Santa Marta
Colombia · Departamento del MagdalenaCO
District and city in Caribbean Region, Colombia
Santa Marta, officially the Distrito Turístico, Cultural e Histórico de Santa Marta, is a port city on the coast of the Caribbean Sea in northern Colombia. It is the capital of Magdalena Department and the fourth-largest urban city of the Caribbean Region of Colombia, after Barranquilla, Cartagena, and Soledad. Founded on July 29, 1525, by the Spanish conqueror Rodrigo de Bastidas, it was one of the first Spanish settlements in Colombia, its oldest surviving city, and second-oldest in South America. This city is situated on a bay by the same name and as such, it is a prime tourist destination in the Caribbean region.
Read more on Wikipedia →- Population
- 505,915
- Coordinates
- 11.241, -74.199
- Timezone
- America/Bogota
- Elevation
- 8 m
Overview of Santa Marta
Santa Marta is the kind of busy regional city you find in Departamento del Magdalena, Colombia. About 505,915 people are based here. And it shows in how much there is to see. Santa Marta is strongest on nature, culture and water sports. Seasons here follow the northern hemisphere.
Things to do in Santa Marta
Nature in Santa Marta
(21)On the nature side, Santa Marta offers Beaches, Caves, Countryside, Desert and Forest. It is a direct read of Santa Marta's activity profile. There are 21 tagged experiences in this group.
Culture in Santa Marta
(16)Culture in Santa Marta covers Ancient Ruins, Architectural Buildings, Bridges, Castles and Cathedrals. Counting everything, 16 activities fall under this heading. This reflects only what is documented for Santa Marta.
Water Sports in Santa Marta
(16)Looking for water sports? Santa Marta has Bodyboard, Canoeing, Diving, Kayaking and Kiteboarding. The category holds 16 entries in our dataset. Straight from the activity profile stored for Santa Marta.
Adventure in Santa Marta
(12)Adventure in Santa Marta covers Abseiling, Adventure, Adventure Parks, Amusement Parks and Boat Rides. The category holds 12 entries in our dataset. Straight from the activity profile stored for Santa Marta.
Sports in Santa Marta
(12)Santa Marta records Golf, Hiking, Hiking Trails, Hunting and Running under sports. It is a direct read of Santa Marta's activity profile. There are 12 tagged experiences in this group.
Nightlife in Santa Marta
(8)For nightlife, expect Bars, Clubs, Disco, Events and Festival. The category holds 8 entries in our dataset. Straight from the activity profile stored for Santa Marta.
Wellness in Santa Marta
(6)Santa Marta records Farms, Hammam, Ranches, Spa and Turkish Baths under wellness. These entries mirror the activity data we hold for Santa Marta. 6 entries sit in this category, enough to fill more than a day.
Family in Santa Marta
(4)Looking for family? Santa Marta has Aquariums, Playgrounds, Water Parks and Zoo. Enough to anchor an afternoon or a full day. This reflects only what is documented for Santa Marta.
Shopping in Santa Marta
(1)Shopping in Santa Marta covers Shopping. Enough to anchor an afternoon or a full day. Nothing here is guesswork — it reflects the recorded activity data for Santa Marta.
More to do in Santa Marta
(2)Santa Marta records Fishing and Secret under other activities. These entries mirror the activity data we hold for Santa Marta. These pair well with anything else on this page.
Best time to visit Santa Marta
Water-based activities peak in June to September, when temperatures suit the coast and lakes. April to June and September to October keeps outdoor plans comfortable. December to February is when winter sports come into play. Even off-season, culture and nightlife give the trip a shape.
Getting there & around
Big-city infrastructure means Santa Marta is both easy to reach and easy to navigate. Set your clock to America/Bogota on arrival.
Similar destinations
Places near Santa Marta that share the same kinds of activities.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Santa Marta known for?
- Travellers associate Santa Marta with nature, culture and water sports. It sits in Departamento del Magdalena, Colombia and counts about 505,915 residents.
- What can you do in Santa Marta?
- Santa Marta is tagged with Beaches, Caves, Countryside, Desert and Forest, which is enough to structure a first visit.
- When is the best time to visit Santa Marta?
- Water-based activities peak in June to September, when temperatures suit the coast and lakes. April to June and September to October keeps outdoor plans comfortable. December to February is when winter sports come into play. Even off-season, culture and nightlife give the trip a shape.
- Where is Santa Marta located?
- Santa Marta belongs to Departamento del Magdalena, Colombia, so it pairs naturally with other stops in the same area.
Personal notes
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