Caribbean Coast
Santa Marta + Tayrona
Caribbean beaches + jungle + Lost City trek
The oldest city in Colombia (founded 1525) sits where the Caribbean meets the Sierra Nevada — the highest coastal mountain range in the world. Tayrona National Park offers jungle-fringed beaches; the 4-day Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) trek is one of South America's most legendary.
Must-do experiences
- Tayrona National Park (Cabo San Juan beach)
- Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) 4-day trek
- Minca — Sierra Nevada coffee + waterfalls
- Parque Nacional Tayrona beaches
- Taganga fishing village
When to visit
December-April (dry)
Safety
Santa Marta center + Tayrona are safe with normal precautions. Avoid walking the beach at night in less-visited zones.