My beautiful Paisa from Medellin Colombia has suggested we discover Santa Marta Colombia as our next adventure destination. In this article I’m going explore the major points of interest, activities, as well as accommodations and food options for our future trip.
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Santa Marta is a Caribbean Sea port and city in the northeastern Colombian department of Magdalena. It was the first Spanish settlement in Colombia founded in 1525. It is known for its beautiful beaches and its rich history. For adventurists, it is known as a gateway city for adventures to Tayrona National Natural Park and the Lost City (Ciudad Perdida) archaeological site in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains.
The Beaches
There are numerous beaches of all types in the Santa Marta area of Colombia.
(1) Santa Marta Bay Beach – The most centrally located beach to the old city center with walking access to the marina, gift shops and restaurants including seafood. At night there is a beautiful view of the sunset just beyond the Morro de Santa Marta, a small rocky island in the bay with a lighthouse.
(2) Playa El Rodadero – One of the most popular beaches in the Colombian Caribbean with white sands and surrounding mountains. It is well known for water sports and services for tourists including hotels
(3) Playa Grande, Taganga – A very large beach with many tourists and activities including sunbathing, swimming and boating. Beware of Gringo Pricing. A little bit outside of Santa Marta and part of the Tayrona Natural National Park system.
(4) Pozos Colorados – According to the Official Tourism website of the Republic of Colombia “ProColombia” is a set of white sandy beaches which, being part of the tourist free zone of Santa Marta, has seen a boom in hotel construction and resorts providing services to visitors.
(5) Playa Cristal – Considered by many to be the best beach in the Santa Marta area for swimming and snorkeling
(6) Cabo San Juan – According to LivingOutlau, “Cabo San Juan is arguably one of the top places in Tayrona National Park. Turquoise water, white fine sand, beautiful palm trees rising above you, Cabo San Juan is probably the best beach in Tayrona”
(7) Bahia Concha – In a review of Bahia Concha by Yeison R. on Top-Rated.online “Beautiful clean beach. Road is a bit bumpy to get there. from parking lot to beach only 20 min walk. Bring own drinks, no beer tho”
(8) Neguanje Bay – In the Tayrona National Park and offers tourists one of the region’s soft sand beaches: Crystal Beach, also called Dead man’s beach. You only need a mask for surface diving to see life under the sea. This point is about 12 miles north of Santa Marta.
Here are photos of just a few.
Tayrona National Natural Park
The Lost City (Ciudad Perdida)
The History
Accommodations and Food
Casa Rosa Hotel Boutique
The deluxe room at the Casa Rosa Hotel Boutique is approximately 300 ft.² with a queen bed and attached bathroom with complimentary breakfast. For four nights it is currently runs ($134 usd) $33.50 a night, double occupancy. The deluxe room has a pool view and air-conditioning as well as a flat screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and a small terrace.
The Casa Rosa hotel boutique property is about a one-minute walk from the beach and is located just a few steps from the Simon Bolivar Park.
Oasis Fresh Hotel
The double room at the Oasis Fresh Hotel is 215 ft.² with a queen bed and runs for a four-night stay ($136 usd) $34.00 a night, double occupancy. It includes an air-conditioning room with attached bathroom flat screen television and a complimentary breakfast.
The hotel is a 12-minute walk from the beach and includes an on-site restaurant and bar as well as a guest Terrace with a hot tub
Hotel Be La Sierra
The superior double room with sea view at the Hotel Be La Sierra is only 129 ft.² and is located between the sixth and the 10th floor of the hotel. For four nights it runs ($204) $51.00 per night, double occupancy with an additional $4.00 for breakfast. The room includes a queen bed, balcony, attached bathroom, flat screen TV and free Wi-Fi.
The property is a 1 mile walk from the Rodadero Beach with a tropical themed restaurant and bar. My car is five minutes from Santa Marta’s historical town Center and 15 minutes from the Simon Bolivar Airport
Hotel Santa Marta by MIJ
The suite at the Hotel Santa Marta by MIJ is 431 ft.² includes a king bed, balcony, attached bathroom, flat screen TV with a patio and free Wi-Fi. It runs for four nights ($185) $46.25 per night, double occupancy and includes breakfast
The hotel is located 800 feet from the Cathedral and 650 feet from the Tairona Gold Museum and Casa de la Aduana. It has a rooftop lounge with views of the city and the swimming pool
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