Things to do in Santa Marta
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Donde Chucho
Serving the best seafood on the coast, and sitting on prime real estate on the newly renovated Parque Santander. Start with the signature salad (shrimp, octopus, calamari and manta smoked in olive oil) and move on to robaloau gratin (mozzarella and parmesan). Divine. If this place doesn’t fit your budget, go Monday to Thursday between 6pm to 9pm and enjoy cocktails at 2-for-the-price-of-1. Don’t miss it.
reviewed
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Turcol
Santa Marta's tour market mainly revolves around Ciudad Perdida.
In pre-Columbian times, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta on the Caribbean coast was home to various indigenous communities, of which the Tayronas were the dominant and most developed group. The Tayronas are believed to have evolved into a distinctive culture since about the 5th century AD. A millennium later, shortly before the Spaniards came, the Tayronas had developed into an outstanding civilization, based on a complex social and political organization and advanced engineering.
The Tayronas lived on the northern slopes of the Sierra Nevada where they constructed hundreds of settlements, all of a very simil…
reviewed
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Delicentro Bavara
In a country where a good sandwich is scarce, this hole-in-the-wall counter serves up ones worth writing home about. The excellent toasted Cubans and chicken sandwiches are meticulously prepared (20 minutes) and are worth the wait. There’s no sign – look for the brick facade with iron gates.
reviewed
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La Sartén Dorada
There are a lot of cheap restaurants around the budget hotels, particularly on Calles 11 and 12 near the waterfront, where you can get an unsophisticated set meal for at most around US$2. La Sartén Dorada is one of the cheaper restaurants that does good seafood.
reviewed
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Basilea
If you tire of coastal cuisine, this intimate Med-French place offers a nice change of pace, serving interesting dishes like the fiery red pepper steak (but where are the steak knives?) in Santa Marta’s most refined atmosphere. Save room for the excellent flan.
reviewed
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Burukuka
Perched on a cliffside high above El Rodadero, this chic spot specializing in steaks turns into an all-night party Thursday to Saturday. Plant yourself on the expansive outdoor patio for a sunset drink, or make a night of it – it’s worth the taxi up here.
reviewed
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Lautrec
This spot has a personality disorder: is it a dark and mysterious haunt for creative types, or a dance club? It’s too dark and too noisy, but still a good time. Good on Sunday when most of Santa Marta is cooped up.
reviewed
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Hiking
There's some good hiking around Santa Marta, including walks in the Parque Nacional Tayrona, though if you're after some longer and more adventurous trekking, the hike to Ciudad Perdida is the region's showpiece.
reviewed
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Cocteleria Juancho
This ceviche street stall has been packing in loyal locals of all ilk for 33 years. Here it is all about the shrimp ceviche, which comes in four sizes. It’s located next door to the Gino Passcalli store.
reviewed
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Crêpes Expresso
Artsy French-owned crepería that does excellent crepes (though some with canned ingredients) and cocktails as well. The fan turns on with the bathroom light – nice touch in this heat.
reviewed
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La Puerta
This artsy, multi-room space without a sign outside can get a little wild with gringos and students, especially on weekends. It’s not known as Oh La La La La Puerta for nothing.
reviewed
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El Garaje
Well worth visiting on a Wednesday when the rest of Santa Marta is quiet, El Garaje is a fun, open-air bar at the back end of Taganga. It's best after midnight.
reviewed
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Atlantic Divers
Atlantic Divers is in the city center. A four-day PADI-certification course costs COP$550,000.
reviewed
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Hotel Panamerican
For something more upscale, try the restaurant at the Hotel Panamerican considered one of the best in town.
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Amancay
This funky bar features Frank Miller strips lining the exposed brick walls and other abstract decor.
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La Escollera
This trendy and expensive disco is on a small islet in the northern end of El Rodadero.
reviewed
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Barrio Samario
This Belgian-run salsa bar reels in a slightly more mature crowd.
reviewed
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