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South AmericaColombiaMagdalena Department

Santa Marta

Magdalena Department, Colombia · South America

About Santa Marta

Santa Marta is worth a stop: 30 minutes from Ciénaga, 29km from Tayrona National Park.

Santa Marta is a city located in Magdalena Department, Colombia. With a population of 499,192, it is an important destination in South America.

On a road trip, Santa Marta sits in Colombia, where you drive on the right. It's in the America/Bogota time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Santa Marta to your route.

About Santa Marta

Santa Marta (Spanish pronunciation: [ˌsanta ˈmaɾta]), officially the Distrito Turístico, Cultural e Histórico de Santa Marta (English: Historic, Cultural & Tourist District of Santa Marta), is a port city on the coast of the Caribbean Sea in northern Colombia. It is the capital of Magdalena Department and the

Read more fourth-largest urban city of the Caribbean Region of Colombia, after Barranquilla, Cartagena, and Soledad. Founded on July 29, 1525, by the Spanish conqueror Rodrigo de Bastidas, it was one of the first Spanish settlements in Colombia, its oldest surviving city, and second-oldest in South America. This city is situated on a bay by the same name and as such, it is a prime tourist destination in the Caribbean region.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Santa Marta

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Santa Marta?

Santa Marta offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Santa Marta?

Plan your road trip to Santa Marta with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Santa Marta as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Santa Marta located?

Santa Marta is located in Magdalena Department, Colombia, South America. The coordinates are 11.2386 latitude, -74.1943 longitude.

What is the population of Santa Marta?

Santa Marta has a population of approximately 499,192 people, making it a city in Colombia.

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Quick Information

Population
499,192
Continent
South America
Country
Colombia
Region
Magdalena Department
Timezone
America/Bogota
Coordinates
11.2386, -74.1943

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Colombia

Police
123
Ambulance
123
Fire
123
Driving side
right
Full driving guide for Colombia

Tags

South AmericaColombiaMagdalena DepartmentCity

Worth the detour from Santa Marta

2 notable places within an hour's drive.

national park

Tayrona National Park

A stunning Caribbean coastal park where dense jungle meets golden beaches backed by the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

29 km · about 35 min drive

ancient ruins

Ciudad Perdida (Lost City)

An ancient city built around 800 AD in the Sierra Nevada, older than Machu Picchu and reached only by a multi-day jungle trek.

37 km · about 40 min drive

When to drive here

Year-round

Tropical latitude: plan around the wet season rather than temperature.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Santa Marta.

Ciénaga

🇨🇴 Colombia

26 km awayPop. 88,311

Puebloviejo

🇨🇴 Colombia

29 km awayPop. 33,720

Prado-Sevilla

🇨🇴 Colombia

53 km awayPop. 4,830

El Retén

🇨🇴 Colombia

70 km awayPop. 19,345

Barranquilla

🇨🇴 Colombia

71 km awayPop. 1,206,319

Soledad

🇨🇴 Colombia

72 km awayPop. 342,556

Aracataca

🇨🇴 Colombia

72 km awayPop. 41,872

Malambo

🇨🇴 Colombia

76 km awayPop. 129,148

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence