Santa Marta can be explored through a variety of cultural themes: the historic center invites you to stroll, while the theater, park and monuments offer specific historical points of reference, and the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino brings together art and remembrance. To help plan your trip, start by choosing the focus of your stay. That way, you won’t automatically plan to visit every site as part of a single walking tour, but can organize them around what you actually want to experience.

Getting your bearings in the historic center

The streets and lanes of the historic center invite you to explore on foot. Among the sights are the colorful facades of houses more than 100 years old. There is a tourist information office at the Santa Marta bus station; if you plan to rely on it, confirm in advance that it is open. The historic center is close to Puerto de Santa Marta and Marina Internacional de Santa Marta. This makes it easy to distinguish the city center, the port and the marina as separate landmarks.

In December 2021, areas of the historic center such as Callejón del Correo and Parque de los Novios had numerous restaurants and bars serving local and international cuisine. Individual businesses and offerings may change; if you have a particular dining choice in mind, check the current selection.

Architectural history and monuments

Teatro Santa Marta opened in 1949 and was designed by Cuban architect Manuel Carrerá. Its opening year and architect give the theater a specific point of reference for anyone interested in architectural history. Parque de los Novios, also known as Parque Santander, was laid out in the early 20th century. At its center are a statue of General Francisco de Paula Santander and a bust of former president Manuel Murillo Toro. Murillo Toro was president of Colombia from 1864 to 1866 and again from 1872 to 1874. Those interested in political history can connect the park with two distinct figures and a specific history of presidential terms.

Art and remembrance at the Quinta

Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino is home to the Museo Bolivariano de Arte Contemporáneo. The Quinta also includes the Altar a la Patria, erected to commemorate the centenary of Bolívar’s death. This brings two distinct cultural themes together at the Quinta: contemporary art and the remembrance of Bolívar. If this is the focus you choose for your trip, check current exhibitions and visiting hours before planning a specific visit.

Camellón de la Bahía

A bronze sculpture of Don Rodrigo de Bastidas, installed in 1928, stands at Camellón de la Bahía. The Camellón opened in January 2022 and was described at the time as a green corridor with a large event space. That same year, the Camellón opened to the public and was described at the time as a place where visitors could enjoy the views and get to know Santa Marta. The monument and the history of its opening offer two different points of reference for understanding this place. If you plan to visit the Camellón, check access arrangements beforehand.

Choose hotels to suit your interests

Choose according to your personal interests rather than planning solely from a generic list of attractions.

More destinations

Discover more destinations: Ciénaga, La Ceiba, Carretal, Playa Blanca, Bonda, Fundacion, Calabazo, San Fernando

For the main travel overview: Magdalena.