Travelers visiting Santa Marta Colombia come for many reasons: to explore the pristine beaches of Tayrona National Park, travel to the coffee wonderland of Minca, learn to scuba dive in Taganga, prepare for the Lost City trek, or just relax in chilled-out, beachy Palomino. Regardless of their initial intentions, travelers often find Santa Marta to be a beautiful colonial city full of history and adventure, surrounded by beautiful natural attractions. And most end up staying a little longer than they’d planned so they can explore it all!
Santa Marta is Colombia’s oldest surviving city (and the second-oldest in all of South America). It was “discovered” by the Spaniards in 1525, and now has more than half a million residents. (For more of its history, check out this overview of Santa Marta’s origin story here). The city is located on Colombia’s Caribbean coast and serves as the gateway to many of the region’s top attractions, including Tayrona National Park, Ciudad Perdida (the “Lost City”), Minca and Taganga.
There are a few different ways to get to Santa Marta, Colombia. The easiest way is to fly into the Simon Bolivar International Airport (SMR), which has both domestic and international flights. It is popular to catch flights from Medellin, Bogota and Cali to Santa Marta, mainly because these internal flights are relatively cheap and the bus journeys are long! Once you're at the airport, you can take a shuttle, bus, or taxi into the city center.
You can get direct flights to Santa Marta from Medellín, Bogota & Cali, as well as from Panama City, However, for whatever reason, there is not a direct flight from Cartagena. LATAM, Avianca, and Copa Airlines all offer good options to fly to Santa Marta.
Pro Tip: Budget airlines like Viva Air and Wingo can be cheaper but they often lack the amenities that larger companies offer. It's also worth checking if carry-on luggage is included in your ticket price or not. These additional fees can sometimes make their prices closer to those offered by larger carriers like Avianca (so make sure to read the details!)
If you're coming from another city in Colombia, like Cartegena you can also take a bus. There are several different bus companies that operate routes to Santa Marta, and depending on where you are coming from, the various journies can take anywhere from 6-10 hours.
The bus from Cartagena to Santa Marta should take about 5 hours. But remember, that’s Colombian time! So don’t be surprised if it takes much longer for no apparent reason - so plan for 6+
There are 2 bus companies servicing the route between Cartagena and Santa Marta: Berlinas and MarSol. MarSol is cheaper with larger buses while Berlinas is slightly more expensive with smaller buses.
From talking the route many times and speaking with many travelers we would down recommend Berlinas over MarSol, however, if one fits your schedule better or you're trying to save a few COP, don't sweat it - both will get you to where you need to go. In general, having tried many bus booking sites/apps over the years, we would recommend you check out Busbud to compare routes prices and companies throughout your journey in Colombia and beyond.
Though Santa Marta’s true gift is the beautiful scenery surrounding the city, the downtown area is bustling with restaurants, bars, and attractions that are absolutely worth the visit. If you find yourself downtown, here are some good options for fun and entertainment:
Sit on a shady bench and watch locals mix and mingle in this recently remodeled park. When inspiration strikes, head to one of the restaurants or bars located all around the park for a beer and a snack or pick up some delicious street food from one of the many local vendors. From Salchipapa (mixture of french fries, sausages, and cheese), a fantastic late-night drunken snack, to the more classic arepas and empanadas, the street food in Santa Marta is some of the best.
If you looking for something a little fancier (or celebrating a special occasion) Ouzu Restauraunte is a great option, but Radio Burger and El Rego Gastro Bar are just as delicious and not as expensive. There’s even a vegan place, Bistroveg, if you’re looking for that. In addition, the streets surrounding Parque de los Novios are lined with fun bars for dancing, drinking, live music, and meeting both locals and fellow travelers!
The Cathedral of Santa Marta is undoubtedly one of the most familiar images and loved patrimonial sites in this city. It is a beautiful church that the local Santa Marta residents are proud to call their own. Built in 1531, It was the first church constructed in continental America and, because of this, is considered the Mother of Colombian churches. For many years the remains of Simón Bolívar, the great liberator of Venezuela, remained in the church. However 1842, Venezuela took back the remains, however leaving his heart in Santa Marta to honor his legacy.
Especially at sunset: This malecón, or boardwalk, runs from the modern marina to the city’s old port. Stroll along it an hour before sunset and enjoy the ships, the public works of art, and the sun melting into the water.
