Help, Lookin for place to stay in El Rodadero (Santa Marta)

Gator says on May 27, 2004, 08:49:

Suggestions 1. The Santa Marta Airport is not "in" Santa Marta proper but on the east side of El Rodadero(kinda like Miami/Miami Beach) which is about 20/30 minutes from Santa Marta. Both places have beaches but I think the one at Rodadero is better than the Santa Marta beaches. You will find this area much more family orientated than Cartagena but there is still night life. Couple of places to stay in your price range are Sol Arhuaco, La Sierra Hotel, stay away from the The Decameron Tamaca and its sister hotel the Decameron Galeon They are all inclusive including food-food very average and the hotels are not that nice. Lots of Italians and Canadians there both times the wife and and I visited the casinos at both hotels-Vegas it ain't.

What to Do? Santa Marta was founded in the early 1500's. I would go to the Pedro Alejandrino Villa about 6 km out of the city, take a bus and see the city). This is where Simon Bolivar died and is now a national shrine. Nice gardens and the villa has been restored and a good art musuem. Try and go to Taganga, a very typical fishing village about 6km out of Santa Marta, again take the bus. The view when you start down the mountain and see Taganga sitting on the bay is outstanding. Not too much to do but have a couple of cold ones. On their weekend the little cantinas rock out but every damn juke box is at max volume. The Tairona National Park is a must visit BUT I would go to one of the hotels and take a tour. Be sure and check on the security first. Speaking of security, both SM and Rod. are safe but certain areas outside the cities are a no no at this time.

Food: The sea food can't be beat because it is FRESH.
Water: I would drink bottled at all times and have a jug in the room for brushing your teeth.
Weather: Hot and humid
Season: You might book at least one night ahead

When we stop bouncing around Colombia free loading off the wife's relatives(ten sisters) this is where we will live. It is my wife's favoriate place (she is from Cali). I am more partial to Cartagena or Medellin but heck, peace in the family comes first and that area is very, very nice.

Hope this helps,

a la orden

Gator

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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tommytoyz says on Sep 25, 2004, 13:49:

Santa Marta Hotels I'm thinking of taking my mother to Santa Marta. Since the La Sierra hotel is well recommended, does anyone know if the rooms have balconies, a pool and easy access to the beach?

If anyone knows of any other good hotels or apartments in Santa Marta with ocean view, balcony, pool and right on the beach, recommendations would be appreciated. It can be higher priced. Important is that it's easy for a person in a wheelchair to get around the complex

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Tim in San Diego says on Nov 14, 2004, 15:37:

Condominio Santa Maria Del Mar Go to Condominio Santa Maria Del Mar. Right on Rododero Beach. 2 bedroom condos with kitchen for about 80,000-100,000 per night. (About $35/night) Can't beat it. I've been there several times. Killer ocean views. About 20 stories tall. One of the bigger hotels there.

They have a small pool as well.

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toneloc24 says on Nov 14, 2004, 18:08:

Tim in San Diego Can you walk up to this place to get a room? Or do you need a reservation? Do you have any contact numbers?

"PBH is dead!!!!"

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nomad unpopular says on Nov 14, 2004, 19:32:

you may just miss the rains begining of july, rains start to rape santa marta and make it miserable, only for 5 hours or so, cos all the streets flood and you have to walk through black rivers to get from block to block,
but its not that bad, the rains dont last too long, and are not frequent, but when it rains, it fucking pours. but if you from skotland you know rain.
i recommend staying in nieghbouring taganga, 10mins by taxi, small village, very popular with tourists-colombian. when it rains there the streets dont flood so bad. oh and its nicer to look at than santa marta.
buena suerte
skotish people are my second favourite in the world to colombians obvcourse

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Gator says on Nov 14, 2004, 19:49:

These are Nice Hotel La Sierra, telephone 4 227197 is nice as is the Santa Marta Del Mar twin towers. Private condo some owners rent so prices varyIf your Spanish is up to it here is a site in SM that will give you a lot of information:

www.santamartaaldia.com/hotels

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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