If you’re traveling along Colombia’s Caribbean Coast, it’s almost impossible to avoid Santa Marta. Often seen as a quick stopover before jumping off to more adventurous destinations like Tayrona National Park and the remote eastern beaches, it’s somewhere that, at the very least, you’ll step foot in.
During my first few weeks in northern Colombia, I tried to avoid the city at all costs. I was looking to relax in the nearby backpacker towns, so I only used it as a place to grab a snack and hop on a bus.
In the end, however, I gave it a chance.
And, I’m glad I did, because underneath its rough exterior, Santa Marta is a charming spot with an extraordinary history as one of the oldest cities in South America. It also has some amazing boutique hotels and backpacking hostels, as well as a few phenomenal restaurants.
Here are some of my favorite things to do in Santa Marta, with advice on how to get around, what museums to visit, and day trip options to the nearby Tayrona National Park, Minca, and Palomino.
This is my short guide to Santa Marta, Colombia.
Walk the Malecon de Bastidas
You’ll find the Malecon de Bastidas, west of the Santa Marta, slinking along the sandy shores of Bahia de Santa Marta. The long promenade is the place for beach lovers trying to stay local.
From sunrise to sunset, you’ll see people wandering about, occasionally stopping for a dip in the calm bay at Playa La Bahia or snapping pictures at the Santa Marta letters. The soft sand beach that runs parallel to the walkway has sun tents for hire and vendors hide under tiny bits of shade from rows of palm trees.
The Malecon runs from the marina in the south to the port in the north, passing through the lively Parque Camellón Rodrigo de Bastidas for a significant stretch. This is the best spot in town if you’re looking for an evening workout.
The park hosts an outdoor gym, soccer pong (teqball) tables, and a playground for those of you traveling with young kids. There are also dozens of restaurants on the opposite side of the road if you’re here for the day. Although, I found some of the eateries closer to the center to be more to my liking.
Similar to other Colombian coastal cities, the beach is the designated sunset spot. Whether it’s strolling along the breezy promenade or out in the bay for a sunset sailing tour, you’ll probably find yourself here at the golden hour. Try not to stay out too late though, as it can feel sketchy in the later hours of the night.
Old Town Santa Marta
Santa Marta’s Centro Historico embodies the classic Caribbean city look, with rows of neatly organized colonial buildings and historic charm hanging in the air. Amongst the colorful facades and vibrant street art displays a buzzing energy can be felt.
As with most new places I visit, I hit the streets at the first opportunity. Here are some of the city’s landmarks worth checking out while you’re rambling around one of Colombia’s first settlements:
Catedral Basílica de Santa Marta | A stark white 18th-century catholic church that sits in the middle of an open brick courtyard. It was the first cathedral built in the city and within it lies the bones of Rodrigo de Bastidas, the founder of the city. Make sure to have a look at the nearby art deco-style Teatro Santa Marta when you’re in the area.
Plaza de Bolívar | Unsurprisingly named after Simón Bolívar, a man who impacted the whole of South America and was originally buried in the Santa Marta Cathedral. The park has a few monuments and runs down towards the seaside by the Malecon.
Museo del Oro Tairona – Case de la Aduana | Next to Plaza de Bolívar you’ll find the ‘Museum of Gold’, a multistory building with exhibits that cover most of Santa Marta’s history. Along with excavated gold pieces, you’ll find plenty more objects from the Indigenous Tairona people.
The Museo del Oro Tairona is multilingual and free to enter.
Mercado Publico | The busy traditional market is pure madness but has everything from street food to local produce to clothing stalls. If you do try the food here, beware of the quality and try places with plenty of customers. If you’re heading east along the coast to Tayrona National Park or Palomino, you’ll inevitably end up here.
Like most towns in South America, be aware of your surroundings when walking around town, especially after dark.
Grab a bite to eat on Calle 19 and 20
Nightlife in Santa Marta and the restaurant area in general are virtually in the same place. Two parallel-running streets, Calle 19 and Calle 20, make up that portion of the city.
While I don’t have much to say about the party scene, as I didn’t partake during my visit, there are some surprisingly good restaurants around here.
You’ll find most of them while strolling along the shady Calle 19. Designated as a walking street starting from Parque San Miguel down to the edge of Parque de Los Novios, you can choose an eatery that suits your taste buds.
