Full-Day Tayrona Park to Playa Cristal: Beach, Snorkeling & Boat Transfer from Santa Marta

Santa Marta•easy

Difficulty

easy

Duration

8 hours

Fitness Level

Suitable for most fitness levels; requires standing, short walks on sand and uneven shorelines, and basic swimming ability for snorkeling.

Overview

Spend a full day from Santa Marta on a guided trip to Playa Cristal in Tayrona Park—white sand, coral snorkeling and a boat shuttle from Neguanje. Practical logistics, conservation rules, and what to bring for an easy beach-and-reef day.

Full-Day Tayrona Park to Playa Cristal: Beach, Snorkeling & Boat Transfer from Santa Marta

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Bus Tour

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Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

You step off the boat and the jungle leans in toward the water, leaves brushing the rim of an impossibly clear tidepool. Playa Cristal—one of Tayrona National Natural Park’s most photographed coves—greets you with a wide arc of white sand and water that graduates from aquamarine to deep lapis as it drops off. Local boats bob nearby, and the only vendors are tucked behind a line of mangroves; here the sense is of a beach that earned its name by resisting commercialization.

Adventure Photos

Full-Day Tayrona Park to Playa Cristal: Beach, Snorkeling & Boat Transfer from Santa Marta photo 1

Adventure Tips

Bring small bills for the park entrance

Foreign visitors must pay an entrance fee on arrival—carry COP cash (small denominations) as card machines can be unavailable.

Use reef-safe sunscreen

Apply biodegradable sunscreen before entering the water to protect coral and reduce irritation from direct sun exposure.

Wear water shoes

The shoreline has both soft sand and sharp rock/coral; water shoes protect feet when entering the water or walking between coves.

Plan for an early pickup

Pickup windows in Rodadero and Gaira often start early—be ready 15 minutes before your scheduled time to avoid delays.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Howler monkeys
Green sea turtles (occasionally nearshore)

History

The park holds archaeological sites and long histories of the indigenous Tayrona culture; nearby stone paths and ruins speak to centuries of coastal habitation.

Conservation

Tayrona enforces entrance fees and rules to fund patrols and protect coral and nesting beaches—limit plastic, avoid stepping on coral, and use reef-safe products.