Best hostel in Tayrona Colombia for around $10CAD/night, as well as best dive center?

I seriously doubt you can find any hostel bed or campsite in Tayrona for $10 CAD. It's been several years since I've been, but the lodging places in Tayrona have a reputation for charging outrageous prices. It's a monopoly thing.

You cannot find a hammock for that cheap. I stayed at the end beach where the boat goes in and out and where you can swim. While the beach is nice the "lodging" area is filthy with over priced food. It was the only place in Colombia that I did not love but it may appeal to others. I imagine you could pitch your tent at one of the camps but it definitely will not be for free.

For that price, you might be able to get a hammock in one of the campgrounds in Arrecifes (try Finca Don Pedro). The accommodations in Tayrona are overrated and overpriced. However, there are a few places just outside of the park that are pretty nice, and have a decent range of accommodation. Hostal Yuluka has a dorm room with A/C, and if I remember correctly, the dorms are within your price range. It's less than a 5min bus trip from the park, and the guy running the hostel will give you a free lift to the park. Also, there are many interesting beaches, rivers, and waterfalls in the immediate area. If I were you, I would stay somewhere just outside of the park, and make a day trip to Tayrona. You can easily enjoy the beaches in one day. Just get an early start, and give yourself sufficient time to start walking back before nightfall (you don't want to be stuck walking in the dark). Here's the TripAdvisor page for Yuluka:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g297484-d1636451-Reviews-Ecohostal_Yuluka-Santa_Marta_Santa_Marta_District_Magdalena_Department.html

The place is quite nice, and the staff are full of information in regards to activities in the area. Staying there would put you in a good opportunity to enjoy the park, while taking advantage of the many cool things to do in the area. Also, some of the campgrounds in and around arrecifes will let you pitch a tent. However, you should check weather conditions before you decide to camp in a tent. A couple of years ago, I brought my own tent to Sapzurro, and camped during the rainy season. Needless to say, I spent a couple of miserable and sleepless nights while it poured buckets of rain for hours on end. After the 2nd night, I wound up getting a bed in the dorm.

I did an open water dive with Octopus Dive Center a few years ago. For two dives, the cost was about 150,000 Cop (everything included and taxi ride from the center to my hostel). The diving was just ok, but for the price, I couldn't complain. I'm not sure what they charge for open water certification. However, their dive prices were pretty cheap, so I imagine their courses probably follow suit.

Safe Travels!

Thank you! That was all super helpful!!

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