One of my favorites is the trendy Ikaro Cafe (maps), which has a chilled-out atmosphere and friendly servers. They do great vegetarian dishes and, in my opinion, have one of the better coffees in town.
A few doors down you’ll find Ouzo Santa Marta (maps), a more upscale place focusing on Mediterranean-style dishes. Their seafood orzo is extremely popular and they have excellent cocktails. The outdoor section here overlooks the quaint, colorful Parque de Los Novios (Park of the Bride and Groom).
For a wonderful brunch option, I can recommend Bohemian Brunch on Calle 20. They do fresh juices and have an interesting menu, including chicken and waffles.
If you’re looking for something a bit more convenient, check out La Gloriosa Hamburguesería for a tasty hamburguesa.
Those of you looking for a deeper dive into Colombian cuisine can check out a guided walking food experience of Santa Marta.
Visit the Simón Bolívar House
If you’re looking to immerse yourself in Santa Marta’s history, there’s no better place to do it than in Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino. The hacienda and gardens were the final home of Simón Bolívar and now double as a multifaceted museum.
The main highlight here is of course Casa Principal (or Casa Quinta), a 17th-century home where Bolívar spent his last days. You’ll have the chance to see most of its rooms, including an old sugar mill and distillery. Hanging throughout the buildings are dual Spanish and English signs that share information about the hacienda’s illustrious history.
Some other things worth checking out on the property are the Altar de la Patria, an imposing white monument that commemorates, and the Bolivariano Museum of Contemporary Art. Inside the museum, you’ll find wonderful exhibitions of cultural art and contemporary Colombian sculptures.
Running along the exterior of the buildings is a beautiful botanical garden filled with wild iguanas and native fauna. In the high season, a small cafe within the gardens is open, so you can sip on a cold beverage under the shaded trees.
Entry | Tickets for foreign nationals cost 25,000 COP per person. The opening hours are from 9 am to 4:30 pm in the low season and 9 am to 5:30 in the high season. Local students work with city and university programs and offer voluntary guide services of the complex throughout the year. They take time out of their day to share the history of the hacienda with you, so if you use their services make sure to give them a tip at the end.
Getting There | The museum (maps) is a far walk from the old town, so a taxi or bus is the way to go. Public buses leave from Carrera 1c at the waterfront and should be heading in the Mamatoco neighborhood direction. To be safe double-check with the driver that he’s going to Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino. The bus costs 2,400 COP each way and drops you off near the roundabout outside the gates. To get back to town catch a bus on the opposite side of the street from where you got off. Alternatively, you can take a taxi.
For a more detailed look at entry times, prices, and other information, you can check the Museo Bolivariano website.
Head to Tayrona National Park
This goes without saying, most trips to northern Colombia start with planning a visit to Tayrona National Park. The popular spot is a bucket-list destination for most and rightfully so. Trekking through the dense jungle to reach epic wild beaches is a truly special experience.
With that being said, more and more visitors are coming yearly, meaning crowds are to be expected along the hiking trails and at ‘must-see’ beaches. So make sure to plan a trip in advance and don’t be surprised to see large amounts of tourists coming for a holiday.
Despite this, the national park is an exciting place to visit. There’s unique wildlife all around, including iguanas, jaguars, several species of monkeys, and hundreds of different types of birds. And, that’s just touching the surface.
Popular Beaches in Tayrona National Park
Playa Brava | Brave Beach
Playa Cañaveral | Reedbed Beach
Playa Nudista | Nudist Beach
Playa Arrecifes | Reef Beach
Playa Castilletes | Castle Beach
Playa La Piscina | ‘The Pool’ Beach
Playa Del Cabo | Cape Beach
Playa Arenilla | Sand Beach
Entrance Fee | Entry into the park as of 2024 is 87,000 COP for the high season and 73,000 COP for the low season. Keep an eye on this though as the price has been rising yearly as tourism grows.
Where To Enter | The main two entrances for Tayrona are the El Zaino entrance and the Calabazo entrance. El Zaino is the main entrance and is closest to the majority of beaches, while the Calabazo entrance is often used for those spending their first night at Playa Brava. Alternatively, you can enter by boat to Playa Del Cabo.
Where to stay in Tayrona National Park | Most travelers end up staying one or two nights in the national park to make the most of the high entrance fee. Popular camping spots are Playa Brava (which is less visited), Playa Del Cabo, Arrecifes, and Castilletes. You’ll have a few overpriced options to choose from at each of these, with hammocks being the cheapest, then tents, and finally private bungalows costing a pretty penny.
