#SCUBA DIVING SANTA MARTA COLOMBIA FULL#
#SCUBA DIVING SANTA MARTA COLOMBIA FREE#

Santa Marta has a lot to see and do, so it can easily fill a day or two of exploring. The bus goes through all of Santa Marta, but you can get off at the Malecon (the boardwalk along the ocean and walking street in Santa Marta). The bus costs about 2,000 COP ($0.50 USD) and only takes 20 minutes.

You can find the bus in Taganga on the main road (there is only one main road in and out), going west to Santa Marta. If you want to escape to a busier environment, you can take a bus from Taganga to Santa Marta anytime. This is more of a hustle-and-bustle city compared to the low-key vibe of Tanganga. Santa Marta is about 6 km (3.8 miles) from Taganga. Head over to my post A Guide To Visiting Tayrona National Park, Colombia. This nine-hour tour includes transportation to and from Santa Marta, a visit to Cristal Beach, a Cabo de San Juan stop, and all entrance fees. Or, if you want more of a full-day adventure, check out this Tayrona Park hiking tour. You go to the Public Market in Santa Marta and take a one-hour bus ride to El Zaino (the most popular entrance).Ĭonversely, many of the popular sailing excursions leave Santa Marta and go to Tayrona. The easiest way to get to Tayrona is by bus. You can head to Tayrona on your own and spend several days exploring the jungles and beaches. If you just want to visit some famous Tayrona beaches, hop on a boat or take a day trip to your favorite ones. It is easy to get to Tayrona by boat or bus. One of the best things to do in Taganga is to actually go on a day trip to Tayrona National Park, which is only 18km (11 miles) from Taganga. Go on a day trip to Tayrona National Park

#SCUBA DIVING SANTA MARTA COLOMBIA FREE#

With your license, you are free to scuba dive anywhere in Colombia or worldwide. It should cost around 700,000 COP ($146 USD) for an open water certificate. If you still need to be certified, Taganga is also a hotspot in Colombia for certification. Most dive shops will quote you around 250,000 COP ($52 USD) for two dives if you have your open water or advanced certificates. We talked to a few dive shops in Taganga they were all super helpful, spoke some basic English, and offered great prices. There are several dive centers right in the heart of Taganga. It should be about a 15-minute boat ride from Taganga to your first dive spot. Taganga is the closest boat ride away from Tayrona National Park (where all dive boats stop at).

Scuba diving from Taganga is a beautiful experience. If you want more adventure than snorkeling, you can try diving. The tour leaves from Santa Marta and will take you to some of the most beautiful areas on the Colombian Caribbean coast, including Tayrona National Park, for snorkeling. Or you can check out this full-day sailboating tour that includes several hours of snorkeling. You can find snorkel tours at the main pier in Taganga or Santa Marta. These tours take you, by boat, to the best snorkel spots. However, finding the best weather for a calm snorkel day can be challenging.įortunately, you can also just book a snorkel tour. Many people love to snorkel in Tayrona National Park. With how many beautiful beaches are found in the area, it should be no surprise that there are also some great snorkeling spots and indeed one of the best things to do in Taganga is snorkeling. While we did the hike (both ways) several times with no problems, we did hear stories of small robberies during the day on the trail. However, hike with caution and preferably with a friend or travel partner. In addition to the incredible views, during the hike you get to see lots of giant lizards, birds, and other small animals. There are usually a few other people hiking this route in both directions, and only one main path takes you there. It is hard to miss once you get on the trail. You just follow this path, and it brings you straight to Playa Grande. At the end of the road, a little path leads up and follows the coastline. You walk through Taganga for about 15 minutes until you get to the very end of the road.

#SCUBA DIVING SANTA MARTA COLOMBIA FULL#

However, it gives you a full view of the entire village, the surrounding ocean, and the nearby landscapes.įrom the center of Taganga, where Taganga beach and pier are, you should walk right (coming from the main road down to the coast). It only takes about 20 minutes after leaving Taganga. My absolute favorite thing when we visited Taganga was to “hike” to Playa Grande.

Go on a day trip to Tayrona National Parkīest Things To Do In Taganga, Colombia Go on a short hike to Playa Grande.

Scuba diving santa marta colombia