringing a packed lunch, snacks, and plenty of water to avoid the high restaurant prices too.

Camping (cheapest)

Camping is the most affordable and adventurous option – you have a choice between tents or hammocks.

When I visited, I camped overnight at Cabo San Juan and slept in a hammock – I personally think this is the most beautiful place to camp, but the busiest too.

Note: you do not need to book this online. I’d recommend booking your camping at the entrance

Some of the best places to camp are –

• Cabo San Juan – most scenic & popular, hammocks overlooking the ocean (El Mirador)
• Arrecifes (cheapest option)
• Playa Brava (for Calabazo entrance)

Generally, you can expect to pay about 50,000 COP ($11.50) for a hammock & about 100,000 COP ($23) for a shared tent.

Ecohabs Tayrona (luxury)

Ecohabs Tayrona is the place to stay if you want to be in the park, but do not want to compromise on comfort.

It is a great option for couples or small groups who want to wake up surrounded by nature (but not eaten alive by mosquitos).

The highlights of the Ecohabs are –

• Located within the park near Playa Arrecifes – not a long walk to reach
• Luxurious private cabins with amazing amenities – jacuzzi bath, aircon, wifi, free breakfast
• Beautiful views of the ocean & jungle

Private cabins start from $175 per night.

FAQs

Is Tayrona National Park worth it?

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.

What is the closest city to Tayrona National Park?

The closest city to Tayrona National Park is Santa Marta.

Fortunately, you don’t need to return to its center when traveling from Minca. The Mamatoco bus stop connects you directly to the park.

How many days do you need in Tayrona?

I would recommend 2 days exploring Tayrona with a one-night stay in the park.

You can easily explore the park’s most popular beaches on a day trip, but if you’re hoping to avoid the crowds and have a unique experience in the jungle, I’d suggest staying the night.

The first time I visited I went in the El Zaino entrance and stayed overnight at Cabo San Juan – this meant I got to experience the park’s beauty without the crowds.

The second time I visited was for a day trip and I went in through the Calabazo entrance.

If you don’t fancy staying in the park, or you can’t afford it (it’s not cheap), then I’d recommend staying in one of the amazing nearby hostels.

My favorite nearby hostels were –

• Valley Hostel
• The Journey Hostel
• Costeno Beach Hostel

Is Minca Colombia worth it?

Minca is well worth visiting and is one of my favorite destinations in Colombia.

Located further up into the mountains, Minca is a refreshing escape from the stifling heat of the Caribbean coast.

Must Read: 13 Incredible Things To Do in Minca: Ultimate Travel Guide

It is the perfect destination for nature lovers, eco-conscious travelers, and those seeking a peaceful escape.

As the world’s highest coastal range, the landscapes are super unique and the views are absolutely breathtaking.

There are many amazing activities and things to do. It is a haven for hikers, waterfall chasers, and sunset lovers. You can also take some pretty cool coffee or cacao tours.

Recommended: Where To Eat in Minca: Top 10 Best Restaurants & Cafes

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How to get from Minca to Tayrona: Conclusion

This travel guide has shown that the journey from Minca to Tayrona National Park is very straightforward and affordable.

With these tips, you’ll be soaking up the tropical sun in no time.

If you’ve made this journey yourself or you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment or reach out to me on Instagram or Pinterest and let me know how it was!