Things to do in Santa Marta Colombia, Caribbean Coast

Want to Know 17 Epic Things to Do in Santa Marta Colombia?

If you are wondering whether Santa Marta is worth visiting, the answer is definitely yes!

Santa Marta is one of the oldest cities in South America, and one of the most beautiful, as well. Think of it as the little sister of Cartagena, featuring a stunning location directly by the Caribbean sea, a colorful historic center and incredible natural surroundings.

Santa Marta is an ideal base for day trips to explore the immense natural beauty of the lush Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range. You can easily spend a week or more in and around Santa Marta without getting bored. No matter, if you want to learn diving, go hiking in the jungle, discover new culinary delights, relax in an outside spa, or practice yoga while enjoying incredible views, there’s something new and exciting to do every single day.

Delve into this curated list of 17 unforgettable things to do in Santa Marta and its surroundings, including interesting day trips. Ready to discover Santa Marta’s top attractions and hidden gems?

Sunset view over the port of Santa Marta, Colombia, Caribbean sea

Photo by Travelhapp: Santa Marta Bay Area

17 Unforgettable Things To Do In Santa Marta and nearby

1. Stroll through the historic center of Santa Marta

Being one of the oldest cities in South America, Santa Marta, enchants with its beautiful colonial old town and its gorgeous sea promenade. The past is still present in the historic center of Santa Marta with its colorful colonial buildings, little streets and historic statues. The plaza in front of the architectonically impressive Cathedral of Santa Marta is simply beautiful, as is Parque de los Novios a few streets further down.

You can spend a relaxed day in Santa Marta simply strolling through the old town and along the beautiful sea promenade, with occasional breaks for a delicious fresh juice, an aromatic regional coffee or tasty seafood.

Santa Marta Cathedral Colombia. Top city attractions

Photo by Makalu, Santa Marta Cathedral (mod.)

2. Off-the-beaten-path: Go Hiking in Massinga

Just outside the city area of Santa Marta, you will find the villages Bonda and Massinga, which are great places for hiking. There are several ecological hiking trails between the two villages and around Massinga, most famously the Paso del Mango (Google Maps). It’s recommended to go with a group and a local guide.

Hiking near Santa Marta, Colombia: Paso del Mango, Massinga

Photo by Travelhapp, Paso del Mango, Massinga

3. Visit the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino

South America’s liberator Simón Bolívar spent the last weeks of his life in this gorgeous colonial house in Santa Marta. Today it hosts a museum dedicated to the life of Bolivar. After learning about Colombia’s history in the museum, you can stroll through the tranquil garden with its refreshing fountains and beautiful sculptures.

Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, a historical landmark in Santa Marta, Colombia

Photo by mehdi333000, Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, Santa Marta

4. Learn about Tairona culture in the Museo del Oro

This museum lets you dive into the fascinating history and culture of the indigenous Tairona people that lived in the Santa Marta area long before the spanish conquerors arrived. You can learn about their daily life, their spiritual practices, and about their impressive goldsmithing craftsmanship.

op city attractions in Santa Marta, Colombia, from museums to historic buildings: Gold Museum

Photo by banrepcultural (CC BY-SA 2.0), Gold Museum Santa Marta (mod.)

5. Try the typical cuisine of Santa Marta

Popular local dishes in Santa Marta include fried fish with coconut rice (pescado frito con arroz con coco), seafood stew in coconut sauce (cazuela de mariscos), ceviche, sancocho (a delicious soup) and bollo de mazorca (the Caribbean version of a Tamale).

Pachamama (Google Maps) is a really nice restaurant in Taganga, serving seafood and other delicious dishes. Emanuel Cocteles y Ceviches (Google Maps) is a simple bar located on a small pier at the Bahia de Santa Marta where you can enjoy ceviche in a great outdoor setting. Serena Tropical Bistro (Google Maps) is a little more upscale seafood option with amazing sunset sea views.

People from Santa Marta (“samarios”) are crazy about Salchipapa (french fries and a sort of hot dog immersed in loads of sauce). If you are a fast food fan you may give it a try. You can get it all night at food stands throughout the city…

6. Visit a coffee or cocoa plantation near Minca

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is famous for both its coffee and its chocolate. So, depending on your personal taste and preferences, you may either visit a coffee farm or a cacao plantation (or both) to learn about the production process and do tastings. There are interesting combined coffee and chocolate tours starting in the mountain village of Minca.

Cocoa fruit Colombia

Photo by Pixabay, Cocoa fruit (mod.)

7. Experience the Mercado Público in Santa Marta

This colorful market sells a great variety of fruit, vegetables, fish, meat, plants and other stuff. It makes an amazing local experience with its hustle and buzzle. Around the market you can find a lot of street food stands. View Mercado Publico de Santa Marta on Google Maps.

