THE 7 BEST PLACES TO VISIT NEAR SANTA MARTA, COLOMBIA
The Caribbean coast of Colombia is one of the best regions to visit in Colombia. There is a lot to do, and you need lots of time to explore all of it. Starting with the popular and well-known city of Cartagena to the famous Tayrona National Park, the coast offers a lot for travelers to do.
However, look no further if you are looking for the best places to visit near Santa Marta. This part of the Caribbean coast should be included in your itinerary.
Magdalena’s department (state), where Santa Marta is found, has beautiful hiking spots, rivers to swim in, fantastic beaches, excellent diving spots, lovely mountains, and more.
More visitors are discovering this coastal area because it’s a nature lovers’ paradise. It’s a great place to explore. Plus, you can find the best hostels in the country.
Also, there is an airport, so flying into the city is easy, and flights in Colombia are cheap. The other option is to take the bus from Cartagena or Riohacha if you fly into one of those cities.
These best places to visit near Santa Marta can be seen after spending a day or two in the city. Here they are:
Table of Contents
The 7 Best Places to Visit Near Santa Marta
1. Explore Tayrona National Park
One of the most beautiful places to visit in Colombia is Tayrona National Park. Its gorgeous beaches and lovely nature make it a popular exploring spot. Visitors head to the park to camp or sleep in a tent, but it requires a two-hour hike into the jungle. However, the vast diversity of flora and fauna within the park makes it worth visiting. I genuinely believe Tayrona should be added to tourists’ itineraries.
How To Get There
Parque Tayrona is 32 km from Santa Marta. The best way to arrive is by bus. You can get it from the official terminal in the city’s outskirts or the center of town at the busy Central Market on Calle 11 and Carrera 11 (also on Calle 11 & Carrera9). The bus departs every 30 minutes or when full, starting at 6 am. Inform the driver you want to be dropped off at the Zaino entrance of Tayrona.
Your other option is to have your hotel of hostel arrange for a shuttle or private driver to take you. This option will be more costly, though.
2. Relax in the Mountains of Minca
When I remember Minca, the word that comes to mind is rest. Minca is one of the best places in Colombia to disconnect. The town sits in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, which are the highest in the world near the sea. If you visit Minca, it’s the perfect place to book a hotel or hostel in the mountains. You can hike waterfalls and viewpoints, go on coffee and chocolate tours, and see some of the most incredible sunsets in the country.
When I visited, I loved it so much that I decided to extend my stay. It became one of my favorite places in Colombia and I’d go back in a heartbeat.
How to Get There
The best way to get there is by taking a buseta (shared shuttle or Colectivo) to Minca for 8,000 COP. You can get this buceta at the Central Market on Calle 11 & Carrera 9. Don’t let people scam you and tell you there aren’t any bucetas going to Minca. They most like are. Just avoid going late, because they stop heading out around 5 pm.
If you aren’t on a budget, you can hire a taxi to take you to Minca for about 60,000-80,000 COP. This is an excellent option if you have lots of luggage or are traveling in a group.
3. Trek the Lost City
La Ciudad Perdida, or The Lost City, is a hidden gem deep in the Colombian jungle found in the Sierra de Santa Marta. The Lost City consists of 170 stone terraces carved into the mountain, sometimes compared to those found in Peru.
You can find the remains of a city built in 800 AD and is one of the main places in Colombia where you will find ruins. Trekking takes about 4-5 days and requires going with a local indigenous guide of the Wiwa community.
Also, it’s not easy. It’s rated a 4 out of 5 in difficulty for the length, the over 1,200 steps to climb, the heat, and other factors. However, it’s rated one of the best hikes in Colombia. So don’t shy away from trying it if you enjoy hiking.
This trek is not budget-friendly either, but it makes sense considering it’s a private trek for a few days and provides food, drinks, accommodation, and a guide. The prices average about 1,150,000 COP, nearly $300.
How To Get There
The only way to reach The Lost City is by walking, which requires a local and certified tour guide of the indigenous community. So, that said, tours will provide transportation and depart from the city of Santa Marta. You can book through G Adventures to get a trusted guide.
4. Go Hostel Hopping
Yes, this is a thing! Although I’m not giving you a specific place here, I’m telling you to visit the hostels along the main Caribbean road to Riohacha.
Santa Marta has gained attention due to the amazing hostels that have popped up in recent years. Some of the best hostels I’ve visited in all my time backpacking have been in this region.
Most of them have outdone themselves with incredible pools and some with fantastic mountain views. I have friends who return to Santa Marta specifically to stay at different hostels each time.
Don’t be surprised if they feel like resorts. The hostels here are not ordinary! They’re bougie; others are very simple, think cabins with no air conditioning. Some hostels even hold big festivals and parties on the beach, and some have big health retreats.
There are hostels for all types of travelers. You’ll find quiet ones, social ones, party ones, and fancy ones.
If you’ve never stayed at a hostel before, this is the perfect place to try it for the first time. You don’t even need to get a shared room if you prefer privacy or are worried to try it. Instead, you can book in advance and get a private room if you prefer.
Most of them are on the main road from Santa Marta to Tayrona National Park and heading towards Palomino and Riohacha. However, the best ones are closer to Costeño Beach.
Here are some popular ones to check out:
- Viajero Hostel Tayrona: Hands down the best pool in a hostel. It feels more like a resort. I stayed and loved it.
- Costeño Beach: Another fantastic pool! I’ve heard great things about it.
