About Santa Marta
Santa Marta, officially the Distrito Turístico, Cultural e Histórico de Santa Marta, is a port city on the coast of the Caribbean Sea in northern Colombia. It is renowned in Latin American as the place of death of Simón Bolívar.
Places to visit in Santa Marta
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Tayrona National Natural Park
Nature · 11 mi from centreA coastal park where jungle-covered mountains meet golden beaches and huge boulders. Start early to hike in before the heat, and note that many beaches have strong currents unsafe for swimming.
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Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino
Historic · 2 mi from centreThe hacienda where Simón Bolívar died in 1830, now a museum and memorial surrounded by botanical gardens. Visit in the morning, when the gardens are cooler and quieter.
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Ciudad Perdida
Historic · 23 mi from centreThe ruins of an ancient Tairona city deep in the Sierra Nevada, reached only on a multi-day jungle trek. Book with a licensed operator, and pack light, since the hike involves river crossings and steep climbs.
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Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
Nature · 41 mi from centreThe world's highest coastal mountain range, with cloud forests, coffee farms, and rich birdlife. The village of Minca makes an easy base for short hikes, waterfalls, and coffee farm tours.
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Taganga
BeachA small fishing village in a bay just north of the city, popular for diving and boat trips. Take a boat to the quieter nearby beaches, which are cleaner than the main town beach.
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Rodadero Sea Aquarium
Zoo · 3 mi from centreA seaside aquarium near El Rodadero beach showing local marine life such as sharks, turtles, and dolphins. It is reached by a short boat ride from the beach, which is included in most tickets.
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Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta
Nature · 29 mi from centreA vast coastal lagoon and mangrove wetland southwest of the city, home to stilt-house fishing villages and many water birds. Go with a local guide by boat for the best birdwatching.
Things to do in Santa Marta by type
27 tours, tickets and experiences across 8 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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City tours 5 experiences Chiva Rumbera Tour in Santa Marta -
Day Trips & Excursions 5 experiences Canopy at Playa Blanca - Tour -
Tour & activities 5 experiences PADI courses, diving in Tayrona Park -
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 5 experiences Discover Tayrona National Park, Pueblito and Cabo San Juan – Full-Day Tour -
Art & culture 4 experiences Discover Tayrona Park - Private Full-Day Tour -
Transport & Rentals 3 experiences Chauffeur Driven Transfer Service -
Outdoor activities & Adventure 2 experiences Canopy at Playa Blanca - Small Group Tour -
Cruise & Water Tours 2 experiences Discover Tayrona Park with Boat Trip - Full-Day Tour
- Over 6 hours 7
- 1-3 hours 5
- 3-6 hours 4
- Flexible 1
- Families 1
- Senior 1
- Couples 1
- Youth 1
- Private 4
- Small group 4
Top experiences in Santa Marta
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 27 available.
Mundo Marino Aquarium and Playa Blanca
From $56 per adult
Discover the City of Santa Marta - The Pearl of Colombian Caribbean
From $59 per adult
Aldea Taganga and Playa Grande Full Day Tour
From $66 per adult
Chiva Rumbera Tour in Santa Marta
From $19 per adult
Sailboat Sunset in Santa Marta with transportation
From $67 per adult
Santa Marta Historic Downtown City Tour
From $62 per adult
Tayrona Park - Full-Day Tour
From $88 per adult
Trekking and tubing on the Don Diego River (Taironaka)
From $83 per adult
Immersive audio-walks Santa Marta
From $5 per adult
Explore Concha Bay in Tayrona Park - Full-Day Tour
From $55 per adult
Santa Marta City Tour
From $98 per adult
Visit the Taironaka ecoturism centre
From $191 per adult
Where to stay in Santa Marta
Popular hotels in Santa Marta, out of 207 properties you can book.
