The Tayrona National Park was created by the 191st Law of the Colombian Institute for Agrarian Reform, in order to guarantee the protection of the region and the preservation of the ecological environment.
Geography
The park has an area of 150 square kilometers. It is located in the jurisdiction of the Santa Marta municipality, in the Department of Magdalena, alonged the north coast of Colombia which borders on the Caribbean Sea. Taganga is its most southern part; its western boundary goes toward the northeast following the coastline, including a kilometer of sea area, until the Piedras River. The boundary follows the left side of the river until the North Highway, and then toward the west, crossing the following places with clear demarcations in the terrain:
Santa Rosa Hill
Tovar Hill
Guacamayo Pick
Aguas Muertas Hill
Cielito Pick
Hondonada Site
Humo Hill
It also crosses several creeks, like the Piedras River, Cañaveral, Santa Rosa, La Boquita, Cinto, and other water branches, including the Rodríguez and Gairaca creeks.
Climate
Temperatures in the park and surrounding citites range from at sea level. Rainfall in this region varies from nothing to around per month, but overall the climate is tropical and hot, with agriculture requiring irrigation from streams that drain from the snowy peaks.
Flora and fauna
Scholars have done an extensive classification of animal species living in the park, which include about 108 species of mammals and 300 species of birds. The Mantled howler, the oncilla, deer and more than 70 species of bats are among the park's typical residents. The park's 300 species of birds include the montane solitary eagle, the military macaw, black-backed antshrike, white-bellied antbird and the lance-tailed manakin. There are also approximately 31 species of reptiles, 15 species of amphibians, 202 species of sponges, 471 species of crustaceans, 96 species of annelids, 700 species of molluscs, 110 species of corals and 401 species of sea and river fish. There are more than 350 algae and more than 770 species of plants. It is one of three national parks in the Colombian Caribbean with coral reefs on its territories, the other two being Old Providence McBean Lagoon and Rosario and San Bernardo Corals.
Archaeology
There is archaeological evidence of ancient human settlements in the area of the park up until the 16th century. The place now has facilities for the eco-tourism, with paths suitable for walks. The Archaeologic Museum of Chairama is located in the Cañaveral Site, near the mouth of the Piedras River. Other places which attract visitors are Los Naranjos Path, Castilletes Beach, The Pool, the Piedras River and the San Juan Out. The site of El Pueblito was a popular hike but is currently closed in 2019 due to the wishes of the indigenous residents.
