Just outside Santa Marta, Playa Cristal is famous for its turquoise waters and soft sand beaches tucked in a mountain range.
When you’re in Santa Marta everyone tries to sell a Playa Cristal tour, but is it the best beach in Colombia like everyone says?
It’s hard to walk even a block in Santa Marta without someone trying to sell you a tour. Playa Cristal is in Tayrona National Park and you can only get there by boat or hiking there several hours.
There are a number of tour options by either taking a tour which stops at 7 Olas look out for a photo op and then taking a boat there, or going to Taganga by bus and catching a bus from there.
Or you can take a boat directly from Santa Marta to Playa Cristal.
I decided to do this as it’s the cheapest and fastest way, but is it the best? I spent the day at this beach on my own to check out the beach and local Colombian food.
Where is Playa Cristal?
Playa Cristal sits within Tayrona National Park on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. It’s a short trip from Santa Marta, making it perfect for a day visit.
The beach stands out because of its clear waters and the mountains that come right up to the shoreline.
The contrast of green forests meeting blue water creates a special spot unlike other beaches in Colombia.
How to Get There
You have three main options to reach Playa Cristal from Santa Marta.
The budget option costs about 102,000 pesos total. First take a 2,000 peso bus to Taganga. From Taganga, pay 100,000 pesos for a boat to Playa Cristal.
The direct boat costs 150,000 pesos. You can take a boat directly from Santa Marta to Playa Cristal. This saves time and avoids extra transfers.
For 170,000 pesos, you can take a tour with a hike. You get picked up by car, hike to the Seven Waves lookout point, then take a boat transfer to the beach.
The direct boat might be your best choice if you want simplicity. After a long beach day, going straight back to Santa Marta is more convenient than making transfers through Taganga.
This is what I did. But I will say that the water was very rough and everyone was soaked so make sure you have a dry bag.
Tour vs. Independent Visit
A tour offers several advantages. National park entrance fees are included, with foreigners paying about 30,000 pesos more than Colombians.
Transportation is handled for you. You get first aid assistance with a bracelet for your entrance. The park limits visitors to 300 per day, keeping crowds manageable. Someone watches your belongings while you swim.
Going independently means more flexibility but requires more planning to arrange transportation and entrance fees.
What to Bring
Cash is essential for food, drinks and rentals. Bring a waterproof bag for the boat ride as the sea can get rough.
Pack sunscreen and a hat for sun protection. Water shoes help with rocky areas. In fact, almost all Colombians I saw wore them no matter how soft the sand was.
Bring snorkel gear or plan to rent it there.
If you want to stay out of the sun there are tents to rent and plenty of shady trees for free.
Food Options
You’ll find several restaurants at Playa Cristal.
The main beach restaurants assign you a table when you arrive. They take your order when you arrive and ask when you want it. Prices range from 45,000 to 75,000 pesos for meals.
El Restaurante El Mirador (look off) sits on a hill with amazing views. It has a minimum consumption of 5,000 pesos, which is just the cost of a traditional Colombian drink such as juice or beer.
I went up for the views and it’s worth the short climb.
They serve the same food as beach restaurants but with better views. Beer costs 6,000 pesos and Colombian fruit juice costs 5,000 pesos.
You can also bring your own food and drinks to save money. But I didn’t think anything was overly expensive and comparable to Santa Marta restaurants.
Traditional Foods to Try
The must-try meal at Playa Cristal is pescado frito (fried fish). This coastal Colombian dish typically includes locally caught fish, with mojarra being common.
It comes with coconut rice, patacones (fried plantains), a small side salad, and lime to squeeze over the fish.
Meals often start with soup, following Colombian tradition. The coconut rice is especially good, with a hint of sweetness that pairs perfectly with the fish.
Some of the restaurants have traditional Colombian snacks and drinks.
Activities at Playa Cristal
Swimming and snorkeling are popular at Playa Cristal. The clearest water is at the far end of the beach. Just be careful around coral areas to avoid damage and injury.
Make sure to visit the lookout points. El Mirador restaurant offers fantastic views of the entire beach. Several other lookout points show different angles of the beach. The small hike is worth it for photos.
You can rent a beach tent for 50,000 pesos for the day. These fit four people, so you can share with others to split the cost.
Relaxing is perhaps the best activity here. The beach is peaceful with limited visitors. Find a shady spot away from the main area for the most tranquility.
Is it Safe?
Playa Cristal is relatively safe for visitors. Everyone arrives on tours, creating a community feeling. Staff watch belongings while you swim, which reduces theft risk.
The 300-person limit keeps the beach from getting crowded. Medical assistance is available, included with your entrance fee. Local staff help enforce safety rules.
If you’re concerned about traveling in the country check out this post with Colombia safety tips.
Is it Worth Going?
Playa Cristal lives up to its reputation as one of Colombia’s best beaches, but with some qualifications.
The pros include beautiful clear water, an impressive mountain backdrop, controlled visitor numbers, good food options and a safe environment.
There are some cons to consider. The boat ride can be rough, so prepare to get wet. The sand isn’t pure white as some expect from photos.
Some vendors feed fish with crackers despite rules against it. Prices are higher than other beaches in the area.
The best parts are the views from the lookout points and the unique setting where mountains meet the sea. The actual beach is nice but not extraordinary. It’s the whole package that makes it special.
Best Tips for Visiting
Order your lunch early upon arrival. Food preparation takes time, and you’ll want to eat when you’re hungry.
Or head to the mirador first for views and consider eating lunch there. The panoramic vista gives you a perfect introduction to the area.
Go to the far end of the beach for the clearest water. This area is less crowded and has that emerald green water you see in photos.
Book your return boat in advance so you don’t get stranded. The boats leave at specific times.
Negotiate prices but remember the difference might only be a few dollars. Sometimes it’s worth paying a bit more for convenience.
Prepare for a potentially rough boat ride by securing valuables in waterproof bags. Many visitors get soaked during the journey.
Visit on a weekday if possible for fewer people. The experience is much better when the beach isn’t at its visitor limit.
Playa Cristal offers a great day trip from Santa Marta with reasonable prices for what you get. The combination of mountains, forest and sea creates a memorable experience worth the journey.
While it might not be the absolute best beach in Colombia as some claim, it’s certainly a special place that should be on everyone’s list.