Pristine golden sands and tranquil turquoise waters, creating a perfect paradise for relaxation and rejuvenation. That’s exactly what you’ll need after a big night. Costeño Beach Hostel is one of our, if not our favourite hostel of all time! We had such a great time here and can’t praise it anymore.
This blog shows off this great hostel and the area it sits. Taking you through how to get there to how long you should stay. This hostel is extremely popular during the right season so make sure to book in advance.
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- How to get there?
- What to do in Costeño?
- Where else can you stay?
- Where to eat?
- How long to stay for?
How to get there?
From Palomino
Take any bus passing on the main highway (Troncal del Caribe) in the direction of Santa Marta, and let the driver know you want to get off at Costeño Beach. You can flag these buses, but the easiest option is to take one that’s often parked up on the side of the road.
Read our What to do in Palomino, Colombia post next.
From Santa Marta
The Tayrona bus departs every 15 minutes from the corner of Calle 11 and Carrera 9, however passengers should request to be dropped off at the ‘Costeño Beach Entrance / Costeño Entrada’ after a 10-minute ride.
Leaving from the Santa Marta Bus Terminal | This terminal is actually a 15-20 minute cab trip outside of Santa Marta’s city centre, but you may be connecting here. To get to Palomino, take any bus heading there and ask the driver to drop you off near the Costeño entrance.
Read our Why visit Santa Marta, Colombia post next.
From the Costeño entrance
The beach entrance is located on the major highway, a few kilometres from Costeño’s hotel options. You may walk along the well-signposted trail for around 25 minutes or take a mototaxi for 3,000 COP. Take note that the mototaxi drivers can transport both you and your large rucksack on a single motorcycle.
Side note : Keep in mind that arriving at Costeño without a reservation is highly unlikely. Before you are permitted admission to the’resort-like’ area, you will arrive at a guard’s office, where he will have a list of every expected arrival at each hostel. If you don’t have a reservation, it looks that you’ll have to rely on the guard to call around and verify availability, rather than going door-to-door as usual. This is another reason to book ahead!
When you wish to depart, you will need to take a mototaxi or walk down the road. If walking is for you then make sure your backpack is up to scratch.
Check out our Best Travel Backpacks
What to do in Costeño?
Surfing Lessons
While swimming in the ocean is strictly discouraged (the currents may be quite dangerous), going surfing is quite prevalent. For surf-related activities, visit Costeño Beach Hostel and Surf Camp.
Which if you’re staying at Costeño Beach Hostel, makes it rather convenient.
Side Note : Please keep in mind that when it is windy (like it was during our visit), the waves here are extremely dangerous for beginners.
Tayrona National Park
Costeño is conveniently located just a 15-minute mototaxi ride from the main Park gate, avoiding the hour-long journey from Santa Marta. Tayrona Park is a must do on your Colombian itinerary.
For more information on it take a look at our Why visit Santa Marta, Colombia
Beach Volleyball
Just outside Costeño beach hostel there is a volleyball net that is perfect to use during the last few hours of sunlight.
Sunset lover
Talking about the last few hours of sunlight, be sure to not miss the sunsets along the beach. Every night offers a great sunset, and if you’re like us and lucky enough to have a quick thunderstorm, the sky goes crazy with colour.
How long to stay for?
Costeño beach is the type of spot where you might stop before or after visiting Tayrona National Park, spend a few days, and then continue your journey eastward or westward down the coast. That’s not to suggest you shouldn’t come. In fact, if you’re looking for somewhere to say you’ve had a successful day merely by getting up, moving to the beach, and slinking off to a bar to have a few beers as the sun sets, then Costeño is the place to go!
Where else to stay?
As we have mentioned Costeño Beach hostel is a popular stay! There are a couple of other options in the immediate area that might take your fancy, especially if Costeño beach turned into a spontaneous stop off!
However do note to secure your preferred accommodation in Costeño, book as early as possible, especially for individual rooms, which tend to sell out quickly. The location of your stay in Costeño is crucial, as there are no villages or towns near the beach.
Just lying a few hundred metres down the beach is La Bria Tranquil. A luxury private suite paradise to be completely treating yourself.
Here you can have the quiet and super relaxation with the option of a party down the road!
Other options around the area are similar to La Brisa Tranquila in terms of a more luxurious experience for the backpackers with the deeper pockets. But we also understand the importance or a treat after months in a bunkbed!
The names of the hotels listed below are just right for that:
Where to Eat in Costeño?
Unfortunatley this is not a list of must-try eateries, but rather a reminder that the Costeño Beach area has limited dining alternatives due to the beach, hostels, and lodges.
Tayrona Tented Lodge provides all meals, Costeño Beach offers a daily set menu for both guests and non-guests, and La Brisa has a fixed menu regardless of the day. If you’re trying to discover somewhere to prepare your own food, we’re sad to inform you that this is not going to be possible.
Non-guests can eat at most hostel restaurants; simply wander in from the beach.
If planning to travel Colombia for a decent amount of time, take a peak at Our Colombia 6 Week Itinerary.
Also make sure to keep up to date with all our Colombia blog posts here.
Hope you found this helpful and don’t be afraid to leave a comment or email us with any questions!