It’s 6:57 pm. It’s pitch black. A distant star pinpricks through the black canvas in front of me. I can only hear the waves kissing the shoreline. The ever-present soundtrack to our stay at Wachakyta in Tayrona National Park.
Why am I telling you this? Because I want to give you the freshest possible low-down on a potential stay here. This is my third night in Parque Tayrona and I’m writing this post slumped on a bean bag outside Wachakyta’s beach bar.
My laptop screen was attracting the cast of a Bug’s Life writing this!
So in this post, I hope to make your decision about where to stay in Parque Tayrona easier…
Where is Wachakyta Ecolodge?
The eco-lodge is on a secluded beach within Tayrona National Park on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. There is satellite wifi in the reception/ restaurant area if you need it, but you feel in the middle of nowhere. So If you want to disconnect from the stress of everyday life and reconnect with yourself and mother nature, this is the perfect place to do it – I’m a beard and volleyball away from feeling like I’m in Castaway!
What’s it like to stay at Wachakyta in Tayrona National Park?
How do I put this… It’s paradise. I know that term gets thrown around a lot, but hear me out…
The water is clear, clean, warm, and not too salty. Whichever lodge you stay in, you’re a stone’s throw from the beach.
And because there are only 4 lodges, you feel like you’re staying on your own private beach. Each lodge has a king-size bed and depending on which one you go for, bunk beds to sleep up to 6 guests.
You’ve got your own hammocks, swings, and lounging nets.
The view onto the beach from your ecolodge.
There are plenty of places to relax and take in the chill Parque Tayrona vibes.
Not only that, Kiki (the manager) and the rest of the team are fantastic. Everyone who works there comes from local communities or are volunteers. And they all made sure we had the best experience possible. I lost count of the number of coconuts they hacked open with a machete for me!
One evening, Kiki, originally from Spain, told us how he fell in love with Tayrona National Park the first time he visited. He convinced some of his friends to invest in the project now known as Wachakyta. Naturally, any development in the park has to adhere to strict social and environmental policies. In fact, while we were there, a local indigenous tribe arrived with park officials to inspect their Tierra. Just being in their presence you could sense their deep appreciation for mother nature. It was a special moment.
What activities are there?
Wachakyta can be more than a relaxing getaway. I mean, it doesn’t have to be…but if you’ve got the time and are feeling active, there a 3 different hikes varying in difficulty. We were lucky enough to stay 4 nights, so got a good mix of pure relaxation and activities.
Mirador Palmarito
One morning, instead of flopping back into the hammock after breakfast, we made the steepish ascent up the mountainside. Kiki led the way through the jungle while pointing out the remnants of indigenous routes and explaining some of the histories of Tayrona National Park.
Getting to the viewpoint only took about an hour. But in that time, the surrounding vegetation changed from deep green rainforest to sun-baked cacti. And, the view? Well, see for yourself…
Stunning view of another secluded beach along the coast of Parque Tayrona.
Avistamiento de Aves
If you fancy something more leisurely, you can do the short hike to a nearby quebrada (kind of like a stream). It’s only 30 minutes along a flat-ish path. You’ll reach a charco (pool to bathe in) where you can cool off and feel the energy of la Madre Naturaleza.
There’s something magical about wandering along quebrada’s in Colombia.
Or, if you’re like me and love a beach activity, there is beach tennis, badminton, volleyball, and Kayaking. You can even check out the marine life coral at either side of the cove with the snorkeling gear.
The Amazing Food At Wachakyta
One of my favorite things about Wachakyta is Wachakyta time. It normally involves a nap in a hammock after breakfast and lunch. It’s been necessary because the food here is amazing.
Breakfast of Arepa y huevo and traditional food “Cayeye” .
Before you arrive, you let the team know what you want from the menu. The chefs then prepare your pre-selected food options. And, to be honest, the food surpassed my expectations. Fresh fish, traditional cuisine, or foreign flavors mixed with local produce. And not forgetting the brownie. The brownie es de otro mundo.
The famous Wachakyta brownie…
How to book your stay?
Book online through Wachakyta’s website or Booking. The price for 2 people ranges from 95 USD – 180 USD per night depending on the ecolodge and the season. Check out Wachakyta’s booking page for the full list of rates.
Breakfast is included in the cost. Everything else i.e. lunch/ dinner/ drinks you pay at the end of your stay (you can by credit/debit there). After 4 nights, I spent around 140 USD on food & drink.
How to get there?
You’ll need to catch a boat from the beach town Taganga near Santa Marta. When you book, Kiki will make arrangements for your transport. The boat leaves at 10:30 am and is a choppy 40 minute trip along the coast. Expect to get mojado (soaked) and thrown about while you marvel at the stunning Jurrasic Park-esque view of Parque Tayrona.
The lancha that takes you to Wachakyta Ecolodge from Taganga.
En fin.
The place is amazing. It’s not crowded like Cabo San Juan or the other super touristic spots. And it has more of a luxury feel for somewhere so secluded. I’d say it’s ideal for couples, but don’t be put off – I went with a mate and there was a group of 6 staying for one of the nights we were there.
Just one warning: we chatted to a couple who wanted to extend their stay, but were forced to head to a place with a hostel vibe because of limited availability at Wachakyta. So get in quick as it books up fast!
And if you have any other questions, feel free to comment or shoot me an email.
Nick
