Guidebook for Santa Marta
Food Scene
This place is very close to the flat (less than 100 meters, on carrera 1A), and it's an all time classic. Back in the days, when Playa Los Cocos had not been colonized by modern developments, Mañe Cayón was on of the fisheries where people went to eat, while they bathed on the beach. Our favorites are the fried plantanes (ask for the chesse, on top of the 'ogao'), and the ceviche de ají amarillo. But the menu has plenty of options. The frappe orange juice is also delicious!!! Mañe opens daily for lunch. There are tv screens, so you can check La Liga or UCL games there. Watch out, though, Mañé is a merengue. He's almost always there, a legend of Los Cocos beach.
26 paikallista suosittelee
Restaurante Mañe Cayon
26-37 Cra. 1aThis place is very close to the flat (less than 100 meters, on carrera 1A), and it's an all time classic. Back in the days, when Playa Los Cocos had not been colonized by modern developments, Mañe Cayón was on of the fisheries where people went to eat, while they bathed on the beach. Our favorites are the fried plantanes (ask for the chesse, on top of the 'ogao'), and the ceviche de ají amarillo. But the menu has plenty of options. The frappe orange juice is also delicious!!! Mañe opens daily for lunch. There are tv screens, so you can check La Liga or UCL games there. Watch out, though, Mañé is a merengue. He's almost always there, a legend of Los Cocos beach.
This might be the best restaurant in town. The manager is a pro, the food is good, reliable. The have a brick oven for the pizzas, but meat and fish are also good here. Limonada de corozo is a must. (closed on Sundays)
116 paikallista suosittelee
Ouzo
19-29 Cra. 3This might be the best restaurant in town. The manager is a pro, the food is good, reliable. The have a brick oven for the pizzas, but meat and fish are also good here. Limonada de corozo is a must. (closed on Sundays)
This place is great for breakfasts. My favorite is Lulo Corral, but there a plenty of good options, most of them based in a cheese arepa. Coffee is also good. Best thing about Lulo is that it opens early (8am on weekdays, 9am on weekends, closed on Wednesdays). There aren't many of those in down town Santa Marta.
72 paikallista suosittelee
Lulo Cafe Bar
16-34 Cra. 3This place is great for breakfasts. My favorite is Lulo Corral, but there a plenty of good options, most of them based in a cheese arepa. Coffee is also good. Best thing about Lulo is that it opens early (8am on weekdays, 9am on weekends, closed on Wednesdays). There aren't many of those in down town Santa Marta.
If you're interested in checking out the local flavor or even the soul of the city, this is the place to go. Plus: fresh fruits, vegetables and meat. (Check with us, we go there every week, and know a couple of vendors we always buy from) But feel free to roam around the 'new' building of the city market, which in fact stood empty for years due to some cavernous legal matter and was only inaugurated on 2015. The sight of the fruits and the noise of the place is something worthwhile.
22 paikallista suosittelee
Julkinen markkinat Santa Marta
Carrera 9If you're interested in checking out the local flavor or even the soul of the city, this is the place to go. Plus: fresh fruits, vegetables and meat. (Check with us, we go there every week, and know a couple of vendors we always buy from) But feel free to roam around the 'new' building of the city market, which in fact stood empty for years due to some cavernous legal matter and was only inaugurated on 2015. The sight of the fruits and the noise of the place is something worthwhile.
Best spot for breakfasts in town. Opens a 6.30 every morning, offers all sorts of fried delicacies and eggs with Cayeye, a typical Samarian food made of green bananas (guineo verde) puré. A must.
10 paikallista suosittelee
ALFAIX Su Media Naranja
#10-48 Cl. 9Best spot for breakfasts in town. Opens a 6.30 every morning, offers all sorts of fried delicacies and eggs with Cayeye, a typical Samarian food made of green bananas (guineo verde) puré. A must.