8. Learn Scuba diving in Santa Marta or Taganga

Just 15 minutes away from Santa Marta lies Taganga, an idyllic little fishing village and former backpacker favorite. Santa Marta and Taganga are excellent starting points for snorkeling and diving tours by boat, and are among the best places in the world to learn diving because of their excellent cost-benefit ratio. Marine wildlife spotting is a pure pleasure in the warm waters of the Caribbean sea. Many of the dive spots are inside Tayrona National Park.

There are a lot of good dive centers in both Santa Marta and Taganga. I’ve been diving with Caribbean Pro (see on Google Maps) in Santa Marta several times and can warmly recommend them.

diving in the Caribbean sea Colombia

Photo by Ultraminfoto, diving in the Caribbean sea

9. Chill by the beaches near Santa Marta

So, which are the best beaches in Santa Marta? Well, the best beaches aren’t the most popular ones…

Playa Tortuga (near the airport) and Playa Grande (in Taganga) offer a more relaxed vibe compared to the popular and bustling Rodadero Beach. Playa Blanca, a local favorite, is accessible by boat from Rodadero and also provides a quieter experience compared to Rodadero beach or Santa Marta city beach.

However, for the most paradisiacal beaches, head to Tayrona National Park and its surrounding areas. Further north along the coast towards Riohacha lies Playa los Angeles, another hidden treasure abounding with pristine beauty and tranquility.

That being said, Santa Marta’s and Taganga’s main city beaches are still great for taking walks at sunset!

Beach in Santa Marta, Colombia, sunset view

Photo by Travelhapp, Santa Marta City Beach

Sunset in Taganga near Santa Marta Colombia

Photo by Travelhapp, sunset in Taganga

10. Go Birdwatching

Colombia is the birdwatching destination for apasionados around the world, since it features the highest bird diversity on the planet. You may take a birdwatching tour with a local tour operator in Santa Marta or simply spend some days in or close to Tayrona National Park.

Birdwatching in the Sierra Nevada mountains near Santa Marta, home to diverse bird species

Photo by Agami Stock, Santa Marta Woodstar bird (mod.)

The following attractions are located in the surroundings of Santa Marta within a 2-hour radius, making ideal day trips.

11. Go hiking in Tayrona National Park

Tayrona National Park is one of Colombia’s top attractions and a great destination for solo travelers. You can go hiking in the jungle, engage in wildlife spotting or chill at white sand beaches. Get more recommendations for your Solo Trip to Tayrona National Park.

Beautiful beach in Tayrona National Park Santa Marta Colombia

Photo by Travelhapp, Tayrona National Park

12. Spend a few days in the mountain village Minca

You can reach Minca in just about 40 min by bus from Santa Marta’s Mercado Publico. This little paradise high up in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains enchants with myriads of waterfalls, beautiful hiking trails, spectacular views, and a pleasant climate. You can also find a delicious french bakery and outdoor yoga in this little piece of paradise.

Hiking in Minca, mountain village near Santa Marta

Photo by Travelhapp, Minca, Hike to Finca San Rafael

13. Hike to Cerro Kennedy from Minca

From Minca you can hike to the Cerro Kennedy mountain peak in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta which offers some of the most incredible views of the area. If you don’t want to hike, you can also go by moto taxi. Cerro Kennedy is definitely one of Santa Marta’s hidden treasures and a must-see place! View pictures and read more about the hike to Cerro Kennedy.

sunrise at Cerro Kennedy, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

Photo by Travelhapp, sunrise at Cerro Kennedy

14. Do the Ciudad Perdida Trek in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

Ciudad Perdida (“Lost City”) is an abandoned ancient city in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, accessible via a challenging 4-5 day jungle trek from Santa Marta. It was built by the Tayona indigenous people in the 9th century, and abandoned in the 16th century when the Spanish arrived. Ciudad Perdida is sometimes called the “Machu Picchu of Colombia” and is one of Colombia’s most important and impressive archeological sites.

Trekking to Ciudad Perdida, the Lost City in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

Photo by Datingscout, Ciudad Perdida (mod.)

15. Visit an Indigenous Village in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is home to several indigenous groups who live very connected to nature, including the Kogui and Wiwa. In times of climate change and a likely impending collapse of capitalism, learning from those groups is not only interesting but vital. You can visit these communities with a local tour guide, ideally a guide from the communities.

Community and eco-tourism Santa Marta: Kogui village Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

Photo by Luis Bolaño Nolavita (CC BY-SA-4.0), Kogui village Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (mod.)

16. Relax in the "El Volcan" Thermal Baths near Cienaga

Thermal baths are probably the last things you would expect to find in Santa Marta. However, the Termales El Volcan (Google Maps) close to Cienaga, feature an extraordinarily beautiful natural setting. Consider a visit in the early morning or late afternoon to enjoy the warm waters and lush green surroundings. Before or afterwards you can refresh yourself in the sea at Costa Verde (Google Maps). The easiest way to reach the El Volcan Thermal Baths is by moto taxi.

