Welcome, you are in COLOMBIA TRAVEL
AfrikaansAlbanianArabicArmenianAzerbaijaniBasqueBelarusianBengaliBosnianBulgarianCatalanCzechDanishDutchEstonianFilipinoFinnishGalicianGeorgianGermanGreekGujaratiHaitian CreoleHausaHawaiianHebrewHindiHmongHungarianIcelandicIgboIndonesianIrishItalianJavaneseKannadaKazakhKhmerKurdish (Kurmanji)KyrgyzLaoLatinLatvianLithuanianLuxembourgishMacedonianMalagasyMalayMalayalamMalteseMaoriMarathiMongolianMyanmar (Burmese)NepaliNorwegianPashtoPersianPolishPunjabiRomanianSamoanScottish GaelicSerbianSesothoShonaSindhiSinhalaSlovakSlovenianSomaliSudaneseSwedishTajikTamilTeluguThaiTurkishUkrainianUrduUzbekVietnameseWelshXhosaYiddishYorubaZuluSanta Marta is pure flavor. It’s a city where diversity is fully present in its landscape, its people, and every cultural aspect that defines it; it’s a destination that welcomes all its visitors and makes them feel at home.
What makes it unique? Its main feature is its territory: unforgettable landscapes where the green of its vegetation, its mountains, the blue of its seas, the yellow of the sun, and the contrast of the beaches with the white of the Sierra Nevada make this paradise a must-visit destination.
It’s a city that captivates. There are activities for all tastes, from getting lost in the waves of a beach that meets the jungle to observing the colorful birds that seem to say something with their songs. You can’t leave out the historical tour of the city and a visit to the heart of the Tayrona culture and its colonial treasures.
Additionally, the charm of its people, with that characteristic spark of the Caribe, makes Santa Marta an unforgettable experience.
One of the tourist spots in Santa Marta you must include in your visit is the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, a national historic monument and the final resting place of Simón Bolívar. It’s also worth visiting the Museo del Oro Tairona -Casa de la Aduana- in the Historic Center; this imposing colonial house preserves the cultural heritage of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and its surroundings.
In Santa Marta, you can also enjoy biodiversity in all its splendor. The Aquarium and Sea Museum are must-visits if you appreciate the marine world and its richness. And if you want to continue the adventure, Taganga is another must-see, a small village where time seems to have stopped. It’s an ideal place for recreational diving, enjoying the sun and beach, and deep relaxation.
If you consider yourself an adventurer, you can’t miss taking advantage of the impressive nature of Santa Marta to practice extreme sports.
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Explore the diversity of Santa Marta’s landscape and surroundings with a visit to the Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona. In this natural reserve, you can swim in crystal-clear waters and walk on white sand. You can also enjoy its unique sunrises, as it’s considered one of the most beautiful bays in the Americas.
Another must-visit nearby is the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. It’s the highest coastal mountain in the world, standing at 5,775 meters above sea level. As a Biosphere Reserve, it’s home to around 30,000 indigenous people from the Kogi, Arhuaco, Kankuaro, and Wiwa ethnic groups. This lush green landscape is ideal for hiking and birdwatching.
Besides the natural charm, the gastronomic offer is exquisite. Don’t forget to visit Santa Marta’s restaurants and enjoy Samarian cuisine. Chipi chipi (a mollusk), fried fish, patacones, coconut rice, and cocadas are must-try dishes of Santa Marta’s typical cuisine.
All this, combined with the charm of its people, their spark, and Caribe flavor, makes any experience in Santa Marta, Colombia, unforgettable.
In addition to the natural wealth, which includes Playa El Rodadero, there’s an impressive historical legacy represented in the architecture and streets of the Santa Marta center, offering an ideal route to visit the Cathedral, museums, and the Malecón de Bastidas, where you can also enjoy a romantic sunset.
Santa Marta has been known since colonial times as the pearl of the Americas due to its wonderful natural landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and paradisiacal beaches. Some of the best beaches in Santa Marta are found in the Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona: Cabo San Juan, Bahía Concha (a beautiful resort with cabins and restaurants), Neguanje, and Cañaveral, where there’s an excellent camping area, are among the most well-known.
While any time is good to enjoy Santa Marta’s beaches and the city’s charm, the most recommended period to travel is between December and April. This is an ideal time to explore and marvel at the imposing Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the biodiversity of Parque Tayrona, and the beach at Taganga.
The Fiestas del Mar, held mid-year, mark another excellent season to enjoy Santa Marta, its traditions, and all the Caribe flavor. During this event, you can enjoy water sports accompanied by various cultural and musical activities.
Between late August and early September, national and international theater companies come together to bring one of the year’s most anticipated events in the city: the International Caribbean Theater Festival.
