Was this page helpful?
Last update: Oct 23, 2026
* We earn a commission from some links on this page.
Santa Marta Summary
These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.
"Best for" scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.
"Your personal" scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.
"Suited for" badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travelers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.
Suited for
Colombia – Quick facts
| Power Grid: |
110 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B
Type A:
  Read about power adapters |
|---|---|
| Currency: |
Colombian Peso (COP) $1 ≈ COP 3,158.18 |
| Cashless info: |
Rating 3/5
Cashless payments are becoming more common, especially in cities. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but cash is still preferred in many rural areas.
Save with a travel credit card |
| eSIM providers: |
Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison |
| Tipping: | Tipping is not obligatory, but a tip of 5-10% is appreciated in restaurants. Taxis generally do not expect a tip, but rounding up the fare is common. |
|---|---|
| Public drinking: | Public drinking is not allowed in some areas, especially in cities. It is best to consume alcohol in licensed venues like bars or restaurants. |
| Public smoking: | Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces, including restaurants, bars, and public transport. |
| Independence Day (July 20) |
National holiday celebrating Colombia's independence with parades and festivities |
|---|---|
| Christmas (December 25) |
Celebrated with family gatherings and festive meals |
| Emergency contact: | Emergency Number: 123 |
|---|---|
| Taxi apps: | Uber, Cabify |
| Other: | Colombia is known for its coffee, vibrant culture, and beautiful landscapes, including the Andes mountains and Caribbean beaches. |
Best times to travel
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colors of the months:
The color shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the color is shows the travel season: full color means high season, soft color means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The gray info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
for Santa Marta, Colombia
Tayrona National Park closes for short periods several times a year for indigenous rituals, dates vary
Lost City trek closes in September, trails are driest and least muddy December to March
Colombian school and public holidays (Christmas to mid January, Easter week, late June to July) fill hotels and beaches
Don't miss
- 🏖️ Explore Tayrona National Park's pristine beaches
- 🚶♂️ Stroll cobblestone streets of historic Santa Marta
- 🏛️ Visit Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino museum
- 🛥️ Take a boat to Taganga fishing village
- ⛰️ Hike Sierra Nevada peaks for sunrise views
- 🍽️ Savor arepas and empanadas at local market
You've been here?
Log in to manage your own bucket list! Why travel to Santa Marta?
Santa Marta puts a Caribbean bay, a compact colonial center and some of Colombia's best-known mountain and park scenery within reach of one base. The Sierra Nevada rises just behind the city and Tayrona National Park, around 22 mi to the east, has forest-backed beaches and walking trails. In town the historic center is small. The cathedral and Parque de los Novios, a plaza with cafes, are the focus. The Museo del Oro Tairona shows gold and ceramic objects from the region's pre-Hispanic cultures. The Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino is the estate where Simón Bolívar died and has gardens and a museum. El Rodadero, a beach district about 3 mi south, has hotels and busy family beaches, while Taganga to the north is a fishing village with dive schools. The city beaches are crowded and aren't the main reason to come. Day trips are the heart of a stay. Minca is a mountain village with coffee farms and waterfalls and cooler air. Ciudad Perdida, an old Tairona site, is reached on a guided trek of about four to six days. Boats from Taganga and El Rodadero go to quieter beaches along the coast. Two or three days covers the city and its beaches. A week lets you add Tayrona, Minca and a longer hike. There's little to see beyond the center, so the city suits people who want nature and the coast over big-city sightseeing.
🏙️Cities & Regions
-
1
Tayrona National Park
A protected stretch of Caribbean coast east of Santa Marta, with forest-backed beaches, boulder-lined coves and walking trails between them. Most beaches are reached on foot and some are too rough for swimming, so check which ones are safe first.
🏯Places worth seeing
🎡Places for activities
🏞️Natural landmarks
-
1
Ticket to waterfalls
🍽️Eat & Drink
-
1
Guasimo Restaurante
Colombian and Caribbean seafood in a restaurant in the historic center of Santa Marta. The menu lists butifarra, a sausage starter. Mains include roasted pork loin and a fish dish with shrimp and creamy rice. -
2
Restaurante LaMart
Caribbean seafood in Santa Marta. The kitchen makes a rich fish and seafood soup with shrimp, calamari, mussels and conch, served with rice. The menu also lists ceviche, pasta and fried ice cream for dessert. -
3
Ouzo Restaurante
Mediterranean food across from Parque de los Novios on Carrera 3. The menu lists pizzetta, lamb pita, beef gyro and bruschetta. Diners can also order tierra y mar, a surf-and-turf plate, or keftedes, which are Greek meatballs. -
4
La Muzzería
Caribbean Colombian food built around cayaye, a mash of green guineo bananas, in Santa Marta. The menu lists kokilla de cayaye with seafood, a regional specialty. The kitchen uses green bananas grown in the region. -
5
Mas Que Pan
Baked goods and Colombian breakfasts at an order-at-the-counter bakery and restaurant in Santa Marta. Guests can order avocado toast with eggs, a cappuccino and pastries to go. This inexpensive restaurant also serves other Colombian favorites in large portions. -
6
Restaurante Bar Burukuka
Latin American food and cocktails at a rooftop restaurant with a wide view over Santa Marta. The menu lists lobster tail risotto and tamarind margaritas. It sits on a hillside near Rodadero, so travelers usually take a car or taxi. -
7
Lulo Café Bar
Latin American food in a café bar in the historic center of Santa Marta. The menu lists arepas, plantain chips with salsa and guacamole, cubanitos and veggie sliders. The kitchen also makes crème brûlée and a lemonade smoothie. -
8
Ikaro Café
Coffee and vegetarian and vegan food at a café in the historic center of Santa Marta. The menu lists almond croissants, pancakes, banana bread and a yogurt granola bowl with fresh fruit. The café also pours smoothies.
