Simply out of doors Santa Marta, Playa Cristal is legendary for its turquoise waters and comfortable sand seashores tucked in a mountain vary.
Whilst you’re in Santa Marta everybody tries to promote a Playa Cristal excursion, however is it the most productive seashore in Colombia like everybody says?
It’s laborious to stroll even a block in Santa Marta with out any individual seeking to promote you a excursion. Playa Cristal is in Tayrona Nationwide Park and you’ll be able to simplest get there by means of boat or mountain climbing there a number of hours.
There are a variety of excursion choices by means of both taking a excursion which stops at 7 Olas glance out for a photograph op after which taking a ship there, or going to Taganga by means of bus and catching a bus from there.
Or you’ll be able to take a ship immediately from Santa Marta to Playa Cristal.
I made up our minds to try this because it’s the most affordable and quickest approach, however is it the most productive? I spent the day at this seashore alone to take a look at the seashore and native Colombian meals.
The place is Playa Cristal?
Playa Cristal sits inside of Tayrona Nationwide Park on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. It’s a brief travel from Santa Marta, making it best for an afternoon consult with.
The seashore sticks out on account of its transparent waters and the mountains that come proper as much as the coastline.
The distinction of inexperienced forests assembly blue water creates a distinct spot not like different seashores in Colombia.
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Find out how to Get There
You’ve gotten 3 primary choices to succeed in Playa Cristal from Santa Marta.
The finances possibility prices about 102,000 pesos overall. First take a 2,000 peso bus to Taganga. From Taganga, pay 100,000 pesos for a ship to Playa Cristal.
The direct boat prices 150,000 pesos. You’ll be able to take a ship immediately from Santa Marta to Playa Cristal. This protects time and avoids further transfers.
For 170,000 pesos, you’ll be able to take a excursion with a hike. You get picked up by means of automobile, hike to the Seven Waves lookout level, then take a ship switch to the seashore.
The direct boat may well be the best choice if you wish to have simplicity. After an extended seashore day, going instantly again to Santa Marta is extra handy than making transfers thru Taganga.
That is what I did. However I will be able to say that the water used to be very tough and everybody used to be soaked so make sure to have a dry bag.
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Excursion vs. Unbiased Seek advice from
A excursion provides a number of benefits. Nationwide park front charges are integrated, with foreigners paying about 30,000 pesos greater than Colombians.
Transportation is treated for you. You get first support help with a bracelet on your front. The park limits guests to 300 in line with day, conserving crowds manageable. Anyone watches your assets when you swim.
Going independently method extra flexibility however calls for extra making plans to organize transportation and front charges.
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What to Convey
Money is very important for meals, beverages and leases. Convey a water resistant bag for the boat trip as the ocean can get tough.
Pack sunscreen and a hat for solar coverage. Water footwear lend a hand with rocky spaces. In reality, virtually all Colombians I noticed wore them regardless of how comfortable the sand used to be.
Convey snorkel tools or plan to hire it there.
If you wish to keep out of the solar there are tents to hire and quite a few shady timber free of charge.
Meals Choices
You’ll to find a number of eating places at Playa Cristal.
The primary seashore eating places assign you a desk while you arrive. They take your order while you arrive and ask when you wish to have it. Costs vary from 45,000 to 75,000 pesos for foods.
El Restaurante El Mirador (glance off) sits on a hill with superb perspectives. It has a minimal intake of five,000 pesos, which is solely the price of a conventional Colombian drink comparable to juice or beer.
I went up for the perspectives and it’s well worth the quick climb.
They serve the similar meals as seashore eating places however with higher perspectives. Beer prices 6,000 pesos and Colombian fruit juice prices 5,000 pesos.
You’ll be able to additionally deliver your individual foods and drinks to save cash. However I didn’t suppose the rest used to be overly dear and similar to Santa Marta eating places.
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Conventional Meals to Check out
The must-try meal at Playa Cristal is pescado frito (fried fish). This coastal Colombian dish usually contains in the community stuck fish, with mojarra being not unusual.
It comes with coconut rice, patacones (fried plantains), a small aspect salad, and lime to squeeze over the fish.
Foods steadily get started with soup, following Colombian custom. The coconut rice is particularly just right, with a touch of sweetness that pairs completely with the fish.
One of the vital eating places have conventional Colombian snacks and beverages.
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Actions at Playa Cristal
Swimming and snorkeling are fashionable at Playa Cristal. The clearest water is on the a ways finish of the seashore. Simply watch out round coral spaces to keep away from harm and harm.
Make sure you consult with the lookout issues. El Mirador eating place provides unbelievable perspectives of all the seashore. A number of different lookout issues display other angles of the seashore. The small hike is worthwhile for pictures.
You’ll be able to hire a seashore tent for fifty,000 pesos for the day. Those are compatible 4 folks, so you’ll be able to percentage with others to separate the price.
