The 15 Best Things to Do in Santa Marta

1.Sailboat day tour to Tayrona Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 352 reviews · 7h 30m · from $64Our pick

Meet the Tayrona Sailing crew at Santa Marta’s International Marina for a full day aboard the Sonata. Motor past Taganga, Granate Bay, and Aguja Island to Bahía Concha, then swim, snorkel, paddleboard, eat grilled fish, and sail home when wind allows.

“The company went out of its way to accommodate me, and the guides were great. The only thing I would do differently is rented some shade on the beach. The sun was brutal.”

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2.Tayrona National Park Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 131 reviews · 11 hours · from $77

Travel from Santa Marta or El Rodadero to Tayrona National Park by private bus, then hike about four hours through tropical forest to Cabo San Juan. You get three hours for swimming, lunch, and the viewpoint. The guide speaks Spanish, and Luiz and Jesus have led some departures.

“Experiência única! Passeio desafiador do início ao fim e ao final de una longa caminhada, uma praia maravilhosa, um Caribe em plena Colômbia. Recomendo!”

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3.Tayrona Bay Sailboat trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 107 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $60

From Santa Marta’s International Marina, you’ll cruise aboard a sailboat toward Tayrona National Park, usually anchoring at Bahia Concha. Swim, snorkel, kayak, or use the SUP board before enjoying grilled fish, chicken, or vegetarian lunch. The crew includes Nicolas Giraldo’s team, with Ana, Javier, and Luis named in guest experiences.

“The crew was great, thank you all!!! The park is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. I wish the trip was a little longer or maybe go to a couple of beaches. I would do this tour again anyway My family and me loved the experience”

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4.Minca Coffee, Cocoa, & Waterfall Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 102 reviews · from $78

Travel from Santa Marta to Minca for a guided jungle hike, coffee tasting, river-pool swim, mountain lunch, and hands-on chocolate making. Guides such as Tony, Gustavo, and Sadam bring strong knowledge of nature, coffee, and local culture. Expect steep sections, insects, and a long day outdoors.

“This was a great way to get away from the city and into the jungle. It was great to learn about coffee & make chocolate. Lunch was delicious with an incredible view. I wished we could have swam more. My only negative comment is the guide talked for a long time, especially next to the river & bog where we were all being bitten by bugs. Don’t forget bug spray!”

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5.Sunset Sailboat Tour with 2 Beverages

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 93 reviews · 2h 30m · from $47

Meet Tayrona Sailing at Marina Internacional de Santa Marta, board the Sonata, and sail toward Taganga Bay for sunset. You get marina entry, insurance, and two beverages, with English- and Spanish-speaking staff. Expect a social 150-minute trip that can feel lively on windy water.

“O pôr-do-sol visto de dentro do mar é muito bonito e especial. Ficamos muito felizes por ter tido essa experiência. A equipe do veleiro é atenciosa e gentil, durante todo o passeio estiveram preocupados com as pessoas abordo e o bem-estar de todos. É uma experiência interessante, mas para quem tem medo de barco ou passa mal durante travessias eu não recomendo. Venta bastante e o veleiro fica instável, gerando movimentos contínuos para os lados, as vezes dando a impressão de que algo pode acontecer. Claro que a minha impressão é de alguém que não conhece/veleja, mas é uma impressão sincera sobre o passeio. Não dei nota máxima porque a…”

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6.Tayrona Park Hike And Beach Day

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 91 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $211Top rated

Spend about 10 hours hiking Tayrona National Park with a private English-speaking guide such as Hugo, Andrés, César, or Diva. Walk from Cañaveral through jungle and coastal forest to La Piscina and Cabo San Juan, with time to swim, eat, and set your own pace.

“We had an amazing time with our tour guide, Paula! She was knowledgeable, helpful, and fun & friendly! We learned many things related to Tayrona and Colombia. It gave us peace of mind to be with someone to guide us and take us to a calmer beach. My only complaint is that it’s expensive. We didn’t think it was worth $300 US dollars.”

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7.Sailing Tour to Tayrona Park with Luis’ Team

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 76 reviews · 6h 30m · from $66

Meet Luis’ Team at Santa Marta International Marina for a bilingual sailing trip toward Bahia Concha in Tayrona Park. Fish near Taganga and Granate, pass Aguja Island, then swim, snorkel, paddleboard, walk, or relax before sailing back.

“The crew was lovely and took good care of us. However, the tour didn't deliver and is quite expensive for what it is. Despite having booked an English tour with what was advertised as a bilingual crew, no one spoke any English and we did not understand any of the information given about the park or the day. So it was basically an expensive taxi to Concha beach. The beach is very full with boats who are blasting music despite it being a national park. We did some sailing back to Santa Marta, which was nice. In the end thay wanted to make us pay for some beers we hadn't…”

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8.Private transportation from Santa Marta city to Cartagena

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Ride privately from your Santa Marta hotel to Cartagena in about four hours. Bukap provides SUVs, minivans, and vans for groups up to 14. Drivers such as Hader, Juan, and Miltiño are praised for safe driving, punctual pickups, comfort, and helpful stops, but English is not guaranteed.

