We had planned to have a couple of days on the beach after the arduous trek and the beautiful Tayrona National Park has some of the best beaches in the region.
Having needed (like you can’t believe) to do some washing after the trek we got on the bus a little later than planned but arrived at 2pm ready for the 3 hour walk we knew we had to do to get to the very remote beach we had booked a hut at for 2 nights.
When we arrived at the entrance we were asked where we were staying and were promptly told that it was more like a 6 hour walk to the beach and there are no lights on the pathways after sunset therefore we had no way of making it to where we had booked before dark!
Frustrated and upset we decided to bite the bullet, head to one of the nearer beaches and see if we could get walk up camping at a different place. After 2 hours and getting lost a couple of times, plus having to walk through what was essentially a mud obstacle course (think tree trunks and branches acting as bridges over mud pools!) we arrived a Camping Don Pedro. A cute campsite with well maintained toilets and showers and a large lively communal area with restaurant.
After a not so great nights sleep in the tent we woke and walked 30 mins to the nearest swim-able beach – La Piscina. This is the beach paradise adverts are made of – sand, clear, warm water, coconut trees and beautiful mountains in the distance. We found a secluded spot and it really felt like we almost had the beach to our self. It was cloudy for most of that day but a fresh orange juice, squeezed in front of me was the best tasting juice ever!
That night we had a nice meal, a couple of beers (yes I am having to learn to like beer here as it is so much cheaper than other drinks!) and met a lovely aussie couple who shared some wine with us. An early night and we were back on the same beach the next morning this time with the sun shining!!
On the walk back we saw monkeys and marveled at the gorgeous scenery making the endless tricky and tiring walks all worth it.
No rest for the wicked and continuing our busy theme, we were up early the next day to go diving. We went with Poseidon Dive in Taganga who were great. Friendly, professional, with a great set up. After a refresher in the pool (neither of us had been diving for a number of years) we joined 2 other pairs of divers and took the boat 10 minutes around the bay. Jorge our Dive Master was great as were the crew and other divers and we had a great morning doing 2 dives and seeing lobsters, lion fish, trumper and parrot fish. Back on shore, we had lunch by Tanganga beach at Bitacora, which was recommended by the Dive Centre. We had robalo fillets, a local fish which was absolutely fantastic. A well deserved beer and margarita and we more than happy 🙂
Tiredbuthappytravels 