How to Get to the Don Diego River from Santa Marta
Getting to Don Diego is very easy. Learn how to reach Don Diego and Taironaka in the Magdalena department from Santa Marta by private, public, or personal transportation.
Exploring the Charm of Don Diego from the City of Santa Marta!
If you're planning a getaway to the beautiful region of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, specifically to Don Diego in the Magdalena department, you've chosen a destination full of natural and cultural charm!
Getting there is very easy by private vehicle (parking available), private transport (which you can book with us), or even by taxi and public bus.
Step-by-Step Guide to Getting There from Santa Marta:
By Private Vehicle:
Take the Troncal del Caribe highway towards Palomino, La Guajira. At kilometer 56, you'll find the entrance to the town of Don Diego and the parking area for the Taironaka reserve, where our guides will be waiting for you. The parking service is free of charge. We can share the location via WhatsApp and provide any additional information you may need.
By Private Transport:
We can arrange private transportation from Santa Marta to Don Diego (round trip) with trusted drivers specialized in tourism. The cost varies depending on the number of passengers and the type of vehicle required (car, van, or bus). The assigned driver will pick you up and bring you back to Santa Marta from any location in the city. Prices start at $260,000 COP per trip for 1 - 4 people.
By Public Transport:
Head to the Santa Marta market (the starting point of the route) or to the Buenavista shopping mall. Look for the bus stop located at the pedestrian exit of the Éxito stores.
At the stop, wait for the bus going to Palomino, which passes every 15–20 minutes. The buses start their route from the Santa Marta market at 5:00 a.m. and run throughout the day until approximately 6:00 p.m. On Sundays and holidays, this schedule may vary slightly. The buses are blue, white, and green and belong to the Cootransoriente company.
Once on the bus, you can inform the driver that you're heading to Don Diego at kilometer 56. One of our guides, previously arranged, will be waiting for you at the main road where the bus drops you off to start your activity.
The bus fare is approximately $12,000 COP per person per trip, making it the most economical way to get there. Keep in mind that the bus ride takes about 2 hours per trip, while by car or taxi, the estimated time is 1 hour. During peak seasons, travel time may increase.
As you can see, discovering this hidden natural gem near Santa Marta is possible in many ways—no excuses! We’re waiting for you!
If you have any questions or need more information on how to get to Don Diego, feel free to contact us via WhatsApp.