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Mountainous area where the Kogi indigenous population live. The Kogi are part of the Tayrona culture. The park is home to a fascinating archaeological site called Ciudad Perdida with its many tiered terraces. The Tayrona maintain that it's only the Hispanic interlopers who consider the site "lost": the Tayrona never lost track of it.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
This large park in the mountains abutting the modern city of Santa Marta was established to protect spiritual centers important to the native Tayrona cultures. Many indigenous persons continue to inhabit the mountains to this day. The park closes periodically to let the land rest and recover its spiritual energies. Closing dates are:
** from February 1st to 15th (during the Kugkui shikasa season),
** from June 1st to 15th (during the Saka Juso season), and
** from October 19th to November 2nd (during the Nabbatashi season)
The official name is Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino. Beautiful and very interesting gardens, lots of iguanas, study the map before getting any further. The guide will tell you only about the buildings and the history of the "Libertador".
They offer motorcycle rentals, lessons, and motorcycle tours spanning 1-7 days. Run by a pair of young Americans, new business with nice new bikes. Rentals around US$30/day, Tours under US$100/day, all inclusive, varies by tour. Run from Drop Bear Hostel.
Displays a collection of precolumbian pottery, a nice collection of gold and a scale model of Ciudad Perdida.