Major city · Colombia
Calabazo
Use Calabazo as a quiet base for Tayrona's less crowded beaches: two nights, cash only, no ATM.
Calabazo, also called Colinas de Calabazo, is a small village on Highway 90 just south of Tayrona National Park. It's cooler than Santa Marta and surrounded by forest. The main draw is access to Playa Brava and Boca de Saco, two beaches that see fewer visitors than the park's main entrances. There are no ATMs, so bring cash. Mototaxis cover the 10 km to the coast.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- COP
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- avoid May–Nov (rainy season, some paths may be muddy)
- Airport
- SMR
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Colombia ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Migración Colombia or a Colombian consulate; some travellers must complete an online migration form before arrival.
- Colombia ↗Security advice lists specific departments and border areas: check your own government's advice for every place on your route, including coastal roads.
- Colombia ↗Never accept drinks, food or cigarettes from strangers, and be careful with people met on dating apps: drugging (including with scopolamine) followed by robbery is a known risk.
- Colombia ↗Fill in Check-MIG only on the official Migración Colombia site; it is free, and lookalike sites charge a fee.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Calabazo123 ▾
- Police, ambulance, fire123
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Calabazo, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Colombian peso (COP, $).Colombia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckClaro (best coverage), Movistar and Tigo SIMs in malls and at airports; passport required and IMEI registration may apply for longer stays — check.Colombia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Bogotá and Medellín; drink bottled on the coast and in rural areas.Colombia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% propina voluntaria offered on the bill.Colombia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Colombia-wide
- SafetyCalabazo is safe, but the main risks are lack of ATMs and mototaxi availability.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin in most places; bring tissues for bus stations.Colombia-wide
- Emergency numbers123 police, ambulance, fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; Monday holidays (puentes) move almost half of public holidays.Colombia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSMR Simón Bolívar International Airport (Santa Marta) (About 1 h by bus or taxi to Calabazo).
- Getting aroundOn foot within the village.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Mototaxi to the beach (one way)checkCOP$10,000–15,000
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCOP 27,000
- Mid-range bedPrivate room (finca or hostel), a night, per roomCOP 100,000
- High-end bedPrivate room (finca or hostel), a night, per roomCOP 180,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget COP 40,000 · Mid COP 80,000 · High COP 150,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SMR Simón Bolívar International Airport (Santa Marta) (About 1 h by bus or taxi to Calabazo)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Dec–Apr. Avoid: May–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Oct (14 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Calabazo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
On foot within the village. Mototaxis to the beaches (about COP$10,000–15,000 per ride, check). OsmAnd or Mapy.cz work better than Google Maps for the path to the coast.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Playa Brava
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Mototaxi from Calabazo, about 30 min
Less crowded beach; Tayrona entrance fee applies.
Boca de Saco
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Mototaxi from Calabazo, about 30 min
Quiet beach near Playa Brava; same park fee.
Santa Marta
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
White bus from Highway 90, about 1 h
Stock up on cash and supplies.
Minca
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus to Santa Marta, then colectivo to Minca
A full day trip; better as a separate stay.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Calabazo village
Basic hostels and fincas; quiet, forest setting.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- COP$40,000–70,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- COP$70,000–120,000 excl. bed
- High
- COP$120,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Private room (finca or hostel)1 × 2 nights × COP 100,000 | COP 200,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × COP 80,000 | COP 320,000 |
| Mototaxi to Playa Brava (one way)2 × COP 15,000 · check | COP 30,000 |
| Bus Santa Marta ↔ Calabazo (one way)2 × COP 7,000 · check | COP 14,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × COP 30,000 | COP 60,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | COP 62,400 |
| Trip total≈ COP 171,600 per person per day, bed included | COP 686,400 |
2026 estimate in COP; flights and park fees excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Main dish with soup and drink (highway restaurant)check | COP$12,000 |
| Mototaxi to the beach (one way)check | COP$10,000–15,000 |
| Bus Santa Marta → Calabazocheck | COP$7,000 |
| Dorm bed per nightcheck | COP$27,000–30,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No ATMs in Calabazo or for 100 km (62 mi) east along Highway 90: bring enough cash from Santa Marta.No ATMs in Calabazo or for 62 mi (100 km) east along Highway 90: bring enough cash from Santa Marta.
- Mototaxi drivers may not have a fixed schedule; get their WhatsApp numbers beforehand.
- Tayrona National Park entrance fee applies when you reach the beaches (check current price).
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance, fire
- 123
Pocket card
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CalabazoCalabazo
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance, fire123
Embassy
The US has an embassy in Bogotá and a consulate in Barranquilla. Most other countries have embassies in Bogotá.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Santa Marta → Calabazo: about COP$7,000, about 1 h (check)
- Mototaxi Calabazo → Playa Brava: COP$10,000–15,000, about 30 min (check)
Say or show
- Hola — Hello (oh-lah)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much does it cost? (KWAN-to KWES-tah)
- ¿Dónde está la playa? — Where is the beach? (DON-deh es-TAH la PLAH-yah)
- Necesito efectivo — I need cash (neh-seh-SEE-to eh-fek-TEE-vo)
- Gracias — Thank you (GRAH-see-as)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Calabazo. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr · avoid May–Nov (rainy season, some paths may be muddy) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Playa Brava and Boca de Saco with verified Tayrona fee and mototaxi rates.
- Eat pages for the highway restaurants with last orders and cash-only status.
- Sleep pages for Finca La Gordita and similar with pool and dorm details.
Sources
Ask about Calabazo
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