Santa Marta is a coastal city in Colombia, and there are many things to do and see there. Here we will give you some tips and advice so that you can have a wonderful time on your vacation in Santa Marta.
Research and plan
Before traveling to Santa Marta, it is a great idea to plan your trip, research the best tourist attractions, beaches, food and activities available. Making a list of activities that you would like to do, and planning your itinerary will allow you to make the most of your time. Likewise, some seasons in the city are rainy and this causes the opening of some attractions and the closure of others, so it is ideal that you think about what season you want to travel according to your preferences.
Another thing that can make your trip to Santa Marta better or worse is the place where you are going to stay. Think about your needs, expectations and book in advance.
If you want some additional services such as breakfast or an all-inclusive, perhaps a hotel is your best option, if you prefer to venture out on your own, without limitations, without haste, and saving money, perhaps an apartment in Santa Marta that is well located and have all the necessary comforts is ideal.
An excellent idea if you look at a reservation platform is to look for places that have their own website from which you can book; It is common for the websites of the different hotels, apartments and rooms to have better prices than these platforms as well as more information for you to decide.
Take advantage of the beaches
Santa Marta has some of the most beautiful beaches in Colombia. Let’s talk about El Rodadero beach. This beach, although it is the busiest, has many vendors and tourists, it is an excellent place for several reasons.
The crystal clear water, the excellent location, being the starting point for other activities and the large number of restaurants, bars and accommodation options make going through El Rodadero a great idea whenever you want to enjoy a beach with easy access or that look for some new adventure.
Playa Blanca and Taganga are other beautiful beaches, ideal for sunbathing, enjoying a swim in the sea or participating in any water sport or attraction.
Explore the Tayrona National Natural Park
Tayrona Park is one of the most impressive natural places you will find. There are many walking trails, an incredible amount of wildlife, stunning scenery and of course, beautiful beaches.
Explore the historic center of Santa Marta
The historic center(old town) is the heart of the city and is full of historic buildings, colonial architecture, churches, shops and restaurants. It is a perfect place if you go as a couple or with your family.
Some of the most interesting places you can visit are the Cathedral of Santa Marta, the Gold Museum and the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino.
Sierra Nevada and the culture of Santa Marta
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is home to several indigenous communities, there are different excursions that will help you learn more about their culture and customs.
Enjoy the nightlife
The nightlife in Santa Marta is very varied, there are different entertainment options. Whether you want something quiet or you want to dance and get to know the wonderful Caribbean rhythms, you will find all kinds of options when it comes to bars and clubs. If you want to make this part of your adventure, don’t pass up the delicious local cocktails.
Eat local food:
The food in Santa Marta is delicious, and there are many local dishes that you must try. One of our favorites is coconut rice, there are other notable dishes such as ceviche, arepas and different seafood. Our recommendation is that you look for restaurants focused on local gastronomy, so you you can try more authentic food.
Wear comfortable clothes:
The weather in Santa Marta is hot and humid throughout the year. It is better to wear comfortable and cool clothes, if you are missing some things, you can get them if you go.
Use sunscreen and repellent:
Even in its rainy season Santa Marta is quite hot, wearing a good sunscreen is very important to take care of your skin from any burns.
Use insect repellent
Santa Marta has tropical weather, which calls for some insects, don’t forget to take a good repellent among your things to protect you from any bite!
Respect the environment
Santa Marta is a very busy tourist destination, caring for the environment and taking precautions to reduce environmental impact is important for this place to continue to be a beautiful Caribbean paradise. Avoid leaving trash on the beaches and listen to the recommendations of the tour guides to help preserve nature.
Ask before buying
Prices in the city of Santa Marta vary greatly for almost all types of service, be it tourism, food or drink, it is important that you check carefully with the establishments, agencies and vendors what the final price you will pay before taking any of them so that you do not pay any extra or get any surprises.
Accommodation in Santa Marta
There are many places where you can stay, we recommend that you take advantage of the beaches of Santa Marta and consider staying in front of one; there are many hotels, resorts and apartments in Santa Marta that are located directly on the beach. This, in addition to offering you a more relaxing vacation, can also be a great advantage if you want to be in a central area, close to shops and with ease in getting to the different tourist destinations in the city.
We hope this article has been useful to you and that all our tips help you have your dream vacation in Santa Marta!
