Things to do in Santa Marta

Activities, attractions and tours

Taganga Beach which includes a coastal town, a bay or harbor and a sandy beach
Taganga Beach which includes a coastal town, a bay or harbor and a sandy beach
Blanca Beach featuring a sandy beach
Rodadero Beach featuring general coastal views, a coastal town and a high rise building
Taganga Beach which includes a sandy beach, swimming and a coastal town
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Top places to visit

1. Tayrona National Natural Park

Tayrona National Natural Park is famous for its paradise-like beaches, exotic wildlife and excellent scuba conditions. The 37,000-acre (15,000-hectare) area is often considered one of the most scenic parts of the world due to its exceptional landscape, formed by a blend of ecosystems and microclimates, with environments such as thorny scrubland and dry, rain and cloud forests. The dry forest of this protected area is one of the best preserved in the country. The park is popular for hiking and tent camping deep in the forest or on the beaches. Look for many types of exotic wildlife and plants as you explore the park.
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Idyllic tropical Caribbean beach in Tayrona National Park near Santa Marta, Colombia

2. Rodadero Beach

Rodadero Beach is a hub of sand, sun and surf on Colombia’s Caribbean Coast. Enjoy a range of activities including diving, sailing and paddle boating. This beach is a more active and dynamic option than its nearby rival beach, Playa Blanca. Rodadero Beach has a more Colombian atmosphere with fewer international visitors. The beach first became popular in the 1950s. Now, it is one of the most visited parts of Colombia’s northern coast.
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Rodadero Beach featuring boating, a beach and a coastal town

3. Taganga Beach

Several decades ago, Taganga was a sleepy fishing village. Now, it attracts travelers from Colombia and the rest of the world with its cool breezes, mountainous landscape and proximity to Tayrona National Park. The small area is nestled beside the cliffs of the Caribbean coast. The village is a hotspot for scuba diving and sunbathing and has an animated nightlife. Enjoy one of the many restaurants and bars in Taganga or find a company to arrange a tour of the national park.
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Taganga Beach showing a sunset, a bay or harbor and boating

4. Parque de los Novios

Parque de los Novios is a spacious plaza next to Santa Marta’s most historic monuments. It is a popular meeting point for couples. In fact, the name translates as the Park of Lovers. Travelers and locals gather in this plaza to watch the sun go down and enjoy a few drinks in the evening. It is a shining beacon of the city’s nightlife and has a relaxed and secure ambiance. Look for a statue surrounded by small fountains erupting from the plaza’s red-brick surface. Take a leisurely stroll around the pedestrianized park in the afternoon without worrying about traffic.
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Parque de Los Novios which includes a park and flowers

5. Blanca Beach

Playa Blanca is a beautiful and tranquil beach nestled in the valley of mountains separating Santa Marta from El Rodadero. It is only accessible via a short boat journey, which means the area is particularly clean and safe. Enjoy the warm and crystal clear ocean water. Look for huts serving fresh seafood caught in the area and vendors offering coconut shell drinks.
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Blanca Beach featuring landscape views, a beach and a bay or harbor

What to do in Santa Marta

Popular places to visit

Rodadero Beach featuring boating, a beach and a coastal town

Rodadero Beach

This dynamic beach is one of the most visited spots in the area. Enjoy a variety of activities: sunbathe, swim, sail, dive and snorkel.

Rodadero Beach
Parque de Los Novios showing street scenes, a city and heritage elements

Parque de los Novios

Meet friends and share a few drinks at this plaza in the center of Santa Marta, where you’ll find restaurants, bars and vendors selling snacks.

Parque de los Novios
Hiking to Ciudad Perdida

Ciudad Perdida

You can find out about the history of Santa Marta with a trip to Ciudad Perdida. Wander the beautiful beaches in this relaxing area.

Ciudad Perdida
Santa Marta Cathedral showing a church or cathedral and heritage elements

Santa Marta Cathedral

Walk around the cathedral that holds the remains of the city’s founder and claims to be the oldest church in the country.

Santa Marta Cathedral
Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino showing a memorial as well as a small group of people

Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino

Visit the 17th-century villa and art museum made famous as the place where the famous military leader Simón Bolívar died.

Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino

Bello Horizonte Beach

Why not spend a carefree afternoon at Bello Horizonte Beach during your travels in Bello Horizonte? Make some time to visit the shops while you're in the area.

Bello Horizonte Beach

Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum

Take the kids to visit the sea creatures at Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum during your trip to Santa Marta. While you're in the area, stroll along the beautiful beaches.

Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum

Zazue

You can do some window-shopping at Zazue during your stay in Santa Marta. While you're in the area, stroll along the beautiful beaches.

Zazue

Marina Santa Marta

Explore the waterfront in Comuna 2 with a trip to Marina Santa Marta. While you're in the area, stroll along the beautiful beaches.

Marina Santa Marta

Areas of Santa Marta

Rodadero Beach showing a coastal town, a hotel and a sandy beach

El Rodadero

El Rodadero is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Rodadero Beach and Mundo Marino Aquarium.

El Rodadero
Historic Center which includes a city, heritage elements and street scenes

Historic Center

Take a trip back in time as you explore the center of Colombia’s oldest surviving city, complete with colonial buildings and collections of indigenous gold and pottery.

Historic Center
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Bello Horizonte

If you're spending some time in Bello Horizonte, Bello Horizonte Beach and Zazue are top sights worth seeing.

Bello Horizonte
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Los Cocos

While Los Cocos might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Marina Santa Marta and Parque de los Novios.

Los Cocos
Panorama view of the beach inTayrona National Park, Colombia

Bavaria

When in Bavaria, you can plan a visit to Parque de los Novios and Santa Marta Theater, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Bavaria
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San Martín

While San Martín might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Parque de los Novios and Santa Marta Beach.

San Martín
RÌÎÌã̴_o Badillo, Valledupar, Colombia

Valledupar

Taganga Beach featuring a sandy beach, a coastal town and swimming

Taganga

This amazing #camping site/ cabana rental place just 5 mins from the famous Tayrona Park is the perfect place for families to relax... You can camp right in front of the #beach on the sand under the #palm trees (Our tent is the blue one in the back) It's a quiet place not to visited, at least not when went in Feb 2015. Best thing you can drive right to where you'll set up (Unlike the Tayrona Park, where you have to walk 2 hours from the parking lot to the camp sites) It's just an awesome stop on a #Roadtrip

Mata de Platano

<The sands felt endless and there was almost no other soul in sight… until we reached the 'lake', actually part of a river sharing a stretch of land with the sea. So cool and inviting that I jumped straight in. I didn’t even care about putting sunscreen on [a thing I’d start regretting that same evening, because one shouldn’t underestimate Colombian sun]. When a kayak was ‘delivered’ to me by the man renting it, I didn’t care about surfing anymore. I left the guys train and I started paddling as far as I could, all eyes and ears along the shores/banks.> #waterlust

Los Naranjos

One of the beautiful beaches of Tayrona National Park in Colombia. You can hike from the National Park entrance to the beaches and stay overnight in a hammock.

Villa Concha

Love this place ❤✈️🇨🇴🌴🌎

Guachaca

Frequently asked questions

Is Santa Marta worth visiting?
From shopping to history and outdoor activities, there are plenty of fun things to do in Santa Marta. Be sure to enjoy the area's blend of awesome attractions, local charm and culture.
How do I spend a day in Santa Marta?
Begin your day with a visit to Bello Horizonte Beach and Santa Marta Beach. Then, check out different areas of Santa Marta for local dining and some souvenir shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Santa Marta?
Bello Horizonte Beach is one of the top tourist attractions in Santa Marta and should be high on every sightseeing list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Santa Marta?
Three days will be enough time to tick off many city sights, including Santa Marta Beach, Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum and Grande Beach. The average stay in Santa Marta is three days. If you have the urge to extend your vacation, Puerto de Gaira isn't far away.
Is Santa Marta a walkable city?
With exciting neighborhoods and major sights within walking distance of the city center, Santa Marta is a good destination to visit on foot. Wander between Santa Marta Beach and Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum. Then take a stroll through Comuna 2, located 0.16 kilometers from the center, and Historic Center, which is about 0.48 kilometers away.
What are some activities to do in Santa Marta with kids?
Deciding what to do in Santa Marta with kids has never been easier. Whether you're vacationing with toddlers or teenagers, there are loads of family-friendly tours and activities to keep everyone busy here.

What to do in Santa Marta for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food lover or thrill seeker, there are plenty of things to do in Santa Marta for adults including Mayorship of Santa Marta and Town Hall.
Are there free things to do in Santa Marta?
From relaxing in parks to wandering around exciting neighborhoods, it's a breeze to discover free things to do in Santa Marta. If you need new ideas, get some recommendations from a local tour guide. Santa Marta Beach is a must for anyone planning to save on their travel adventures.