- The Journey Hostel: It has an incredible view of the Santa Marta mountains.
- Origen Hostel: The most peaceful vibe and fantastic pool. I stayed here when it was new. Loved it!
- Bohemia Beach Hostel: This hostel is the perfect place for enjoying the beach and mountains.
How to Get There
These hostels are along the main road. A local bus leaves from Santa Marta and goes to Palomino. You can get it from the official terminal in the outskirts of the city or at the center of town at the busy Central Market on Calle 11 and Carrera 11 (also on Calle 11 & Carrera 9).
The bus departs every 30 minutes or when full, starting at 6 am. Inform the driver where to drop you off. They are familiar with the hostels.
Your other option is to have your hotel or hostel in Santa Marta arrange for a shuttle or private driver to take you. This option will be more costly, though.
5. Take a Trip to La Guajira
Santa Marta is the gateway to many places in the northern part of Colombia, La Guajira being one of them and the furthest from the city. Although La Guajira is a different department (state) of Colombia, tours to La Guajira leave from the city of Santa Marta.
The tour to La Guajira means you’ll ride through the desert to see some of the country’s most remote and beautiful beaches. You can also go sandboarding, see the Milky Way in the sky, and meet the Wayuu indigenous people of Colombia.
How to Get There
Getting to La Guajira is easy but requires a bus transfer. Like some of the above places, you’ll get the local bus leaving Santa Marta and going to Palomino. You can get it from the official terminal in the outskirts of the city or at the center of town at the busy Central Market on Calle 11 and Carrera 11 (also on Calle 11 & Carrera 9).
The bus departs every 30 minutes or when full, starting at 6 am. The last stop is the town of Palomino. In Palomino, you get off and stand on the side of the road to wait for the bus that goes from Palomino to Riohacha, the capital city of the La Guajira department.
Your other option is to have your hotel or hostel in Santa Marta or wherever you are along the coast, arrange for a shuttle or private driver to take you to Riohacha. This option will be more costly, though.
Once in Riohacha, your tour company will take you on a 2 or 3-day trip into the desert.
There are organized tours that leave from Santa Marta, but those require waking up extra early. So instead, I recommend a tour that leaves from Riohacha. I went with my friends from Colibri Viajes and had a great experience. Make sure to book in advance.
6. Chill or Party in Palomino
This small backpacker town with the best vibes is on the road along the Caribbean coast. You can visit this village to do nothing or to get outdoors to enjoy nature. There is a perfect and quiet, chill vibe about the town.
However, on the opposite spectrum, Palomino is also one of the best-liked places by backpackers for partying. The town has one main street where all the action is, making it the perfect place to walk around and find a place to dance.
It’s the best of both worlds.
Although it doesn’t have the best beaches, travelers visit the town to surf, for tubing down the rivers, to hike nearby jungles, to party, to enjoy staying at cool hostels, and to be close to Tayrona National Park.
Palomino has mainly gained popularity among backpackers because it’s cheap, and you’ll notice it has hippie vibes too.
It’s also good to mention that Palomino has become the place in the region to go tubing. Many hostels will offer this activity, but so will the other hostels along the road to Riohacha.
How to Get There
Palomino is an hour and a half from Santa Marta. The best way to arrive is by bus. You can get it from the official terminal in the outskirts of the city or at the center of town at the busy Central Market on Calle 11 and Carrera 11 (also on Calle 11 & Carrera 9).
The bus departs every 30 minutes or when full, starting at 6 am. The last stop is Palomino. So there’s no getting lost or confused.
Your other option is to have your hotel or hostel arrange for a shuttle or private driver to take you. This option will be more costly, though.
The Best Places to Visit Near Santa Marta, Colombia
7. Go Diving in Taganga
Just a few minutes from Santa Marta is this small fishing village that has also gained the attention of backpackers traveling through Colombia. Some things to do in Taganga include hanging out at the beach, day-tripping to Tayrona National Park by boat ride, fishing with the locals, and snorkeling and diving.
Diving has become popular here because it’s cheaper than in other places. So if you want to get certified, this is a great place to spend a few days getting it.
How to Get There
Taganga is only 12 minutes from Santa Marta. Getting there is easy. Just take a taxi there. The ride should be no more than 20,000 COP ($5), which is actually high considering the distance. It’s more likely you’ll find a ride for about 14,000 COP.
The Best Places to Visit Near Santa Marta, Colombia
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Travel Booking Resources
Book Your Flight:
To find cheap flights, check Skyscanner and Google Flights. These search engines check airlines to find you the best deals. The more flexibility you have, the better flight deals available.
Book Your Accommodation:
Booking.com is my favorite booking site for hotels but it also shows great deals on hostels and apartments. Plus, when you reach Genius Level, you get special discounts, included breakfasts, and upgrades on some hotel rooms. Hostelworld is specifically for budget travelers who enjoy hostels. This is the best place for finding great options.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance and Visa Applications:
Travel insurance will protect you against theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. Sometimes unexpected things happen during a trip and protections will keep you covered. Two great options are: Safety Wing and World Nomads. Also, iVisa can help you get a visa if you need one.
Book Tours:
Sometimes the best way to see a place is through tours. I recommend checking out Get Your Guide for some fun and unique adventures wherever you go.
Check out my other travel resources to help you book your trip!
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If this guide to the best places to visit near Santa Marta was helpful, check out these other posts about Colombia:
