What to do in Santa Marta

Activities, attractions and tours

Visit Santa Marta

Santa Marta Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Santa Marta has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Santa Marta is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Santa Marta to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Santa Marta Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Santa Marta.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Santa Marta attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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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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One of the wonders of Colombia, this park is home to varied ecosystems of mountains, forests, cliffs and beaches.

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 showing boating, a sandy beach and a coastal town

3. 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 showing a city, street scenes and heritage elements

4. 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 boating, a sandy beach and a bay or harbour

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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Recommended things to do in Santa Marta

Number of things to do	124
Things to do from	CA $10
Cheapest thing to do	Self-Guided Audio Tour: the Pearl of America
Top 5 things to do	Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique! Full Day Tour Santa Marta and Barranquilla from Cartagena Minca Full Day Tour Door to door transport Cartagena Santa Marta Full Day Tour to Bahía Concha and Tayrona Park with Pickup
Half-day tours	Palomino: Private Tour of Tungueka Indigenous Village Sunset Sailing Santa Marta Bay Self-Guided Audio Tour: the Pearl of America Artisanal chocolate: from the garden to the table 1 Hour Flying Dress in Santa Marta
With kids	Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique! Door to door transport Cartagena Santa Marta Full Day Tour to Bahía Concha and Tayrona Park with Pickup From Rodadero O Sta Marta: Parque Tayrona Playa Cristal Expedition to Macondo, Ciénaga Grande del Magdalena

Discover the most popular places to visit in Santa Marta

Rodadero Beach

4/5(19 reviews)

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

Parque de Los Novios

4/5(10 reviews)

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.

Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum

4.5/5(2 reviews)

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.

Ciudad Perdida

5/5(3 reviews)

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

Santa Marta Cathedral

4/5(16 reviews)

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

Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino

4/5(2 reviews)

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

Blue Well

5/5(1 review)

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Blue Well during your travels in Minca. While you're in the area, stroll along the beautiful beaches.

Bahia de Santa Marta

3/5(1 review)

Learn about the local history of Comuna 2 when you spend time at Bahia de Santa Marta. Stroll along the area's beautiful beaches, or simply savor its top-notch restaurants.

Buritaca Beach

4/5(2 reviews)

Why not spend a carefree afternoon at Buritaca Beach during your travels in Buritaca? You can enjoy the restaurants while in the area.

Explore areas of Santa Marta

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

El Rodadero

4/5(14 area reviews)

El Rodadero is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Rodadero Beach and Arrecife Shopping Center.

Historic Center

4/5(33 area reviews)

The beaches and abundant dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Historic Center. A stop by Parque de Los Novios or Santa Marta Beach might round out your trip.

Historic Center showing street scenes and a city

Barrio Centro

If you're spending some time in Barrio Centro, Parque de Los Novios and Santa Marta Cathedral are top sights worth seeing.

Mamatoco

While Mamatoco isn't home to many top sights, Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino and Tayrona National Natural Park are some notable places to visit nearby.

Bavaria

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

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.