Late afternoon on the plaza in Santa Marta's centre, the light comes off the white walls of the Cathedral Basilica of Santa Marta and the streets fill with the smell of coffee and fried plantain. A few blocks away, the Caribbean opens out at the port, and behind the city the snow-capped Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta rises into the clouds. This is a city where the colonial centre, the beaches and the mountains sit within a short ride of one another.
Santa Marta suits travellers who want history and nature in the same trip: a morning in a museum, an afternoon on a beach, and a base for multi-day treks into the Sierra. It is also the place where Simón Bolívar spent his last weeks and died in 1830, at Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino.
This guide covers the sights and experiences in and around the city, with practical notes on how to combine them.
1. Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino
This is the villa where Simón Bolívar spent his last weeks and died in 1830, at the age of 47. The official name is Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, and it sits just outside the city centre. The gardens are beautiful and very interesting, with lots of iguanas.
Study the map before you go any further into the site. The guide will tell you only about the buildings and the history of the "Libertador", so if you want the garden detail, explore on your own. The entry fee was COP$23,000 as of September 2021.
2. Museo del Oro
On plaza Bolivar at Calle 14 No.2-67, this museum displays a collection of pre-Columbian pottery, a nice collection of gold and a scale model of Ciudad Perdida. It is a good introduction before any trek, and entrance is free.
Pair it with a walk around plaza Bolivar and the historic centre, since the museum sits right on the plaza.
3. Ciudad Perdida trek (Lost City)
The 4–5 day trek to Ciudad Perdida ("Lost City"), built by the Tayrona civilization between approximately 800 and 1400 CE, is one of South America's classic multi-day hikes. The trek begins approximately 50 km southeast of Santa Marta and covers roughly 44 km of jungle and mountain terrain round trip, with overnight stays at simple camps.
Independent hiking is not permitted, because the route runs through indigenous Wiwa, Kogi and Arhuaco territories, and authorities require travellers to use one of four authorized operators: Expotur, Magic Tour Colombia, Wiwa Tour and Turcol. Typical cost is US$400–500 per person all-inclusive, covering transport, food, accommodation and guide, as of May 2026. The trek is moderate in difficulty, hot, humid and steep in sections, and the dry months of December–March and July–August are the best windows. Booking directly with one of the four authorized operators in Santa Marta is significantly cheaper than booking through international resellers.
4. Tayrona National Natural Park
This large park in the mountains abutting the modern city of Santa Marta was established to protect spiritual centres important to the native Tayrona cultures. Many indigenous people continue to inhabit the mountains to this day.
The park closes periodically to let the land rest and recover its spiritual energies. Closing dates are from February 1st to 15th during the Kugkui shikasa season, from June 1st to 15th during the Saka Juso season, and from October 19th to November 2nd during the Nabbatashi season. Check those dates before you plan a visit.
5. Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Natural Park
This mountainous area is where the Kogi indigenous population live; the Kogi are part of the Tayrona culture. The park is home to a fascinating archaeological site called Ciudad Perdida with its many tiered terraces.
The Tayrona maintain that it is only the Hispanic interlopers who consider the site "lost": the Tayrona never lost track of it. Treat the park as a place to move through respectfully, and remember that access to Ciudad Perdida runs through the authorized operators listed above.
6. Scuba diving at Taganga
Nearby coral reefs provide good possibilities for scuba diving. All the scuba diving operators are at Taganga, so you will need to go there to shop around, as prices are very different from one to another.
You can follow the PADI course over 3–4 days, or just go for a one-day dive, for which no licence is required. Compare a few operators before committing.
7. The beaches near the port
You can go to the beach near the port. Nearby is Playa de Bahia, and a bit more south you find Playa los cocos. All of them have crystal clear water.
These are the closest swimming options to the centre, so they work well for a short afternoon rather than a full beach day.
8. Playa El Rodadero
If you are in El Rodadero, you can go to Playa El Rodadero. Rodadero is technically a separate locality but is part of Santa Marta itself, so it is easy to reach from the city.