Knowledge before you go
- Agree the taxi fare before you get in.
- The old center is most pleasant early in the morning or after sunset, when the midday heat eases.
- Bring cash for beach vendors, boats and small restaurants, since card machines are rare outside the center.
- The Sierra Nevada above town is home to four Indigenous peoples who consider it sacred, so visit only with licensed guides.
How to travel to Santa Marta
Most visitors fly into Santa Marta's Simón Bolívar Airport (SMR), around 10 mi from the center. Direct flights come from Bogotá and Medellín and other Colombian cities. Taxis wait outside the terminal. Barranquilla's airport (BAQ), about 60 mi west, has more flights and is a 1.5 to 2 hour trip by road. Cartagena (CTG) is farther away, around 140 – 160 mi and 4 to 5 hours by road. Buses link Santa Marta with Barranquilla and Cartagena along the coast. Driving from either city is straightforward on the main coastal road but night driving is discouraged because of poor road standards. Many nationalities, including British citizens, can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. You need an onward or return ticket and a passport valid on entry. Six months of validity is recommended. The optional Check-Mig form is filled out online before travel and can speed up arrival.
Access summary
- From Simón Bolívar International Airport (SMR): Taxi or bus to Santa Marta city center, 30–45 min.
- From Barranquilla: Bus or train to Santa Marta, 3–4 hours; from Cartagena: Bus, 5–6 hours.
- By ferry from the nearby port of Santa Marta to Tayrona National Park, 15–20 min.
Check your route from anywhere
Where to stay in Santa Marta
Most visitors stay in one of three areas. The historic center has hostels, small hotels in restored colonial houses and a good choice of restaurants and bars within walking distance. El Rodadero has resort-style hotels and apartments next to the beach, which suits families and longer stays. Taganga is a quieter fishing village with backpacker hostels and dive schools. Minca, in the hills above the city, has eco-lodges and guesthouses and works for a night or two if you want cooler air and forest. Lodging near Tayrona includes camps and cabins on the park edge and inside the park, which fills up quickly. Prices tend to be mid-range, with a wide choice from dorm beds to upscale hotels. Rooms book out in December and January, around Easter and on Colombian long weekends, so reserve ahead for those periods. Air conditioning is worth paying for in the hot months.
Hotel recommendations
*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.
How to get around Santa Marta
Santa Marta runs along a bay, with the historic center and waterfront close together and easy to walk. El Rodadero is about 3 mi to the south and Taganga about 3 mi to the north. Both need a short ride. Most day trips start from the center or the public market area.
Walking:
The old center, the cathedral, Parque de los Novios and the waterfront can be covered on foot in a few hours. Streets are hot at midday, so the early morning and evening are better.
Taxis:
Taxis are the easiest way to reach El Rodadero, Taganga and sights outside the center. Fares are usually agreed before the ride, so ask first or have your hotel book a trusted driver.
Buses and minivans:
Local buses and shared minivans are cheap and go to El Rodadero and Taganga. Buses to Tayrona and Minca leave from the market area. They fill up in the morning and run less often later.
Boats:
Short boat trips leave from Taganga and El Rodadero for nearby beaches such as Playa Blanca. Agree the return time with the operator.
Car:
A rental car isn't needed in town. Traffic is slow at peak times and parking is limited. It's useful only if you want to visit Tayrona and Minca on your own schedule.
Food in Santa Marta
Santa Marta's food is Caribbean coastal cooking built around fresh fish, coconut rice, plantain and fried snacks. Restaurants in the historic center and along the waterfront serve seafood and international food, while street stalls sell arepas and empanadas. Fresh juices are everywhere. Prices are lower away from the beach areas.
Cayeye:
A breakfast dish of mashed green plantain topped with grated cheese and often served with fried egg or fish. It's a Santa Marta specialty and shows up on many local menus.
Fried fish:
Whole fried fish such as mojarra or red snapper is served with arroz de coco and patacones. It's the standard meal at beachfront restaurants.
Arepa de huevo:
A fried corn cake filled with egg. It's a common street snack on the Caribbean coast and is sold at stalls through the day.