Enjoyable is possibly the most productive job right here. The seashore is non violent with restricted guests. Discover a shady spot clear of the principle space for essentially the most tranquility.
Is it Secure?
Playa Cristal is fairly protected for guests. Everybody arrives on excursions, making a group feeling. Group of workers watch assets when you swim, which reduces robbery possibility.
The 300-person prohibit helps to keep the seashore from getting crowded. Scientific help is to be had, integrated along with your front charge. Native body of workers lend a hand put into effect protection regulations.
In the event you’re eager about touring within the nation take a look at this submit with Colombia protection pointers.
Is it Price Going?
Playa Cristal lives as much as its popularity as one in all Colombia’s highest seashores, however with some {qualifications}.
The professionals come with stunning transparent water, an excellent mountain backdrop, managed customer numbers, just right meals choices and a protected setting.
There are some cons to believe. The boat trip can also be tough, so get ready to get rainy. The sand isn’t natural white as some be expecting from pictures.
Some distributors feed fish with crackers regardless of regulations in opposition to it. Costs are upper than different seashores within the space.
The most efficient portions are the perspectives from the lookout issues and the original atmosphere the place mountains meet the ocean. The real seashore is good however now not unusual. It’s the entire bundle that makes it particular.
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Best possible Pointers for Visiting
Order your lunch early upon arrival. Meals preparation takes time, and also you’ll wish to devour while you’re hungry.
Or head to the mirador first for perspectives and believe consuming lunch there. The panoramic vista offers you an ideal advent to the world.
Cross to the a ways finish of the seashore for the clearest water. This space is much less crowded and has that emerald inexperienced water you spot in pictures.
Guide your go back boat prematurely so that you don’t get stranded. The boats go away at particular occasions.
Negotiate costs however consider the adaptation may simplest be a couple of bucks. Every now and then it’s value paying a little bit extra for comfort.
Get ready for a doubtlessly tough boat trip by means of securing valuables in water resistant luggage. Many guests get soaked throughout the adventure.
Seek advice from on a weekday if imaginable for fewer folks. The enjoy is far better when the seashore isn’t at its customer prohibit.
Playa Cristal provides a really perfect day travel from Santa Marta with cheap costs for what you get. The mix of mountains, woodland and sea creates a memorable enjoy well worth the adventure.
Whilst it may not be the best possible seashore in Colombia as some declare, it’s definitely a distinct position that are supposed to be on everybody’s record.
Simply out of doors Santa Marta, Playa Cristal is legendary for its turquoise waters and comfortable sand seashores tucked in a mountain vary.
Whilst you’re in Santa Marta everybody tries to promote a Playa Cristal excursion, however is it the most productive seashore in Colombia like everybody says?
It’s laborious to stroll even a block in Santa Marta with out any individual seeking to promote you a excursion. Playa Cristal is in Tayrona Nationwide Park and you’ll be able to simplest get there by means of boat or mountain climbing there a number of hours.
There are a variety of excursion choices by means of both taking a excursion which stops at 7 Olas glance out for a photograph op after which taking a ship there, or going to Taganga by means of bus and catching a bus from there.
Or you’ll be able to take a ship immediately from Santa Marta to Playa Cristal.
I made up our minds to try this because it’s the most affordable and quickest approach, however is it the most productive? I spent the day at this seashore alone to take a look at the seashore and native Colombian meals.
The place is Playa Cristal?
Playa Cristal sits inside of Tayrona Nationwide Park on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. It’s a brief travel from Santa Marta, making it best for an afternoon consult with.
The seashore sticks out on account of its transparent waters and the mountains that come proper as much as the coastline.
The distinction of inexperienced forests assembly blue water creates a distinct spot not like different seashores in Colombia.
Â
Find out how to Get There
You’ve gotten 3 primary choices to succeed in Playa Cristal from Santa Marta.
The finances possibility prices about 102,000 pesos overall. First take a 2,000 peso bus to Taganga. From Taganga, pay 100,000 pesos for a ship to Playa Cristal.
The direct boat prices 150,000 pesos. You’ll be able to take a ship immediately from Santa Marta to Playa Cristal. This protects time and avoids further transfers.
For 170,000 pesos, you’ll be able to take a excursion with a hike. You get picked up by means of automobile, hike to the Seven Waves lookout level, then take a ship switch to the seashore.
The direct boat may well be the best choice if you wish to have simplicity. After an extended seashore day, going instantly again to Santa Marta is extra handy than making transfers thru Taganga.
That is what I did. However I will be able to say that the water used to be very tough and everybody used to be soaked so make sure to have a dry bag.
Â
Excursion vs. Unbiased Seek advice from
A excursion provides a number of benefits. Nationwide park front charges are integrated, with foreigners paying about 30,000 pesos greater than Colombians.
Transportation is treated for you. You get first support help with a bracelet on your front. The park limits guests to 300 in line with day, conserving crowds manageable. Anyone watches your assets when you swim.
