Tayrona National Park Tour Companies

The trip was challenging...particularly because of the jungle humidity...but amazing and unique (again because of the jungle)... But I'm writing this to share some tips with those interested in booking this trip: - Local guides are required by the government and Gadventures uses local operators. You can book directly with local operators for about 250USD cheaper. BUT Gadventures offer an English speaking guide, accomodations before and after the tour, and a guide to help you within the city of Santa Marta. - The Trek is offered locally as a 3-day, 4-day and 5-day options. But I recommend the 5-day option if you would like to view the jungle/waterfalls/birds. The 3-day trek is very rushed. - You will be accompanied by at least two more local guides and a cook. Our cook was amazing and she made us all kind of great local food. Not to mention the selection of fruit we were offered at rest stops. - Accomodations were group jungle camp sites but were sufficient. Had hot water and electricity. - Nothing dries in the jungle...you don't need more than two outfits. One to sleep in and another to hike in, wash, and wear again the next day. - Light long hiking pants is a must, especially on the last day, to avoid ticks! - Bring a swimming outfit. - If you are Canadian, like me, be prepared to pay an extra $85+ per person by creditcard at the border. It is a retaliatory charge against Canada. They will also add 10% currency conversion fee if you pay in Canadian Dollar :)

Wonderful hiking experience through the Colombian jungle. Our guides were fantastic, and despite language barriers, always made sure we were safe. The food was also amazing! I also really appreciated the extra day of exploring waterfalls. It's a tough hike, but the experience is worth it!

We enjoyed our experience very much. It was as described in the tour, and was well organized. Various activities were available, and the whole atmosphere of the resort was relaxing & welcoming.

Short version: I am sorry to leave a bad comment but the "tour/package" was really bad. I did book the tour to meet people and have some security as I do not speak Spanish. Both did not work out. If you are a backpacker (especially when traveling on your own), your hostel will make way better offers!!! Long version: Before the tour I tried to find out which hostels I will stay at, so I could organize some add ons, what turned out to be a long process of message writing and waiting, so I had to blind book some stuff ( e.g. the hostel for extending my stay in Santa Marta, and the hostel for a friend I made on the way who wanted to join me for a few days) leading to confusion for the tours and pick ups that I organized myself. Once the tour started: First transfer did not show up (leaving me alone at night) and the emergency numbers given, did not work... The hostel I arrived at (which was a good one, but this is the easiest part to book alone from back home by yourself) wanted to charge me while arriving and checking out, as they did not have seen any money from the tour provider, also they did not know whether there are any other people booked in by the same tour (turned out, no!) The tour in Cartagena was what Germans would call a "Kaffeefahrt", so picking up people from fancy hotels (average age maybe 40+) drive them around and bring them to places to shop and after the last stop I was told that I can just walk back alone as it is kind of close by (what was true). Also the Guide was nice, I just have not been the target group of such a tour and language remained an issue... the free walking tours in Cartagena are a lot more suitable for backpackers! Next transfer did not show up either. After sitting in my hostel waiting for an hour, I contacted the emergency number. This time, I could reach someone, however, he then told me that they are actually not cooperating with bamba anymore and he does not know why his number is mentioned there. He was a nice guy and provided me with further numbers of bamba contacts, none of them replying and all remaining silent about the name of the company responsible for my transfers in general, so I had noone I could call or contact. Eventually, the receptionist of my hostel and this guy from the wrong company could book me another transfer, so I made it to Santa Marta (missing out on an door to door drop off, what made it a little inconvenient bargaining with taxi drivers, exactly what i was trying to avoid when booking that tour). While I have been sitting in the bus, bamba wrote me back, however, way too late, already wasting one of the few days with waiting, booking, taxi driving and transfers (another point I tried to avoid when booking the tour)... The hostel in Santa Marta was nice and the pick up for the tour to Tyrona worked. Unfortunately, also for this tour I have not been the target group. Although they were nice people, none of the guides, drivers or other participants spoke English, the average age was around 50 and again it was more of a driving around (some historical talk, I assume, but did not understand) and a kind of fancy restaurant for lunch on own expenses, while I expected a little hiking or something. The beach was nice though and as I brought my snorkeling gear, I was at least able to go snorkeling (on my own)... As I booked some more stuff around Santa Marta privately, I asked to change the date of the last transfer, what was kind of an issue. Also, I got that confirmed before the trip, I was woken up at 6 am of the last bamba-tour day as someone wanted to bring me to Cartagena (!?!) meaning it was the wrong date, the wrong pick up hostel and the wrong destination. After I got back to sleep I was woken again at 6:45, as someone called who wanted to bring me to the airport this time... Because of the bad experiences and the confusion arising by this last morning, I requested further information of the provider for my last airport transfer and a confirmation. Until then, I was in contact with several numbers of bamba persons and people via the homepage, however, noone told me the name of the transfer provider that is supposed to bring me to the airport so I would have been able to recheck and it took until the evening right before my flight that someone of bamba confirmed a pickup. By that time, I already worked out last minute alternative plans with my hostel receptionists in case noone shows up again. After the conformation, however, I felt reassured until I got a phone call an hour later when someone wanted to confirm the pick up for another time (a time too late for my flight). During the phone call we managed to readjust the time to 6:30 as it was agreed and confirmed before. In the end, the driver showed up at 6:15 am and we nearly missed... So to sum up, I have no idea what I paid the money for. I had to organize most things on my own, wasn't provided with sufficient information (in time), did not meet other people my age that were connected to the tour, still wasn't flexible to join the people in the hostels that I did meet instead, it did not save me from standing alone somewhere or gave me the convenience of leaning back and enjoy without bothering, it took me more time than approaching the travel desks of random hostels (plus I waited several times for non-arriving people therefore wasting my time double) and all together it was of course more expensive than organizing the same trip by myself. Although bamba wrote me, saying they will refund my extra expanses I had when taking taxis or alternative shuttles, I feel betrayed as this is not what I payed for or what I expect from such a tour. I am sorry bamba and truly hope other travelers have better experiences!

The tour is well organized, seamlessly. The guide is very knowledgeable and experienced. The cook Erica is excellent. It’s great there is an interpreter, who is kind caring and spiritual. Thank you!