Fresh juices:
Tropical fruit juices such as lulo, maracuyá and mango are sold everywhere. Ask for them without ice if you want to avoid tap water.
Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home
We calculate the average costs when traveling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.
To customize this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.
Daily expenses in Santa Marta are around 56% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend
The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.
Your exchange rate (USD to COP) is 29% worse than in recent years. That means traveling now is considerably more expensive compared to the past.
Travel costs
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when traveling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when traveling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.
Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.
Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.
Daily cost summary
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
Travel style categories explained:
Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.
Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.
Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.
| Backpacker | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation | |||
| 🏨 Accommodation per night, per person | |||
| 🍝 Food per day | |||
| 🚕 Transportation per day |
Food & Drink
| 🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person | |
|---|---|
| 🍛 Lunch Set, per person | |
| 🍟 Fast food combo | |
| 🍝 Preparing your own food, per day | |
| ☕ Cappuccino | |
| 🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l / 16 oz |
Transportation
| 🚌 Public transport ticket | |
|---|---|
| 🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi | |
| ⛽ Gas, 1 l / ¼ gal |
Other
| 🎞️ Movie ticket | |
|---|---|
| 👩⚕️ Doctor's consult | |
| 🤧 Cold medication | |
| 💇 Basic haircut |
Safety information overview
General safety
Santa Marta is manageable with normal care, but petty theft and muggings happen, especially after dark and on empty beaches. Drinks spiked with scopolamine are a known risk. Some Tayrona beaches have strong currents so follow the posted signs. Book taxis through your hotel.
Health & Medical
Private clinics in Santa Marta handle routine and urgent care but public hospitals are often poorly equipped. Serious cases may go to Barranquilla or Bogotá so travel insurance matters. Dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases occur so use repellent. Heat is strong.
Accessibility
The historic center and the waterfront are mostly flat and compact. Pavements are narrow and uneven with high curbs. Beaches mean walking on sand and boat trips involve steps and wading. City buses have steps so taxis are easier for anyone with limited mobility.
Tap water
Tap water in Santa Marta isn't considered safe to drink. Supply can be irregular in dry spells. Use bottled or filtered water for drinking and brushing teeth. Bottled water is easy to buy in shops and supermarkets, which matters in the heat.
Packing recommendations for Santa Marta
Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.
📷
Camera
👟
Comfortable walking shoes
🌞
Sunscreen
SPF 30+
🚰
Reusable water bottle
👕
Light, breathable clothing
🍫
Energy snacks
nuts, granola bars
🧥
Rain jacket
🕶️
Sunglasses
🎒
Small backpack
🪰
Insect repellent
👛
Cash in small denominations
👜
Anti-theft bag
🔋
Power bank
🩹
Basic first aid kit
👒
Sun hat
🪪
Copies of passport and important documents
📱
Travel eSIM
🔌
Universal power adapter
Type A/B/C
💳
Credit card with no foreign transaction fees
Related articles & guides for Santa Marta
Nearby recommended places
Looking for inspiration?
Discover
Top digital nomad destinations and remote work hubs in South America
South America has become a real draw for remote workers looking for lower costs without giving up city comforts or a strong sense of community. Some nomads head straight for the…
Read more
Discover
Best destinations for first-time travelers in South America
South America can feel like a bigger step for a first international trip, but well worn routes make it more approachable than it first appears. Peru, Chile and Argentina all sit…
Read more
Discover
Top digital nomad destinations and remote work hubs in 2026
Working from anywhere in the world sounds simple until you actually try it, and the best digital nomad destinations look different depending on what kind of remote worker you are.…
Read more
Discover
Best couple vacation destinations
Travelling as a couple sounds simple enough, yet the best couple vacation destinations mean something different to almost every pair. What feels romantic to one couple can feel…
Read more
Discover
Best destinations to visit in February in South America
South America builds toward one of its biggest events of the year in February, as Carnival season reaches its peak in several countries. Rio de Janeiro's Carnival draws huge…
Read more
Discover
Best destinations for first-time travelers
A first trip abroad works best somewhere that eases you in, rather than throwing every possible culture shock and logistical headache at you at once. Some first-time travelers…
Read more
Discover
Best couple vacation destinations in South America
South America suits couples who want passion in their surroundings as well as in each other. It is a continent of drama, from its landscapes to its dance floors. Some pairs come…
Read more
Discover
Most beautiful beaches and coastal escapes
For a lot of people, a beach is the whole point of a holiday, but what makes a beach day perfect really depends on personal taste. Some travellers want isolation and the feeling…
Read more
Discover
Stunning national parks and wilderness areas
National parks exist because someone decided that certain landscapes were too important to lose. The best of them protect ecosystems, wildlife and natural processes that would…
Read more
Discover
Intimate escapes and romantic getaways
The most memorable trips for couples tend to have less to do with luxury and more to do with the quality of shared experience. A place that slows you down, removes the usual…
Read more
