Taganga is a wonderful and picturesque village near Santa Marta in Columbia. Local and foreign visitors alike frequently visit this stunning location. Despite being small in size, the place is quite charming, and many things are worth exploring. Beautiful desert mountains with abundant native vegetation and animals surround this lovely village. Millions of fish and corals are accessible by short excursions and snorkelling out to the reefs. And the only way you’ll be able to explore all the things this gorgeous place offers is if you stay in some of the best hostels in Taganga.
Our favorite hostels in Taganga are:
- Nirvana Hostel - best for Socialising
- Hostal Palohe Taganga - best for Chill Vibes
- La Tortuga Hostel - best for Backpackers
The best-known beach close to Taganga is Playa Grande, which makes it unquestionably one of the top locations to visit. Mountains encircle this little bay, and its clear waters and white sand contribute to its stunning appearance. But Playa Grande is only accessible from Taganga because there is no road there. You have two options: go on a trek (not advised for safety reasons) or take a five-minute boat excursion.
A licensed tourism agency in town will help you arrange a fishing trip or let one of the neighbourhood fishermen take you out. The latter choice will undoubtedly be the most affordable, but it requires some Spanish proficiency. If you wish to attempt spearfishing, this place will also provide you with that opportunity.
Read: full guide to the absolute best hostels in Colombia – which is your favourite hostel in Colombia?
Tayrona National Park, a well-known natural Colombian protectorate, is a 150-square-kilometre (58 square miles) park with an extension of 30 kilometres (18.6 miles) in the Caribbean Sea. A bus trip to Tayrona National Park from Taganga takes one hour. The park is noteworthy for its deer, bats, mantled howler, and oncilla, in addition to more than 400 other kinds of birds and animals that call it home. Some of them are endangered, such as the cotton-top tamarin.
Money-saving tip: Compare hostel prices with Hostelz.com. They compare prices from Hostelworld, Booking.com and others with 1 click.
1. Nirvana Hostel
2. Hostal Palohe Taganga
3. La Tortuga Hostel
Other activities that you can indulge in here include hiking and mountain biking. There are many coral reefs, coconut palm trees, lush forests, and rivers nearby that invite for exploring. And once you’re done examining the aquatic world, allow the never-ending party vibe to put you in a good mood, as this is a place where the music never seems to cease.
Playa Grande beach, a beautiful and tranquil stretch of beachfront along the Pacific Coast, serves as a leatherback turtle nesting site. Between May and October, this 2.1-meter (7-foot) long lizard visits the shore at night to lay its eggs. Due to this, the beach closes before 6 o’clock to make place for its night-time patrons.
This stunning location is known for its tiny waves, which makes it ideal for snorkelling, kayaking, and surfing. However, swimming might be a little difficult owing to the strong currents.
This guide is perfect for YOU, when you…
- are tired of crappy hostels!
- want a social Hostel to actually meet people
- are happy to spend $1 to $2 more for a much better experience
What do we cover in this article?
You can find all 5 Star Hostels here with Hostelgeeks and all guides to “Best Hostels In” here.
Quick Introduction to Taganga
Average price for a bed: Hostels in Taganga cost 7$ – 14$ per night for a bed in a dorm. A private room has an average of around 30$ per night. This is a rough average, just to give you an idea.
Prices always depend on the season and holidays. Please always check the exact rates on Hostelz.com or Hostelworld.com.
Check-In and Check Out: The average check-in time is from 15:00 (3 pm), while the Check-Out time is before 11:00 (11 am). Hostels usually offer luggage storage in case you arrive earlier or leave later. Make sure you check if luggage storage is free or if there is an extra cost.
And before we present you with our list of best hostels in Taganga, have a glance at the following backpacking tips that are bound to enhance your travelling experience.
Backpacking tips for Taganga:
- Even though Taganga is a well-liked tourist destination, there are still some infrastructural and public service issues there. Due to the area’s protracted droughts, a lot of hotels, businesses, and households get tanker deliveries of water.
- Taganga is a town full of hard-working, friendly people, and it has slowly recovered since. Outside the village (15 minutes walk), there are quite a few little beaches that are connected by trails covered in foliage. It’s preferable to use a boat if you have valuables with you and don’t feel daring.
- There are three ATMs, including ones from BancoColombia and Davievienda. If you run out of cash, take the bus to Santa Marta and get out along the street adjacent to the beach; numerous banks are nearby. It has been claimed that certain international banks’ cards don’t function. Numerous hostels and diving shops additionally allow credit card payments (although there may be a surcharge).
