Things to do in Santa Marta

Activities, attractions and tours

Taganga Beach showing a bay or harbour, a coastal town and a beach
Santa Marta
Rodadero Beach showing a high-rise building, a coastal town and general coastal views
Taganga Beach which includes a coastal town, swimming and a beach
Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino which includes art and interior views

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Most popular experiences in Santa Marta

Tours & day trips

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Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique!

Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique!

Activity duration is 8 hours
9.0 out of 10 with 13 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is €53 per adult
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Private & custom tours

See all 45 activities
Full Day Marinka Waterfall

Full Day Marinka Waterfall

Activity duration is 5 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is €84 per adult
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Water activities

See all 19 activities
Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique!

Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique!

Activity duration is 8 hours
9.0 out of 10 with 13 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is €53 per adult
Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique!Opens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 14 activities
Tayrona Bay Sailboat trip

Tayrona Bay Sailboat trip

Activity duration is 7 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 4 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is €51 per adult
Tayrona Bay Sailboat tripOpens in new tab

What to do in Santa Marta

Popular places to visit

Rodadero Beach which includes a skyscraper, a beach and a coastal town

Rodadero Beach

4/5(3 reviews)

This dynamic beach is one of the most visited spots in the area. Enjoy a variety of activities: sunbathe, swim, sail, dive and snorkel.

Rodadero Beach
Parque de Los Novios showing street scenes, heritage elements and a city

Parque de los Novios

3.5/5(4 reviews)

Meet friends and share a few drinks at this plaza in the center of Santa Marta, where you’ll find restaurants, bars and vendors selling snacks.

Parque de los Novios
Rodadero Beach showing a luxury hotel or resort, rocky coastline and general coastal views

Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum

Take the children to visit the sea life who live at Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum during your holiday to Santa Marta. While you're in the area, stroll along the beautiful beaches.

Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum
Ciudad Perdida

Ciudad Perdida

4/5(1 review)

You can find out about the history of Santa Marta when you stop by Ciudad Perdida. Wander the beautiful beaches in this relaxing area.

Ciudad Perdida
Santa Marta Cathedral featuring heritage elements and a church or cathedral

Santa Marta Cathedral

4/5(6 reviews)

Walk around the cathedral that holds the remains of the city’s founder and claims to be the oldest church in the country.

Santa Marta Cathedral
Blue Well

Blue Well

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Blue Well during your travels in Minca. While you're in the area, stroll along the beautiful beaches.

Blue Well
Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino featuring a memorial as well as a small group of people

Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino

Visit the 17th-century villa and art museum made famous as the place where the famous military leader Simón Bolívar died.

Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino

Bello Horizonte Beach

4/5(2 reviews)

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Bello Horizonte Beach during your travels in Bello Horizonte? Make some time to visit the shops while you're in the area.

Bello Horizonte Beach

Zazue

4/5(1 review)

You can browse for the perfect souvenirs at Zazue during your stay in Santa Marta. While you're in the area, stroll along the beautiful beaches.

Zazue

Areas of Santa Marta

Rodadero Beach featuring a coastal town, a sandy beach and a hotel

El Rodadero

5/5(1 area review)

El Rodadero is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Rodadero Beach and Arrecife Shopping Center.

El Rodadero
Historic Center showing a city, street scenes and heritage elements

Historic Center

4/5(8 area reviews)

Take a trip back in time as you explore the center of Colombia’s oldest surviving city, complete with colonial buildings and collections of indigenous gold and pottery.

Historic Center
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Los Cocos

While there might not be top attractions in Los Cocos, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Santa Marta Bay and Parque de los Novios.

Los Cocos
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Bello Horizonte

If you're spending some time in Bello Horizonte, Bello Horizonte Beach and Zazue are top sights worth seeing.

Bello Horizonte
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Bavaria

When in Bavaria, you can plan a visit to Parque de los Novios and Santa Marta Theater, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Bavaria
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Mamatoco

Though Mamatoco may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino and Tayrona National Natural Park.

Mamatoco
Valledupar

Valledupar

Frequently asked questions

Is Santa Marta worth visiting?
From shopping to history and outdoor activities, there are plenty of fun things to do in Santa Marta. Be sure to enjoy the area's blend of awesome attractions, local charm and culture.
How do I spend a day in Santa Marta?
Begin your day with a visit to Bello Horizonte Beach and Santa Marta Beach. Then, check out different areas of Santa Marta for local dining and some souvenir shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Santa Marta?
Bello Horizonte Beach is one of the top tourist attractions in Santa Marta and should be high on every sightseeing list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Santa Marta?
Three days will be enough time to tick off many city sights, including Santa Marta Beach, Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum and Grande Beach. The average stay in Santa Marta is three days. If you have the urge to extend your holiday, Puerto de Gaira isn't far away.
Is Santa Marta a walkable city?
With exciting neighbourhoods and major sights within walking distance of the city centre, Santa Marta is a good destination to visit on foot. Wander between Santa Marta Beach and Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum. Then take a stroll through Comuna 2, located 0.16 kilometres from the centre, and Historic Centre, which is about 0.48 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Santa Marta with kids?
Deciding what to do in Santa Marta with kids has never been easier. Whether you're holidaying with toddlers or teenagers, there are loads of family-friendly tours and activities to keep everyone busy here.

What to do in Santa Marta for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food lover or thrill seeker, there are plenty of things to do in Santa Marta for adults including Mayorship of Santa Marta and Town Hall.
Are there free things to do in Santa Marta?
From relaxing in parks to wandering around exciting neighbourhoods, it's a breeze to discover free things to do in Santa Marta. If you need new ideas, get some recommendations from a local tour guide. Santa Marta Beach is a must for anyone planning to save on their travel adventures.