Santa Marta is the oldest surviving Spanish city in Colombia, founded in 1525, and the gateway to one of the most striking coastlines in South America. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the highest coastal mountain range in the world, rises behind the beaches, and the Tayrona National Natural Park protects the jungle-fringed bays below it.
What to do in Santa Marta
- Tayrona National Natural Park. Hike through forest to beaches such as Arrecifes, La Piscina and Cabo San Juan. Allow a full day, start early and carry water, sun protection and cash.
- Minca. A cloud-forest village about an hour above the city, known for coffee and cacao farms, birdwatching, waterfalls and cooler air.
- Taganga. A small fishing village with sunsets and diving and snorkeling.
- Palomino. A laid-back beach town with a river, great for tubing and long walks on the sand.
- The historic center. Plazas, the cathedral, the Gold Museum and the seafront promenade. Visit the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, where Simón Bolívar died in 1830.
- Rodadero. The city’s resort beach, easy for families.
- The Lost City (Ciudad Perdida). A multi-day trek to the ancient Tayrona city, only with an authorized guide company.
How many days in Santa Marta?
| Days | Suggested plan |
|---|---|
| 2 | Tayrona (1 day) plus city, Taganga or Rodadero |
| 3 | Add Minca (coffee, cacao, waterfalls) |
| 4 | Add Palomino, or relax on Cabo San Juan |
| 5 to 7 | The Lost City trek |
Best time to go
December to March is the driest and sunniest, with calmer seas. From April to November expect more rain, especially from September to November, but the Sierra Nevada is greener and crowds are smaller. Sun and heat are strong all year.
Getting there and around
Simón Bolívar Airport (SMR) is close to the city, and the road from Cartagena takes about 4 to 5 hours via Barranquilla. Tayrona’s main entrance (El Zaino) is roughly 35 to 45 minutes from the city center. Taxis are the simplest way around town; for Tayrona, Minca and Palomino, a private transfer or guided trip saves time.
Tips
- Tayrona has limited daily capacity and closes briefly several times a year. Book ahead and check dates.
- Wear good walking shoes, bring mosquito repellent and water, and avoid single-use plastic inside the park.
- Ask permission before photographing people from the Kogui, Arhuaco, Wiwa and Kankuamo communities, and buy crafts directly from artisans.
Santa Marta guides and plans
- Lost City trek guide: what the 4, 5 or 6-day trek is like, what to pack and when to go.
- Tayrona National Park: which beaches to visit and how long to stay.
- Minca and the Sierra Nevada: waterfalls, coffee, cacao, Cerro Kennedy, the Don Diego River and the Wiwa community.
- Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas: the 3-day La Guajira trip.
All one-day tours are in Day Tours, Santa Marta tab and multi-day trips in Santa Marta and La Guajira.
Plan your Santa Marta trip with us
Combine Santa Marta with Cartagena or La Guajira on one itinerary. Tell us your dates and interests and we will send you a personal quote.