Drinks & Nightlife
This place just recently opened, but I understand it's the place to be right now if you go out at nigh in Cartagena. Music is cross over. The space is a terrace, overlooking the Parque de los Novios. Might be worth to take a look.,
52 paikallista suosittelee
La Azotea
4 - 80 Cl. 14This place just recently opened, but I understand it's the place to be right now if you go out at nigh in Cartagena. Music is cross over. The space is a terrace, overlooking the Parque de los Novios. Might be worth to take a look.,
This is a classic from Bogotá, moved piece by piece to Santa Marta. A rock bar, tended by its owners, Oscar and Carolina.
31 paikallista suosittelee
Crab's Bar
3-69 Calle 18This is a classic from Bogotá, moved piece by piece to Santa Marta. A rock bar, tended by its owners, Oscar and Carolina.
Santa Marta's main party hostal. Some locals also go there, the reason escapes me.
15 paikallista suosittelee
Hostal La Brisa Loca Santa Marta
3-58 Cl. 14Santa Marta's main party hostal. Some locals also go there, the reason escapes me.
Parks & Nature
The Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino is without a doubt the prettiest spot in all of Santa Marta. The old hacienda stood on the border of the Manzanares river, in the old town of Mamatoco, and nows doubles up as a Botanical Garden and Museum of Latin American Art. Some trees there are several hundred years old. Plus, it's the place where Simón Bolívar died, as he claimed he was exiting the country to exile in Europe but never made it across the Ocean (Gabriel García Márquez wrote a novel about that last trip, El General en su Laberinto).
353 paikallista suosittelee
Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino
Avenida El LibertadorThe Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino is without a doubt the prettiest spot in all of Santa Marta. The old hacienda stood on the border of the Manzanares river, in the old town of Mamatoco, and nows doubles up as a Botanical Garden and Museum of Latin American Art. Some trees there are several hundred years old. Plus, it's the place where Simón Bolívar died, as he claimed he was exiting the country to exile in Europe but never made it across the Ocean (Gabriel García Márquez wrote a novel about that last trip, El General en su Laberinto).
Tayrona is one of the main reasons people come to Santa Marta. Its beaches used to be sacred for the indigenous people back before the Spaniards arrived, and are now the most beautiful in all of Colombia. Visiting the park can be a one day thing, or you can also camp or lodge there. There are several entrances to the park, and several beaches and bays worth visiting. It all depends on your means, and the time you decide to spend discovering it. If you want to know more, just ask us! Watch out during high season, as it can get overcrowded and you'll even have to que to get in.
522 paikallista suosittelee
Tayronan kansallispuisto
Tayrona is one of the main reasons people come to Santa Marta. Its beaches used to be sacred for the indigenous people back before the Spaniards arrived, and are now the most beautiful in all of Colombia. Visiting the park can be a one day thing, or you can also camp or lodge there. There are several entrances to the park, and several beaches and bays worth visiting. It all depends on your means, and the time you decide to spend discovering it. If you want to know more, just ask us! Watch out during high season, as it can get overcrowded and you'll even have to que to get in.
Bahía Concha is the closest beach of Tayrona Park to the city. It's very crowded during high season, but it very accesible for a day trip. You can ride a bike there (12km from the city center), or you can take a bus and then a moto taxi (budget friendly), or then you can just book a cab. It takes aprox 30 minutes to get there. The bay is still gorgeous, it's very special early in the mornings, we recommend the bike tour there, is quite something.
There's a gorgeous walk from Bahía Concha to a a secluded beach called Bonito Gordo, we also highly recommend that. It's a 45 mn hike, not very difficult, and the beach there is worth it, as is the trail there.
15 paikallista suosittelee
Bahia Playa Concha
Bahía Concha is the closest beach of Tayrona Park to the city. It's very crowded during high season, but it very accesible for a day trip. You can ride a bike there (12km from the city center), or you can take a bus and then a moto taxi (budget friendly), or then you can just book a cab. It takes aprox 30 minutes to get there. The bay is still gorgeous, it's very special early in the mornings, we recommend the bike tour there, is quite something.
There's a gorgeous walk from Bahía Concha to a a secluded beach called Bonito Gordo, we also highly recommend that. It's a 45 mn hike, not very difficult, and the beach there is worth it, as is the trail there.
