Santa Marta

Gator says on May 28, 2008, 07:37:

Are you speaking of Santa Marta proper or of the El Rodedaro area which is really the resort area about about 3km out of Santa Marta?

Much more family oriented that Cartagena and more "laid back."

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

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NCMike says on May 28, 2008, 07:38:

Hi... I am also thinking about visiting Santa Marta when I am in Colombia in July. Do any of you know of websites that show hotels with prices and fotos, or do you recommend any particular places? When I do google searches, I get plenty of sites but very few pics. Travelocity and Expedia are pretty much worthless as far as Colombia is concerened. It seems I keep getting the same hotels like the DeCameron or something like that. I know there's got to be tons of hotels, but maybe they are smaller and privately owned, thus not with good websites yet. Sometimes I get sidetracked into hotels in Spain even though I put in Santa Marta Colombia in the search.

I might consider one of those todo incluido packages like I've done before in Cartegena and San Andres, but I'd prefer to stay someplace that's close to town and/or walking distance to the beach. I don't really want to be far outside of the activity of the city.

BG, I hope you don't mind me riding on your post. I've heard a couple of people say the water and beaches in SM are beautiful, and some have said they like it much better than Cartagena (water and beaches are not pretty there). But I've wasted lots of time searching, and have just about resigned myself that I'll have to go to some travel agencia once I get to Col, but then I'll proably have to pay more because I won't be able to plan as much in advance, or they will steer me towards a plan todo incluido, etc.

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Nextstep says on May 28, 2008, 09:31:

Try www.bradtguides.com they have a travel guide on Colombia. There is a small section on Santa Marta.

Life is for the moment. Smile be happy enjoy and enrich others.

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sloopskipper says on May 28, 2008, 09:33:

I think gator recommended the Sierra, but I wasn’t able to find anything more than the telephone number.

There are endless lists of hotel names with street/e-mail adresses and telephone numbers, but no fotos, rates, list of services, or websites. They are only helpful if you already know the property.

La Bellena Azul is in nearby Tananga (it's bookable on Expedia) and I have seen several people offer positive comments about it here. They have internet access, which is somewhat important to me. http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/post/trip-report-colombia-april-19th-...

Gator?

I finally found a website for the Park Hotel: http://parkhotelsantamarta.com/ It appears to be an attractive property, at least on the fotos, but like many, they don’t post rates. I sent an e-mail, but they have not responded.

I have also searched for apartments but that is a time consuming process too, and I also often end up in Spain, or someplace else..

I can get a direct flight to Barranquilla, but would have to change in Bogotá to get to Santa Marta.

tompower posted a fairly quick and easy van service (MarSol) which travels Cartagena-Barranquilla-Santa Marta: http://poorbuthappy.com/tompower/comments/

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robi666 (Trustee board) says on May 28, 2008, 09:52:

Just a few tips and I think Gator will agree on this:
avoid high season (Xmas, Semana Santa, June-July): it can get really crowded and expensive.
best time of the year: early December, late January.
Stay in El Rodadero.
renting an apartment could be the best choice. No problem in low season, just get there and ask around. Price range 50k-100k COP per day (do not expect too much). Don't need to make a reservation.

Again, as Gator said, SM is much more family oriented and more "laid back."
Much better sea. Great nature and surroundings (not to be missed, Tayrona, Minca, Quebrada Valencia).
Good party at La Puerta and that neighborhood.
IMHO, avoid staying in Taganga. You can visit there if you like.

If you want to escape to an unspoiled beach and great resort, try Mendihuaca Resort, 5 kms after the entrance of Parque Tayrona. Unbeatable prices.
Best Colombian surfing just nearby, at Casagrande camping.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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sloopskipper says on May 28, 2008, 10:04:

Thanx robi. But I probably will probably make a quick trip next month anyway, like I did to Cartagena, because I am trying to make a plan to exit Panamá.

I'll probably be looking at some small apartments as a possible transistion, before trying to sell here.

I think that I had read that Tangana is " a nice place to visit, but . . . . "

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Alma del Norte says on May 28, 2008, 10:26:

but what?

La vida es una rutina

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Gator says on May 28, 2008, 10:34:

robi666 pretty well covered what you need to know. I should have added you can just check out the the ones with aquila(rent) in the window with a telephone number-or ask the guard at the building.

