Santa Marta
Santa Marta is a medium-size city nestled on the Caribbean coast.
It’s far from being my favorite city in Colombia because there is not much to do in the center. Plus, the beaches are unpleasant and crowded with street vendors and foreigners.
But, Santa Marta is a touristic hub ideal for organizing your different activities and tours in the region. Thus, there is a high chance you will have to pass by there.
Decide what you wanna do in advance, try to minimize the time spend in Santa Marta, and you should be fine 😉
Also, some of you could appreciate the luxury beach Hotels Resorts in Rodadero and Bello Horizonte.
Where is Santa Marta
Santa Marta is near the Sierra Nevada, between Tayrona and Cartagena.
Why would you like to visit or pass by Santa Marta
- Exploring the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta and the national park of Tayrona
- Booking 5-day tour to the Ciudad Perdida
- Birdwatching in the Cuchillo San Lorenzo
- Passing your Open Water Diver Certification
- Because you’re coming from San Gil with the night bus
- Chill in a Luxury Beach Resort Hotel
- Organizing a trip to the La Guajira desert
How much do you need to enjoy Santa Marta and around
- Bus for traveling to Minca or Tayrona: Around 10 000 COP | 3 $
- Night in a dorm: Around 35 000 COP | 12 $
- Hotel in Rodadero (2 pers): Around 180 000 COP | 60 $
- Luxury Beach Resort hotel (2 pers): Around 900 000 COP | 300 $
- Open Water Diver Certification: Around 900 000 COP | 300 $
- The Lost City Trek: Around 1 100 000 COP | 330 $
- A trip to Playa Cristal: Around 110 000 COP | 37 $
Events in Santa Marta
- Fiesta del Mar: End of July
Best time to visit Santa Marta
- For the weather: From December to March and June to August
- High season: December to February
Safety advice
Santa Marta and Taganga are a bit dodgy at night. The Rodadero district is safer.
Where to go out in Santa Marta
- In the center of Santa Marta
- The hostel La Brisa Loca – wild party + Rooftop
- La Puerta – Nightclub
- Crab’s bar – Rock bar
- La Azotea – Nightclub with rooftop
- In Rodadero
- There are many bars and significant events for the celebrations like New Years Eve
- La Escollera is a nightclub on an island
- In Taganga
- El Mirador – Nightclub with view on the ocean
Where to stay in Santa Marta
The old center of Santa Marta is tiny and we don't recommend you to pick a hotel in Calle 11 and below. Most of the restaurants are located around Parque de Los Novios. Santa Marta can be quite dodgy at night. Use cabs at night if it's late and be aware of your surroundings. There are mosquitoes in Santa Marta. Take your repellent.
Hostel
Masaya
Upscale hotels. Nice building. Vast rooms. Bar and swimming pool. Many social events.Get the best price-
Hostel
Republica
Large hostel with 2 lovely courtyards. Fantastic social area with a bar and swimming pool. Events.Get the best price -
Hotel Boutique
Casa Carolina
Fantastic hotel with excellent facilities (Pool & Jacuzzi). Comfortable rooms. Delicious food.Get the best price -
Hotel
Camali
A bit far from Parque de Los Novios but excellent value for money. Pool. Awesome owners.Get the best price -
Hotel Boutique
Casa Mia
Small hotel with comfortable rooms. Excellent staff, always ready to help. Small pool.Get the best price -
Luxury
Don Pepe
Excellent facilities (Pool & jacuzzi) and beautiful rooms. Perfect service. Top-notch beds.Get the best price
Where to stay in Rodadero & Pozo Colorado
Rodadero is located 20 min away by taxi from the old center. It's like the Boca Grande of Cartagena. There are big buildings called hotel resorts and lots of restaurants. The beach is better than in Santa Marta but there are street sellers everywhere. If you're looking for something quieter and less touristy, I advise you to pick your hotel in Pozo Colorados.
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Hostel
Calle 11
Great hostel for people who want to party in Rodadero. Excellent social areas. Pool.Get the best price -
Hostel
Playa del ritmo
Lovely hostel with a private beach. Perfect for resting. Friendly staff and quiet location.Get the best price -
Upscale
Casa verano
Top-notch hotel with excellent services. Small and personalized. Delicious food. Pool. No kid.Get the best price
Things to do in Santa Marta
There is not much to do in Santa Marta. Some tourists decide to rent an apartment in Rodadero and enjoy the crowded beach below their balcony. Other travelers use it as a base to explore the surroundings mentioned below.
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Beach Tour
Cristal & Cinto
The best beaches "near" Santa Marta. Nobody knows about Cinto. Gorgeous reef.Learn more -
Beach
Playa Concha
Easy day trip to reach a lovely beach. Walk at the end of the beach to get the best spot.Learn more -
Extreme sport
Diving
You're allowed to dive in Tayrona Park. Not impressive reefs but cheap price.Learn more -
Museum
Gold Museum
A small collection of gold artifacts and some explanation about Santa Marta's history.Learn more -
Day trip
Tubing
Go down the river on an inner-tube. Don Diego is a river located 1h30 away from Santa Marta.Learn more -
Weekend trip
Cerro Kennedy
Go to Minca and start a 2-day hike to admire the sunrise from Cerro Kennedy. Great views!Learn more -
Weekend trip
Tayrona
Don't book a tour. It's useless. Start from Calabazo and explore Tayrona like nobody else.Learn more -
Weekend trip
Paso del Mango
Everyone goes to Minca to explore the Sierra Nevada. Be different and travel to Paso del MangoLearn more -
Weekend trip
Punta Gallinas
Go to the northernmost point of South America and admire the beauty of the La Guajira desert.Learn more -
Weekend trip
Aruhaco Stay
Live for 2 days in an Aruhaco community. Learn about their culture and ideology.Learn more -
Multi-day hike
The lost city
4-day trek through lush vegetation to admire the remnants of an old civilization.Learn more
More travel ressources
We spent more than 2 weeks in Santa Marta and wrote about our travel experiences.
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