Located on the Caribbean coast, 34 km of Santa Marta, via Riohacha, in the department of the Magdalena Parque Tayrona extends for 15,000 hectares of which 12,000 are terrestrial and 3,000 are marine, the altitude of the park varies between 0 to 900 meters above sea level; and year round it has a warm climate of 25 – 30 degrees centigrade.

In those 15,000 hectares there are beaches of fine golden sand, rocky wetlands, forests, coasts, mangrove swamps, sea and a delicate zone of coral reefs, producing a sensation of tranquillity and rest, far from the noise of civilization.
Some of the more frequented beaches are Palmarito, Neguange, Chenge, Gaicara and also Bahía Concha (Shell Bay) which is the best place for diving.

The most well-known zones with the best infrastructure for ecological tourism are Cañaveral (Cane plantation) and Arrecifes (Reefs) located near the main entrance of Parque Tayrona (34 kilometres from Santa Marta on la Troncal del Caribe - main Caribbean Highway). In this area it is possible to obtain meals, snacks, accommodation and campsites. In addition, these points are where the roads and paths within the park begin and so are good places to orient yourself for further exploration.

It is possible to arrive by two sectors: El Zaíno where it enters at Cañaveral is 34 kilometres from Santa Marta, on the left, on the la Troncal del Caribe on the way to Riohacha. This route is in good condition. The other possibility is Palangana, where it enters the zone of Neguange, 10 kilometers from Santa Marta, on the left, on la Troncal del Caribe on the way to Riohacha.