Santa Marta is the perfect base for travelers to experience some of the most incredible beaches and wonderful Colombia has to offer. There are world-class beaches with crystal clear waters at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, full of thick forest and snow-capped peaks.
Around Santa Marta, you have the opportunity to emerge from thick forest filled with monkeys onto a perfect sandy beach.
I have lived in Colombia for almost 15 years and Santa Marta has always been my first choice when I want to escape to the coast. This is my guide to how to visit and enjoy some of the best beaches in the region.
Let’s first locate these beaches on a map:
Parque Tayrona
Parque Tayrona Natural Park is part of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The protected area of the forest has lots of wildlife and the entrance is controlled. They have a limit on the number of visitors and it is not possible to drive into the park.
The beaches in Tayrona are well preserved and protected while their close contact with unspoiled nature is what helps make them so special. You can find places to get goods and the essentials but you won’t find dozens of sellers pushing you to buy as is the case at public beaches close to the city.
In 2023 the park will be closed between 1-15 February, 1-15 June and from 19 October to 2 November upon the request of the indigenous Kogi people.
Playa Cristal
- Cleanliness: 5/5
- Accessibility: 3/5
- Facilities: 3/5
- Crowdedness: 4/5
- Safety: 5/5
Playa Cristal is noted for perfectly clear waters, soft golden sand and surrounding rich green forest. The spot is very popular for snorkeling and there are many small fish who come close to the beach. There are restaurants offering local dishes with seafood, with coconut rice and fried plantain the obvious recommendation.
It is a fairly small stretch of beach and capacity is limited to 300 people per day. December, early January and Easter week are the busiest times of the year with school and national holidays.
How to get there:
- It is possible to take a taxi or Uber to Neguanje Beach (1 hour) and from there is a short 10-minute boat trip to Playa Cristal.
- You take a boat from Taganga Beach, 15 minutes from Santa Marta, which costs 120,000 COP return (US$30). Entrance to the park isn’t included in the price.
- It is also possible to take a full tour with travel, entrance and a guide which will also stop for breakfast and some picturesque spots on the way. Prices vary but it is possible to find tour options for a similar price to the direct return boat from Taganga.
Why I recommend this beach: Limited numbers mean it is a relaxing and beautiful spot to spend the day.
Playa Cabo San Juan
- Cleanliness: 4/5
- Accessibility: 3/5
- Facilities: 5/5
- Crowdedness: 3/5
- Safety: 5/5
This beach is probably the most popular and known with visitors traveling to Parque Tayrona. It is surrounded by forest and has an elevated rocky point out into the sea for nice views over the beach.
It is possible to camp at this beach with tents and hammocks provided. If you travel by foot you will walk through the campsite and restaurant on your way to the beach. Further around to the left the beach continues, although the current is a little stronger and you should take care.
A very nice place to relax and swim with perfectly clear water and soft sand. Despite being surrounded by nature and a fair way from the town, it can get fairly busy, particularly during peak times.
How to get there:
- You can get a bus from Santa Marta to the Zaino entrance of Tayrona Park. You pay to enter the park and you will have a talk on nature and accepted behavior in the park. A bus at the entrance can take you 5km to the start of the ecological trail within the park or you can walk. The trail takes around 2-3 hours to Cabo San Juan beach.
- You can also take a boat directly to the beach from Taganga and if you walk to the beach but would prefer a boat trip back, then this is possible. Book in advance to save your place on the return boat at the end of the afternoon.
Why I recommend this beach: The iconic spot in this region with the clear sea, soft sand and wonderful view. Perfect for Instagram photos plus good amenities to eat and spend the night.
Playa La piscina
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- Cleanliness: 5/5
- Accessibility: 3/5
- Facilities: 3/5
- Crowdedness: 4/5
- Safety: 5/5
This beach is perfect for relaxing as it is one of the safest beaches in the Tayrona Natural Park with a sea of calm waters thanks to the coral barrier and rocks that slow down the force of the waves. It is a short walk to the larger Cabo San Juan but is a nice alternative.
There are no restaurants or accommodation options but you can buy drinks and snacks.
How to get there:
- You can get a bus from Santa Marta to the Zaino entrance of Tayrona Park. You pay to enter the park and you will have a talk on nature and accepted behavior in the park. A bus at the entrance can take you 5km to the start of the ecological trail within the park or you can walk. The trail takes around 2-3 hours to La Piscina.
- You can take a boat from Taganga to Cabo San Juan and then it is a short walk to La Piscina
Why I recommend this beach: A beach that offers a similar experience to Cabo San Juan but with fewer people and more space to relax.