How To Get There | From Santa Marta, you can take the public Tayrona bus from a station on Carrera 9 in the Mercado Público de Santa Marta. For a detailed location on maps scroll down to my ‘Getting Around Santa Marta’ section below. The price is around 10,000 COP each way and buses leave often, although it’s best to get there when the park opens.
Tour Options | Visiting Tayrona National Park on your own is quite easy, so if you’re up to it that’s my suggestion. However, if you have time constraints or are looking to book a guided trip in advance, there are a few nice tours to check out. Two that stand out are this private hiking trip to Cabo San Juan and this full-day sailboat trip to Tayrona.
Day trip to Minca
Minca is a tiny town set amidst the jungles of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range. It’s often treated as a weekend mountain retreat for Santa Marta locals and a nature escape for those on the Colombian backpacker trail.
It’s one of those places where people seem to get stuck, whether it’s an in-depth exploration of the tropical wilderness, an extended stay at a finca, or simply a lengthy break from society. You can’t really blame them either, it’s a super friendly town! Plus there are dozens of waterfalls to visit, unique wildlife in the surrounding mountains, and some of the best sunsets in the country.
While I suggest trying to spend a couple of days here to take in the laid-back atmosphere, that’s not always possible for those of you with time constraints. Luckily, Minca is small enough to hit many of the main sights in a single day.
Here are some of my recommendations for a day trip:
- Visit one of the mountaintop fincas for an intimate coffee tour and some eye-popping views. If you have the time I suggest having a hot chocolate and experiencing the sunset at one of them.
- Swim in the chilly waters beneath the cascades at the popular Pozo Azul.
- Make the trek up to Marinka Waterfall and relax at “nature’s waterpark.” Afterward, you can stop by Cascada Oido del Mundo on the way back to town or go further into the jungle to the Los Pinos viewpoint.
- Have an early morning walk through the jungle in search of the colorful native birds.
Getting to Minca | Minivans to Minca leave from the Cootransminca Station on Carrera 9 in the Mercado Público de Santa Marta. Tickets cost 9,000 COP each way from the desk inside the station. Alternatively, you can grab a minivan from an agency on the corner of Avenida El Libertador and Carrera 43. I paid the same price as the Cootransminca bus when I used it, although it seemed a bit less trustworthy. For mapped locations of each station, you can check below in my ‘Transport Around Santa Marta’ section.
Tour Options | If you’re looking for some unique experiences of Minca or just want to avoid using public transport to get there and back, you can hop on a guided tour from Santa Marta. Here are some fun excursions to look into:
Day Trip To Palomino
With its dirt roads, trendy restaurants, and bohemian atmosphere, Palomino feels like the ultimate backpacker town. It’s approximately 80 km to the east of Santa Marta along the wild shores of the Caribbean and feels like Minca’s coastal cousin.
Most things here revolve around the town’s main beach, Playa Palomino, and the nearby Rio Palomino.
The beach was one of my favorites in South America, lined with wild palm trees and wooden shacks selling cocktails until late. The soft yellow sand is perfect for walking barefoot, while sunrises are equally as beautiful as sunsets. The waves and riptide here are fearsome, so swimming isn’t advised, although surfing is some of the best in the area.
The river on the other hand is perfect for a relaxing dip. One of the most common things to do is rent a tube and float lazily down the Rio Palomino until it opens up into the sea. You can find these rentals all over town and the whole experience should take a half-day or slightly less. If you want to go with a guide, you can check out some of the offered tours here and here.
For a more off-the-beaten-path adventure, you can stop just before Palomino for the Valencia Waterfall Hike (maps). It’s a short walk that will take you to a gorgeous waterfall in the middle of the jungle. This was one of my absolute favorite things to do in northern Colombia, so it’s an easy recommendation. The entrance fee of 11,000 COP was well worth the price!
How to get to Palomino | You take the same bus to Palomino as you do to Tayrona National Park. The station is on Carrera 9 in the Mercado Público de Santa Marta next to the Cootransminca Station. A ticket can be bought from the driver and costs 13,000 COP. The bus takes about 2 hours, so make sure to head there early for a day trip so you have enough time to explore.
Travel Tip | As of early 2024 Palomino doesn’t have an ATM, so make sure to have enough cash with you for the trip.
