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Tayrona National Park

Tayrona National Park Hours & Fees

Foreign visitors pay between $73,500 and $96,500 COP to enter, alongside a mandatory daily health insurance fee of up to $8,000 COP. Gates open at 7:00 AM during high season and 8:00 AM in low season, with absolute closures enforced three times a year for indigenous conservation.

Opening Hours

Tayrona National Park operates daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM during the low season. High season shifts these hours, opening gates at 7:00 AM and extending final departure times to 6:00 PM. Arrive before opening to beat the massive ticket queues.

Day Hours Note
Monday–Sunday 08:00–17:00 High season (Dec 15–Jan 30, Jun 15–Jul 15) expands hours to 07:00–18:00. Last entry is strictly 16:00 at El Zaíno and 14:00 at Calabazo.
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The park shuts down entirely to tourists three times a year for indigenous spiritual cleaning and environmental recovery. These scheduled conservation closures run from February 1 to 15, June 1 to 15, and October 19 to November 2. Plan your visit outside these blocks, as the gates remain completely locked.

Fees & Tickets

Foreign non-residents pay between COP $73,500 and $96,500 for a 2026 entry ticket, depending on the season. A mandatory daily health insurance policy adds COP $5,000 to $8,000 at the gate. Bring physical cash to cover these costs, as ATMs do not exist at the entrances or inside the park.

Category Price Note
Foreign non-resident COP $73,500 - $96,500 Lower range applies to low season; upper range for high season.
Colombian, Resident, or CAN Adult (25+) COP $33,000 - $43,000 Price depends on the season.
Colombian, Resident, or CAN Youth (5-25) COP $24,500 - $27,500 Price depends on the season.
Bahia Concha Sector (Foreigner) COP $43,500 Flat year-round fee for this specific sector.
Mandatory Daily Health Insurance COP $5,000 - $8,000 Required for every visitor per day.

Children under five, Colombian nationals over 65, and visitors with qualifying physical disabilities receive free admission.

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Best Time to Visit

Dry seasons from January to April and July through September offer the best conditions. These months keep the steep jungle trails free of deep mud. Massive crowds, long queues, and inflated prices hit during the peak windows of mid-December to late January and mid-June to mid-July. Plan around absolute closures: the park shuts down entirely for indigenous conservation from February 1–15, June 1–15, and October 19–November 2.

Period Crowd Level Recommendation
Early morning (07:00–09:00) Moderate Arrive before the gates open to clear the ticket queues and finish the hike before intense humidity hits.
Midday (10:00–14:00) High Temperatures peak and day-trippers fill the main sand stretches, making this the worst time to start a long hike.
Late afternoon (14:00–16:00) Moderate Last entry cuts off at 2:00 PM for Calabazo and 4:00 PM for El Zaíno as day visitors begin walking out.
Evening (17:00–18:00) Low Mandatory exit times clear out all remaining day traffic, leaving the beaches quiet for overnight campers.

How Long to Spend

Plan for a one- to two-night stay to experience the main beaches after the day crowds leave.

While a single-day trip is possible, your timeline depends heavily on how far into the jungle you hike and whether you ride the 10-minute shuttle van to bypass the initial paved road.

Hike from Cañaveral to Cabo San Juan 1.5–2 hours each way
Nine Stones (Nueve Piedras) circular trail 60 min
Boat ride from Taganga to Cabo San Juan 60 min each way
Walk the paved road from El Zaíno 60+ min
Shuttle van from El Zaíno to Cañaveral 10 min

Visitor Tips

01

Arrive Before Gates Open

Get to the El Zaíno entrance before 7:00 AM in high season or 8:00 AM in low season. Beating the massive ticket queues lets you finish the 7-kilometer jungle hike before midday heat and humidity peak. Gate staff strictly cut off all entry at 4:00 PM.

02

Bring Physical Colombian Pesos

The park operates entirely without ATMs. You need physical Colombian Pesos to pay the mandatory COP $5,000 to $8,000 daily health insurance at the entrance ticket booth. Cash is also required inside the park for campsite meals, hammock rentals, and emergency boat rides.

03

Pay For The Shuttle

Hand over COP $3,000 to $5,000 for a 10-minute shuttle van ride immediately past the El Zaíno ticket booth. This vehicle drops you directly at the Cañaveral trailhead. Riding saves you from wasting over an hour walking along a paved road.

04

Check Indigenous Closure Dates

Indigenous communities shut down all tourist access three times a year for spiritual cleaning and environmental recovery. The gates lock completely from February 1 to 15, June 1 to 15, and October 19 to November 2. Plan your travel outside these exact blocks or guards will turn you away.

05

Pack For Cold Nights

Coastal breezes drop temperatures significantly after dark, especially inside the exposed lookout hammocks at Cabo San Juan. Pack leggings and a sleeping bag liner to sleep comfortably over the ocean. A headlamp is mandatory for navigating pitch-black dirt paths to the toilet blocks.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is the entrance fee for international tourists?

Foreign non-residents pay COP $73,500 to $81,000 during the low season in 2026. High season prices jump to COP $87,000 to $96,500. Bahia Concha operates on a separate flat fee of COP $43,500 year-round.

What are the opening hours for Tayrona National Park?

Gates open at 8:00 AM and close at 5:00 PM during the low season. High season extends hours from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Last entry is strictly enforced at 4:00 PM for the El Zaíno entrance and 2:00 PM at Calabazo.

Do I need to buy health insurance to enter?

Every visitor must purchase a mandatory daily health insurance policy at the ticket booth. This costs between COP $5,000 and COP $8,000 per day. Bring physical Colombian Pesos to pay for this, as the park has zero ATMs.

When does the park close for conservation?

Complete closures happen three times a year for environmental recovery and indigenous spiritual cleaning. Nobody can enter the park from February 1 to 15, June 1 to 15, or October 19 to November 2. Even boat access from Taganga halts entirely during these blocks.

Can I bring plastic bags or alcohol inside?

Single-use plastics, plastic bags, and alcohol are strictly prohibited. Park rangers search all backpacks at the entrance gates and will confiscate these items. Pack a water filter bottle to purify tap water instead of buying plastic bottles.

Is proof of a Yellow Fever vaccine required?

You are officially required to show proof of a Yellow Fever vaccination to enter the park. Gate staff do not always check it, but lacking the document can result in denied entry. Carry your physical vaccine card or save a digital copy on your phone.

How do I skip the paved road walk at the El Zaíno entrance?

A shuttle van runs from the ticket booth to the Cañaveral trailhead for COP $3,000 to $5,000. This 10-minute ride saves over an hour of walking along an unshaded road. Pay the driver directly in cash before boarding.

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