Bahía Concha
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- Cleanliness: 4/5
- Accessibility: 3/5
- Facilities: 5/5
- Crowdedness: 5/5
- Safety: 5/5
Bahia Concha is one of the most popular in the region with its white sand, clear blue sea and setting surrounded by mountains covered in dense green forest. It is within Tayrona park but is one of the closest to the city and most convenient to access.
The rather large stretch of beach is limited to 2,000 visitors per day and there is an obligatory 5,000 COP (US$1.20) insurance charge when you enter. It is recommended you arrive early during peak times.
On the beach, there are open tents with seating that can be rented for 50,000 COP (US$13) per day. There are no accommodation options and food options are limited. The closeness to Santa Marta also means there are more sellers on the beach who can be quite pushy, taking away from the relaxed atmosphere.
The beach has peddle boats and kayaks for rent. You can also take a snorkeling trip to the nearby Waikiki beach to see the fish and coral reefs. A return boat trip from Bahia Concha costs 25,000 COP (US$6).
This beach is one of my favorites since it has a variety of activities to do, ranging from snorkeling, diving, apnea, kayaking, paddle boarding to marine biking, this is one of the most recognized places in Santa Marta to snorkel due to the diversity of animals in the coral reefs, this activity is done in a place on the beach called Waikiki, which is about 10 minutes from the main beach.
How to get there:
- You can drive to the beach and the journey time is around 45 minutes with a final 15-minute walk from the drop-off point. The road isn’t the best and it can be slower and more difficult when there is heavy rain.
- Taxis offer the same route with prices at around US$20 to US$30 although you will have to agree for them to collect you at the end of the day and this involves a certain amount of risk. If they don’t come back for you then it will be difficult to get back.
- You can also reserve a tour with a speedboat from Santa Marta for around US$18 return.
- Finally, you can book as part of a tour. There are companies that offer return travel to the beach on a ‘chiva’, a traditional and open Colombian bus, with entry to the park included for around US$13.
Why I recommend this beach: This beach is convenient to access by boat and has a good range of activities to keep you busy throughout the day.
Playa del Amor
- Cleanliness: 5/5
- Accessibility: 3/5
- Facilities: 1/5
- Crowdedness: 5/5
- Safety: 5/5
Playa del Amor is one of the virgin beaches of the Tayrona Park and one of the most beautiful. It has beautiful white sand, perfectly clear waters with colorful reefs which are perfect for diving or snorkeling.
This is another beach within Tayrona where if you are lucky you will be completely alone to relax and enjoy. Remember to bring everything you need with you as there are no vendors or restaurants. The journey is slightly awkward but it is well worth it and this may be the best beach in the region.
How to get there:
- You need to get to Gairaca Beach with Tayrona Park which can be done by car or taxi. From there it is a 10-minute boat ride to Playa del Amor
Why I recommend this beach: A truly stunning beach which is surprisingly quiet. The perfect option if you want peace and tranquility in an incredible setting.
Playa Chengue
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- Cleanliness: 5/5
- Accessibility: 3/5
- Facilities: 1/5
- Crowdedness: 5/5
- Safety: 5/5
Chengue Beach quietest beach with most arriving by boat given the trail is quite tricky through Tayrona Park. The beach is small with very fine white sand. It is in the middle of a dry forest with saltwater vegetation on one side and freshwater vegetation on the other side of the beach.
The local swamp means it is a good place for fishing and bird watching. The boat ride from Taganga can be rough but the journey is worth it to experience a real deserted island feel. There is nowhere to camp on the beach and you won’t be able to buy food.
How to get there:
- By boat from Taganga, and it can take approximately 40 min.
- You can also walk to the beach although it is not as straightforward as the more popular options such as La Piscina and Cabo San Juan.
Why I recommend this beach: Probably the quietest beach in Tayrona but one which has a lot to see with plenty of wildlife and a real deserted feel.
Best options outside of Tayrona
While Tayrona Park offers some of the most beautiful and relaxing beaches, there are other strong options available in the region.
These beaches are often busier but also more accessible and lively with locals enjoying themselves during their free time. Expect music, more varied food options and cheaper prices.
That said, there are also some hidden gems outside of the park if you are looking for peace and quiet.
Playa Taganga
- Cleanliness: 2/5
- Accessibility: 4/5
- Facilities: 5/5
- Crowdedness: 2/5
- Safety: 3/5
Taganga was once a very relaxed fishing village which has become increasingly popular with backpackers for its beach, its close access to Tayrona, cheap accommodation offerings and friendly atmosphere. There are many boats that leave from Taganga to Tayrona and it is a good place to base yourself for a day trip.