Combine it with the other Rodadero facilities if you want a longer beach day away from the centre.
9. The beach at the airport
You can go to the beach directly at the airport, watching airplanes arriving and departing while swimming in the sea. Simón Bolívar International Airport is 16 km from the city centre.
This is an unusual way to spend an hour, and it works best when you already have a reason to be out that way.
10. Jet ski rental on the beaches
On the beaches, you can usually rent a jet ski in increments of 10 minutes. Life jackets are provided.
If you are not comfortable operating one, you can usually ask for a ride around instead.
11. Birdwatching at the El Dorado bird reserve
Birdwatching is possible at the El Dorado bird reserve above Minca ProAves. It is a change of altitude and scenery from the coast, and a good half-day for anyone interested in the region's birdlife.
Plan it as a separate outing from the city beaches, since it takes you up into the mountains above Minca.
12. Spanish School at Casa Scania
The Neotropical Spanish School at Casa Scania is a small Spanish school focused on quality, giving classes in downtown Santa Marta and Barranquilla. It is at Calle 21 3-88, between Carrera 3 and 4 in central Santa Marta.
Classes are USD8 per hour with one student per teacher, or USD6 per person in small groups. Course material and hot and cold drinks are included. This suits travellers staying a few weeks rather than a few days.
13. Adrenaline Addicts motorcycle rentals and tours
At Carrera 21, Calle 20-36, Adrenaline Addicts offers motorcycle rentals, lessons and motorcycle tours spanning 1–7 days. It is run from Drop Bear Hostel and is open 9AM–6PM.
Rentals are around US$30 per day, and tours are under US$100 per day, all inclusive, varying by tour. It is a new business with nice new bikes, run by a pair of young Americans.
14. Mamancana
Mamancana is a private game reserve where you can do wall climbing and canopying. It is an option for travellers who want an active day inland rather than on the water.
Treat it as a full outing and check conditions before you go.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at Museo del Oro on plaza Bolivar at Calle 14 No.2-67, where entrance is free and the collection of pre-Columbian pottery, gold and the scale model of Ciudad Perdida gives you the context for the rest of the region. From there, walk the historic centre and see the Cathedral Basilica of Santa Marta, one of the oldest structures in the city, built in the eighteenth century.
Afternoon: Head to Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, the villa where Simón Bolívar died in 1830. Study the map before going further in, and give yourself time in the gardens, where there are lots of iguanas. If you have time left, go to the beach near the port, or continue to Playa de Bahia and Playa los cocos, all of which have crystal clear water.
Evening: Return to the centre around plaza Bolivar for the evening, with the day's sights within walking distance of one another.
When is the best time to visit Santa Marta?
The dry season lasts from December to April, while the wet season lasts from May to November. For the Ciudad Perdida trek specifically, the dry months of December–March and July–August are the best windows.
Do I need a licence to scuba dive?
No licence is required for a one-day dive. All the scuba diving operators are at Taganga, so you will need to go there to shop around, as prices vary from one operator to another. You can also follow the PADI course over 3–4 days.
Can I hike to Ciudad Perdida independently?
No. Independent hiking is not permitted, because the route runs through indigenous Wiwa, Kogi and Arhuaco territories, and authorities require travellers to use one of four authorized operators: Expotur, Magic Tour Colombia, Wiwa Tour and Turcol. Booking directly with one of them in Santa Marta is significantly cheaper than booking through international resellers.
When does Tayrona National Natural Park close?
The park closes periodically to let the land rest and recover its spiritual energies: from February 1st to 15th during the Kugkui shikasa season, from June 1st to 15th during the Saka Juso season, and from October 19th to November 2nd during the Nabbatashi season.
With the historic centre, the beaches and the Sierra within reach of one another, Santa Marta rewards a little planning — pick your dates around the park closures and the dry season, and start mapping out your days.