How to Plan Your Santa Marta City Tour

If you’re planning on visiting Santa Marta, a city tour is an excellent way to see the city’s main attractions in a short amount of time. With the Santa Marta City Tour, you’ll get to experience the city’s rich history, architecture, and culture.

Overview:

The tour begins with a pickup service from your hotel or accommodation in Santa Marta. You’ll have a knowledgeable guide in the language of your preference who will take you to the city’s most popular attractions, including Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, the historic center, and the Tayrona Gold Museum. The tour includes entry tickets to all mentioned attractions but doesn’t cover any food or beverage costs or gratuities.

What’s Included:

• Hotel pick-up and drop-off
• Knowledgeable guide in the language of your preference
• Entry tickets to attractions mentioned

Meeting and Pickup:

The tour provides pick-up services from Santa Marta hotels and accommodations listed on the booking platform. If your hotel or accommodation is not listed, let the tour operator know, and they will arrange your pick-up. Pick-up services also extend to additional zones like Pozos Colorados, with a small additional cost. If you’re staying in other towns like Taganga, please contact the operator to arrange for pick-up services from there.

What to Expect:

• The tour is not wheelchair accessible, but it is stroller accessible.
• The tour is near public transportation, making it convenient to reach the starting point.
• Most travelers can participate, and this is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate.

Additional Info:

• Confirmation will be received at the time of booking.
• You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Cancellation Policy:

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

How to book:

To book this tour, visit the following link: Book your Santa Marta City Tour here.

Conclusion:

The Santa Marta City Tour is an excellent way to experience the city’s rich history, architecture, and culture in a short amount of time. With a knowledgeable guide, hotel pick-up and drop-off services, and entry tickets to all main attractions, you won’t have to worry about a thing. Book your tour today and enjoy an unforgettable experience in Santa Marta.

Insider’s Guide to Santa Marta: The Pearl of the Colombian Caribbean

If you’re looking for a tropical adventure with a mix of history, culture, and nature, then Santa Marta is the perfect destination for you. Located in the north of Colombia, Santa Marta sits at the crossroads of the Caribbean and the Sierra Nevada mountains, offering a wide range of attractions and experiences to suit any traveler’s taste. In this insider’s guide, you’ll discover the best ways to plan your visit to this charming city.

Explore the Historical Center: A Walk Through Time

Santa Marta was the first Spanish settlement in Colombia, founded in 1525 by the conquistador Rodrigo de Bastidas. The city’s historical center is a living trace of its rich colonial and republican past, with colorful streets, lovely squares, and impressive landmarks. You can start your walking tour at Parque de los Novios, a vibrant meeting point surrounded by bars, restaurants, and street performers. Then, wander along Calle de la Media Luna, lined with colonial houses and balconies, until you reach Casa de la Aduana, a magnificent building that once served as the customs office and now houses the Museum of the Tayrona culture. From there, head to the Cathedral of Santa Marta, a neoclassical temple that dates back to the 18th century and offers a great view of the city from its bell tower.

Discover the Natural Gems: Beaches, Mountains, and Parks

Santa Marta boasts an enviable natural setting that ranges from turquoise waters and white sands to cloud forests and snow-capped peaks. No matter what type of outdoor activity you’re into, you’ll find a perfect spot to enjoy it. Some of the top attractions include:

– Tayrona National Park: a stunning reserve that covers 150 square kilometers of pristine beaches, mangroves, coral reefs, and tropical forests. You can hike, swim, camp, or just relax in this natural paradise that shelters many endangered species and archaeological sites.
– Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta: the highest coastal mountain range in the world, with peaks reaching 5,700 meters above sea level. This natural wonder is home to indigenous communities, virgin forests, and waterfalls, and offers many trekking options, including the famous Ciudad Perdida, a sacred site of the Tayrona culture that can be reached after a challenging multi-day hike.
– Rodadero: a lively beach resort that caters to both locals and tourists, with a long strip of sand, a boardwalk, and a variety of water sports and restaurants. The sea here is warm and calm and invites you to swim, paddle, or snorkel.

Savor the Local Cuisine: From Seafood to Tropical Fruits

Colombian cuisine is as diverse as its regions, and Santa Marta has a wide array of dishes and drinks that reflect its Caribbean influence and multicultural blend. Some of the must-try foods include:

– Cazuela de Mariscos: a rich seafood stew made with coconut milk, cassava, plantains, and local spices. You can find it in many restaurants around the beach areas or in the Mercado de Santa Marta, a bustling market that sells fresh produce and other local goods.
– Arepas de Huevo: a typical snack that consists of a fried cornmeal cake filled with a scrambled egg and some condiments like hogao, a tomato-onion sauce. You can find it in street vendors or small cafes.
– Limonada de Coco: a refreshing beverage made with coconut water, lime, sugar, and ice. It’s perfect for hot days and goes well with any meal.

Immerse Yourself in the Culture: Festivals, Music, and Art

Santa Marta is a vibrant city that celebrates its identity through many cultural expressions, such as music, dance, painting, and literature. Some of the best events and venues to get a taste of the local culture are:

– Carnaval de la 49: a colorful and lively street festival that takes place every year in September and honors the independence of Santa Marta. It features parades, costumes, music, and food, and attracts thousands of participants and spectators from all over Colombia and beyond.
– Teatro Cajamag: a cultural center that hosts many performances of theater, dance, music, and cinema. It also has a gallery that exhibits the works of local and national artists.
– Plazuela de San Francisco: a small square that has become a hub for artistic interventions, murals, and graffiti. Many local artists have used its walls to express their vision of the city and social issues.

Dare to Go Off the Beaten Path: Hidden Gems and Local Secrets

Santa Marta has many surprises that are not yet on the tourist map but are worth discovering if you want to get a deeper insight into the local life and nature. Some of our recommendations are:

– Mirador de la Sierra: a viewpoint located in the upper part of the city that offers a panoramic view of the bay, the mountains, and the city. You can get there by taxi or foot, and enjoy the sunset with some street food and music.
– Cañaveral Beach: a secluded and unspoiled beach located in the northern part of Tayrona Park. You need to hike for about an hour to get there, but the reward is a pristine shore with clear waters and few people around.
– Mingueo: a traditional fishing village located on the outskirts of Santa Marta, where you can experience the daily life of the fishermen and taste fresh seafood. You can also take a boat tour to explore the nearby mangroves and watch birds and other wildlife.

Conclusion

Santa Marta is a city that has something for everyone, from history buffs to nature lovers, from foodies to culture seekers. By following this insider’s guide, you’ll be able to plan a memorable trip that covers all the main attractions and also goes beyond the tourist clichés. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, insect repellent, and comfortable shoes, and get ready to fall in love with this pearl of the Colombian Caribbean.