Santa Marta Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Santa Marta tours, Colombia’s oldest city and gateway to the Caribbean coast’s wild beauty: the jungle-fringed beaches of Tayrona National Park, the legendary multi-day trek to the Lost City (Ciudad Perdida), the misty coffee village of Minca with its waterfalls, sailing trips and snorkelling in turquoise bays, and the historic centre by the sea. Compare top-rated activities and plan your perfect Colombia trip.
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Explore Santa Marta by interest
Whatever brings you to Santa Marta — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Tayrona Park
Jungle Caribbean beaches.
ExploreLost City trek
Ancient jungle ruins.
ExploreMinca
Waterfalls & coffee.
ExploreSailing & beaches
Caribbean boat trips.
ExploreDiving & snorkel
Taganga reefs.
ExploreCity & food
Colombia’s oldest city.
ExploreCabo San Juan
Iconic Tayrona beach.
ExplorePalomino & Guajira
Coast & desert.
ExploreTop attractions in Santa Marta
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Tayrona Park
Jungle Caribbean beaches.
Cabo San Juan
Iconic Tayrona beach.
Lost City
Ancient jungle ruins.
Minca
Waterfalls & coffee.
Caribbean Sailing
Coves & sunsets.
Taganga Reefs
Diving & snorkel.
La Guajira
Caribbean desert.
Historic Centre
Colombia’s oldest city.
Santa Marta in 2 days
- 1Day 1: Tayrona
- 2Day 2: Minca
- 3Waterfalls & coffee
- 4Sierra Nevada views
Santa Marta in 3 days
- 1Day 1: Tayrona
- 2Day 2: Minca
- 3Day 3: sailing & diving
- 4Coast, hills & sea
Santa Marta adventure
- 1Lost City trek
- 2Jungle camps
- 3Tayrona beaches
- 4Minca waterfalls
1 hr awayTayrona Park
Jungle beaches.
45 min awayMinca
Waterfalls & coffee.
4-day trek awayLost City
Ancient jungle ruins.
From bay awayCaribbean Sailing
Coves & sunsets.
Multi-day awayLa Guajira
Caribbean desert.
1.5 hrs awayPalomino
River & beach village.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Santa Marta visitor asks before booking.
The sweet-spot months
December to April is the drier season — sunny days ideal for Tayrona, the Lost City trek and the beaches.
Dry season (Dec–Apr)
Warm, mostly dry weather makes this the peak time for the coast and trekking; book popular tours ahead.
Wet season (May–Nov)
Hotter and more humid with showers, especially September–November; the jungle is lush and the Lost City trek can be muddy.
Tayrona closures
Tayrona Park closes for a few weeks each year (often in parts of February, June and October/November) for ecological rest — check before you go.
Warm all year
Santa Marta is hot year-round, so light clothing, sun protection and water are always essential.
Festive peaks
Christmas, New Year and Easter are very busy with Colombian holidaymakers — book early and expect crowds.
One day
A Tayrona Park day tour.
Two days
Add Minca’s waterfalls and coffee.
Three days
The sweet spot: Tayrona, Minca and sailing.
Lost City trek
Add 4–5 days for the Ciudad Perdida adventure.
Beach base
Relax at El Rodadero or Tayrona beaches.
Caribbean loop
Santa Marta pairs with Cartagena and Palomino.
On foot
The historic centre and seafront malecón are walkable and pleasant to explore on foot.
Taxis & apps
Taxis and ride-hailing apps are cheap for getting around the city, El Rodadero and Taganga; agree the fare or use the app.
Tours & transport
Tayrona, Minca and the Lost City are best reached on guided tours or arranged transport given the distances and trailheads.
Getting there
Santa Marta has an airport (about 20 minutes from the centre) with flights from Bogotá and other cities, plus road links to Cartagena.
For Tayrona
The park entrance is about an hour from the city, then a 1–2 hour hike to the main beaches — start early.
For Minca
Shared jeeps, mototaxis or tours climb the winding road up to Minca in under an hour.
Colombian peso
Colombia uses the peso; carry cash for park fees, transport and small vendors, though cards work in hotels and larger places.
Check Tayrona dates
Tayrona Park closes for a few weeks each year for ecological rest — confirm it is open before planning your visit.
Start Tayrona early
Begin Tayrona hikes early to beat the heat and crowds, and bring water, sun protection and swimwear.
Trek with good operators
For the Lost City, book with reputable licensed operators who support the local and indigenous communities.
Pack for the jungle
For trekking, bring quick-dry clothes, insect repellent, good footwear and a dry bag for the humidity and rivers.
Pre-book key tours
Tayrona, Lost City and sailing trips fill up in peak season — book ahead.
Tayrona tours
Park day tours are popular — book ahead.
Lost City trek
Multi-day treks have limited spots — reserve early.
Minca trips
Waterfall and coffee tours fill up — pre-book.
Sailing trips
Caribbean sailing tours are in demand — book ahead.
Diving courses
Taganga dive trips and courses are limited — reserve early.
Holiday peaks
Christmas, New Year and Easter are very busy — plan ahead.
Tayrona day tour
Around €25–55 for a Tayrona Park day tour with transport.
Lost City trek
About €330–420 for the 4-day Lost City trek, all-inclusive.
Minca tour
Roughly €25–50 for a Minca waterfalls and coffee day tour.
Sailing trip
About €40–80 for a Caribbean sailing or boat trip.
Diving
Around €40–90 for a dive trip or try-dive in Taganga.
How to save
Join group tours and travel outside the holiday peaks.
Santa Marta through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Beaches, trekking.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Best; busy holidays.
- Best for
- Warm, drier.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Great; Easter peak.
- Best for
- Lush, fewer crowds.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Some showers.
- Best for
- Green, value.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Wettest; check closures.