Things to do in Santa Marta

Q: What are the top things to do in Santa Marta?

The top things to do in Santa Marta are: Lost City (Ciudad Perdida) Tayrona National Park (Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona) Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino Crystal Beach (Playa Cristal)

Q: What are the top activities in Santa Marta?

Top activities in Santa Marta include: Hiking and beach day inside Tayrona Park with a private guide Minca Full Day Tour Hike for 4 days to the Lost City, Santa Marta Minca - Coffee And Cocoa Tour 4-Day Lost City Small-Group Tour in Santa Marta

Q: What are the top things to do near Santa Marta?

Check out things to do near Santa Marta: Caribbean Coast Cartagena Oranjestad San Blas Islands Medellín

Welcome to Santa Marta

White sand beaches and blue opal ocean are not the only reasons to visit this coastal marvel in Colombia. It’s South America-meets-the Caribbean, which makes for a truly unique cultural experience. Oh, and did we tell you that there’s an ancient lost city ruin nearby? In a jungle? Sign us up.

Learn more

Why you are seeing these recommendations

Top 13 attractions in Santa Marta

Tours & Tickets

Lost City (Ciudad Perdida)

1,906

Deep within the Sierra Nevada, the Lost City (Ciudad Perdida is an indigenous archaeological site accessible only via a challenging multi-day trek through the surrounding jungle. Prepare to wade through waterfalls and climb more than 1,000 stone steps to reach the secluded ruins, where you’re rewarded with panoramic views.More

Tours & Tickets

Tayrona National Park (Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona)

433

Ruins, reefs, mangroves, and beaches make up the 37,000-acre Tayrona National Park, one of Colombia’s most popular ecotourism destinations. Visit to hike along the coast, relax on the beaches, snorkel among the coral reefs, or simply disconnect from daily life.More

Tours & Tickets

Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park

1,690

Just off the coast of northern Colombia, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park is home to a wealth of endangered flora and fauna as well as the world’s highest coastal peak. Dominated by mountains and popular among hikers, this UNESCO-recognized national park is home to bird reserves, archaeological ruins, and indigenous villages.More

Tours & Tickets

Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino

The final resting place of South American liberator Simón Bolívar, the 17th-century Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino is now a historical landmark, museum, gallery, and botanical garden containing over 200 works of contemporary South American art. See where Bolívar took his last breath, marvel over antique artefacts, wander the expansive gardens, and admire artworks from the countries that Bolívar liberated.More

Tours & Tickets

Crystal Beach (Playa Cristal)

Part of Tayrona National Park, Crystal Beach (Playa Cristal is a white-sand haven that provides ideal conditions for swimming and snorkeling. Marine life off Crystal Beach (Playa Cristal includes sea turtles, dolphins, and several species of fish. Even without spotting one of these creatures, the coral and sponges of the reef provide colorful underwater scenes.More

Tours & Tickets

Tayrona Gold Museum (Museo del Oro Tairona)

Housed in the restored 16th-century former Customs House—itself one of the oldest buildings in the Americas—the Tayrona Gold Museum (Museo del Oro Tairona) offers an insight into the region’s history. Admire a vast collection of pre-Columbian gold and pottery, while learning about the indigenous Tairona people.More

Tours & Tickets

Carlos El Pibe Valderrama Statue

Former Colombian football player Carlos El PibeValderrama is known for his athletic ability and his outgoing personality, and this 22-foot-tall bronze statue of him in his hometown conveys both qualities. He is known as “El Pibe” or “the kid” and for his blond curly head of hair. His distinct personality has made him one of the most recognizable figures in football worldwide. Part of the Colombian national team in the 1990s, he represented Colombia in several international tournaments and became known for his skills in passing and accuracy in assisting. He is one of few foreign players who joined Major League Soccer in the United States.His statue is the work of Colombian artist Amilkar Ariza, standing tall outside the Estadio Eduardo Santos in Santa Marta. It was erected in 2006 in honor of his contributions to Colombian national sports.More

Tours & Tickets

El Rodadero

Backed by luxury high-rise hotels and popular among Colombian travelers, El Rodadero is a lively, local alternative to the internationally popular Playa Blanca.More

Tours & Tickets

Santa Marta Historic Center (Centro Historico de Santa Marta)

Sandwiched between picturesque beaches and lush mountains, Santa Marta is both the oldest surviving city in Colombia and a gateway to Tayrona National Park. Explore the UNESCO-recognized historic center on foot, making time to visit highlights such as the 18th century cathedral, Tayrona Gold Museum (Museo de Oro Tairona), and Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino.More

Tours & Tickets

#10

Marine World Aquarium (Mundo Marino Acuario)

With more than 200 species on display, Santa Marta’s Marine World Aquarium (Mundo Marino Acuario) is a must for nature lovers of all ages. Discover sharks, turtles, starfish, octopuses, seabirds, and more, while learning about conservation efforts in the region.More

#11

Tours & Tickets

Playa Blanca

Backed by verdant mountains and lined with swaying palms, Playa Blanca is a tropical paradise situated just outside of Santa Marta. Go for a swim in the calm waters, enjoy a fresh seafood lunch, and relax under a thatched roof palapa for a quieter alternative to El Rodadero Beach.More

