Playa Grande is a cove beach located just north of Taganga, a small fishing village near Santa Marta on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. It can be accessed by a 30-minute hike over a coastal hill or by a 5-minute boat ride from Taganga’s main beach. The beach is framed by steep cliffs with rustic cabanas and hostels perched above. Playa Grande is popular with Colombian tourists on weekends and holidays. The beachfront is lined with small, open-air restaurants serving traditional coastal dishes like fried fish (mojarra or pargo rojo), coconut rice, and patacones (fried plantain slices). Vendors also offer ceviche, cold drinks, and local snacks. Activities available at the beach include banana boat and tubing rides, which depart from the shoreline and loop through the bay. Snorkeling is also possible in some areas, especially around the rocky points at either end of the beach. Playa Grande is not part of Tayrona National Natural Park, so there is no entrance fee, and it is often used as a more accessible alternative for those without time to explore deeper into the park.