If you need affordability and tradition, go to Medellin.
If you need affordability, tradition, and superior seashores, go to Cartagena.
At least that was once the gameplan…
Forbes’ newest vacation spot characteristic peeled again the curtain on the last word Cartagena dupe, gaining traction as Colombia’s new trip hotspot.
On the flip aspect of Barranquilla, one other underrated coastal metropolis, lies a Caribbean gem vacationers have been skipping over far too lengthy.
Brimming with historical past, vibrant tradition, and vivid blue-water shores, Santa Marta is swapping hidden gem standing for stylish must-visit this summer season.
Travel Tip: Before we dive in, be sure you try Travel Off Path’s new 1-minute journey checker — a one-stop store to dot your I’s and cross your T’s for a seamless journey to Colombia.
Happy five hundredth Birthday To Colombia’s Oldest City 🎉
Travelers have been bought by a single look at Cartagena’s towering skyline and shimmering waters, however Cartagena ticks off one other field as a pleasant Colonial metropolis oozing Old Colombia attraction and gorgeous Caribbean magnificence all wrapped up in a single vacation spot.
As immersively inviting as Cartagena’s UNESCO-listed cobbled streets and colourful facades could also be, it is truly Santa Marta that has been round since 1525, and provides expansive seashores backdropped by lush nature for arguably an much more picturesque cityscape than Cartagena’s.
Given Cartegena’s outstanding rise as a high Latin American vacation spot, you may anticipate extra of a way of authenticity in Santa Marta, therefore the newfound fame seeing a 22.7% uptick in worldwide guests, in keeping with Forbes.
For now, whereas it is caught within the in-between of being a name-brand vacation spot and nonetheless comparatively unknown to the lots, Santa Marta has fewer pushy distributors, so you may wander timeless streets and golden shores with out being guilt-tripped into vacationer traps or overpriced excursions.
Grab that good cup of Colombia espresso at a comfy cafe, savor low-cost road cart empanadas, and benefit from the surroundings of not solely Santa Marta’s astounding nature however the sightly maze of colonial structure all through town middle, the place you will discover centuries-old marvels standing the take a look at of time, resembling Catedral Basílica de Santa Marta and scenic parks with scattered landmarks like Parque de los Novios.
Santa Marta’s Postcard Beaches 🌊
Much like Cartagena, Santa Maria boasts a vibe different Caribbean locations simply cannot replicate. Equal components metropolis life and Caribbean bliss, Santa Maria is a far cry from the Bahamas and even Mexico’s sprawling shoreline, with a number of the most immediately recognizable seashores Americans have grown to like.
In different phrases, at the same time as common as they’re, downtown Cancun and Nassau simply do not supply the identical stage of attraction, being solely acknowledged as a resort vacation spot the place no one bats a watch should you by no means depart your poolside lounger.
Here in Santa Marta, you will unquestionably need to discover past the seaside, however there is no denying the sheer great thing about the coast stretching West towards aforementioned Barranquilla, and east towards Venezuela (don’t fret — it is not that shut).
Westward lies a cluster of coves and crowd-free shores resembling Playa del Amor, a white-sand seaside haven the place one latest beachgoer claimed ‘hardly anybody goes’ — and that makes it all of the extra pleasing.
Hidden, but equally stunning seashores, resembling Playa Gusano and Playa Inca Inca stretch to the neighboring city of Gaira, however let’s circle again and concentrate on the wrong way too.
Eastward, towards Taganga, you will discover fewer choices however there are gorgeous outlooks like Sea Pescaito sandwiched between a row of waterfront inns, which Forbes recommends staying at Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida.
Though, there’s Playaca, a public seaside away from town bustle, however would not have the best opinions in comparison with Santa Marta’s westside paradises, however Tayrona National Park previous Taganga is the last word seaside lovers dream, filled with rainforests, hidden coves, and even preserved websites of ruins.
The Elephant In The Room: Safety Concerns ⚠️
“How safe is Colombia?” is a standard query, and rightfully so given quite a few safety alerts and journey advisory updates in recent times.
Actually, Santa Marta might have an additional layer of uncertainty.
From a pure geographic standpoint, Santa Marta is hours away from the no-go zone of Venezuela to place issues comfortable, however let’s not sugarcoat Colombia’s personal set of questions of safety.
The U.S. State Department final up to date Colombia’s advisory in April 2025, designating the nation as Level 3: Reconsider Travel with no particular point out of Santa Marta.
We did report on Colombia’s relationship app scams final yr, so swiping proper in Santa Marta might not be the perfect concept.
For what it is value, Santa Marta’s official tourism web site states “Santa Marta is a safe tourist site, and has become a favorite vacation paradise for Colombians and foreigners” and goes on to listing these 3 areas because the most secure within the metropolis:
The historic middle
El Rodadero
Pozos Colorados
Taganga
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