How to enjoy a weekend in Santa Marta in 2024

Santa Marta, with its charming Historic Center, paradisiacal beaches, and rich cultural and gastronomic offerings, remains a perfect destination for a weekend getaway in 2024. This guide will take you through the best activities and experiences in the city, ensuring you make the most of your visit.

Accommodations: find your ideal place

Choosing the right accommodation is crucial to start your adventure. Here are several recommendations for staying in areas that will allow you to easily access Santa Marta's main attractions:

Historic Center Santa Marta: staying here, you'll be close to museums, parks, and colonial plazas, as well as Santa Marta Bay. It's ideal for those who want to delve into the local history and culture.

El Rodadero: this is the most touristy area of Santa Marta, perfect for those who want to be near beach activities and enjoy an active nightlife.

Pozos Colorados and Bello Horizonte: these areas are near the airport and offer access to some of the city's most exclusive beaches and hotels.

Explore a variety of accommodation options ranging from hostels to luxury hotels on Tumap Hotels.

Gastronomy: flavors of Santa Marta

Santa Marta's cuisine features an excellent selection of restaurants offering everything from traditional seafood dishes to international cuisine. Make sure to try fried fish with patacón and coconut rice, arepa de huevo, and a delicious shrimp cocktail.

Explore here on Tumap, the Restaurants category with great gastronomic offers or visit our article on the Top 10 restaurants in Santa Marta.

Itinerary for a weekend in Santa Marta Colombia

Friday: history and culture in the Historic Center

Start your tour in the Historic Center in Santa Marta. Walk through Bolívar Park and explore the Tairona Gold Museum, showcasing an impressive collection of pre-Columbian artifacts that tell the story of the region's indigenous peoples. Another option is to take a bike tour to see more of the historic center, including the Santa Marta Cathedral and its streets adorned with colonial-style houses.

In the evening, enjoy a stroll along the Bay Promenade until you reach the Santa Marta Marina, where you can admire a beautiful sunset. For dinner, head to the Parque de los Novios, which offers various dining options such as Ouzo, known for its Mediterranean food and relaxed atmosphere. End the night with a cocktail or beer at La Puerta, a bar famous for its music and Caribbean vibe.

Saturday: sun and beach

Start the day early with a visit to Playa Blanca, one of the most beautiful beaches in Santa Marta. You can get there with a short boat ride from the north pier of El Rodadero. Enjoy the white sand and crystal-clear waters. For a more active option, go snorkeling to explore the marine life. If you're interested in an all-inclusive tour that includes hotel pick-up, luxury boat transfer, and buffet lunch at Playa Blanca, find more information here: Playa Blanca VIP Tour.

After a day at the beach, stroll along the El Rodadero boardwalk, enjoy the sunset, and shop for local crafts. For dinner, try the seafood dishes at Donde Chucho, located in El Rodadero, known for its culinary experience and delicious seafood.

Sunday: adventure and nature in Minca

Spend the day exploring Minca, just 45 minutes from Santa Marta. Minca is famous for its rivers, waterfalls, and coffee production. Visit the Marinka Waterfalls and relax in their refreshing waters. Learn about coffee and cocoa production at local farms in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. More information can be found here.

For your last night, dine at Guásimo, a restaurant known for preserving the culinary essence of Magdalena. Enjoy dishes like Guásimo Sea Bass on creamy shrimp rice and the incomparable sublime coconut ice cream. It is located at Cra. 2 #19-15.

Plan your weekend getaway in Santa Marta, Colombia!

We hope this guide inspires you to explore everything Santa Marta has to offer. Feel free to customize your route by visiting tumap.travel/en/routes to start planning your trip.