Santa Marta, Colombia: travel guide
Caribbean port city and base for Tayrona and the Lost City trek
Colombia's oldest surviving city (1525) on the Caribbean. Base for Tayrona National Park, Lost City trek (Ciudad Perdida), Minca cloud-forest.
About Santa Marta
Santa Marta is a Caribbean port on Colombia's north coast, set between the sea and the high Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains. It is among the country's oldest surviving colonial cities and an easy, sunny base for the coast's natural attractions.
Parque Nacional Tayrona, a short journey along the coast, is known for its forest-backed beaches and walking trails. The multi-day trek to Ciudad Perdida, the Lost City, starts in this region and takes hikers deep into the jungle. Taganga is a small fishing village known for diving, and the cool hills of Minca offer cloud forest and coffee farms.
Santa Marta suits beach lovers, hikers and backpackers. The drier months from December to March are the most comfortable, while the middle of the year brings more rain.
- Country
- Colombia
- Currency
- COP
- Time zone
- America/Bogota
- Nearest airport
- SMR
Last updated
Top places to visit in Santa Marta
Parque Nacional Tayrona
Nature · 4.8 rating · about 8 h · entry $79,500 (≈ ₹2,380)
Coastal national park with white-sand beaches backed by tropical jungle and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Highlights: Cabo San Juan, La Piscina, Playa Cristal. Park entry caps daily visitors.
Taganga & Playa Cristal
Beach · 4.2 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
Small fishing village 15 min from Santa Marta. Budget-traveller hub, dive certifications (PADI Open Water), boat trips to nearby beaches (Playa Grande, Playa Cristal).
Ciudad Perdida Trek
Heritage · 4.9 rating · about 120 h · entry $2,200,000 (≈ ₹65,840)
4–5-day jungle trek to the pre-Columbian Tayrona archaeological city — older than Machu Picchu (built ~800 AD, abandoned ~1600s). 1,200 stone steps lead to the terraced city in the Sierra Nevada. Guided treks only.
Things to do
- Tayrona National Park Day Tour Nature · 10 h · from COP 280,000 per person
- Lost City 4-Day Trek (Ciudad Perdida) Activity · 96 h · from COP 2,200,000 per person
- Minca Cloud Forest & Coffee Day Trip Nature · 9 h · from COP 180,000 per person
Day trips and tours
- Santa Marta: Tayrona National Park Full Day 10 h · from 280,000
- Santa Marta: Minca Cloud Forest Day Trip 9 h · from 180,000
Where to stay in Santa Marta
- Centro Histórico Santa Marta about COP 280,000 per night
Colonial heart with restored boutique hotels.
- El Rodadero about COP 420,000 per night
Resort beach strip outside Santa Marta. All-inclusive resorts, family-friendly.
Hotels
- Casa de Leda — Casa Boutique 4-star · COP 380,000 to COP 650,000 per night
- IROTAMA Resort 5-star · COP 520,000 to COP 1,300,000 per night
Where to eat
- Donde Chucho Colombian, Caribbean, Seafood · about COP 40,000 per person
- Lulo Café Bar Colombian, Caribbean · about COP 75,000 per person
- Babaganoush Restaurante Mediterranean, Lebanese · about COP 65,000 per person
Getting to Santa Marta
Airport: Santa Marta (SMR)
Getting around
- Boat
- Bus
- Ride Hail
- Taxi
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Lost City Unauthorized Trek
Around Santa Marta bus terminal and hostels
Unauthorized "guides" offer Ciudad Perdida trek at cut prices. The trek requires licensed indigenous-approved operators only.
How to avoid it: Only book with one of the 5 licensed operators: Magic Tours, Wiwa Tour, Expotur, Turcol, or Guías Indígenas Tairona. Cheaper unlicensed treks risk arrest and indigenous community sanctions.
Fake Tayrona Entry Tickets
Around El Zaino and Santa Marta market
Touts sell counterfeit Tayrona entry tickets at cheap prices outside the official ticket booth.
How to avoid it: Buy tickets only at the official park entrance booth at El Zaino or Calabazo, or via official site. Counterfeits won't scan and get you turned away after 1h bus ride.
More in Colombia
Frequently asked questions about Santa Marta
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Santa Marta?
- The highest-rated places in our Santa Marta guide are Ciudad Perdida Trek, Parque Nacional Tayrona, Taganga & Playa Cristal.
- Where should I stay in Santa Marta?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Santa Marta: Centro Histórico Santa Marta, El Rodadero.
- How do I get around Santa Marta?
- Ways to get around Santa Marta covered in our guide: Boat, City bus, Ride-hailing app, Taxi.
- What scams should I watch out for in Santa Marta?
- Scams reported to us for Santa Marta include Lost City Unauthorized Trek; Fake Tayrona Entry Tickets. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Santa Marta?
- The nearest airport to Santa Marta has the code SMR.