Taironaka Indian Reserve

Spend the day exploring the Taironaka Indian Reserve, taking in the natural environment, the biodiversity and learning about the Tairona culture.

Departing from the pier, you’ll commence a highly scenic 1 hour drive away from the city of Santa Marta through the "Troncal del Caribe". As you travel along this route, you’ll see beautiful landscapes and contrasts produced by the area’s diverse climate ranges.

Upon arrival, access to Taironaka is done via a pleasant 20 minute walk along an ecological path, during which you will start to appreciate the flora and fauna of the region. However, the Taironaka, Ecological Tourism and Archeology site offers that and much more. Here, in this landscape nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta, you will have the opportunity of walking through what used to be the stone paved city of Tairona. You will see paths, aqueducts, stairs, terraces and much more. You may even see a piece of a Tairona vessel or remains of grinding stones whose wonderful rounded stones were created for a purpose that is still unknown.

There were many items that this incredible culture manufactured during the hundreds of years that they dwelled on this mountain; and many of them remain. The Spaniards who came and assaulted the Taironas while looking for gold objects, took the gold, but they left the clay, the stone and what remains of the city today.

Due to its climate and fertile soil, the area started off cultivating colorful tropical flowers that are sold to international markets and which can be observed everywhere within the reserve. Today, it has also become a sanctuary for the archeological treasures of the Tairona culture which are more than a thousand years old. The museum here showcases pieces of great value and also enlightens visitors on how the Taironas lived and how they were remarkable goldsmiths, craftsmen, sailors and warriors.

Following the guided portion of your tour, you are free to explore further on your own, or perhaps take a swim in the river. There is a restaurant at the Reserve where guests may purchase lunch. After approximately 2 hours, you’ll walk with your guide back to your minibus and travel back to the ship.