Location
Colombia
Status
Informal / Traditional
Suitable for
Adults only
Terrain
Sand
Best season
December to April
About Boca De Saco, Playa Nudista
Boca del Saco (also written Boca de Saco) is a wide, wild beach of white sand inside Tayrona National Natural Park, east of Santa Marta on Colombia's Caribbean coast. It lies just beyond Cabo San Juan, the park's best-known beach and campsite, and is backed by palms and dense jungle, with big boulders at its ends and old dry roots half-buried in the sand. Because it is the most remote of the beaches on the main coastal trail and rarely busy, it has become Colombia's best-known place to sunbathe nude, used by both Colombian and foreign visitors, many of them backpackers staying at Cabo San Juan. It is not legally designated as a nudist beach; nudity is simply customary here. The sea is the critical issue: the waves are large and violent, currents are strong and the sand shelves unstably, and a sign on the path warns that around 100 people have drowned at this beach. The park does not allow swimming here, so treat it as a place to sunbathe and paddle at the edge only. There are no services on the beach itself.
Getting there
From Santa Marta take a bus or taxi to the El Zaino entrance of Tayrona National Park (entry fee payable; check opening dates, as the park closes for short periods each year). A shuttle runs to the trailhead near Cañaveral, then it is roughly a 2-3 hour walk on jungle trails and sand via Arrecifes, La Piscina and Cabo San Juan. From the Cabo San Juan camping area a trail of about 15-20 minutes leads on to Boca del Saco. Horses and boats from Taganga to Cabo San Juan are alternatives. Not wheelchair accessible.
What visitors say
Visitors describe a beautiful, uncrowded beach with a jungle backdrop where many people sunbathe nude or topless without fuss, though plenty stay in swimwear. Most are foreign backpackers combining it with a night at Cabo San Juan. The universal warning is the dangerous surf: people say the waves look inviting but are strong, and nobody should swim. The long, hot walk in is the other common complaint, along with the lack of shade and services on the sand.
Summarised in our own words from public reviews and guides listed under Sources.
Legal context
Boca del Saco is not legally designated as a nude beach; nude sunbathing is customary because of its remoteness and is not actively prevented. Tayrona National Park (Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia) prohibits swimming at this beach because of drownings, and park rules on litter and conduct apply (reports 2017-2025).
Naturism at Boca De Saco, Playa Nudista sits under Colombia's rules for traditional tolerance — custom more than statute.
Full country law: Colombia public nudity guide.
Researched 24 October 2026. No official source confirms naturist status, so treat it as unverified.
Location
View on interactive map
Approx. 11.3310, -73.9689
Visitor tips
- 1 Informal / tolerated site — be discreet and leave no drama.
- 2 Towel, water, sunscreen. Sit on your own towel.
- 3 No photos without clear consent.
- 4 Check access, tides, and parking before you go.
- 5 House rules and local custom can be stricter than the law.
More in Colombia
Frequently asked questions
Is Boca del Saco an official nude beach?
No. It is not legally designated, but nude sunbathing is customary because the beach is remote and quiet.
Can I swim there?
No. The park prohibits swimming because of violent waves and strong currents, and a sign warns of around 100 drownings.
How do I get there?
Walk about 2-3 hours from the Tayrona park entrance area via Arrecifes and Cabo San Juan, then 15-20 minutes further on a trail.
Are there facilities?
None on the beach; restaurants, camping and cabins are at Cabo San Juan nearby.
Sources
Important
Beach status changes. Verify current conditions before you go. This is guidance, not legal advice.
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