Going independently method extra flexibility however calls for extra making plans to organize transportation and front charges.
Â
What to Convey
Money is very important for meals, beverages and leases. Convey a water resistant bag for the boat trip as the ocean can get tough.
Pack sunscreen and a hat for solar coverage. Water footwear lend a hand with rocky spaces. In reality, virtually all Colombians I noticed wore them regardless of how comfortable the sand used to be.
Convey snorkel tools or plan to hire it there.
If you wish to keep out of the solar there are tents to hire and quite a few shady timber free of charge.
Meals Choices
You’ll to find a number of eating places at Playa Cristal.
The primary seashore eating places assign you a desk while you arrive. They take your order while you arrive and ask when you wish to have it. Costs vary from 45,000 to 75,000 pesos for foods.
El Restaurante El Mirador (glance off) sits on a hill with superb perspectives. It has a minimal intake of five,000 pesos, which is solely the price of a conventional Colombian drink comparable to juice or beer.
I went up for the perspectives and it’s well worth the quick climb.
They serve the similar meals as seashore eating places however with higher perspectives. Beer prices 6,000 pesos and Colombian fruit juice prices 5,000 pesos.
You’ll be able to additionally deliver your individual foods and drinks to save cash. However I didn’t suppose the rest used to be overly dear and similar to Santa Marta eating places.
Â
Conventional Meals to Check out
The must-try meal at Playa Cristal is pescado frito (fried fish). This coastal Colombian dish usually contains in the community stuck fish, with mojarra being not unusual.
It comes with coconut rice, patacones (fried plantains), a small aspect salad, and lime to squeeze over the fish.
Foods steadily get started with soup, following Colombian custom. The coconut rice is particularly just right, with a touch of sweetness that pairs completely with the fish.
One of the vital eating places have conventional Colombian snacks and beverages.
Â
Actions at Playa Cristal
Swimming and snorkeling are fashionable at Playa Cristal. The clearest water is on the a ways finish of the seashore. Simply watch out round coral spaces to keep away from harm and harm.
Make sure you consult with the lookout issues. El Mirador eating place provides unbelievable perspectives of all the seashore. A number of different lookout issues display other angles of the seashore. The small hike is worthwhile for pictures.
You’ll be able to hire a seashore tent for fifty,000 pesos for the day. Those are compatible 4 folks, so you’ll be able to percentage with others to separate the price.
Enjoyable is possibly the most productive job right here. The seashore is non violent with restricted guests. Discover a shady spot clear of the principle space for essentially the most tranquility.
Is it Secure?
Playa Cristal is fairly protected for guests. Everybody arrives on excursions, making a group feeling. Group of workers watch assets when you swim, which reduces robbery possibility.
The 300-person prohibit helps to keep the seashore from getting crowded. Scientific help is to be had, integrated along with your front charge. Native body of workers lend a hand put into effect protection regulations.
In the event you’re eager about touring within the nation take a look at this submit with Colombia protection pointers.
Is it Price Going?
Playa Cristal lives as much as its popularity as one in all Colombia’s highest seashores, however with some {qualifications}.
The professionals come with stunning transparent water, an excellent mountain backdrop, managed customer numbers, just right meals choices and a protected setting.
There are some cons to believe. The boat trip can also be tough, so get ready to get rainy. The sand isn’t natural white as some be expecting from pictures.
Some distributors feed fish with crackers regardless of regulations in opposition to it. Costs are upper than different seashores within the space.
The most efficient portions are the perspectives from the lookout issues and the original atmosphere the place mountains meet the ocean. The real seashore is good however now not unusual. It’s the entire bundle that makes it particular.
Â
Best possible Pointers for Visiting
Order your lunch early upon arrival. Meals preparation takes time, and also you’ll wish to devour while you’re hungry.
Or head to the mirador first for perspectives and believe consuming lunch there. The panoramic vista offers you an ideal advent to the world.
Cross to the a ways finish of the seashore for the clearest water. This space is much less crowded and has that emerald inexperienced water you spot in pictures.
Guide your go back boat prematurely so that you don’t get stranded. The boats go away at particular occasions.
Negotiate costs however consider the adaptation may simplest be a couple of bucks. Every now and then it’s value paying a little bit extra for comfort.
Get ready for a doubtlessly tough boat trip by means of securing valuables in water resistant luggage. Many guests get soaked throughout the adventure.
Seek advice from on a weekday if imaginable for fewer folks. The enjoy is far better when the seashore isn’t at its customer prohibit.
Playa Cristal provides a really perfect day travel from Santa Marta with cheap costs for what you get. The mix of mountains, woodland and sea creates a memorable enjoy well worth the adventure.
Whilst it may not be the best possible seashore in Colombia as some declare, it’s definitely a distinct position that are supposed to be on everybody’s record.
