Taganga: beaches, diving and how to get there from Santa Marta

Q: What to do in Taganga?

Dive or snorkel, take a boat to Playa Grande or Playa Cristal, watch the sunset and eat fish by the sea.

Q: How to go to Playa Grande from Taganga?

By boat from the main beach or walking along a path for about 20 minutes.

Q: Is Taganga good for learning to dive?

Yes, it is one of the most popular places in Colombia for diving courses. Choose a certified school.

Q: Where to stay, in Taganga or in Santa Marta?

Taganga is quieter and closer to the sea; Santa Marta has more options and is better connected with buses and excursions.

Q: When is the best time to visit Taganga?

From December to April it rains less. During high season the town gets crowded; book accommodation and bus in advance.

Taganga is a fishing village in a bay about 15 minutes from Santa Marta, known for its sunsets, diving, and boats to nearby beaches. Arrive in Santa Marta by bus with Marsol from Barranquilla or Cartagena.

Taganga in summary

The essentials for planning your bus trip with Marsol to Santa Marta.

$40,000

Ticket from Barranquilla (COP)

2 h 30 min

By bus from Barranquilla

16

Daily departures from Marsol to this destination

View schedules and tickets

Why travel with Marsol

Official tickets

Direct purchase on the Marsol site, no intermediaries.

Multiple departures per day

Check the schedules for each route and choose the one that suits you best.

Marsol offices in each city

Departures and arrivals for these routes are at Transportes Marsol offices.

Book online

Choose your departure and book in a few steps from any device.

How to get to Taganga by bus

Daily buses from Transportes Marsol. Schedules and prices may change; confirm them when booking. The bus arrives in Santa Marta; from there continue to Taganga as explained below.

From	Departures per day	Duration	Price from
Barranquilla	10	2 h 30 min	$40.000
Cartagena	6	5 h	$100.000

Arrival and how to get around

Where the Marsol bus drops you off and how to continue your journey.

Arrival by bus: Santa Marta

Transportes Marsol Office
Carrera 4 24-20, Santa Marta, Magdalena

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How to get to Taganga from the Marsol office

Taganga is about 5 km from the centre of Santa Marta: about 15 minutes by taxi from the Marsol office, or on the local buses that leave from the centre.

View Taganga on Google Maps

What to do in Taganga

Playa Grande: accessible by boat or a 20-minute walk
Diving and snorkelling: diving schools with courses and trips to nearby reefs
Playa Cristal: by boat, within Tayrona Park
Sunsets: from the boardwalk or the viewpoints over the bay
Fresh fish: seaside restaurants with the catch of the day

Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Playa Grande: Tamyx (CC BY-SA 3.0); Vista de Taganga: Giancarlos1234 (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Taganga Bay

The bay of calm waters surrounded by dry mountains, with the fishing village on the shore.

Playa Grande

Neighbouring beach to Taganga, with restaurants and clear waters, accessible by boat or on foot.

View of Taganga

The mountains surrounding the bay offer viewpoints with views of the village and the sea.

Frequently Asked Questions about Taganga

Answers to the most common questions before travelling.

How to get to Taganga?

Travel by bus with Marsol to Santa Marta (from Barranquilla or Cartagena) and take a taxi or a local bus to Taganga, about 15 minutes away.

What to do in Taganga?

How to go to Playa Grande from Taganga?

Is Taganga good for learning to dive?

Where to stay, in Taganga or in Santa Marta?

When is the best time to visit Taganga?

Travel to Taganga with Marsol

Official tickets, purchased online, from $40,000 COP. Seats are limited during high season: book in advance.

Buy tickets

Taganga: beaches, diving and how to get there from Santa Marta