Sights in Santa Marta
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino
This is the hacienda where Simón Bolívar spent his last days and died. The hacienda was established at the beginning of the 17th century and was engaged in cultivating and processing sugarcane. It had its own trapiche (sugarcane mill) and a destilería (distillery).
During the Bolívar era, the hacienda was owned by a Spaniard, Joaquín de Mier, a devoted supporter of Colombia's independence cause. He invited Bolívar to stay and take a rest at his home before his intended journey to Europe.
Several monuments have been built on the grounds in remembrance of Bolívar, the most imposing of which is a massive central structure called the Altar de la Patria. Just to the right…
reviewed
-
Acuario y Museo Del Mar
The aquarium and museum are on the seashore 2km northwest of El Rodadero. The aquarium has sharks, dolphins, turtles, seals and other marine species, and a dolphin show is held when tourists come. The attached museum displays an odd variety of objects, ranging from copies of Inca ceramics to the propeller of an airplane which crashed nearby.
Transport to the aquarium is provided by boats operated from the beach in El Rodadero; tickets can be bought from the stands on the beach.
reviewed
-
Catedral
This massive whitewashed cathedral claims to be Colombia’s oldest church, but work wasn’t actually completed until the end of the 18th century, and thus reflects the influences of various architectural styles. It holds the ashes of the town’s founder, Rodrigo de Bastidas (just to the left as you enter the church). Simón Bolívar was buried here in 1830, but in 1842 his remains were taken to Caracas, his birthplace.
reviewed
-
Santa Marta Catedral
The massive whitewashed Catedral claims to be Colombia's oldest church, but work was not actually completed until the end of the 18th century, and thus reflects the influences of various architectural styles. It holds the ashes of the town's founder, Rodrigo de Bastidas (just to the left as you enter the church). Simón Bolívar was buried here in 1830, but in 1842 his remains were taken to Caracas, his birthplace.
reviewed
-
El Rodadero
The quiet resort town of El Rodadero offers sun, sand, sea and little else. Popular with Colombian tourists, the town has a wide beach lined with high-rise apartment blocks and upmarket hotels, plus a collection of restaurants, bars and discos. It gets very crowded during Colombian holiday periods, when prices can skyrocket. El Rodadero is some 5km south of Santa Marta's center and is linked by frequent bus service.
reviewed
-
Museo del Oro
The Gold Museum is in the fine colonial mansion known as the Casa de la Aduana (Customs House), but was getting a facelift at the time of research. It has an interesting collection of Tayrona objects, mainly pottery and gold, as well as artifacts of the Kogi and Arhuaco people. Don’t miss the impressive model of Ciudad Perdida, especially if you plan on visiting the real thing.
reviewed
-
Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino
This hacienda on the outskirts of town is where Simón Bolívar spent his last days and died. The hacienda was established at the beginning of the 17th century and was engaged in cultivating and processing sugarcane. It had its own trapiche (sugarcane mill) and a destilería (distillery).
reviewed
-
Bahía de Taganga
Taganga is a beautiful horseshoe-shaped bay and small fishing village just north of Santa Marta. It's fast developing into a backpacker hang-out and scuba-diving center, where you can sign up for cheap dive courses, and the beach is packed with boats, restaurants and bars. Playa Grande, a magnificent bay just northwest of the village, is a short walk away.
reviewed
