What to do in Santa Marta

Activities, attractions and tours

Taganga Beach which includes a beach, a bay or harbour and a coastal town
Santa Marta
Rodadero Beach showing a coastal town, a skyscraper and general coastal views
Taganga Beach featuring swimming, a coastal town and a beach
Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino featuring art and interior views

Places to Visit in Santa Marta

Ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Let Expedia.co.nz help you find the most exciting and fun things to do in Santa Marta, Magdalena while also allowing you to save a ton on travel arrangements. Regardless of whether you’re an urban explorer or an intrepid outdoor enthusiast, we can help you decide exactly what to do and see during your time in town.

Our thorough travel guides offer you an insider’s perspective on all of the best Santa Marta attractions from NZ$23, making it easy for you to decide which places to visit and when. And by using Expedia.co.nz to set your sightseeing schedule, you can take in more of the enchanting attractions this area is famous for.

From group Santa Marta tours and must-see landmarks to personal guides who take you off-the-beaten track, Expedia.co.nz offers you over 120 of the most popular events, activities, and attractions in this corner of the world. So whether you’re travelling alone, alongside a loved one, or with the whole family in tow, be sure to browse through our extensive travel guides prior to your plane touching down in this spectacular Santa Marta. We even have a massive selection of flights, car hires, and accommodation for you to choose from. So what are you waiting for? Start your search today, and you’ll be having the time of your life before you know it.

Explore thousands of activities with free cancellation and no added fees.

Design your experience with airport transfers, excursions, day tours & more.

Get an insider's look in what to book before you travel.

Most fun & popular experiences in Santa Marta

Tours & day trips

See all 109 activities
Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique!

Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique!

Activity duration is 8 hours
9.0 out of 10 with 13 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is NZ$106 per adult
Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique!Opens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 45 activities
Full Day Marinka Waterfall

Full Day Marinka Waterfall

Activity duration is 5 hours
Free cancellation available
Price is NZ$167 per adult
Full Day Marinka WaterfallOpens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 14 activities
Tayrona Bay Sailboat trip

Tayrona Bay Sailboat trip

Activity duration is 7 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 4 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is NZ$102 per adult
Tayrona Bay Sailboat tripOpens in new tab

Recommended things to do in Santa Marta

Number of things to do
120
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Tour in Chiva Rumbera Music Party and Fun in Santa Marta: NZ$23
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Santa Marta

Discover the most popular places to visit in Santa Marta

Rodadero Beach which includes a beach, a skyscraper and boating

Rodadero Beach

This dynamic beach is one of the most visited spots in the area. Enjoy a variety of activities: sunbathe, swim, sail, dive and snorkel.

Rodadero Beach
Parque de Los Novios which includes a city, heritage elements and street scenes

Parque de los Novios

Meet friends and share a few drinks at this plaza in the center of Santa Marta, where you’ll find restaurants, bars and vendors selling snacks.

Parque de los Novios
Rodadero Beach featuring a luxury hotel or resort, general coastal views and rocky coastline

Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum

Take the children to visit the sea life who live at Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum during your holiday to Santa Marta. While you're in the area, stroll along the beautiful beaches.

Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum
Ciudad Perdida

Ciudad Perdida

You can find out about the history of Santa Marta when you stop by Ciudad Perdida. Wander the beautiful beaches in this relaxing area.

Ciudad Perdida
Santa Marta Cathedral which includes heritage elements and a church or cathedral

Santa Marta Cathedral

Walk around the cathedral that holds the remains of the city’s founder and claims to be the oldest church in the country.

Santa Marta Cathedral
Blue Well

Blue Well

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Blue Well during your travels in Minca. While you're in the area, stroll along the beautiful beaches.

Blue Well
Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino featuring a memorial as well as a small group of people

Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino

Visit the 17th-century villa and art museum made famous as the place where the famous military leader Simón Bolívar died.

Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino

Bello Horizonte Beach

Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Bello Horizonte Beach during your travels in Bello Horizonte? Make some time to visit the shops while you're in the area.

Bello Horizonte Beach

Zazue

You can browse for the perfect souvenirs at Zazue during your stay in Santa Marta. While you're in the area, stroll along the beautiful beaches.

Zazue

Explore areas of Santa Marta

Rodadero Beach showing a sandy beach, a hotel and a coastal town

El Rodadero

3/5(1 area review)

El Rodadero is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Rodadero Beach and Arrecife Shopping Center.

El Rodadero
Historic Center showing heritage elements, a city and street scenes

Historic Center

4.5/5(2 area reviews)

Take a trip back in time as you explore the center of Colombia’s oldest surviving city, complete with colonial buildings and collections of indigenous gold and pottery.

Historic Center
Default Image

Bello Horizonte

If you're spending some time in Bello Horizonte, Bello Horizonte Beach and Zazue are top sights worth seeing.

Bello Horizonte
Default Image

Los Cocos

While there might not be top attractions in Los Cocos, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Santa Marta Bay and Parque de los Novios.

Los Cocos
Default Image

Bavaria

When in Bavaria, you can plan a visit to Parque de los Novios and Santa Marta Theater, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Bavaria
Default Image

Mamatoco

Though Mamatoco may not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino and Tayrona National Natural Park.

Mamatoco

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Santa Marta

Taganga Beach featuring a coastal town, swimming and a sandy beach

Taganga

Photo by Bajo El Mismo Sol

Aracataca

Photo by Andrew wythe

Guachaca

Frequently asked questions

Is Santa Marta worth visiting?
From shopping to history and outdoor activities, there are plenty of fun things to do in Santa Marta. Be sure to enjoy the area's blend of awesome attractions, local charm and culture.
How do I spend a day in Santa Marta?
Begin your day with a visit to Bello Horizonte Beach and Santa Marta Beach. Then, check out different areas of Santa Marta for local dining and some souvenir shopping.
What is the top tourist attraction in Santa Marta?
Bello Horizonte Beach is one of the top tourist attractions in Santa Marta and should be high on every sightseeing list of the area.
Is three days enough to stay in Santa Marta?
Three days will be enough time to tick off many city sights, including Santa Marta Beach, Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum and Grande Beach. The average stay in Santa Marta is three days. If you have the urge to extend your holiday, Puerto de Gaira isn't far away.
Is Santa Marta a walkable city?
With exciting neighbourhoods and major sights within walking distance of the city centre, Santa Marta is a good destination to visit on foot. Wander between Santa Marta Beach and Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum. Then take a stroll through Comuna 2  located 0.16 kilometres from the centre, and Historic Centre, which is about 0.48 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Santa Marta with kids?
Deciding what to do in Santa Marta with kids has never been easier. Whether you're holidaying with toddlers or teenagers, there are loads of family-friendly tours and activities to keep everyone busy here.

What to do in Santa Marta for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food lover or thrill seeker, there are plenty of things to do in Santa Marta for adults including Mayorship of Santa Marta and Town Hall.
Are there free things to do in Santa Marta?
From relaxing in parks to wandering around exciting neighbourhoods, it's a breeze to discover free things to do in Santa Marta. If you need new ideas, get some recommendations from a local tour guide. Santa Marta Beach is a must for anyone planning to save on their travel adventures.