There are many fishing boats and tourism trips coming and going from Taganga which means the beach isn’t particularly recommended if you want to enjoy the sea. The town itself has a nice feel and is quite picturesque but there are definitely better options to relax in the region.
There are many bars and restaurants close to the beach and it is a nice place to spend the afternoon into the evening. While other beaches in this article are carefully controlled, Taganga is a public beach in a popular town so you should take extra care with thieves and pickpockets.
How to get there:
- By bus or car from Santa Marta it is about 20 min.
Why I recommend this beach: Lively area with plenty of bars and beaches overlooking a beautiful bay.
Playa Grande Taganga
- Cleanliness: 3/5
- Accessibility: 4/5
- Facilities: 4/5
- Crowdedness: 2/5
- Safety: 4/5
Playa Grande is close but just outside Tayrona Park which means it is cheaper and easier to access although there are no limits on visitor numbers. Despite the name, it isn’t a particularly large beach and can get busy but the water is clear and the sand is soft.
You can rent seats and sunbeds cheaply, around 6,000 COP (US$1.50) and they have kayaks to rent.
How to get there:
- By bus or car from Santa Marta, it is about 20 min to Taganga and then you must walk about 20 min to the beach.
- You can go by boat from Taganga and it’s about 5 min.
Why I recommend this beach: Beautiful sunsets and solid options in terms of food and drink.
El Rodadero
- Cleanliness: 3/5
- Accessibility: 5/5
- Facilities: 5/5
- Crowdedness: 2/5
- Safety: 3/5
El Rodadero is a beach a short distance from Santa Marta and a very popular option for residents of the city. It is lively with big groups enjoying the sun, drinking and listening to music while there are also many families.
There are plenty of food options on and close to the beach plus you can rent chairs, beds and tents to make your stay more comfortable.
While it is a nice beach it is also very busy and the sellers who constantly pass by will push you to buy. It is hard to relax but it is an enjoyable place to mingle with locals and soak in the atmosphere.
How to get there:
- Located 5 km south of Santa Marta, you can go by bus or taxi. The bus will leave you 4 or 7 blocks from the beach or about 10 minutes, while the taxi will drop you off at Carrera 1 of El Rodadero
Why I recommend this beach: A happy, lively beach where you can hang out with the locals enjoying their weekend or a break from work.
Playa Blanca
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- Cleanliness: 3/5
- Accessibility: 4/5
- Facilities: 4/5
- Crowdedness: 2/5
- Safety: 3/5
This is another very popular beach with exceptionally clear water and soft sand combined with easy access to Santa Marta and El Rodadero. Playa Blanca can get very busy at the weekend and it is a fairly small beach.
You can snorkel, kayak and swim plus there is an aquarium with dolphins nearby plus a zip line. There are many food offerings but also many persistent sellers. When ordering food be careful to check the prices in advance because they invented a highly elevated price for my simple seafood lunch.
At the busiest times, it is hard to find anywhere to sit and the slightly overpriced chairs with shade get snapped up early in the morning. It is beautiful but also can get very busy and it can be difficult to really relax.
How to get there:
- You can take a water taxi or speedboat from El Rodadero. The water taxis leave every 30 minutes and cost around US$5.70 return while the speedboats are less formal with a cost of US$2.30 each way.
Why I recommend this beach: An easily accessible, beautiful sandy beach which has plenty of amenities available to the visitors.
Punta de Granate
- Cleanliness: 5/5
- Accessibility: 4/5
- Facilities: 1/5
- Crowdedness: 5/5
- Safety: 4/5
Punta de Granate is a virgin beach with many rocks and the sea is filled with fish who swim close to the shore. The beach does not have fine picturesque sand like other options but is incredibly quiet and you are more likely to find local fishermen working than groups of tourists.
It is an excellent place for snorkeling or scuba diving with plenty of rocks and coral formations in the clear water. The beach has no facilities so you will need to bring your own food and drinks plus comfortable footwear for the rock coast.
This is not a typical destination for tourists but is a bit of a hidden gem if you want tranquility and rough but beautiful natural terrain. You will need to arrange a drop-off and pickup from one of the speedboats in Taganga.
How to get there:
- You can arrange for a boat from Taganga and the journey is about 15 minutes. Be careful to agree on a pickup time and make sure the boat owner returns for you as there are few options to make it back without him.
Why I recommend this beach: Very quiet and peaceful beach full of character which is close to Taganga