The Sierra Nevada mountains and the sea embrace this region, offering seaside holidays and opportunities for hiking and mountain climbing. Tayrona National Park provides a unique experience for walking, camping, and relaxing on the beach, far from civilization, in the calm of nature.
What should we know about the northern coast?
Well, as they say in Colombia, everything in the north is a little more laid-back – the warm, coastal climate makes people more relaxed, friendly, and sometimes intense. If I had to compare it to something, I'd say it's a bit like Naples. The coastal area, especially Rodadero and the Irotama beaches, is full of massive hotels and apartment buildings, some over ten stories high. Here, you don't feel what Santa Marta is truly like.
Taking the bus from the Bonda neighborhood toward the city center, which takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, the route often leads through run-down, littered, and unfortunately not very reassuring areas. There's less attention to order in general: power outages are frequent, and things feel a bit chaotic. The bus races through the city honking, sometimes giving the feeling you're flying, and the uneven roads make the ride even more unforgettable.
Still, this doesn’t define the whole city – there's much more to it.
Santa Marta offers stunning beaches, all easily accessible by bus, even to the airport. As for the beaches not served by bus, you can get there by motorboat or guided tours. That’s how I visited Inca Inca beach, and Playa Blanca or Bahia Concha are also great examples.
The sunsets from these spots in the evening are breathtaking.
In the historic downtown area, plenty of shops, restaurants, and hostels are clearly aimed at tourists.
Anyone visiting the northern coast should be prepared to constantly encounter street vendors. Most of them sell food (ceviche), ice cream, drinks, or jewelry. This is especially handy when there are no beach kiosks nearby.
Everything you need is right there—you don’t have to search for hours; it all just appears in front of you.
Be cautious about food, especially at the beach, but the local lunch spots are usually fine. The typical set menu includes fried plantain (patacón), rice, salad, and fish, with fish soup and a drink—all for around 2 euros.
Fortunately, I didn’t experience any unpleasant incidents, but it’s wise to keep an eye on your valuables and avoid walking alone after dark – that’s a rule anywhere.
Typical tourist scams do exist here too – not in every case, but in busy areas, prices can easily double or triple if it’s obvious you’re not a local. Bargaining is pretty much a must.
Santa Marta is a vibrant, loud, and energetic city full of things to do and experience – impossible to explore in just a few days. (S. N., 2025)