Taganga, a small fishing village located on the Caribbean coast of Colombia, attracts travelers with its lively environment of a party town, beautiful beaches, and backpacker atmosphere.
Follow my list of the best things to do in Taganga and around and book your trip now!
Best tours in Taganga:
1. Taganga snorkeling experience
2. Tayrona National Park (full day private tour)
3. Minca coffee plantations (full day tour)
4. 2-day Minca tour with bird watching
5. Discover the Lost City (4 day-tour)
Hotels in Taganga:
1. Hotel Bahia Taganga
2. Hostal La Casa de Felipe
3. Divanga Hostel
Best Things to Do in Taganga
Taganga, located at only 15 minutes from Santa Marta is not just about making new friends with fellow travelers, enjoying sunsets, and partying at night. Here are some other activities to choose from:
1. Go Scuba Diving
Taganga is one of the best places I found in Colombia to go scuba diving, thanks to its clear waters and diverse marine life.
There are several dive shops in Taganga, offering courses and tours for all levels, from beginners to experienced divers. A very well known professional dive shop is Poseidon Dive Center. Don’t forget to check them if you are interested in going scuba diving.
2. Experience Snorkeling
This Taganga snorkeling experience will take you on a boat to reach the Remanzo, a place about 10 minutes from Taganga. Here, you will snorkel for about 45 minutes. El Remanzo does not have a beach, and this makes it a quiet place for the fish that live in the small coral reef. The shallow waters are ideal for snorkeling. You will be provided with the needed equipment and a GoPro-type camera to take underwater photos and videos.
Later, you will move to the beach of Sisihuaka or Playa Grande where you will spend about 3 hours before being taken back to Taganga, where the tour will end.
3. Visit Playa Grande
The beaches in Taganga are, honestly, not so clean for swimming. However, close to Taganga there are several very good small beaches. Playa Grande is a good one, with clear water that’s a 20-minute walk or 5-minute boat ride away. It’s the perfect place to unwind and soak up the sun. The beach has several restaurants where you can try fresh fried fish. There are also beach bars along the coast. And it’s also an excellent spot for snorkeling and stand-up paddle boarding.
You just need to take a 5-minute boat ride to reach Playa Grande from Taganga.
4. Sample the local food
Since Taganga is a typical fishing village, the local cuisine primarily consists of fish and seafood. Along the first strip of the beach, you’ll find kiosks that sell similar dishes, which typically include fish, coconut or white rice, salad, and patacones (fried green bananas). However, there are also various international restaurants located throughout this small town.
Best Things to Do around Taganga
1. Discover the Tayrona National Park
One of the best things to do in Taganga is that from there you can visit Tayrona Park, a natural wonderland located just a short bus ride away. The park is home to several beautiful beaches, including Cabo San Juan, Arrecifes, and La Piscina. Many tourists stay in Taganga and from there move daily to explore the beaches close to Tayrona.
To get to the beaches, you’ll have to hike through lush jungles and hills, which takes about an hour, but the views are breathtaking. The place may be infested with mosquitoes, so don’t forget to take a repellent and sunscreen.
Tayrona Park is also a great place for wildlife watching, with monkeys, toucans, and iguanas among the animals that call the park home.
If you prefer to go with a guide, you may book a private all included full day tour. It’s a hard journey of about 4 hours of ups and downs in humid weather. The views are amazing. The lunch is included at Cabo San Juan Beach. It’s not suitable for people with back or heart problems.
2. Explore Coffee Plantations in Minca
Minca is a small town located in the mountains, about 45 minutes by car from Taganga. The town is known for its coffee plantations, which offer tours and tastings for visitors. Minca is also home to Marinka and Pozo Azul waterfalls.
Book a Minca full day tour to visit the coffee and cocoa plants where you will be able to taste and learn more about these products. A gourmet lunch and bath in the Minca River are included.
3. Go Bird Watching in Minca
Minca, with 635 species is a paradise for birdwatchers. In fact, it’s the top stop for birding in Colombia. So if you are passionate about birds, you will be happy to know that you can book a 2-day Minca tour with bird watching. This tour includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and round trip private transportation from Taganga.
4. Travel to the Lost City
The Lost City, or Ciudad Perdida in Spanish, is an ancient city built by the Tayrona people more than 1000 years ago. The city was abandoned during the Spanish conquest, and it wasn’t rediscovered until the 1970s. The Lost City Hike is a spectacular adventure for trekking lovers.
Other of the best things to do in Taganga is to plan a trip to the Lost City. I did it in a 4-day tour with a small-group, combining a 4-wheel drive and a hike through the jungle, followed by a climb of 1200 steps to reach the sacred site.
Book here a 4-day tour to explore the Lost City.
Where to Stay in Taganga
Hotel Bahia Taganga is located in Taganga’s mountains, just 15 minutes away from Santa Marta. It’s perfect for those who want exclusivity and tranquility with the Caribbean Sea as their backdrop. The hotel has 32 air-conditioned rooms with cable TV, free WIFI, and comfortable facilities. The restaurant serves local and international food, and there’s a swimming pool and jacuzzi with sea views.
Book a stay at Hotel Bahia Taganga here.
Hostal La Casa de Felipe is only 15 minutes away from Santa Marta by bus. It’s situated in the upper part of the village, and a seven-minute walk will take you to the beach. It offers dormitories, private rooms with private bathroom and studio apartments with fully equipped kitchen facilities.
Book a stay at Hostal La Casa de Felipe here.
Divanga Hostel provides simple accommodation but meets all the traveler’s needs. Each room has a private bathroom and fresh sheets. Plus, a generous breakfast is included in all rates. An excellent French restaurant is on-site, offering an extensive menu.
Book a stay at Divanga Hostel here.
How to Get to Taganga from Santa Marta
Taganga is only about 15 minutes from the Historical Center of Santa Marta. There are three ways to arrive.
By Bus from Santa Marta
There is inly one route bus from Santa Marta to Taganga. Go out to Carrera 5 (5th Avenue) if you’re in the Historical Center and wait for one of the blue buses that say ‘Kra 11 Taganga‘. Kra is the abbreviation for carrera which means avenue or street in Colombia. The bus fare is relatively cheap, making it an excellent option for budget travelers.
By Taxi from Santa Marta
For a more comfortable and private option, consider taking a taxi from Santa Marta. Taxis are readily available, and the ride takes about 15 minutes, depending on traffic. The taxi fare is more expensive than the bus, but it’s still relatively affordable, especially if you’re traveling in a group.
By Private Shuttle from the Airport
If you prefer to be picked up from Santa Marta airport and taken directly to Taganga, you may reserve a private shuttle here.
When to Go to Taganga
When it comes to the best time to visit Taganga, it’s worth considering your priorities. If you’re looking for warm and sunny weather, then the dry season from December to March is the best time to visit. During this period, the temperature hovers around 30°C (86°F), making it perfect for swimming and sunbathing. However, it’s worth noting that this is also the busiest time of year, so expect crowds and higher prices.
If you’re looking for a quieter experience and don’t mind slightly cooler temperatures, then the shoulder seasons from April to May and September to November are a great time to visit. During these months, the weather is still pleasant, and the crowds are thinner, making it easier to find good deals on accommodation and activities.
The rainy season runs from June to August and October to November. During this period, heavy rains can disrupt travel plans, make some activities inaccessible, and even cause landslides, so it’s best to plan your trip accordingly.
