Major city · Colombia
Santa Marta
Give Santa Marta 3 nights: 1 for the old centre, 1 for Tayrona or Taganga, 1 for Minca or Ciudad Perdida logistics. Skip it as a beach-only stop.
Santa Marta is Colombia's oldest city and the gateway to Tayrona National Park, the Sierra Nevada and the Ciudad Perdida trek. The old centre is small and walkable; the beaches people picture are 20–60 minutes out at El Rodadero, Taganga or inside Tayrona. Most travellers use it as a 3-night base with day trips, not as a resort.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- COP
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry, peak mid-Dec to late Jan); Jul–Aug a second dry window
- avoid Oct–Nov (wettest, Tayrona closed 19 Oct–2 Nov); Sep–Nov heavy rain
- Airport
- SMR
- Nights
- 3
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Colombia ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Migración Colombia or a Colombian consulate; some travellers must complete an online migration form before arrival.
- Colombia ↗Security advice lists specific departments and border areas: check your own government's advice for every place on your route, including coastal roads.
- Colombia ↗Never accept drinks, food or cigarettes from strangers, and be careful with people met on dating apps: drugging (including with scopolamine) followed by robbery is a known risk.
- Colombia ↗Fill in Check-MIG only on the official Migración Colombia site; it is free, and lookalike sites charge a fee.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Santa Marta123 ▾
- Police, ambulance and fire123
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Santa Marta, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Colombian peso (COP, $).Colombia-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckClaro (best coverage), Movistar and Tigo SIMs in malls and at airports; passport required and IMEI registration may apply for longer stays — check.Colombia-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Bogotá and Medellín; drink bottled on the coast and in rural areas.Colombia-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% propina voluntaria offered on the bill.Colombia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Colombia-wide
- SafetyThe historic centre is busy and generally fine by day; take normal city care at night, keep to lit streets…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPut paper in the bin in most places; bring tissues for bus stations.Colombia-wide
- Emergency numbers123 police, ambulance and fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany museums close Mondays; Monday holidays (puentes) move almost half of public holidays.Colombia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSMR Simón Bolívar International (On the coast 20 min south of the centre, 10 min from El Rodadero; non-stop from Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Pereira…
- Getting aroundThe centre is walkable.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCOP$3,000–6,000
- Street or quick mealSet lunch (soup, main, drink)COP$10,000–15,000
- Beerbar or shopCOP$5,000–12,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Short taxi ridefrom COP$7,000 (check)
- Metro or bus rideCity bus rideCOP$2,700 (check)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseo del Oro entryFree
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCOP 45,000
- Mid-range bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomCOP 220,000
- High-end bedDouble room, mid-range hotel, a night, per roomCOP 450,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget COP 120,000 · Mid COP 220,000 · High COP 400,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SMR Simón Bolívar International (On the coast 20 min south of the centre, 10 min from El Rodadero; non-stop from Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Pereira, Bucaramanga)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jul
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Aug
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Jul–Aug, Dec–Apr. Avoid: Sep–Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Oct (13 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Santa Marta: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
1 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
1 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
3 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Jun
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Jul
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
8 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The centre is walkable. City buses cost about COP$2,700 (2025) and stop anywhere; taxis have no meter and start around COP$7,000 for a short ride. Taganga is a short bus or taxi hop; Tayrona and Minca need a bus or organised tour.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tayrona National Natural Park
goDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Bus or colectivo from the centre to El Zaino entrance, about 1 h, then park shuttle or walk
Closed 1–15 Feb, 1–15 Jun and 19 Oct–2 Nov; go early, bring cash for entry and the shuttle.
Taganga
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Bus or taxi north from the centre, 15–20 min
Dive shops cluster here; compare prices before booking a course or a single dive.
Minca
goDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
Bus or colectivo up the mountain road, about 45 min–1 h
Cooler than the coast; birdwatching and coffee farms. Roads are rough after rain.
Ciénaga
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus west along the coast, about 45 min
Historic centre and mangrove swamp; go with a local guide and in daylight.
Guachaca
overnightDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus east along the Tayrona road, about 1 h
River-and-beach hostels; better as a night than a return day trip.
Aracataca
cautionDoor to door: 2–2.5 h
Bus south inland, about 1.5–2 h
García Márquez birthplace; a long, hot day with limited transport back.
Calabazo
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus east on the Tayrona road, about 45 min
Trailhead area for the Ciudad Perdida route; not a sight in itself.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Centro Histórico
Walkable to Museo del Oro, the port beach and Carrera 5; best for a first visit and for tour pickups.
El Rodadero
Resort strip 20 min south, near the airport; high-rise hotels, calm swimming, more vendors.
Taganga
Fishing village 15 min north; dive shops and hostels, cheaper beds, basic services.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- COP$120,000–180,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- COP$180,000–320,000 excl. bed
- High
- COP$320,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, mid-range hotel1 × 3 nights × COP 220,000 | COP 660,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × COP 220,000 | COP 1,320,000 |
| Airport taxi to the centre, one way1 × COP 35,000 · check | COP 35,000 |
| Tayrona entry plus shuttle, one day2 × COP 70,000 · check | COP 140,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × COP 40,000 | COP 80,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | COP 224,000 |
| Trip total≈ COP 410,000 per person per day, bed included | COP 2,459,000 |
2026 estimate in Colombian pesos; flights and the Ciudad Perdida trek excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | COP$3,000–6,000 |
| Set lunch (soup, main, drink) | COP$10,000–15,000 |
| Street snack (arepa, skewer, salchipapa) | COP$3,000–8,000 |
| Beer, bar or shop | COP$5,000–12,000 |
| City bus ride | COP$2,700 (check) |
| Short taxi ride | from COP$7,000 (check) |
| Museo del Oro entry | Free |
| Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino entry | COP$23,000 (check) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Beach vendors are persistent, especially at El Rodadero and the city beach: agree a price before you accept anything.
- Tayrona closes 1–15 Feb, 1–15 Jun and 19 Oct–2 Nov for indigenous rest periods; check dates before you plan around it.
- Ciudad Perdida can only be walked with one of four authorised operators; independent trekking is not allowed.
- Taxis do not use meters: agree the fare before getting in.
- Carry small notes; ATMs are mostly BBVA and can run out on weekends.
Emergency numbers
- Police, ambulance and fire
- 123
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Santa MartaSanta Marta
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, ambulance and fire123
Embassy
No US or UK embassy in Santa Marta; embassies are in Bogotá (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → centre, taxi: about COP$35,000, 20 min (check)
- Centre → Taganga, bus: COP$2,700, 15–20 min (check)
- Centre → Tayrona (El Zaino), bus: about COP$10,000–15,000, 1 h (check)
Say or show
- Buenas — Hello (bweh-nas)
- Gracias — Thank you (grah-syas)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwan-to kwes-ta)
- La cuenta, por favor — The bill, please (la kwen-ta por fa-vor)
- ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta? — Can I pay by card? (pweh-do pa-gar kon tar-he-ta)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (don-de es-ta el ba-nyo)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Santa Marta. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr (dry, peak mid-Dec to late Jan); Jul–Aug a second dry window · avoid Oct–Nov (wettest, Tayrona closed 19 Oct–2 Nov); Sep–Nov heavy rain · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares