Colombia Attractions

Venue: Parque Tayrona    When: Daily

Parque Tayrona, on the Caribbean Coast of Colombia close to Santa Marta, is a National Park with stunning sandy white beaches and a lush mountain landscape.

The park offers many kilometres of unspoilt coastline with a wide variety of flaura and fauna. After arriving at the drop-off point, a 45-minute walk down a jungle path leads to the coast and the sparkling Caribbean. The first of the park's several palm-fringed beaches is where most of the accommodation and facilities are located. Ecohabs are ecologically-friendly cabins, or visitors can string a hammock between two palm trees.

The beaches are separated by rocky headlands, offering the opportunity to watch waves crash against large white boulders. A long reef lies off the coast of one of the beaches and there are plenty of good snorkelling spots dotted around. The energetic can undertake the hike up to El Pueblito, an indigenous settlement located in the heart of the park. It is about three hours' hot walk, so take plenty of water. A more leisurely walk to visit all the park's beaches is highly recommended.

There are two rainy periods, from May to June and from September to November. It is driest from December to April.