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In this in-depth route guide, you'll find the best ways to travel the 16 kilometre distance from Santa Marta to Tayrona. Whether you prefer the scenic overnight train, a convenient bus+ferry combo, or the fastest flight option — we've got all the details you need.
There are 4 ways to get from Santa Marta to Tayrona. You can choose between the bus, shared minivan, private transfer, boat. The most affordable option is by bus, starting from $6. The fastest route is by bus (1h ).
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1h
$6
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1h
$40
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1h 5m
$65
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1h 30m
$58
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Three out of the four entrances to the park can be found along the same bus route (Santa Marta to Palomino Road) - El Zaino, Palangana and Calabazo.
The buses, run by Cootransoriente Tayrona, leave frequently and are a budget-friendly option from Santa Marta to Tayrona National Park. They depart from Tayrona Park Bus Station near the public market.
If you want to arrive in the Bahia Concha area, then the bus can be more challenging because you're required to change buses, and the road conditions are poor.
Below are the journey costs and duration for the park entrances that can be accessed by bus from Santa Marta:
| Arriving | Duration | Costs | Sites of interest |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Zaino | 1h | 10,000 COP | La Piscina, Arrecifes, Cabo San Juan |
| Calabazo | 45m | 10,000 COP | Cabo San Juan, Playa Brava |
| Palangana | 30m | 6,000 COP | Playa Cristal, Playa Cinto, Playa 7 Olas |
| Bahía Concha | 30m | 17,000 COP | Bahia Concha |
A more convenient option than the bus is booking a shared transfer from your hotel in Santa Marta to Tayrona National Park. It saves you the hassle of making your way to the Mercado area to catch the public bus.
operates on this route.
It picks you up from an agreed spot in Santa Marta’s city centre and even takes you 5 km inside the park, dropping you near Cañaveral. Tickets for the shared transfer cost and can be booked directly through the Tayrona Tour Colombia website.
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
Koh Tao is a premier diving destination in the Gulf of Thailand, widely known as one of the most affordable places in the world to obtain your PADI certification. Beyond diving, the island offers beautiful bays, pristine beaches, stunning viewpoints, coral gardens, and abundant marine life.
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A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from Santa Marta to Tayrona.
Rates start from $58 for a -seater private transfer. Divide the cost, and that’s about per person. Travel time is around 40m - 1h 30m.
If you're landing at Santa Marta Airport, you can book a private transfer with Agencia Operadora de Viajes on BookAway. The driver will be waiting for you inside the Arrivals Hall, ready to get you on your way.
Taking private transport from Santa Marta to Tayrona gives you more comfort and flexibility. While it’s less of a local travel experience, it’s a great choice if you’re travelling with kids, with older family members, or just don't want to deal with the logistics of getting into Tayrona Park.
Taking a boat can be an exciting and quick way to get from Santa Marta to Tayrona National Park’s main beaches, especially if you want to avoid hiking.
That said, it really depends on the weather. When the sea is calm, the boat ride is smooth and scenic. But if it’s windy or stormy, the ocean can get rough, and the trip quickly becomes a far less pleasant experience, as one of our readers shared in the comments below.
If you're prone to motion sickness, it’s definitely better to take the bus to El Zaino and hike from there.
Boats don’t leave from downtown Santa Marta. They depart from Taganga, a small beach town about 7 km from the city. Getting there requires a short transfer.
If you're after convenience, we recommend joining a shared boat tour to Tayrona. This takes you from Santa Marta to Taganga and Playa Grande for 170,375 COP.
Travelling on a budget? It’s cheaper to make your own way to Taganga and buy a boat ticket there. We explain how to do that below.
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Carbon Footprint
This 16 km journey produces approximately 1 g CO2 by bus. Taking public transport is one of the lowest-emission ways to travel this route.
Used the Songserm ferry from Koh Samui. Cheaper than Lomprayah but takes a bit longer. Still a perfectly fine crossing. The views approaching Koh Tao are stunning either way.
OOliver S.November 2025Ferry
Train via Surat Thani was our pick. More scenic than Chumphon route and the Lomprayah catamaran from Tapee Pier is very comfortable. Book the special express train for the quickest ride.
The overnight bus with Montanatip was okay but not great. The bus was older and the seats didn't recline much. Ferry portion was fine though. If you're on a tight budget it works.
Took the sleeper train to Chumphon — magical! Woke up to palm trees and transferred to the Lomprayah catamaran. Whole journey felt like an adventure.
Lomprayah bus+ferry combo from Khao San Road was seamless. Departed at 6am, arrived Koh Tao by 3pm. Well organized.
Flew to Koh Samui and took Lomprayah catamaran. More expensive but saved a full day. Worth it if your holiday is short.
Latin America
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Most travelers base themselves near the main beach for easy access to transport, restaurants, and activities.
Popular budget resort with pool, located on Sairee Beach. Walking distance to dive shops and restaurants.
800 THB/night ($24)
Beachfront bungalows with balconies overlooking Sairee Beach. On-site restaurant and dive center.
2,200 THB/night ($66)
Luxury resort with private beach, infinity pool, and spa. Perfect for couples wanting extra comfort.
6,500 THB/night ($195)
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