Other things to do from Santa Marta
As mentioned before, Santa Marta is a great spot to base yourself if you plan on visiting the nearby towns and national parks. After all, the previous three things I mentioned all fall under that category.
The next few are much the same but are either places I haven’t spent a lot of time exploring or trips that I haven’t personally done myself. Nevertheless, I’ve heard great things about all of them, so I feel comfortable mentioning them in this article.
Spend the day in Taganga | A sleepy fishing village turned backpacker hotspot, you get all the classic beach activities here. Relaxing on the sandy shores and snorkeling in the calm bay to name a few. You’ll also find some decent dive spots in this area, with warm waters and plenty of reef fish to see. If you want some more details about diving in Santa Marta, have a look at the PADI website.
Playa Blanca | Southwest of Santa Marta, this white sand beach is one of the popular daytime getaways from the city. In a sort of secluded cove, it’s lined with sun tents, eateries, and bars. There is a small aquarium close by too, although the animals would probably be better off free in the wild.
To get to Playa Blanca you can catch a bus to Rodadero and from there, either hike, taxi, or boat taxi the rest of the way.
Ciudad Perdida Hike | On my next trip to Colombia, I will definitely be prioritizing this hike. I met dozens of people who did the trek, and if I could summarize their thoughts, it’d be that this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. There’s a reason the ‘Lost City Trek’ is a highlight for most who do it, it’s a multi-day walk through unexplored jungle to the ruins of an ancient city.
If you’re looking to join a Cuidad Perdida tour, I suggest shopping around Santa Marta to see what company best fits you. If you want to book it ahead for some peace of mind, here are a few fantastic options:
TRANSPORT AROUND SANTA MARTA
Exploring the old town of Santa Marta can be easily done by walking, with some of the slightly further out spots like the Simón Bolívar House accessible by local bus or taxi.
If you’re out at night, it’s always a good idea to take a taxi. Make sure to flag down one that’s licensed and, in my experience, prepare to bargain or overpay. Alternatively, I suggest asking your hotel or hostel to call a taxi. It’s the best option in my mind and they should be able to give the number of a reputable service for future use.
For popular destinations outside the city, you’ll have to choose a specific bus station to take you onwards. Here are the ones to know:
Santa Marta Bus Terminal (maps) | This is where you’ll catch buses to/from the larger cities in Colombia. Departures to places like Medellin, Bogota, Cartagena, and Barranquilla leave from here. Make sure to only deal with officials in the bus company booths while at the station.
Buses to Tayrona (maps) | Located in Mercado Público de Santa Marta on Carrera 9 next to the Cootransminca Station. You’ll take this bus to reach Tayrona National Park and Palomino. The same bus stops by all the coastal towns on the highway between. I can’t recall the name of the company, but the buses leave often and you can pay either beforehand or when onboard.
Cootransminca Station (maps) | This is the station to go for minivans to Minca. It’s right next to the station for buses to Tayrona National Park on Carrera 9 in the Mercado Público de Santa Marta. You purchase tickets inside from the employee sitting at the desk and the buses run often.
On one of my trips to Minca, I also grabbed a minivan from an agency (maps) on the corner of Avenida El Libertador and Carrera 43. The price was the same as Cootransminca, although I found it less reputable. But, if you’re heading to Minca straight from the main bus terminal it can be an option to avoid getting a taxi.
WHERE TO STAY IN SANTA MARTA
Santa Marta is a bigger city, with hundreds of hotel and hostel options. My suggestion is to stay nearby to the old town, as that’s where most of the sights are. As with much of Colombia, you can expect friendly staff at most places. Make sure to ask reception for suggestions and tips around town, not only for recommended spots but also for safety purposes.
Here are some accommodation options to look into:
Distrito Hostel | A nice budget-friendly hostel with private and shared rooms. I appreciated the clean, large shared kitchen and the staff was really helpful.
Viajero Santa Marta Hostel | A gorgeous flashpacker-style hostel with a terrace pool and in-house restaurant. It’s a little bit outside of the center, but more than makes up for it with its activities and rooftop views.
Hotel Boutique La Solera Del Pozo | A beautiful and chic boutique hotel in the heart of Santa Marta. The rooms are cozy and the pool is a wonderful addition.
Grand Marina Suites Santa Marta | A luxury apartment option located nearby to the marina.
There are a ton of great lodgings in Santa Marta, for more options check here.
