National park · Colombia
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Natural ParkParque Nacional Natural Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Enter the park via a guided Ciudad Perdida trek (4‑5 days, 20 km (12 mi) total) for about COP 150 000 per person; skip if you lack fitness or time.Enter the park via a guided Ciudad Perdida trek (4‑5 days, 12 mi (20 km) total) for about COP 150 000 per person; skip if you lack fitness or time.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
3,820 km² (1,475 sq mi)1,475 sq mi (3,820 km²)
approximate
Established
1964
Best months
Dec–Apr
UNESCO
None
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.
At a glance
- Country
- Colombia
- Area
- 3,820 km² (1,475 sq mi)1,475 sq mi (3,820 km²)
- Official park area is 3,820 km² covering the mountain range and surrounding valleys.
- Established
- 1964
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Natural Park protects the highest coastal mountain range in the world, its cloud forests, archaeological sites such as Ciudad Perdida, and the cultural heritage of the Kogi, Arhuaco and other Tayrona peoples.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1964.
Size and age
3,820 km² (1,475 sq mi)1,475 sq mi (3,820 km²) · national park since 1964
Official park area is 3,820 km² covering the mountain range and surrounding valleys.
Why go
- Multi‑day jungle trek to the pre‑Columbian Ciudad Perdida ruins.
- Explore steep mountains, cloud forests and cultural villages of the Kogi, Arhuaco and other Tayrona groups.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andean condor, tapir, jaguar, páramo deerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Rare amphibians and insectsMay–Sep | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Santa Marta airport (SMR)
Taxi or shuttle to Santa Marta city, then arrange a tour operator; most tours pick up early morning.
1–1.5 h to city, plus tour pickup time
Open the page →
From Cartagena
Bus to Santa Marta (≈4 h) then same tour arrangement.
≈5 h total
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Marta gateway | City base; hotels, transport hub, tour agencies. | Open to public. |
| Park entrance (Minca area) | Visitor registration, guide briefing, equipment hand‑over. | Guided entry only. |
| Ciudad Perdida site | Archaeological ruins, campsite, basic facilities. | Guided trek only. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre of the park and key points.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Ciudad Perdida trek (incl. park entry, guide, meals, equipment) | COP 150,000–200,000 | person | — |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry & trek permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- All treks must be led by a licensed park guide.
- Camping
- Only at designated sites; carry out all waste.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use camp stoves provided by tour.
- Pets
- Not allowed in the park.
- Drones
- Forbidden without special permission.
Where to stay
Near the park
Santa Marta hotels
Range from budget hostels to mid‑range hotels, 5 km (3.1 mi) from trailhead.Range from budget hostels to mid‑range hotels, 3.1 mi (5 km) from trailhead.
In the park
Backcountry camps
Basic campsites along the Ciudad Perdida route, supplied by tour operator.
Safety
Heat and humidity medium
Getting lost high
Rain‑induced landslides medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Trailheads reachable by road from Santa Marta; no wheelchair access.
- Guided treks involve steep climbs and river crossings; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Use licensed guides to support park protection funds.
- Follow Leave‑No‑Trace principles; pack out all waste.
- Buy food and crafts from local villages.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Natural Park?
Entry is only possible with a licensed guide; typical 4‑5‑day Ciudad Perdida tours cost COP 150 000–200 000 per person, covering park fees, guide, meals and equipment.
What are the best hikes in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Natural Park?
The flagship trek is the multi‑day hike to Ciudad Perdida (≈20 km, 4–5 days). Shorter options include a half‑day walk to Minca waterfalls or a cultural village visit on the main trail.
When is the best time to visit Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Natural Park?
Dry season December to April offers the most reliable trail conditions; May–June are still usable, while July–September see frequent rain.
Do I need a special permit to camp in the park?
Camping is allowed only at designated sites and must be part of an organized guided tour; the guide arranges the campsite and supplies.
Is the park safe for tourists?
Since 2005 the park has been free of kidnappings; it is patrolled by the military and guides stay on marked routes. Fitness and preparation are essential.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Natural Park
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