Santa Marta

Santa Marta is a city located in the bay of Santa Marta along the Caribbean Sea in the province of Magdalena in Colombia, South America.

As with many places, crime can be a problem and visitors should exercise the usual caution and common sense and stick to tourist and city centre areas.

Museo del Oro (on plaza Bolivar) displays a collection of pre-Columbian pottery, a collection of gold and a scale model of Ciudad Perdida.

Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino is the final home of Simon Bolivar, the Venezuelan military and political leader. It contains a museum housing works of art from countries he helped liberate.

Go bird watching in the world famous El Dorado bird reserve.

Tayrona National Park was created in 1864 and is located 34km from Santa Marta. It offers a variety of flora and fauna and fascinating wildlife including black howler and titi monkeys, red woodpeckers, iguanas, jaguars, lizards and more than 400 species of birds.

Mountain Biking, hiking and canyoning adventures can be arranged in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and or the Tayrona National Park.

The coral reefs in the area provide good views for scuba divers.

Watersport activities such as jet skiing are available on local beaches. Los Angeles and Costeño beaches just to the east of Tayrona are great if you want to escape the masses.

Minca is a small village 650m above Santa Marta. The village centre itself is a quaint friendly little mountain town with panoramic vistas to the sea far below.

Santa Marta is famous for its beach sellers, there are always people wandering up and down the beach selling all sorts of items. Some are fairly aggressive sellers so use the opportunity to haggle.

Fresh fish and seafood, grilled meats, spicy fish and lobster, coconut rice and seafood soup are all common dishes in the area.

Cruise ships dock in the Port of Colombia, which is only a short walkable distance from the centre of town.

Tourist Information is next to the port. Shopping can also be found close by.