Santa Marta travel guide
Santa Marta Tourism | Santa Marta Guide
You're Going to Love Santa Marta
With a population of 431,781, Santa Marta is the largest city in Magdalena, Colombia by the number of inhabitants. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. We recommend you stay at least 5 days in order to fully appreciate everything Santa Marta has to offer.
When to visit Santa Marta
Looking for warm weather? Then head to Santa Marta in April, when the average temperature is 29 °C, and the highest can go up to 32 °C. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as 23 °C, with an average temperature of 27 °C. You’re likely to see more rain in October, when precipitation is around 60 mm. In contrast, January is usually the driest month of the year in Santa Marta, with an average rainfall of 0 mm.
How to Get to Santa Marta
Plane
When flying to Santa Marta, you’ll arrive at Santa Marta Simon Bolivar (SMR), which is located 14 km from the city centre.
Bus
Several bus lines operate bus routes to Santa Marta, including Rápido Ochoa, Berlinas del Fonce and Copetran. From Cartagena, the bus ride to Santa Marta takes 225 km and will cost you around $18. From Montería, the ticket costs about $81 for a journey of 748 km. The most popular bus station is Santa Marta Terminal de Transportes, located 4 km from the city centre of Santa Marta. Santa Marta Transportes Marsol S.A.S. is also a commonly used station, and is 0.1 km from the city centre.
Airlines serving Santa Marta
Where to stay in Santa Marta
Average rates range from around $81 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $114 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Masaya Santa Marta and La Brisa Loca Hostel.
Where to stay in popular areas of Santa Marta
Most booked hotels in Santa Marta
Hiring a car in Santa Marta
Expect to pay $1.61 per litre in Santa Marta (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between $19.29 and $25.71. The most frequently booked car type in Santa Marta is Mini (Kia Picanto or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Economy car hire (Chevrolet Onix or similar) is, on average, 54% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.