“We had a great private transfer from Santa Marta to Cartagena with Juan. He spoke good English and was a safe driver who knew the fastest way to get there. It took us about 4 hours since there was a little bit a traffic but was overall a nice and scenic drive. Would go with this company again when I’m back in Colombia! Thank you!”

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9.Tayrona by sea

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 76 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $97

From Santa Marta Marina, you’ll ride a small speedboat to Cinto, Playa Cristal, and Bahía Concha in Tayrona National Park. Expect snorkeling, fish lunch, snacks, and Sierra Nevada views. Guides such as Luis, Miguel, Camilo, or Oscar may assist, but confirm English support and boat details before departure.

“It was nice day trip from Santa Marta. Beaches and scenery are absolutely beutiful. Ride there and back might be bit bumpy in the waves with not so big boat. I did not mind it, was fun experience, but might be more tricky for elderly and young kids. Food at lunch was decent. I booked to trip in English - there were biligual people waiting in Marina and organizing the start of the trip and getting on the boat. But this was sadly when and where the English part ended. Had to rely on handful of other people from the trip who spoke English, which wasnt the option I paid…”

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10.Tayrona Park – Cabo San Juan

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 74 reviews · from $65

Leave Santa Marta early for a guided walk through Tayrona National Park, passing Cañaveral, Arrecifes, Arenilla, and Piscina Natural before reaching Cabo San Juan. You get several hours at the beach, park transport, entrance, insurance, and a Spanish-speaking guide. Bring sturdy shoes, water, cash, and insect repellent.

“Lo que mas recuerdo? 1. Me avisaron por mail a las 12 de la noche que pasaban a buscarme a las 6.30 y no a las 5.15. Ese mail lo vi cuando ya estaba desayunando. 2. La recogida no fue en auto por el hotel sino caminando por el hotel. Y me paRead more”

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11.Guided Hiking through Tayrona National Park and Cabo San Juan

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 73 reviews · from $45

Start early from Santa Marta for a guided hike through Tayrona National Park’s El Zaino sector. Walk past tropical forest, mangroves, and several beaches before reaching Cabo San Juan. Expect a hot, demanding day, mixed Spanish and English guidance, and extra fees for foreign visitors.

“Had a great experience! The hike was not easy but definitely worth it. The crew was nice and professional!”

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12.A Pearl In The Caribbean-walking tour in English

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · 2 hours · from $16Best value

Join local guide Javier, also called Javi, for a two-hour English walk through Santa Marta’s historic center. Visit the Tairona Gold Museum, hear tales of pirates and superstition, get food and nightlife tips, and taste a Caribbean fruit for $16.

“I loved this tour! The guide, Javier, did an excellent job of telling the history of the city while keeping it interesting with some good „chisme“ and superstitions of the locals. I loved the way he showed the group his home town and recommended places to eat and drink. Even though Santa Marta is so hot, he made sure we stayed cool. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting! Thank you Javier.”

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13.Cacao Experience Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 66 reviews · 4h 30m · from $46

Meet Andrés in Minca for a half-day walk through Tayrona indigenous territory. Learn how cacao becomes chocolate, taste fruit, coffee, and cacao in several forms, then hike to a waterfall for a swim and clay face mask. Small groups and English or Spanish guiding make this a personal nature outing.

“The tour was really nice and we learned a lot about cocoa and coffee. The waterfall is right next to the farm and the walk is really doable. The only thing which I would improve was that there was another group at the same time so we were around 15 people at the farm. I think it would be better to spread the tours a bit time wise. Overall I would always do it again!”

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14.Cape San Juan del Guía Tour in Tayrona Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 64 reviews · 11 hours · from $67

You’ll ride from Santa Marta to Tayrona National Park, hike for about two hours beneath tropical forest, and visit seven Caribbean beaches, ending at Cape San Juan del Guía. Spanish-speaking guides, park admission, hotel pickup, and insurance are included. Food, drinks, and possible visitor taxes cost extra.

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15.One amazing day in a private recent sailing boat in the Tayrona Park. The best sail trip from Santa Marta!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 63 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Join Thierry and Amy-Esther aboard a private sailing boat from Santa Marta for a 7.5-hour trip to Tayrona Park. Swim, snorkel, paddle, sunbathe, and jump from the boat in Bahia Concha, with a fresh sandwich, snacks, and one drink included.

“We were two families. The trip was an amazing relaxing day. The timing of boarding, sailing, snorkeling, beach, snacks, and lunch were perfect….. we even were lucky enough to have dolphins come and play with the boat while sailing.”

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