Making the most of Santa Marta
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Cruise ships use Puerto de Colombia, about 1/2 a mile from the town center. This container terminal has no passenger facilities, but a short shuttle takes you to the beachside town center beside the old Custom House.
Santa Marta is easy to navigate and has the feel of a big small town. The historic district is readily walkable without transport. On leaving the cruise ship, you will find all kind of tour operators offering city tours.
Bring a printable map.
A perfect curve of beach makes Santa Marta a popular Colombian vacation spot. A cobblestone esplanade runs alongside it, beside dozens of small tents selling everything from ship models and jewelry to hand-carved domino sets.
On Colombia's Caribbean coast, Santa Marta's recently renovated downtown combines colonial and republican architecture and attracts increasing visitors, including several cruise ships each week. Its beach is very busy, with plenty of people, vendors and noise.
Roger de Bastidas founded Santa Marta in 1525. It is ideally positioned for visits to the Santa Marta mountain range, second only to Colombia's Andes in height, and to two national parks. Although it lacks some tourism infrastructure found in Cartagena down the coast, it has warm, clean beaches, many in Tayrona, or Tairona, park.
El Libertador Simón Bolívar died on December 17, 1830, at the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino ranch on Santa Marta's outskirts.
Getting around
Travelers should remain vigilant at all times because of violent crime. Kidnapping and homicide rates in Colombia's urban areas have fallen in recent years but are still high. Risks rise greatly beyond main tourist areas, so avoid off-the-beaten-track travel. Stick to main routes and travel only in daytime. Avoid border regions with Ecuador and Venezuela, where criminal, guerrilla and paramilitary activity threatens travelers.
Food and shopping
An information desk and some shops are available right at the port.
For the best shopping, head to the city's Rodadero district.
Money
Colombia's Republic uses the peso, which is highly volatile. 3065 Peso = 1 USD.
Staying connected
Spanish is spoken.
Many cafes offer WiFi.
Opening Hours and
Most shops trade Monday to Friday from 0900-1700 and Saturday from 0900-1300, though some larger stores stay open until 2100 seven days a week.