Tayrona National Park is closed from June 1 to 15, 2026 — as it is every year during this sacred period for the indigenous Kogui, Wiwa, Arhuaco and Kankuamo peoples of the Sierra Nevada.
If you’re arriving in Santa Marta during this window, don’t panic. We’d argue this is actually your lucky break.
At Km 56.6 on the road between Santa Marta and Riohacha, where the Don Diego River meets the Caribbean jungle, Taironaka Eco Hotel offers something Tayrona itself cannot: direct contact with living indigenous culture, original Tairona archaeological artifacts, and a river you can actually swim and tube in.
— What makes Taironaka different —
Most eco-hotels in the region offer nature. We offer history you can touch.
Our Archaeological Museum houses original Tairona ceramic and stone pieces crafted over 500 years ago. Our guides walk you through ancient terraces and stone paths built by the Tairona civilization more than 1,000 years ago. And unlike many places that talk about indigenous culture from a distance, we have an active relationship with the Kogui community — the «Elder Brothers» who have lived in the Sierra Nevada since before memory.
— What you can do here —
River tubing: Float down the Don Diego River from the jungle toward the Caribbean. The water is clear, cold, and surrounded by tropical forest where howler monkeys and over 200 bird species live.
Ancestral tour: Walk the original Tairona terraces and stone paths with expert guides. Visit the Archaeological Museum and connect with Kogui community members who share their worldview and traditions.
Cacao forest tour: Discover traditional cacao cultivation, fermentation, and taste artisanal chocolate made on-site from Sierra Nevada cacao — one of the finest in the world.
Kogui wedding ceremony: A spiritual ceremony unlike anything available elsewhere in the region.
— Where we are —
We’re located at Km 56.6 on the Santa Marta–Riohacha highway, in Don Diego — about 56 km from Santa Marta. Easy to reach by public bus (take any bus toward Riohacha and ask the driver to drop you at Don Diego), or by private car in about 45 minutes from the city.
— How to book —
Day visits start at COP $60,000 per person and include access to the river and museum. Overnight stays start at COP $295,000 per night in our eco-cabins.
Book directly on our website (https://engine.lobbypms.com/taironaka) or WhatsApp (+57 3176668836) us for a custom itinerary.
While Tayrona rests, the Sierra Nevada doesn’t stop. It just asks you to go deeper.