Top Places to visit in Santa Marta

A vacation full of magic.

Santa Marta is known as the oldest city of South America.

1. Catedral in Santa Marta

Many people claim that the Catedral is the oldest church in Colombia. Actually it was not completed until the end of the 18th century. The ashes of the town’s founder, Rodrigo de Bastidas can be found just to the left as you enter the church. Another interesting fact is that Simón Bolívar was buried here in 1830, but in 1842 his remains were taken to Caracas, his birthplace.

2. El Rodadero.

One of the favourite places of tourists is “El Rodadero”. It offers sun, beaches, a comfortable temperatures and a great nightlife. Since the tourism has grown the police presence is everywhere. Especially the security aswell as a wide range of activities for tourists can be found here.  In “El Rodadero” you can meet the indigenous people, exotic food and great beaches to relax.

3. Museo del Oro

The goldmuseum of Santa Marta is also a fantastic place to see the interesting collection of Tayrona objects, mainly pottery and gold, as well as artifacts of the indigenous people of Colombia the Kogi and Arhuaco. Don’t miss the impressive model of Ciudad Perdida, especially if you plan on visiting the real thing.

4. National Park of Tayrona

The national park of Tayrona.  This was the land of the Tayrona indigenous people of Colombia, who left significant evidence of their way of life in Pueblito Chairama and other sites. Temperatures range from 25˚C to 32˚C.

Flora and fauna observation are especially interesting here, especially birdwatching, which includes the threatened Andean condor. Aside from its natural and archaeological attractions, Tayrona Natural Park is a great site for eco-tourism, thanks to the diversity of its sea waves and diving sites. The Chairama archaeological site known as Pueblito and the stone paths that lead to it are very attractive to tourists. Besides that you can have the oportunity to meet the indigenous people here.

Once in Santa Marta you can take the bus to the national park of Tayrona.

The park`s inhabitants are mostly living from the tourism and fishing. The park comprises various sacred sites, or dots along the so-called “Black Line”, belonging to the indigenous communities that inhabit the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range.

Activities

• Diving in La Cueva de Neguanje, Isla Aguja, or Bahía Concha.
• Trekking on archaeological stone roads.
• Snorkeling.
• Camping or lodging at the eco-habs in Cañaveral.
• Swimming in a natural pool.
• Birdwatching.
• Horseback riding.
• Visiting archaeological sites.

Attractions

• Chairama Archaeological Museum in Cañaveral.
• Los Naranjos Trail.
• Castilletes Beach.
• Playa Cristal, also known as Playa del Muerto.
• Quebrada Valencia, a stream in the western part of the park.
• Arrecifes Beach.
• Bahía Concha.
• La Piscina, in Arrecifes.
• Riverbed of the Piedras River.
• Cabo de San Juan de Guía: The sea near this cape, full of stone monoliths borders with the rainforest.
• In ancient times, Pueblito, or Chairama, was the most important trade center of the pre-Columbian indigenous peoples.