- Have a look at the handcrafted Kogi and Wayu shoulder bags. Fantastic craftsmanship that is very Colombian! There are several local booths selling typical handicrafts, bags, hammocks, etc.Because Taganga is a tourist destination, be ready to haggle hard but still anticipate paying considerably more than at the market in Santa Marta!
- Scuba diving has become quite popular in this area. The little island “Aguja,” a component of Tayrona National Park, is close to several diving locations. There are a dozen diving schools in the area, but you should be cautious about where you take your lessons. However, you should take precautions when enrolling in these classes and validate that the teacher of your choice is a real instructor.
🎁 New to Hostels? Read our guide to staying in a Hostel for the First Time here. We especially recommend reading:
- How to book hostels? (and websites to save $)
- 23 clever items: the hostel packing list to download
- How does the Hostelworld App work exactly? Our Advanced Guide
The 3 Best Hostels in Taganga are …
Let’s jump right into the coolest hostels in Taganga.
- Nirvana Hostel – best for Socialising
- Hostal Palohe Taganga – best for Chill Vibes
- La Tortuga Hostel – best for Backpackers
These are our favorite hostels in Taganga. We want to make your life even easier, so we put all accommodations on a map for you. We even added our own tips for favorite restaurants, things to see, and more.
1. Nirvana Hostel
2. Hostal Palohe Taganga
3. La Tortuga Hostel
Overview: Best Hostels by Traveler Type
| 🦸 Solo Traveler: | La Tortuga Hostel |
| 🎒 for Backpacker: | La Tortuga Hostel |
| 👫 For Socializing: | Nirvana Hostel |
| 👩❤️👨 Couple Hostel: | Hostal Palohe Taganga |
| 👨👩👦 Family Hostel: | Nirvana Hostel |
| 👩💻 For Digital Nomads: | Hostal Palohe Taganga |
| 🧘 Cozy Hostel: | Hostal Palohe Taganga |
1. Nirvana Hostel
First on our list of best hostels in Taganga is the ideal lodging for any traveller looking to unwind and have a great experience at the same time! Situated in the village centre and only two minutes from the beach, Nirvana Hostel aims to provide its customers with a top-notch experience. Taking care of all the little details and ensuring that everything is spotless.
The hostel offers a wide range of amenities and a huge variety of accommodations. Every bedroom has air conditioning, a private bathroom, daily room cleaning, and music in the common spaces. The staff is dedicated to keeping everything clean, which is what many guests admire this hostel for.
Nirvana hostel has a patio with a garden, a swimming pool, and a bar with the best and most affordable drinks in town. The guests are also presented with a shared TV area with DVDs, a wide selection of movies, and a PlayStation. This place has a 24-hour reception, laundry service, exceptional food available at all times, and staff that is aimed to answer all of your inquiries.
The property can provide information on all the things to do in Taganga and the surrounding area, including Tayrona Park, Lost City, Minca, the Sierra Nevada, diving, fishing, surfing, kayaking, and more. Another great thing is that the main square and the bay are 200 m away. Nearby beaches are Playa de Taganga (300 m), Taganga Beach (300 m), and Playa Grande (950 m).
An honest piece of advice from us- watch the sunset on the swing in front of the hostel. We’re sure that it will be the experience you’ll remember this trip for.
Location: Hostel Nirvana Taganga is an 80-minute drive from Simon Bolivar airport. The main square and the bay are 200 m away.
The best choice in Taganga for
- Socialising
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
2. Hostal Palohe Taganga
Next on our list of best hostels in Taganga is Hostal Palohe Taganga. The property features several hammocks in a lovely garden and an adorable tiny pool. Guliano and Miro, the hostel’s managers, are incredibly kind and available all day to assist you with everything you might need.
In addition, there is free Wi-Fi available throughout the property, air conditioning in every room, and private bathrooms. A fitness centre and a communal lounge are also left at the guests’ disposal. Regarding lodging options, you can pick from dorms, semi-private, or private rooms that can hold up to 36 people. All the guest house rooms have a patio with a mountain view, a closet, and bed linens.
Numerous amenities are available at Hostal Palohe, such as a restaurant, common spaces with satellite TV, sunbeds, and peaceful patios with magnificent mountain views. Self-service laundry, free baggage storage, and lockers are also available.
The staff can organise day trips to Parque Nacional Tayrona and its stunning uninhabited beaches, diving lessons, and various other tours.
Location: This hostel is close to several noted attractions, around 100 m from Playa de Taganga, 100 m from Taganga Beach and less than 1 km from Playa Grande.
A great choice for
- Chill Vibes
- Digital Nomads
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
3. La Tortuga Hostel
La Tortuga Hostel is definitely a place to call home! It provides both comfort and affordability, so you won’t be forced to choose between the two. This is an exceptionally clean hostel that provides a welcoming atmosphere that will let you feel relaxed while, at the same time, giving you the opportunity to meet new people and have fun. The convenient location allows visitors to easily partake in a Tortuga trip, or perhaps scuba diving, partying, or just relaxing at the beach.
