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Travel

The Beauty of Tayrona Park, Colombia

written by Brenna Holeman March 7, 2013

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Tayrona Park, Colombia

There are few places in the world as beautiful and idyllic as Tayrona National Park. I spent three days there last August, basing my life on the rising and setting of the sun. We ate piles of fresh fruit every morning, big plates of meat and rice for dinner. We attempted to beat the stifling heat with ice cream, beer, water, but the only thing that really helped was going in the ocean. The water there was flecked with gold; it sparkled in our hands as we attempted to catch it.

There was little to do in Tayrona other than hike or relax, and I filled my days with the latter: reading, napping, lying in the sand, swimming, talking to other travellers. I slept surprisingly well given that I slept in a hammock surrounded by other people, but perhaps that is the benefit of all that sun and sea. And just like that, it was time to leave, time to head back to the road and to continue our path through the country. I could have stayed longer, though. I could have stayed for weeks.

I don’t know why I’ve been thinking of Tayrona so much these past few days. Perhaps it’s the excess of snow we’re experiencing, perhaps this white landscape has me craving green trees and blue waters and pink skies. Perhaps it’s because, once you’ve seen paradise, you can never really stop dreaming of it.

It’s easy enough to get to Tayrona from either Santa Marta or Taganga – only a short bus ride away, the park follows the coast of Colombia, a mix of water and land that brings in over 200 000 visitors a year. Costing 40 000 Colombian pesos (approximately $25) for foreigners to enter, there are dozens of hikes and trails to follow, most culminating in beaches and views of the ocean. Tourists can stay at a number of sites, though most backpackers tend to gravitate toward the cheap hammocks and tents for rent at El Cabo, where lockers are available for valuables. Bring food if you can, as there are very limited places to eat and the prices are exorbitant. Cash is necessary as there are no ATMs in the jungle (duh). Alcohol is not allowed in the park (with the exception of beer bought at the restaurants within it) and any found by police will be confiscated. Be prepared to encounter a lot of police officers, and for a search of your bag and/or person. 

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Brenna Holeman

Brenna Holeman has travelled to over 100 countries in the past 15 years, many of them solo. She's a big fan of whisky and window seats.

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19 comments

Steph Lloyd March 7, 2013 - 2:57 am

that pile of fruit looks so good!

Reply
This Battered Suitcase March 7, 2013 - 3:35 am

It was!

Reply
Adina Marguerite Pease March 7, 2013 - 4:13 am

It looks beautiful! And I’ll second how great that pile of fruit looks!

Reply
This Battered Suitcase March 7, 2013 - 4:58 am

I really couldn’t get over how gorgeous it was…

Reply
tiarenie March 7, 2013 - 12:01 pm

This place seems PERFECT. I would love to sleep in a hammock like that for a few days! I’ve been looking into booking a trip to Colombia lately and this really gives me another push!

Reply
This Battered Suitcase March 8, 2013 - 12:11 am

Hands down, Colombia is one of my favourite countries. You won’t regret going, I promise you that!

Reply
Katie @ Domestiphobia.net March 7, 2013 - 12:36 pm

That place looks like summer camp! I just had a big bowl of mangos, bananas, and pineapple with almond milk for breakfast, so I guess I’m trying to channel the tropics as well. But the North Carolina pine trees outside of my window just aren’t cutting it…

Reply
This Battered Suitcase March 8, 2013 - 12:12 am

Ha ha, I suppose it was like summer camp for backpackers! I’m on a huge health kick right now and so I’m eating lots of fresh fruit…it doesn’t compare to the fruit of the Caribbean, however…

Reply
Agness Walewinder March 8, 2013 - 3:49 am

This is beuatiful! High life!! Love the food photos as well 🙂

Reply
This Battered Suitcase March 8, 2013 - 4:06 am

Aw, thanks Agness!

Reply
Jessica March 8, 2013 - 3:59 am

omg i want to eat that pile of fruit RIGHT NOW! looks so yummy! I would absolutely love to sleep in that hammock- looks so relaxing and peaceful!

Reply
This Battered Suitcase March 8, 2013 - 4:07 am

Yes, I’d love to be there, too! Fresh fruit, cool breeze from the ocean, hammock in the shade…

Reply
Andi of My Beautiful Adventures March 9, 2013 - 2:57 pm

Definitely a slice of heaven on hearth!

Reply
This Battered Suitcase March 10, 2013 - 1:04 am

It really was! I’d love to go back…

Reply
Jes March 9, 2013 - 4:17 pm

So interesting to hear how it’s changed in only a couple years. When I was there I didn’t see a single police officer. I did, however, drink a lot of coffee and eat a lot of pseudo oreos!

Reply
This Battered Suitcase March 10, 2013 - 1:05 am

Oh wow! Crazy. Someone I know was actually kicked out of the park by police for possessing alcohol and pot. I can’t say I feel much sympathy, though, considering the rules are pretty set in stone…

Reply
That Time We Went to San Agustín, Colombia - This Battered Suitcase March 27, 2014 - 10:36 pm

[…] for Colombia; we had heard of certain cities, Bogotá and Medellín and Cali, and had been told of the beauty of Tayrona Park. We didn’t know much else about the country, though, despite our research beforehand. Often […]

Reply
Things To Do in Medellín - This Battered Suitcase September 30, 2014 - 7:53 pm

[…] up spending nearly six weeks, spread out across the country in Cartagena, Santa Marta, Taganga, Tayrona National Park, Medellín, Guatapé, Cali, Salento, Popayán, Silvia, San Agustín, and Ipiales. One of my […]

Reply
Around the World: Beer - This Battered Suitcase March 17, 2015 - 4:37 pm

[…] Tayrona Park, Colombia […]

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About Me

About Me

Hi, I'm Brenna

My name is Brenna Holeman and I drink a lot of whisky. No, wait. That’s not how I want to start. After travelling to more than 100 countries over the past 15 years, many of them solo, I tend to write about travel a lot, but I write about other things, too: getting dumped, buying way too much jewellery, and yeah, OK, whisky (none of those things are related, I swear). You’ll find a mix of advice, opinion pieces, and stories on this blog, but either way, I hope to make you want to read more. And up next? I'm about to become a single mom to a beautiful baby boy, the biggest solo adventure I've ever been on. For more about me and what you'll find on This Battered Suitcase, click here .

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Originally from Canada, all I've ever wanted to do is travel. After eleven years of solo travel and over 90 countries, I'm currently living in London and fulfilling my other dream of becoming a writer. If I'm not travelling, I'm writing about it, either for my blog, my job, or my book. I firmly believe there is adventure everywhere, so long as you keep your eyes (and your mind, and your heart) open. Join me as I continue to look for these adventures. Hopefully you'll find your own, too.

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