But if you’re looking to take full advantage of what Santa Marta has to offer, you’ll want to get out of the city itself. Serving as the perfect base for exploring the Caribbean coast and Sierra Nevada mountains, Santa Marta provides easy access to Parque Tayrona, Minca, or Palomino for a wide range of adventures including beach-hopping, scuba diving, and trekking. Read on for more details on the best side trips from Santa Marta and the “must see” places and activities.
Santa Marta is an incredible launching point for accessing idyllic Carribbean beaches. The best beaches around Santa Marta require a little bit of travel, but are well worth it. Below are some of our favorite beaches that surround Santa Marta.
With its swaying palm trees, soft sand, and aquamarine water, Bahia is not only idyllic, it is also the most accessible of Santa Marta’s surrounding tropical beaches.
Pro tip: Upon arrival, set up your beach-camp at the far end of Bahia Concha, away from the parking lot and closer to the docked boats — this part of the beach tends to remain more relaxed and private.
This popular beach is approximately 30 minutes from downtown Santa Marta, and accessible only by a boat ride.
Pro tip: This beach only allows 300 visitors to enter per day, so if you are visiting during high season (December & January), arrive as early as you can—like before 8 a.m.—if you want to be one of them.
This beach is a bit harder to get to and is accessible only by boat, but it is well worth the journey. Chengue is a truly isolated tropical paradise lined with soft sand and calm blue water with a backdrop of incredible jungle greenery. It’s pure magic.
Pro tip: The clear waters along this beach make for great snorkeling, so if you have snorkel equipment, bring it along!
Make sure to bring plenty of sunscreen, pesos, and water for all of these day trips!
A Colombia trip isn’t complete without a visit to Tayrona National Park. This tropical paradise, nominated by UNESCO as one of the five most important national parks in the world, is truly a special place. Lush forest meets bright blue water, monkeys call out to each other from high in the palm trees, and flowers bloom along the windy trails leading to beautiful virgin beaches.
Some advanced preparation will help ensure you make the most of your time there. Keep in mind:
The park closes each February to allow indigenous communities to perform traditional rituals and ceremonies. It also gives the park’s flora and fauna time to rest and refresh. Any other time of year is great for visiting the park, but keep in mind that it can be pretty busy in the December and January high season months.
Most people visit the park for a day trip. You can take a shuttle to the main entrance to get started. The Dreamers’ shuttles leave every day at 7:30 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. Travelers then hike to one of the beaches and enjoy an afternoon in the sun. To head back, they have the options of hiking back out the way they came, renting a horse to ride back, or taking a fishing boat to the town of Taganga and taxiing to the Dreamer from there. The ride from Dreamer Santa Marta to the park is about 30 minutes by car. The boats between the park and Taganga leave at 4:30 p.m., take about an hour, and cut through high waves, which can be a wild adventure or an unpleasant one, depending on if you get seasick, so choose wisely.
If you want to stay in the park for more than a day, get there early. You’ll want to stake out one of the hammocks or tents for rent at Cabo San Juan beach. Prepare to pay about 45,000 pesos or $14 for a hammock or 40,000 pesos/$12 per person for a two-person tent.
Read this Tayrona National Park Day Trip Guide for a packing list and logistics tips. Make sure to bring your passport!
Park entry costs about 65,000 pesos (credit and debit cards accepted).
The walk to the beaches isn’t difficult. The path is well-marked and not too hilly. But with the humidity and high temperature, it’s important to take lots of breaks. In total, you can expect a hike time of about 2-2.5 hours from the Tayrona Main Gate to the Cabo San Juan beach stopping point, depending on your pace and how many stops you make along the way.
Pro tip: There’s a little ceviche and fresh orange juice stand at the far end of the La Piscina Beach about ¾ of the way to Cabo San Juan beach. It’s super refreshing. If you need a little pick-me-up along the way, make sure to stop by!
This backpackers’ magical oasis is easy to get to from Santa Marta Colombia but has a completely different vibe. With no ATM or big commercial centers in town, Palomino is the ideal resting spot for travelers looking to unplug & unwind during their Caribbean Coast adventure. You’ll enjoy the serenity of a beautiful beach and river confluence, lots of local restaurants serving delicious freshly caught seafood, and plenty of opportunities to explore nature.
You can arrange transport through The Dreamer Santa Marta or take a bus or taxi about 1.5 hours down the road to Palomino.
Surrounded by lush gardens with a beautiful variety tropical plant species, The Dreamer Palomino offers a pool, restaurant, bar, and clean, air-conditioned rooms. Centrally located right on the beach, it’s the perfect spot for exploring the best that Palomino has to offer.