Decameron Galeon Santa Marta
From $334 per night
Be La Sierra
From $61 per night
Best Western Plus Santa Marta Hotel
From $98 per night
Estelar Santamar Hotel & Centro de Convenciones
From $117 per night
Hilton Santa Marta
From $137 per night
Tama Hotel Santa Marta
From $62 per night
Hotel Perla Suite
From $43 per night
GHL Relax Hotel Costa Azul
From $107 per night
Santa Marta Emile
From $93 per night
Terrazas Tayrona Travelers Apartamentos Y Suites
From $83 per night
Akuamarina Hotel
From $35 per night
Hotel Valladolid
From $52 per night
Best time to visit Santa Marta
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Santa Marta is January to March, when average daytime highs are around 87–89°F and rain falls on about 3 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Santa Marta weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 83° 76° 75%
- Thu 22 Oct 84° 77° 40%
- Fri 23 Oct 86° 77° 33%
- Sat 24 Oct 85° 76° 55%
- Sun 25 Oct 84° 75° 75%
- Mon 26 Oct 85° 76° 67%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Colombian peso (COP)1 US dollar ≈ $3,174
- Language
- Spanish
- Calling code
- +57
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/BogotaUTC−5
- Capital
- Bogotá
Upcoming public holidays in Colombia
- All Saints’ DayDia de los Santos
- Independence of CartagenaIndependencia de Cartagena
- Immaculate ConceptionLa Inmaculada Concepción
- Christmas DayNavidad
- New Year's DayAño Nuevo
- EpiphanyDía de los Reyes Magos
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Santa Marta
These are the airports closest to central Santa Marta. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- SMR Simón Bolívar International Airport8 mi (13 km) from the city centre
Getting around Santa Marta
Streets are numbered. The beach can be considered "Carrera 1" or 1st St., and the first street is usually "Carrera 1A" or 1A St. The next street after the first row of buildings is Carrera 2 or 2nd St. Calles are streets running from east to west.
By bus
Moovit covers the area for finding connections. As there are no bus stops, buses can be entered and exited anywhere along their routes. The price is COP$2,700 (May 2025) and is paid to the driver when entering the bus.
By taxi
Unlike bigger cities in Colombia, taxis do not run on a meter. Payments start at COP$7,000 (May 2025) for a "lift" (usually a ride no more than 10 minutes).
Santa Marta travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Santa Marta?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Santa Marta is January to March, when average daytime highs are around 87–89°F and rain falls on about 3 days a month.
What is the weather like in Santa Marta?
July is usually the warmest month in Santa Marta, with average highs of 90°F (32°C). November is the coolest, with average lows of 78°F (26°C). The wettest month is typically June, with about 171 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Santa Marta?
Simón Bolívar International Airport (SMR) is the closest airport, about 8 miles (13 km) from the centre of Santa Marta.
What currency is used in Santa Marta?
Santa Marta uses the Colombian peso (COP). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ $3,174.
What time zone is Santa Marta in?
Santa Marta uses the America/Bogota time zone (currently UTC−5). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Santa Marta?
Streets are numbered. The beach can be considered "Carrera 1" or 1st St., and the first street is usually "Carrera 1A" or 1A St. The next street after the first row of buildings is Carrera 2 or 2nd St. Calles are streets running from east to west.
What are the best places to visit in Santa Marta?
Top sights in Santa Marta include Tayrona National Natural Park, Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, Ciudad Perdida and Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. A coastal park where jungle-covered mountains meet golden beaches and huge boulders. Start early to hike in before the heat, and note that many beaches have strong currents unsafe for swimming.
What are the top things to do in Santa Marta?
Popular experiences you can book in Santa Marta include Mundo Marino Aquarium and Playa Blanca, Discover the City of Santa Marta - The Pearl of Colombian Caribbean and Aldea Taganga and Playa Grande Full Day Tour. Destina Holidays offers 27 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Santa Marta?
The most popular types of experiences in Santa Marta are city tours (5), day trips & excursions (5), tour & activities (5) and zoo, aquarium & nature (5). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Santa Marta?
Popular areas for hotels in Santa Marta include Santa Marta. Well-reviewed options include Decameron Galeon Santa Marta and Be La Sierra.
How many hotels can I book in Santa Marta?
Destina Holidays currently lists 207 properties in and around Santa Marta, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
