How to Get From Cartagena to Tayrona
Bus · Minivan · Private Transport
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Tayrona National Park stretches along the Caribbean coast about 175 kilometres (109 miles) east of Cartagena. Jungle-covered hills tumble down to palm-backed coves and calm, clear bays. The bus is the cheapest way to get from Cartagena to Tayrona National Park at $21 (73,000 COP), and it takes around 6h 10m - 7h. A private transfer is the quickest option at 4h 45m - 5h, if you'd rather go door to door.
Distance from Cartagena to Tayrona
Cartagena and Tayrona are about 175 km (109 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 230 km by road. The quickest way to get from Cartagena to Tayrona is by taking the private transport, which takes around 4h 45m - 5h.
3 ways to travel from Cartagena to Tayrona
There are three ways to travel from Cartagena to Tayrona. You can choose between the bus, minivan, and private transport. The journey takes 4h 45m–6h 10m and the quickest way is by private transport. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $21 (73,000 COP).
2 legs — see itinerary
- Cartagena→Santa Marta4h
- Santa Marta→Tayrona1h
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3
Cartagena to Tayrona by Bus
The bus is an affordable way to get from Cartagena to Tayrona. You’ll need to book a bus to Riohacha and get off earlier at El Zaino, one of the park’s main entrances.
You can choose from two bus companies operating on this route: Expreso Almirante Padilla and Copetran.
Bus fares start from $21 (73,000 COP) and the journey takes around 6h 10m - 7h.
Departure station
Buses leave from Terminal de Transportes de Cartagena on the far east side of the city, about 12 km from the centre. You can get there via Uber, with prices starting from $13 (44,000 COP). Taxis can be hailed on the streets, but know that drivers often try to overcharge tourists.
If you’re on a budget and don’t mind a longer ride, the Transcaribe bus is a good alternative. It costs $1.00 (3,000 COP), and you'll need a Transcaribe card to board since cash is not accepted. If you're coming from the city centre and other popular areas like Getsemaní and San Diego, you can catch Line X104 at the Centro B1 Station. The bus takes you straight to Cartagena's main terminal.
Alternative via Santa Marta
Another option for getting from Cartagena to Tayrona National Park is to first take a bus to Santa Marta, which has more frequent departures. From Santa Marta’s bus terminal, you can hop on a local bus heading towards Palomino or Riohacha and ask the driver to drop you at El Zaino.
You can find out more about the bus from Santa Marta to Tayrona here.
Bus schedule from Cartagena to Tayrona
Bus tickets are available on Bookaway.
Arrival station
Buses to Riohacha don’t have Tayrona as an official stop, but they’ll drop you right outside the El Zaino entrance.
Exploring Tayrona
When you enter Tayrona at El Zaino, you’re not yet at the trails or the beaches. From the gate, there’s a paved road that takes you about 5 km into the park until you reach Cañaveral, where the main hiking routes begin.
You can either walk for around 30 minutes or hop on the shuttle bus. The bus costs $1.40 (5,000 COP) and drops you right at Cañaveral. From there, you’ll continue on foot along the trails that lead to Tayrona’s beaches and viewpoints.
Cartagena to Tayrona by Minivan
There are no direct minivans that will take the full route from Cartagena to Tayrona. You’ll need to split the trip into two parts.
First, take a minivan from Cartagena to Santa Marta. From there, you can continue to Tayrona by either public bus or another shared minivan.
Step 1: Cartagena to Santa Marta by Minivan
A minivan ride from Cartagena to Santa Marta costs around $25 (85,000 COP). The minivan journey takes about 4h - 5h 30m, depending on traffic.
What we like about this option is that some minivan companies offer free hotel pickup and drop-off. This saves you the hassle and extra cost of finding your way to and from bus stations.
Minivan tickets are available on Bookaway.
Step 2: Santa Marta to Tayrona National Park by Bus
The bus is the most affordable way to reach Tayrona National Park from Santa Marta. Buses depart from Tayrona Park Bus Station, which you’ll find near the public market in Santa Marta.
Fares start from $2.90 (10,000 COP), and the journey takes about 1h.
If you’d rather skip the hassle and get picked up directly from your hotel, check out the shared minivan service with Tayrona Tour Colombia. Minivan fares start from $12 (40,000 COP).
Cartagena to Tayrona by Private Transport
A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from Cartagena to Tayrona.
Rates start from $265 (917,000 COP) for a 3-seater private transfer. Divide the cost, and that’s about $88 (306,000 COP) per person. Travel time is around 4h 45m - 5h.
Private Transport options from Cartagena to Tayrona National Park
Private Transport tickets are available on Bookaway.
Where to Stay
See our accommodation guide for ColombiaABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Why Visit Tayrona?
Tayrona National Park is a magical paradise on Colombia's north coast. With lush jungles and breathtaking beaches, it is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Its beauty is unparalleled in Colombia, some would say even in Latin America.
Despite the increasing number of tourists visiting Tayrona, many areas remain off-limits, allowing the park to maintain its untouched glory. But don't worry, there's still a huge part of it you can explore while hiking, diving, snorkelling and camping. Tayrona National Park is an adventurer's dream!
Access points
Tayrona National Park spans 225 km² and has many access points. The most popular are:
- El Zaino – the main entrance with the most facilities
- Calabazo – a quieter, more scenic hiking route into the park
Both are easily accessible from Santa Marta, with buses departing frequently from the city centre. You can also reach the park from Barranquilla, Palomino, or Cartagena.
If you want to stay close to nature, consider skipping Santa Marta and spending the night in one of the most unique places to stay in Colombia, right by Tayrona National Park. It’s an experience you won’t forget.
When is Tayrona National Park closed?
Tayrona National Park closes three times a year to give the environment time to rest and recover.
These closures are requested by the Indigenous communities who live in and protect the area. During this time, they carry out physical and spiritual restoration practices to cleanse the territory, restore balance, and allow nature and wildlife to regenerate.
Tayrona has followed the same closure schedule for several years:
- 1-15 February
- 1-15 June
- 19 October - 2 November
During these dates, the park is completely closed to visitors. If you're planning a trip, make sure it doesn’t fall within these periods.
While the schedule is usually consistent, the dates can change slightly from year to year. It’s always best to check out Parque Tayrona's website for the latest information.
Entrance into Tayrona
For foreign visitors, the entrance fee is 87,000 COP during high season and 74,000 COP during low season. You can pay with cash or card, but card payments are only accepted at the El Zaino and Calabazo entrances. All other entrances require cash only.
In addition to the entrance fee, there’s a mandatory insurance charge of 6,000 COP per person, per day. This must be paid in cash at the entrance.
High season runs from:
- 15 June - 15 July
- 15 December - 30 January
- Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday
- All Colombian long weekends with public holidays
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Cartagena to Tayrona, roughly 175 kilometres (109 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $21 (73,000 COP). The quickest trip takes 4h 45m.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Cartagena to Tayrona?
The distance from Cartagena to Tayrona is 175 kilometres (109 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Cartagena to Tayrona?
The fastest way to get from Cartagena to Tayrona is by private transport and takes 4h 45m - 5h.
What is the cheapest way to get from Cartagena to Tayrona?
The cheapest way to get from Cartagena to Tayrona is by bus with ticket costs starting from 73,000 COP.
About the Author
Senior Travel Writer
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
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