Santa Marta-Colombia

Santa Marta, on Colombia's Caribbean coast, (see map from Expedia), boasts a fine natural harbor (see photo) and splendid views, but that's only part of the reason the Spaniards chose it for their first settlement.

Their choice was influenced by gold. The local Tairona indigenous communities were known for their goldsmithing work. Some of their products, what didn't get shipped back to Spain via the new port of Santa Marta, is on view in Bogotá as part of the Treasures from the Museo del Oro. Now, the Tairona Heritage Studies Centre is devoted to the study of the indigenous groups which inhabit the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

Founded in 1525 by Roger de Bastidas, Santa Marta is ideally located for visits to the Santa Marta mountain range, second in height only to the Andes running through Colombia and two national parks. While it doesn't have some of the tourism infrastructure of Cartagena down the coast, it has warm, clean beaches, many in Tayrona, or Tairona, park.

Getting There:

By Air:

Daily flights to and from Bogotá and other Colombian cities use El Rodadero airport outside the city on the route to Barranquilla.

By Land:

Air-conditioned busses run daily to Bogotá and other cities, plus local runs to nearby communities, and Tayrona park.

By Water:

Cruise ships make this a port of call, and in addition to the commercial port. there is also a marina and berthing facilities at Irotama Resort Golf and Marina. Be aware that Santa Marta has a long history of smuggling.

When to Go:

Santa Marta (see photos has a year-round tropical climate. It is hot during the day, but the evening sea breezes are cool and make sunsets and nightlife particularly appealing.

Check today's weather in Santa Marta.

Things to Do and See:

La Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino was home to Simón Bolívar during the last years of his life. A museum on the grounds houses art donated by many of the countries he helped liberate.

Parque Nacional Natural Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta

La Sierra Nevada De Santa Marta

Building on the Cathedral was started early in Santa Marta's history, but not completed until the end of the 18th century

Sitios Historicos, photos

Parque Tayrona

Playa Cristal

Neguanje

Arrecifes with its fantastic beaches

Fishing villagre of Taganga on a beautiful bay for scuba, and a cruise or walk to Playa Grande

El Rodadero, one of Colombia's most fashionable beach resorts

Ciudad Perdida, the "Lost City," the home of the Tayrona Indians was built on the lush slopes of the Santa Marta mountains between the 11th and 14th centuries. Thought to be larger than Machu Pichhu, it was found, and robbed, in the 1970's by grave robbers.