Santa Marta is one of the most beautiful cities in Colombia and all of South America. Its landscapes, mountains, beaches, and tourist attractions have made it one of the most visited regions in recent years. It is a charming destination, with many plans to do and places to visit.
Knowing Santa Marta also involves -besides- discovering its surroundings, which are also magical and hide beautiful places worth visiting.
In this guide you will learn about the best plans near Santa Marta. Take note and don't miss it!
The best plans to do near Santa Marta
Tayrona National Park
Going to Santa Marta and not visiting the National Natural Park (PNN) Tayrona is like not having gone. This park is one of the most beautiful places in the world, according to the tourism magazine Condé Nast Traveler, and has also been praised by the English newspaper The Guardian.
This park is located near the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and the trip from the city takes about 40 minutes. The Tayrona National Park offers an unparalleled experience for nature lovers and hikers, as it is situated between a tropical forest and incredible maritime landscapes, crowned with sunsets that are hard to forget.
To reach the beaches of Arrecife, La Piscina, and Cabo San Juan, a walk of approximately two hours must be undertaken. The route has a varied ecosystem that ranges from a tropical forest with giant trees to a mangrove ecosystem on the paradisiacal beaches of this beautiful place. It is a worthwhile journey but one must be willing to enjoy a walk in nature.
As a curious fact, the Tayrona Park is part of the so-called ancestral territory of several indigenous communities: Kogui, Wiwa, Arhuaco, and Kankuamo.
Crystal Beach
This is one of the most popular beaches in Colombia. It stands out for having clear waters, white sand, and coral reefs that you can enjoy if you like or want to dare to do scuba diving. It is located in Tayrona National Park, accessible by road (but you will need to take a boat) or by sea from the Santa Marta international dock.
Crystal Beach is ideal for practicing water sports, such as snorkeling, canoeing, or diving. You can also enjoy beautiful walks along the beach. And once there, you must not miss the Viewpoint of the 7 Waves, a place where you will find a beautiful view that you will never forget.
Bahía Concha Beach
The Bahía Concha Beach is an important spot in Santa Marta. It is a corner where you can find peace and tranquility. It is a beach with gentle waves that allows for long walks while enjoying the mountains and the beautiful landscape.
This beach is only 30 minutes from Santa Marta and is also very visited by tourists from Colombia and around the world.
For those who fall in love with the place and want to stay, there are campings within the beach. There are also several restaurants for tourists who want to indulge in Samarino cuisine, where seafood reigns.
Cinto Beach
Also located in Tayrona National Park, Cinto Bay -or Cinto Beach- stands out for how crystal clear its waters are, the green vegetation surrounding it, and the tranquility. The landscape is completed by red mangroves, salt reefs, and golden sand.
To reach this destination, the trip can last 35 minutes if departing from the Santa Marta International Marina. However, it can also be reached by boat from Taganga or Neguanje.
Adventure tourism is experienced differently at Cinto Beach, as it seems designed for this type of tourism. It is away from the city, making it easy to find tranquility.
Old City of Congo
The Old City of Congo is a prehistoric settlement that was “rediscovered” in 1983 during a military operation. It is located in the micro-basin of the Congo creek, which is a tributary of the Río Frío.
This archaeological ruin is in the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta. Some tourism agencies offer guided explorations.
After a two or three-hour tour from the city of Ciénaga Grande, you will arrive at this settlement where you can learn about part of the architecture of the Tairona civilization. Here you will find 21 terraces full of stories. This is a place with a unique energy to discover.
Minca
Minca is another of the places you must visit if you are in Santa Marta. It is a town located on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada and is popularly known as a “paradise among the mountains”.
It is also called the ecological capital of Colombia, which gives clues about how beautiful its vegetation is. In Minca, you can visit Pozo Azul or the Marinka waterfalls, and you can also climb Cerro Kennedy where you will have a spectacular view of the Santa Marta Bay and, with luck, you might see the peaks of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta: Pico Colón and Pico Bolívar.
In Minca, you will find a great variety of hostels amidst nature. Some with access to the river, which will allow you to have a sense of calm, as well as a refreshing bath.