Ciudad Perdida – Plan your trip.

How to get to Ciudad Perdida. →

Prices →

Climate + best time to go →

How long go →

Where to stay Santa Marta →

Important info A-Z →

How to get to Ciudad Perdida?

From Santa Marta (40 km), you can go to Ciudad Perdida with an official tour operator. You cannot do the trek on your own; it must be done with a certified guide. Only guides who hold the OPT (Operación de Programas Turísticos) certificate may take guests to the Ciudad Perdida. Check out the different
tours
 you can do to the Lost City in the Sierra Nevada.

From Santa Marta, a 4WD will take you to the park entrance in an hour. From there, it continues on an unpaved road to the village of Mamey (also called Machete Pelao), where the hiking trail begins. Accommodation is in hammocks or beds.

 

Prices

The Colombian government has set a fixed price for the trip of COP1,400,000/ 350€. (2022) This includes all food, filtered water, fruits/snacks, guide, transportation from Santa Marta, accommodation in beds or hammocks and entrance fees for the Teyuna Archaeological Park. Most tour operators also include travel insurance. Check this before you book.

Check here the
current exchange rate

Climate + best time to go

Climate
It is hot and humid in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The maximum temperature is 40 degrees. In the evening it cools off and the minimum temperature is 16 degrees. The dry season is from December to March.

Best time to go
You can do the trek to Ciudad Perdida all year round, except for the month of September. The trail is closed for a month each year so that the Indian community can hold ceremonies and nature can recover. The hike is best done in the dry season from December to March, when the trails are not muddy and the water in the river is lower. This makes it easier to cross the river.

How long to go?

If you are used to long hikes, you can do the 4-day trip. If you want to take it slower and hike fewer hours a day, you can do the 5-day trip. The price is the same no matter how many days you choose.

Important info A-Z

Baggage

Check with the tour operator if you can leave your backpack in the Santa Marta office. Then during the trip you only need to bring a small backpack. You have to carry the luggage yourself, so take as little as possible.

Taking photos

If you want to take a picture of the people of the Native American community, it is customary to ask permission. It is considered disrespectful to take pictures without permission

Packing List
  • Bottle of water
  • Sunscreen
  • Sunglasses
  • Hat or cap
  • Good anti-mosquito spray (with DEET)
  • Swimwear
  • Good hiking shoes
  • Sandals that are allowed to get wet
  • Airy clothing
  • Warmer shirt/pants for cooler nights
  • Plastic bags for dry storage of your belongings
  • Towel
  • Poncho (in rainy season)
  • Flashlight
  • Extra battery for camera
  • Cash
  • Copy passport
  • Antidiarrhea pills
  • Paracetamol
  • Ointment/pills for insect bites
Traveling with children

Unsure if the hike is suitable for your kids?

Then read the
tips
 from an official tour operator.

Language

If you don’t speak Spanish, ask in advance, if an English-speaking guide or translator will accompany you. An English-speaking guide can often be included on request

Telephone and wifi

There is no phone coverage anywhere on the trail.

Vaccinations

Yellow fever vaccination is recommended

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