If there's one beach worth going, other than those in Tayrona Park, is this beach. Los Angeles is the name of the hostel, the actual name of the beach is Los Naranjos. It's on the western side of the river mouth of the river Las Piedras. There are several lodging facilities there, but we suggest Los Ángeles, specially because you can have a day pass for COP5.000, and enjoy it all at your expense. Picnics here are awesome. You can go there and be back at the flat by 5pm, if you wake up early enough. Ask us, we can help with that. If you want to spend the night, this is also a good alternative.
The river mouth of the Las Piedras river is something worth checking out while in Los Angeles. There's a caiman there, so better not bathe in that area. In fact, currents there are very strong, so you should always be careful about going into the water.
16 paikallista suosittelee
Playa Los Angeles
If there's one beach worth going, other than those in Tayrona Park, is this beach. Los Angeles is the name of the hostel, the actual name of the beach is Los Naranjos. It's on the western side of the river mouth of the river Las Piedras. There are several lodging facilities there, but we suggest Los Ángeles, specially because you can have a day pass for COP5.000, and enjoy it all at your expense. Picnics here are awesome. You can go there and be back at the flat by 5pm, if you wake up early enough. Ask us, we can help with that. If you want to spend the night, this is also a good alternative.
The river mouth of the Las Piedras river is something worth checking out while in Los Angeles. There's a caiman there, so better not bathe in that area. In fact, currents there are very strong, so you should always be careful about going into the water.
Palomino is just one of the rivers that descend on the northeastern side of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The town bearing this name has exploded recently due to tourism. It's really gorgeous, there's plenty of stuff to do. River as pretty as the beach, which lures many. Watch out for the currents while you bathe in the ocean.
89 paikallista suosittelee
Palomino
Palomino is just one of the rivers that descend on the northeastern side of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The town bearing this name has exploded recently due to tourism. It's really gorgeous, there's plenty of stuff to do. River as pretty as the beach, which lures many. Watch out for the currents while you bathe in the ocean.
Minca is a coffee town, very close to Santa Marta. It's also become a tourist attraction. It's not as hot as the city, since it's some 1,8000 meters high above sea level. There are several pools around the river there, some of them use to be ritual places for the indigenous population.
Minca is also very good for birdwatching. There, you can reach the Cuchilla de San Lorenzo, which is a very special place in terms of the bird life around. Also views of the snow peaks of the mountain from there.
269 paikallista suosittelee
Minca
Minca is a coffee town, very close to Santa Marta. It's also become a tourist attraction. It's not as hot as the city, since it's some 1,8000 meters high above sea level. There are several pools around the river there, some of them use to be ritual places for the indigenous population.
Minca is also very good for birdwatching. There, you can reach the Cuchilla de San Lorenzo, which is a very special place in terms of the bird life around. Also views of the snow peaks of the mountain from there.
Arts & Culture
According to some, Pescaíto is the birthplace of Colombian football. The first football match in the country was played here. The Castellana football field was where icons like Carlos 'Pibe' Valderrama or Anthony 'Pipa' de Avila learned how to play the game.
Pescaíto
According to some, Pescaíto is the birthplace of Colombian football. The first football match in the country was played here. The Castellana football field was where icons like Carlos 'Pibe' Valderrama or Anthony 'Pipa' de Avila learned how to play the game.
This is the main reason why Taganga matters. Up until the seventies, this fishermen's town was a comunal paradise. There were not individual titles for the properties, food was abundant, and life was dictated by local traditions and values, an identity forged from the indigenous ancestors, and the people that arrived since then. This is a comunal museum intended to preserve and celebrate the identity of Taganga. Fishermen here knitted their nets using a very particular technique, as are the games they play while they fish. It's possible to walk to the bays, or Ancones, where they still go fishing, and buy the fish straight out of the net, and eat it, the Taganga way. We recommend this, it's quite an experience.
Museo de la Memoria de Taganga
3-27 Cl. 10This is the main reason why Taganga matters. Up until the seventies, this fishermen's town was a comunal paradise. There were not individual titles for the properties, food was abundant, and life was dictated by local traditions and values, an identity forged from the indigenous ancestors, and the people that arrived since then. This is a comunal museum intended to preserve and celebrate the identity of Taganga. Fishermen here knitted their nets using a very particular technique, as are the games they play while they fish. It's possible to walk to the bays, or Ancones, where they still go fishing, and buy the fish straight out of the net, and eat it, the Taganga way. We recommend this, it's quite an experience.