You’ll want at least a few days in this sleepy Colombian town. Here are a few activities to try:
This river starts in the Sierra Nevada and winds its way down the mountains to Palomino, where it joins the Caribbean as the Palomino River. You can walk through the jungle or, if you’re looking for a little more adventure, tube down the river.
Talk to the hostel staff to arrange a cultural encounter with an Arhuaco or Kogi community and learn about their way of life.
With options for all levels, you’ll have a chance to enjoy the waves on top of a special-sized longboard.
If you go at twilight, you can watch the sunset from the top of your horse as you trot down the beach.
Everyone knows street food is one of the best parts of traveling (as long as you're careful). These local restaurants and vendors serve up delicious fried fish and some of the most flavorful coconut rice you’ve ever had.
Visit Cabo de la Vela and explore beautiful desert scenery with breathtaking seaside views, or go on an adventure through the desert to Punta Gallinas, the northernmost point in South America with stunning Caribbean seascapes.
This multi-day trek leads to a sacred site almost seven centuries older than Machu Picchu. If you’re looking for a challenging and beautiful jungle adventure, this trek is for you.
Pro tip: The path to the Lost City closes in September, when indigenous groups perform rituals and care for the land. The Dreamer’s tour partners with them to help them protect this special site.
This town nestled into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta range is known for its coffee, its beautiful vistas, and its rich biodiversity. It’s located in a tropical forest and is home to hundreds of exotic species, including a wide variety of beautiful birds.
Whether you visit for the coffee, sunsets, waterfalls, or rich indigenous heritage, you can’t miss Minca.
You can take a shuttle from The Dreamer Santa Marta or take a taxi from town. The ride should be about 30 minutes and costs 30,000 pesos / $10 for the shuttle and about 45,000 pesos / $15 for a taxi. The roads in Minca aren’t great, so prepare to take a 4x4 or mototaxi around town once you arrive.
A day trip to Minca could include a hike through the mountains, like to Casas Viejeas and its famous vista or Casa Elemento and its famous massive hammock.
Or you could do a self-guided tour through the coffee shops of the village. If you want to stay longer, there’s plenty of accommodation available in town. A two- or three-day stay will allow you to experience other Minca highlights, including:
A self-sustaining coffee farm running on water power, take a tour of the facilities and enjoy a cup (or two!) of fresh coffee in their gorgeous café.
Learn about coffee and chocolate production and enjoy a few tastings.
Several outputs in town offer them, but Jungle Joe is one of the best. You’ll get up early, strap on a pair of binoculars, and walk around town, learning about the beautiful birds that call Minca home. A 3-hour tour will cost you around 30,000 pesos, or $10.
Try the hour-long hike to Marinka, which ends with a beautiful photo op and plenty of cool water to jump into. To find the trailhead, start on the main town road, with the church on your left, and head up the hill. When you see a sign that says “Finca La Esperanza,” you’ve made it. Bring 3,000 pesos to pay the entrance fee.
Pro tip: Don’t miss the sunsets in Minca. They’re some of the best in the world, especially if you enjoy them with a warm cup of coffee or a cold beer in hand.
Pros and first-timers alike find great scuba diving options in the Caribbean waters of Taganga, a little village about 15 minutes from Santa Marta. Look forward to a huge variety of marine life and incredible visibility, among other pluses.
The Dreamer Santa Marta offers diving tours for all levels, including a one-day beginner’s course (where you’ll get to enter the water!). They also have a PADI open water diving course, if you want to get your PADI license. If you’re already certified and want to do a small group dive, there’s an option for that, too.
Pro tip: Taganga only has a few ATMs and they get depleted fast so make sure to bring cash!
From its beautiful colonial architecture to its stunning beaches, unique history, and proximity to other amazing places to visit in the country, Santa Marta Colombia is a great base for exploring the nearby Sierra Nevada Mountains and Tayrona National Park. Whether you're looking for a beach vacation, some history, and culture, or just a chance to relax, Santa Marta Colombia has something for everyone.
There you have it—your travel guide for what to do in Santa Marta, Colombia, and its beautiful surrounding areas.
For more information on activities or tours or general questions about the area, don’t hesitate to give us a shout! We’re here to help you have the best time possible and hope you will love the Colombian coast just as much as we do!
Book your Santa Marta or Palomino stay with us and we’ll make sure you are prepared to take advantage of everything this beautiful Caribbean coast has to offer.
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