The Other Beaches

Location:
Colombia

Beach Types:
Beach

By Lorraine Caputo

Most visitors to Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona go to the beaches near Cañaveral and Arrecifes in the humid forest zone of the park. On the western end of Tayrona are other less-frequented beaches with quite different vegetation. Bahía Concha, the nearest beach to Santa Marta, has a dry, scrub forest habitat with mangrove trees at the mouth of the Quebrada Concha. The coral reefs make for excellent scuba diving. Playa Brava at the wide Bahía Neguanje also has dry scrub, mangrove forest and coral reefs, as well as an archaeological site, parking and restaurant. Camping is said to be possible at both locations.

Getting There
From Santa Marta, transport for Neguanje departs from the mercado area from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the last return to Santa Marta at 4 p.m. ($2.65 one way). For Bahía Concha, vehicles leave from Barrio Fundadores ($1.60 one way).

Travel Tips: At present, the park entry fee is only charged for Neguanje, and not for Bahía Concha; this will probably change in the future. Do not touch or step on the coral, as this will kill it. No dining options are available at Concha. Pack all your trash out.

Relative price: Budget

Travel Skills: beginner/easy.

You Need to Bring: Bring water, snack, sunblock (or suntan lotion, depending on your preference), swim gear.

To See and Do: Hiking the trails at Nueve Piedras at Cañaveral, to El Pueblito ruins and from Calabozo to Cañaveral. Visiting Museo Chairama. Snorkeling at La Piscina; swimming at Playa Nudista beyond Cabo San Juan del Guía. Special scuba and fishing excursions from Taganga or Santa Marta.

Currencies accepted
Colombian Peso