17. Spend some days in a Yoga Ashram in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

You can find several amazing Yoga Retreats close to Santa Marta, nestled in the stunning natural scenery of the Sierra Nevada. Check out Gambhira Eco Yoga Village (Google Maps)Goloka Eco Village (Google Maps) and Los Vedas Spa Campestre (Google Maps). Getting a relaxing massage at Los Vedas Spa in Massinga is a nice way to end the day after the Paso del Mango hike. They occasionally offer curative Temazcal experiences (Wikipedia), based on ancestral indigenous traditions.

Wellness in Santa Marta: Los Vedas Spa, Massinga, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

Photo by Travelhapp: Los Vedas Spa, Massinga

Where To Stay In Santa Marta, Colombia

Here are some suggestions of best places to stay in Santa Marta.

  • Historic Center: If you want to stay between beautiful colonial buildings and close to the sights, restaurant and bars, the centro historico of Santa Marta is your best choice. You may want to check-out cute little Hotel Casa Verde, which is run by the friendly english-speaking tour guide Juan, or hospitable Alberto’s AirBnB Panamerican Rooms, which offers affordable rooms with amazing sea views.

  • Taganga: Taganga can be reached in 10-15 minutes by bus from Santa Marta. The idyllic fishing village can turn into quite a popular backpacker and party destination in certain moments of the year, however if you stay at the edges of the village in low season you can have a relaxed experience. I stayed several times at Naomas’ Casa de Piedra in low season and loved it. It’s less than 5 minutes by foot to the beach and if you go before 10 AM in the morning, there are only a few people around and the water is nice and fresh.

  • What about El Rodadero? El Rodadero is Colombian families’ favorite place to stay in Santa Marta with lots of beachfront hotels. We wouldn’t really recommend it to solo travelers, since it’s about 20 minutes away from the historic center of Santa Marta (by bus). If you are looking for a great beach accommodation with lots of nature, we’d rather suggest to stay close to Tayrona National Park.

Traveling Alone To Santa Marta? Tips For Solo Travelers

It’s easy to travel in and around Santa Marta as a solo traveler. Transport and accommodation are very affordable and there is an incredible amount of things to do and see in and near Santa Marta.

Is Santa Marta safe for solo travelers? Santa Marta is generally considered safe to visit but it is always recommendable to apply some basic safety guidelines when traveling alone. Please have a look at my Safety Tips for Solo Travelers and Colombia Solo Travel Guide.

I have been to Santa Marta as a solo female traveler several times since 2011 and always enjoyed my time. In fact, Santa Marta is one of my favorite cities in Colombia. You do get a little more attention as a woman compared to Colombia’s Andean cities, though. (For me personally this is not a big issue since I learned to simply ignore it in 6 years living in Rome…)

When it comes to hikes and treks, in Colombia it’s mostly better to go in a group (and, depending on the specific destination, with a local guide). Join our Colombia Solo Travelers Facebook Group to search for other solo travelers near you that share your interests.

Best Time To Visit Santa Marta: Climate and Weather

Santa Marta is hot throughout the year with a pleasant and sometimes crazy breeze between December and February (known as the “brisa loca”). Average day temperatures range approximately from 30 to 32°C (86-90°F), and average night temperatures from 23-25°C (73-77°F). The driest months in Santa Marta are December to March. If you travel in months with more rain, the hills around Taganga will turn beautifully green.

Where To Go Next From Santa Marta

You can easily get from Santa Marta to other interesting travel destinations in Colombia overland. Head North if you want to explore off-the-beaten-track Colombia, head South to get to get to some of Colombia’s top travel destinations.

Heading North From Santa Marta

When you go North from Santa Marta you will eventually arrive at the fascinating La Guajira Peninsula.

  • Palomino (1,5h): Palomino is spectacularly set between the jungle and the Caribbean sea. In the recent years this small village has become a backpacker’s favorite and you will find a lot of foreign-run hostels and restaurants by the sea. However, if you cross the main road and move towards the mountains, you’ll find a more authentic and local Palomino. Palomino is a great base for exploring the nearby area which is fantastic for nature and outdoor activities. Just take the bus towards Riohacha from Plaza de Mercado in Santa Marta and you’ll reach Palomino in approximately 1,5 hours.

  • Riohacha (3h): The capital of La Guajira, laid-back Riohacha, makes a pleasant stay with its little houses and colonial center. It’s a great base for exploring nearby attractions, like the Flamingo Beach in Camarones or the otherworldly Cabo de la Vela desert and Punto Gallinas in the very North of Colombia. The bus from Santa Marta to Riohacha takes around 3 hours. Try to get a window seat because the scenery along the way is simply amazing. Discover the best things to do in Riohacha and La Guajira.

Heading South From Santa Marta

You can head South from Santa Marta along the Caribbean coast to get to Cartagena, or inlands to get to Bucaramanga.

Last Update: November 26, 2024

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Nicole

Seasoned Solo Traveler and Founder of Travelhapp

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