The building is as important, if not more, as the museum, which is part of the Museo del Oro network of museums around Colombia. It use to be the customs house, and is claimed to be the oldest structure in town. Santa Marta was vandalized several times by pirates and fires, and the Casa de la Aduana is the one building of note in its historic center.
La Casa de la Aduana is where Simón Bolívar was greeted by the local authorities when he arrived in the city, in December 1830. And was the place where the wake for his body was held when he died, seventeen days later*. García Márquez also documented this last days of El Libertador, in the historic novel The General in its Labyrinth.
185 paikallista suosittelee
Kultamuseo
The building is as important, if not more, as the museum, which is part of the Museo del Oro network of museums around Colombia. It use to be the customs house, and is claimed to be the oldest structure in town. Santa Marta was vandalized several times by pirates and fires, and the Casa de la Aduana is the one building of note in its historic center.
La Casa de la Aduana is where Simón Bolívar was greeted by the local authorities when he arrived in the city, in December 1830. And was the place where the wake for his body was held when he died, seventeen days later*. García Márquez also documented this last days of El Libertador, in the historic novel The General in its Labyrinth.
Sightseeing
The real deal here is the old football stadium Eduardo Santos, abandoned in recent years due to some infrastructural problem, but home to the glorious Unión Magdalena, the city's team. Unión won the local league once, in the seventies, but was an almost permanent feature on first division. Carlos 'El Pibe' Valderrama, probably the most iconic football player from this land, debuted in professional football wearing the Union jersey. Lots of legends played for Unión, not just El Pibe. And although the team has been in second division for over a decade, the fan base appears unscathed. Passion por Union is still a major trait of Santa Marta's ethos.
22 paikallista suosittelee
Monument to El Pibe
16-54 Cra. 18The real deal here is the old football stadium Eduardo Santos, abandoned in recent years due to some infrastructural problem, but home to the glorious Unión Magdalena, the city's team. Unión won the local league once, in the seventies, but was an almost permanent feature on first division. Carlos 'El Pibe' Valderrama, probably the most iconic football player from this land, debuted in professional football wearing the Union jersey. Lots of legends played for Unión, not just El Pibe. And although the team has been in second division for over a decade, the fan base appears unscathed. Passion por Union is still a major trait of Santa Marta's ethos.
This is Colombia's only proper memorial for Simon Bolivar, the Liberator, who died in the Quinta de San Pedro before he could make it to Europe, where he was going in self imposed exile. According to legend, he left a proclame before dying, where he pledge to die happily if that would in some way contribute to a better understanding among the political factions struggling for control of the recently liberated territories. (The whole thing is engraved in a wall next to the room where he actually died)
Hugo Chávez was a huge fan of this place, came several times. Here, he met with Alvaro Uribe.
Altar of the Fatherland
Quinta San Pedro AlejandrinoThis is Colombia's only proper memorial for Simon Bolivar, the Liberator, who died in the Quinta de San Pedro before he could make it to Europe, where he was going in self imposed exile. According to legend, he left a proclame before dying, where he pledge to die happily if that would in some way contribute to a better understanding among the political factions struggling for control of the recently liberated territories. (The whole thing is engraved in a wall next to the room where he actually died)
Hugo Chávez was a huge fan of this place, came several times. Here, he met with Alvaro Uribe.
Shopping
Prado Plaza Shopping Mall
40 Cra. 4ATM, hair salon, pizza place.
Santa Marta's biggest shopping mall. Supermarket, home center, food court, movie theaters (most movies are doubled to Spanish), Juan Valdez, clothing shops, etc.
173 paikallista suosittelee
Centro Comercial Buenavista
Santa Marta's biggest shopping mall. Supermarket, home center, food court, movie theaters (most movies are doubled to Spanish), Juan Valdez, clothing shops, etc.