La Tortuga provides tidy private rooms and dormitories with ensuite bathrooms, as well as a spectacular roof bar where you can see the most beautiful sunsets every single day. Their rooms come with a minibar, a private bathroom with a shower, and a balcony with a view of the ocean. No matter the length of your stay, be sure that you enjoy the attractive swimming pool and free Wi-Fi, which is available throughout.
Location: Some of the beaches close to this hostel include Playa de Taganga (350 m) and Playa Grande (750 m). The famous hacienda, the death place of Simon Bolivar, called Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, is 4.8 km away.
This is one of the best hostels in Taganga for
- Backpackers
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
This concludes our list of recommendations for some of the best hostels in Taganga. Whether you’re planning to stay for a night or for the week, we are sure that you will love Taganga! Be sure to grasp everything that this fishing village has to offer!
Best Hostels in Taganga for Solo Travelers?
We think that the best hostel in Taganga is La Tortuga Hostel. You can read about it here.
Check prices at:
Hostelworld | Booking.com | Hostelz.com
More Hostels worth a mention
At the moment, we think you are all set with the hostels we just shared with you. We always try to keep our guides super fresh and up to date. We might add more hostels worth a mention here in the future if we feel that it could enrich your travel and hostel experience.
What about the cheapest hostels in Taganga?
Of course, there are always cheap hostels. But how do you actually find them? When you are traveling on a shoe-string budget and you want to save every dollar, there are ways to find the cheapest places in Taganga.
- Open Hostelz.com with a full list of all hostels in Taganga
- add your dates
- Order the listings by price
Simple as that.
Hostelz.com is a price comparison site for hostels. They list every single one in the world and tells you exactly which website is cheaper to use.
Another smart Tip: Check what is actually included, and what is excluded. Take a closer look at the location, too. A further location might mean more costs in transport.
Any Discounts?
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How to book?
The most popular booking platforms are Booking.com and Hostelworld.com. On both platforms, your credit card is 100% protected and the booking 100% confirmed.
We included some handy links to each of the recommended hostel. Just click on the hostel name. The link will lead you to check prices and availability.
Read: Step-by-Step guide on how to book with Hostelworld
We recommend booking your hostel as early as possible! All of Taganga best hostels are popular; especially in high-season. To make sure you end up in those stylish and good hostels, secure your room/bed as soon as you have your travel dates fix.
The coolest Hostel App you need comes as well from Hostelworld. It gives you super cool features like you can contact your hostel mates beforehand, ask questions, and make plans together. Find more details in our review of the app.
Scan the QR Code with your Smartphone to download the Hostelworld App from the App Store - like a real Hostel Geek!
Need an eSIM Card for Taganga?
Get your eSIM Card with Airalo.com instantly online. It is easy to set up and cheap! Read our review of Airalo here.
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Our Favorite Hostels in Taganga put on a map + sights
We’re listing all the three best Taganga hostels on a map to give you an idea of the location and distances between them.
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FAQs
Here we share with you the most asked question:
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Flights to Taganga?
We use Skyscanner and Omio.com to find cheap flights and good connections all over the globe.
Skyscanner has a bunch of cool features like Multi-City Trip. Instead of doing this research step-by-step, Skyscanner offers this flight planning tool.
More handmade Guides for you
Alright, this is your answer to where to stay in Taganga, Colombia.
As you know by now, Colombia has awesome backpacker places to stay. So, we have more guides for you:
- 43 Best Hostels in Colombia – full country guide + map
- Best Hostels in Cartagena
- Best Hostels in Cali
- Best Hostels in Medellin
- Best Hostels in Bogota
- Best Hostels in Salento
- Best Hostels in Santa Marta
- Best Hostels in San Andres
- Best Hostels in Palomino
- Best Hostels in Guatape
- Best Hostels in Minca
- Best Hostels in Popayan
Party hostels in Colombia:
- coolest party hostels in Cartagena de Indias
- coolest party hostels in Bogota
- coolest party hostels in Medellin
Over to you
Do you have any questions left, maybe doubts? Then please leave it in the comment below. We are very keen to help you - and actually you would even do us a favor!
Your question will help us to improve this Taganga guide.
Last note: Our commitment
This is a genuine article to help you travel a bit smarter, and find the best place on a budget! We will never recommend you any place we haven’t evaluated or are not convinced by. We are constantly updating all our guides to keep them as fresh and accurate as possible.
Safe travels,
The Hostelgeeks