Tours & Tickets

#12

Tours & Tickets

Taganga

A small Colombian fishing village-turned-beach hangout, laidback Taganga is a hub for party-loving backpackers and scuba divers alike. Use Taganga as an affordable jumping-off point for exploration of Tayrona National Park, Ciudad Perdida, or mountainous Minca, before returning to admire the sunset from one of Taganga’s many beach bars.More

Tours & Tickets

#13

Nabusimake

At the heart of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, Nabusimake—the spiritual home of the Arhuaco people—is a secluded indigenous village which few outsiders get to experience. Known for virgin landscapes and wattle-and-daub homes, this sacred settlement is mostly closed off to the outside world.More

Explore Santa Marta by interest

Top activities in Santa Marta

Hiking and beach day inside Tayrona Park with a private guide

From

$110.00

Minca Full Day Tour

From

$60.29

Hike for 4 days to the Lost City, Santa Marta

1554

From

$460.00

Minca - Coffee And Cocoa Tour

100

From

$58.00

4-Day Lost City Small-Group Tour in Santa Marta

250

From

$460.00

Tayrona Park: San Juan´s Cape, Arrecifes & Crystal-Clear Beaches Tour 10H

From

$166.00

Minca Extreme Adventure

From

$85.03

Private transportation service from Santa Marta to Cartagena

From

$185.00

per group

Professional fishing

From

$69.90

Private transfer from Santa Marta to Cartagena

From

$190.00

per group

Full Day Minca and Taganga from Santa Marta

From

$58.00

Tayrona Bay Sailboat trip

From

$50.00

Tayrona Park - Cabo San Juan

From

$41.00

Full Day Marinka Waterfall

From

$75.00

Tayrona Park - Cristal Beach

From

$45.00

Explore Santa Marta’s History, Museums and Architecture in 4 hours

From

$90.00

Private Arrival or Departure Transfer: Simon Bolivar Airport (One Way)

From

$14.00

Private shuttle service from Santa Marta Airport to hotel in Tayrona Park area

From

$59.72

per group

Shell Bay Tour

From

$41.00

Palomino Tubing

From

$36.00

See all experiences

Explore our promoted experiences

Minca - Coffee And Cocoa Tour

6 hours
Free Cancellation

From

$58.00

Tayrona Park: San Juan´s Cape, Arrecifes & Crystal-Clear Beaches Tour 10H

12 hours 20 minutes
Free Cancellation

From

$166.00

Price varies by group size

Minca Full Day Tour

4 hours
Free Cancellation

From

$60.29

Tayrona Park - Cabo San Juan

5 hours
Free Cancellation

From

$41.00

Tayrona Park - Cristal Beach

5 hours 30 minutes
Free Cancellation

From

$45.00

Santa Marta Old City + Quinta de San Pedro + Gold Museum + Taganga's Bay Tour

7 hours
Free Cancellation

From

$85.00

Price varies by group size

Guided Hiking through Tayrona National Park and Cabo San Juan

1 day
Free Cancellation

From

$38.00

Minca + Marinka Waterfalls + Coffee Farm La Victoria Tour 7H

8 hours
Free Cancellation

From

$138.00

Price varies by group size

Operators have paid Viator more to have their experiences featured here

All about Santa Marta

When to visit

Many travelers use Santa Marta as a jumping-off point for Tayrona National Park or the Lost City (Ciudad Perdida) hike, but the coastal town has ample charm. It’s best explored between January and March, when temperatures are warm and the chance of downpours is low. For the best hotel deals, visit in July, when you’ll also encounter the annual Fiesta del Mar (Festival of the Sea)—which involves a range of water sports and a traditional Latin American beauty pageant.

Getting around

Santa Marta’s small size means it’s easy to explore on foot. If you want to travel further afield, a taxi is the best option—just make sure you agree on a price before you start your journey, as most of the taxis aren’t metered and a lack of communication can result in an expensive surprise when you arrive at your destination.

Traveler tips

Located just 20 kilometers (12 miles) from Santa Marta is the unmissable mountain village of Minca, where locals flock to enjoy a break from the humidity of the tropical coast. In this magical pueblo, you’ll find organic coffee plantations, lush hiking trails, waterfalls, and an abundance of hummingbirds. It’s a haven for nature lovers and boasts some of Colombia’s best vistas.

Santa Marta information

Number of Attractions	13
Number of Tours	217
Number of Reviews	3,968
Currency	COP

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

What are the top things to do in Santa Marta?

The top things to do in Santa Marta are:

What are the top activities in Santa Marta?

Top activities in Santa Marta include:

What are the top things to do near Santa Marta?

Check out things to do near Santa Marta:

Things to do in Santa Marta

Welcome to Santa Marta

Top 13 attractions in Santa Marta

Explore Santa Marta by interest

Top activities in Santa Marta

Explore our promoted experiences

All about Santa Marta

When to visit

Getting around

Traveler tips

People Also Ask

Santa Marta information

Number of Attractions

Number of Tours

Number of Reviews

Currency

More Tours in Santa Marta

Things to do near Santa Marta

Recommended for Santa Marta

Trending attractions

Popular on Viator