Miraviva

Tayrona and Sierra Nevada

  • Parakeet - Sierra Nevada

    Parakeet - Sierra Nevada

  • Cabo San Juan Tayrona National Park

    Cabo San Juan Tayrona National Park

  • Tayrona National Park

    Tayrona National Park

  • Parakeet - Sierra Nevada 2

    Parakeet - Sierra Nevada 2

  • Red Crested Woodpecker

    Red Crested Woodpecker

  • Tayrona National Park

    Tayrona National Park

  • White-necked Puffbird - Tayrona - Foto Luis Urueña

    White-necked Puffbird - Tayrona - Foto Luis Urueña

  • Plain Xenops - Tayrona Foto Luis Urueña

    Plain Xenops - Tayrona Foto Luis Urueña

  • Tayrona National Park

    Tayrona National Park

  • Tayrona and Sierra Nevada

    Tayrona and Sierra Nevada

  • Tayrona National Park

    Tayrona National Park

  • Wildlife Tayrona and Sierra Nevada

    Wildlife Tayrona and Sierra Nevada

  • Tayrona and Sierra Nevada

    Tayrona and Sierra Nevada

  • Bobolink - Tayrona Foto Luis Urueña

    Bobolink - Tayrona Foto Luis Urueña

  • Tayrona and Sierra Nevada

    Tayrona and Sierra Nevada

  • Tayrona and Sierra Nevada

    Tayrona and Sierra Nevada

  • Sierra Nevada

    Sierra Nevada

  • Sierra Nevada

    Sierra Nevada

The Tayrona and Sierra Nevada National Parks are located adjacent to each other, to the east of the regional capital Santa Marta. Together they offer the ultimate bird-watching destination.

National Park Tayrona, Santa Marta (Courtesy of ProColombia)National Park Tayrona, Santa Marta (Courtesy of ProColombia) The Tayrona National Park runs along the coastal plain and features wild deserted beaches, protected rainforests and even an arid desert area. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park lies inland from Tayrona and encompasses many climate zones climbing to an altitude of more than 5,700 meters. The variety of scenery and climate zones ensures that his is one of the most important natural habitats in Colombia.

Santa Marta was founded in 1525 and was the first Spanish settlement in Colombia; it remains an important port today but the main attraction for visitors are the beautiful national parks stretching away to the east of the city.

The Tayrona National Park extends for 35 km along the coast and is one of the most popular destinations for Colombians, which means it can get busy over the peak holiday season. Surprisingly, there are few good quality beach hotels along this stretch of coastline so most international visitors (who are attracted by the scenery and wildlife) would be advised to combine it with a visit to the Sierra Nevada National Park. But there are some wonderful remote beaches where you can snorkel or kayak in clear water.

For the more adventurous, it is possible to go trekking in the national park up to the ‘Ciudad Perdida’ (lost city).

The main attraction of the Sierra Nevada is the abundant wildlife in the cloud forest, together with the distinct variation in vegetation and far reaching views. Bird watching in particular is popular here due to the vast array or birds in the area, as journalist Emma Duncan writes in her 1843’s article. Trekking options are plentiful, but gently drifting down one of the many rivers in a rubber tube watching the wildlife is a fun way to pass the time as well.

To discover more about Tayrona and Sierra Nevada give us a call or send us a message.

Places we love to stay