Thanks to its diverse landscape, Santa Marta, Colombia, is blessed with a warm and dry climate, with an average temperature of 28°C. The breeze from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta caresses the city’s beaches, filling them with the freshness needed to enjoy them fully.
You can reach Santa Marta, Colombia, by air from major cities like Bogotá, Medellín, or Cali. Most flights are direct and arrive at the Aeropuerto Internacional Simón Bolívar, located ten minutes from the El Rodadero area and fifteen minutes from the Historic Center. At the airport, you’ll find taxis and other transportation services to take you to your accommodation.
To reach the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Natural Park from the city, you’ll need to travel 42 km by road to the San Lorenzo Experimental Station, the authorized entry point.
To visit Ciudad Perdida within the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, you must travel by car to Vereda el Mamey. Then, a guided hike along a 23.3 km trail will take you to the indigenous reserve.
We recommend getting vaccinated against yellow fever 15 days before visiting natural areas. Also, bring medications, painkillers, sunscreen, and insect repellent. It’s also very important to drink bottled water, not tap water.
The city is a tourist destination that combines excellent hotel infrastructure with luxury hotels, apartments, and hostels for the more adventurous, where you can meet people from around the world, exchange cultures, and have unforgettable vacations. So, make your reservation in advance!
With these recommendations, you can feel the rhythm of Santa Marta. A place that welcomes you with sun and beach activities, nature, adventure, and unmatched cuisine. Visit the world’s most welcoming country and start discovering its charm here!
Through our regions with their charming destinations and experiences, you will discover that the diversity that defines Colombia includes its tourism offer.
Here you can enjoy adventure tourism, cultural, community, gastronomic, meetings and much more.
In El Rodadero, Santa Marta, Sansiraka Suites combines elegance, comfort, and affordability. Just steps from the beach, it features modern rooms, a pool, restaurant, bar, and event halls. Ideal for families, couples, and business travelers. With personalized service and a strategic location — Experience GEH Suites!
Close to Santa Marta’s historic center, this hotel offers unique views of the Sierra Nevada and a Blue Flag beach. Enjoy natural beauty, Caribbean cuisine, and nearby attractions, combining myth, fun, and luxury for an unforgettable stay.
Experience history, rest, and tradition in the oldest city in the Americas. Near the Caribbean and surrounded by the Sierra Nevada, the hotel offers 12 rooms, a luxury spa, Bacota restaurant, and exceptional service.
A hotel with a private beach in Santa Marta, near Playa Blanca and Parque de los Novios. Modern rooms with sea views, a spa, and elegant spaces make it ideal for meetings, weddings, and exceeding expectations.
On National Route 90, with views of the Caribbean Sea, steps from the beach, and 13 km from Santa Marta, near stunning beaches and Tayrona National Park. Enjoy contemporary Colombian cuisine and versatile event spaces.
Located in Pozos Colorados, 20 minutes from Santa Marta, Irotama is a luxury Caribbean resort surrounded by nature with a 1-kilometer private beach.
Discover an exclusive boutique resort where the Caribbean Sea meets the jungle and mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Stay in eco-chic bungalows, enjoy gourmet meals, relax at the spa, and embark on eco-adventures.
We went on a tour from El Rodadero. When we arrived at the park, we started a walk along a well-designed circuit with wooden walkways and visited several beaches until we reached Cabo San Juan, where we spent the day. It is a spectacular beach with a beautiful sea and a viewpoint with hammocks to relax in.
This trip was one of the most relaxing day trips during our stay in Santa Marta. The sailboat was large enough for the 20 people on board (including the crew). It took about an hour to get to Tayrona, which was relaxing with incredible views. Once we arrived in Tayrona, we had 3 hours to relax and spend as much time as we wanted on the beach. One of the great things was that we anchored away from the other tourist boats, so we had that whole part of the beach to ourselves.
I have been to 48 countries so far, so I have visited several wonderful beaches around the world. Crystal Beach is now one of my top 10 favorites. The Tayrona National Park authorities only allowed 350 people per day, but on the day we went, I estimated that there were fewer than 250 visitors. Since my wife and I are not Colombian, we paid an additional $30,000 pesos, but it was worth it.
An ecological hike amid crystal clear water, abundant fish, waterfalls, and pools carved into the rock, offering spectacular views and an almost mystical experience. Highly recommended. The tour includes a visit to Buritaca (beach, river, and sea) after visiting the Quebrada Valencia waterfalls.
Reaching Cabo San Juan is wonderful not only because the beach surrounded by nature in its purest form is incredible, but also because we have a 2-hour walk over rocks, up and down hills, and through the park's jungle to get there. It's very tiring, but it's worth it to see the park. It's a place where the reward is undoubtedly the journey. You have to take advantage of stopping to look at every place you like and contemplate it, the monkeys you encounter along the way, the beaches, and without a doubt, the Bere Bakery is a must-stop with its impressive breads."
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