Santa Marta is a coastal city located in the northern part of Colombia. The city itself is fairly small and there is not much to do within the boundaries. But just outside the city are endless activities for all interests. Santa Marta is a great place to make base if you want to do some of the great day and overnight trips near by.
HOW TO GET TO SANTA MARTA
Getting to Santa Marta is very easy. You can fly into the airport and then take a taxi to your hostel/hotel. Or you can book a bus to Santa Marta from Cartagena for around 55.000 mil pesos. Your tickets include a pick-up and drop off at your hostel.
Ask your hostel in Cartagena about booking this transfer to Santa Marta for the best deals.
10 THINGS YOU CAN DO AROUND SANTA MARTA
Santa Marta City Tour
The city of Santa Marta is very small but it is still worth exploring for an afternoon. You can chose to pay for a tour or just walk around the city yourself. There are a handful of trendy and interesting streets in downtown that are fun to walk around and see before dinner.
If you want to book an official tour check out this link: SANTA MARTA CITY TOUR
Scuba Diving in Tayrona Park
Tayrona National Park is a protected park best known for trekking and beaches. But you can also explore the park from the ocean. The best way to do this is to go scuba diving. Visibility isn’t always the best and prepare yourself for colder temperatures but the diving is worth a day trip.
If you are interested in scuba diving in Tayrona Park I recommend checking out this dive center: CARIBBEAN PRO DIVE
Scuba Diving with Caribbean Pro Dive a Fun Dive includes two immersions costs 180.000 COP. If you would like to try scuba diving for the first time you can do a Mini course which costs 220.000 COP.
Tayrona National Park
Exploring Tayrona National Park is a must see when visiting Santa Marta and Northern Colombia. The park opens at 8:00 am and closes at 5:00 pm. To enter the park you have to purchase an entrance ticket and an insurance ticket. In total it will cost you 70.000 COP.
Once you enter the park you can pay 3.000 COP for the shuttle bus to take you to the official start of the trekking. I recommend doing this as the walk is long and not very enjoyable. It is best to pay the small fee and save your energy for the rest of the hike.
You can visit Tayrona National Park for the day or spend a night or too in the park. If you want to go for the day be sure to go straight to the farthest beach, El Cabo, first and then work your way back slowly. You will also want to get tot he Park right when it opens.
If you want to spend the night I recommend trying to camp at Don Pedro El Cabo campsite. it is right on the beach and the nicest. However, because it is the best spot it books out the fastest so either book online or go to the park right at opening.
You can learn more about Tayrona National Park Here: HOW TO EXPLORE TAYRONA NATIONAL PARK
Minca
Minca is a small hilltop town about 45 minutes away from Santa Marta. You can take a local bus for 8.000 COP one way to the town in the morning and come back the same day or spend the night. In total you can see almost everything in Minca in two days. It is a great place to explore if you like nature, hiking, cacao and waterfalls.
You can learn more about how to explore Minca here: Why You Need to Explore Minca, Colombia
The Lost City
The Lost City is an ancient city located outside of Minca. To get to the city you have to go on a guided 4 days and 3 night trek. The trek is long and exhausting but has beautiful scenery and of course you get to see this incredible indigenous city.
The Lost City trek costs anywhere between 350 USD – 450 USD. The price includes pick up from your accommodation, food, housing and entrance fees. You need to bring and carry all of your belongings for the trip. Be prepared to get wet so bring rain clothes as well as breezy clothing as the weather is hot and humid and it rains a lot.
You can book your tour from Santa Marta or from Minca. If you would like to book your tour from Santa Marta Click HERE: Cacao Hostel Lost City Trek . If you would like to book your trek from Minca click HERE: Coco Bomgo Lost City Trek.
Bahia Concha Day Trip
Bahia Concha Day trip is a snorkeling and beach day. It costs a total of 65.000 COP which includes transportation from accommodation to the beach and back as well as your entrance fee. Lunch is not included so remember to bring food and water with you.
Pack lots of sunscreen which you can buy here:
Indigenous Cacao Tour
This cacao tour is a full day tour and costs 250.000 COP. The tour cost includes lunch, fruit and water, transportation, professional and local guides. On the tour you will take a cacao tour at the Indigenous Cacao Farm Arhuacos. You will also tour the small town of Katanzama and do some kayaking on Don Diego River.
You can book your tour upon arrival at Cacao Hostel.
Playa Cinto Virgin Beach and Playa Cristal Day Trip
The beach Day Tour is a full day tour. Pick up is from Cacao Hostel at 7:15 am. The price of the tour is 350.000 COP and includes: Lunch, roundtrip transportation to and from the beaches, fruit and water, a visit to Playa Cristal and Playa Cinto and , snorkel equipment and the entrance fee to the National park.
Guajira Desert Tour
There are two options for the Guajira Desert Tour.
Option 1 is to got to Punta Gallinas. This tour lasts for 3 days and 2 nights and costs 620.000 COP . This tour includes roundtrip transportation to and from the desert, a Cabo de la Vela tour and one night in Punta Gallinas. Meals are included, you will sleep in hammocks by the ocean and pick up is at 4:30 am at Cacao Hostel Book Here: Cacao Hostel . Once you book your accommodation at Cacao Hostel you can book the tour through them in person.
Option 2 is to go to Cabo de la Vela. This tour lasts 2 days and 1 night and costs 360.000 COP. This tour includes roundtrip transportation to and from the desert, a visit to El pilot de Azucar El Faro, and Playa Donada. You will spend one night in Cabo de la Vale. All meals are included and you will sleep in hammocks. Pick up is also at 4:30 am at Cacao Hostel: Click here to book accommodation. Once you book your accommodation at Cacao hostel you can book the tour in person.
Tayrona Beach Sailing Day Trip
This activity is a day trip to Tayrona Park Bahia Concha Beach. It costs 150.000 COP and is an all day tour. The tour starts from la Marina and you go on a sail boat to Tayrona Park. The price of the tour includes the entrance fee into the park, snacks and water. Lunch is not included so remember to back food.
You can book this tour through Cacao Hostel. Book your accommodation at Cacao Hostel here: Cacao Hostel and then sign up for the tour upon arrival.
WHERE TO STAY IN SANTA MARTA
Located about 10 minutes walking from downtown Santa Marta is Cacao Hostel, the best hostel in all of Santa Marta. Cacao Hostel is located only 5 minutes walking from the local bus that can take you to Minca or Tayrona Park. It has a pool, a bar and restaurant, a kitchen and great common spaces. The beds are very clean; the air-conditioning works well and there are plenty of bathrooms.
If you need to get back to Cartagena after visiting Santa Marta, and you want to take a bus, Cacao Hostel can help you book your transportation.
Overall this was one of my favorite hostels in all of Colombia. I highly recommend booking here. You can book a bed at Cacao hostel here: CACAO HOSTEL SANTA MARTA
CLOSING THOUGHTS
While the city of Santa Marta is small and a bit underwhelming it makes a great home base for venturing into the amazing natural destinations nearby. It also has an airport so you can fly in and out of the city if that is easiest.
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