Museum
Museo del Oro Tayrona
The Gold Museum of the Banco de la República is located in the restored Casa de la Aduana on Bolívar Park. It displays Tayrona goldwork and ceramics in four halls. Admission is free.
Colombia
Santa Marta
City
Santa Marta is the capital of the Magdalena Department on the Caribbean coast and Colombia's oldest surviving city, founded in 1525 by Rodrigo de Bastidas.
by Felix Gillen
Santa Marta is the capital of the Magdalena Department on the Caribbean coast and Colombia's oldest surviving city, founded in 1525 by Rodrigo de Bastidas. You come here as a starting point for Tayrona National Park, Minca, and the Ciudad Perdida. The city has around half a million inhabitants; highlights include the colonial center with the Gold Museum, as well as the beach districts of Taganga and El Rodadero.
Sights in Santa Marta
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Church
Cathedral Basilica of Santa Marta
The white cathedral dates from the late colonial period, its cornerstone laid in 1766. Since 1953, the remains of city founder Rodrigo de Bastidas have rested here. From 1830 to 1842, Simón Bolívar's mortal remains also lay here.
Park
Parque de los Novios
The square in the historic center is surrounded by restaurants and bars. In the evenings, it is one of the liveliest spots in the Old Town.
Museum
Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino
Simón Bolívar spent his final days and died here in 1830, at this former hacienda with a sugar cane mill. The estate features a museum and a botanical garden. The Quinta is situated on the city's edge, just minutes from the center.
Attraction
Playa Taganga
The fishing village is about 15 minutes north of the centre, in its own bay. It's known for dive schools and over 20 dive sites. Boats also depart from here for Tayrona National Park.
Attraction
El Rodadero
The beach district is located about 5 kilometers south of the center and is one of the most important seaside resorts in the Colombian Caribbean. Fish restaurants and bars line the beach.
City walks in Santa Marta
Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.
Centro Histórico Tour
The compact walking tour begins at Parque de los Novios and leads via the Cathedral to Parque de Bolívar, which houses the Museo del Oro Tayrona. It ends at the waterfront promenade Camellón de la Bahía. The route is just over 1 km long; allow about an hour and a half with a museum visit.
Stops (5)
Videos & Travel Reports
4 days to discover Colombia’s national parks
Lonely Planet itinerary by Ocean Malandra (2022) through Colombian national parks, from the Caribbean coast to the coffee region and a loop hike in the Andes.
Restaurants in Santa Marta
Mediterranean restaurant at Parque de los Novios, featuring Greek and Italian-inspired dishes. Its wood-fired pizzas are particularly praised.
Fish, seafood, and contemporary Colombian cuisine in the historic center. Known for its ceviche with chicharrón.
Cafe in the historic center with Caribbean-inspired light fare. The menu features Arepas, Bowls, and Ceviche.
Simple fish and seafood restaurant in El Rodadero with coastal cuisine. Recommended: the fish of the day.
Food & Drink in Santa Marta
Santa Marta's cuisine is Caribbean and simple, with fresh fish, plantains, and coconut. Coconut rice is typical, less sweet here than in Cartagena.
Cayeye
Smashed green plantains, primarily eaten for breakfast. The dish is considered a hallmark of the Magdalena Department.
Fried mojarra with coconut rice
Fried Mojarra with lime, coconut rice, and patacones is the classic lunch. Here, the coconut rice is cooked with less sugar and forms a crispy layer at the bottom of the pot, the Concón.
Seafood casserole
Seafood in a thick coconut sauce. You'll find them in many fish restaurants in the city.
Sancocho de pescado
Stew made from fish and local ingredients like Yuca. It is one of the most common dishes on the coast around Santa Marta.
Colonial City and Bolívar
Santa Marta was founded on July 29, 1525. In the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, then a country estate outside the city, Simón Bolívar died in 1830.The Gold Museum in the Casa de la Aduana displays objects of the Tayrona, ancestors of today's indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada.
Getting There and Around
Airport: Aeropuerto Simón Bolívar (SMR) is about 16 kilometers from the city center.Taganga: About 15 minutes north of the center.El Rodadero: About 5 kilometers south of the center.Tayrona: Just over 30 minutes by bus or taxi; buses heading towards Palomino depart from the market.Minca: About 45 minutes by Colectivo from the market, prices starting from approximately 8,000 COP.
Accommodations in Santa Marta
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