You will find it is much quieter that Cartagena. IMHO you can get cabin fever after about one day in most of Parque Tayrona-but that's one place you MUST visit.

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

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sloopskipper says on May 28, 2008, 11:11:

Cool, thanx Gator. But I would probably feel more comfortable knowing that I have a place to stay, for a first visit in a strange place, especially since it will most likely be in the busy season.

I would probably only stay 4 or 5 days.

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sloopskipper says on May 28, 2008, 11:12:

Alma del Norte says on May 28, 2008, 10:26: flag

"but what?"

. . .not to live (stay)? ;o)

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NELHENAO (☼Travelguide writer) says on May 28, 2008, 11:14:

Alma del Norte says on May 28, 2008, 11:19:

Sloop. I like Taganga as a place to stay. It can get overrun during the day especially at weekends, but that stop-over makes all the more sense when you can enjoy the cooler quieter evenings without the hordes. Taganga has plenty of restaurants, a laid-back nightlife and an intimate, villagey feel you won't get in Rodadero or Santa Marta proper. During the day you are within walking/lancha distance of better/more secluded beaches. Granted, it may be a bit "rustic" for some peoples' tastes, but there is accommodation to suit all budgets, like as you say, La Ballena Azul.

La vida es una rutina

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b bruce says on May 28, 2008, 11:26:

Santa Marta is the best of all worlds as coastal Colombia goes. Santa Marta the city has everything you need from shopping to inexpensive places to stay. Rodadero which is like a mini-Cancun, is just a short trip by bus or taxi southwest of Santa Marta. Taganga which is a short distance to the northeast, is a small fishing village with a few good scuba dive outfits. My last trip to Santa Marta, I went on a dive trip into the National Park Tayrona. One excellent experience. Had the opportunity to see a coral reef that was not over overwhelmed by tourists and commercial dive companies as Key West has been. Just one more term of school (fall) then I am moving to Santa Marta. I would suggest getting a Lonely Planet Guide Colombia. Has excellent info about places to stay, places to eat etc. Try it, I think you will enjoy it!

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nueva york bombero says on May 28, 2008, 12:58:

I love Santa Marta!
If you're truly on a budget try hotel Grenada in centro.
it's close to the beach, cheap, clean and basic.

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Bogota Girl says on May 28, 2008, 17:08:

Wow, that is a lot of information, thank you all. I went to the Consular General to have him help me get my Colombian passport before I leave. He said that Cartegena was the place to stay. Would you all say that Santa Marta proper is better in terms of beach and things to do? How far is Santa Marta from Cartegena, could we do a day trip there? I was looking into houses to rent that could come with a cook, are those easy to find in Santa Marta or Cartegena? You all are so helpful in planning this trip, I couldn't do it with out you ... thank you so much.

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robi666 (Trustee board) says on May 28, 2008, 17:38:

Nighlife in Cartagena is far better than in Santa Marta. Better discos, better restaurants, better shopping.
The walled city is the first thing that you want to see of Colombia.

After a couple of days you're done with it and you'll want to head for better beaches, better weather, better nature, better atmosphere. Santa Marta is there for it.

You can travel between SM and Cartagena by bus or coletivo. Four hours, more or less.
Thus, no, you cannot do just a day trip.

Apartments are easy to find (avoiding high season), both in Cartagena and SM. In Cartagena, go to Bocagrande and just ask around. In SM, go to El Rodadero.
About the cook, you'll have to ask.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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Gator says on May 28, 2008, 20:01:

Cartagena/Santa Marta - as differnt as night and day. Cartagena is Colombia's playground, Santa Marta is family time but is it cheaper. Again, if fully aggree with mi amigo, Robi666. Houses too much troubleto find , stay with an apartmento (condo)

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

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larryrn says on May 29, 2008, 07:14:

I have been to the Costa Azul, Decameron Irotoma and one more, the Zuana beach resort in Santa Marta. Irotoma is very nice -- older place but well maintained, my favorite. Zuana is newer and clean and very nice - but the people I didnt find as friendly, but the women were all incredible looking. Decameron was maybe 3 star, people were friendly, talked, danced, etc. this was the least expensive and not as fancy as places above. Costa Azul was for families with lots of kids.

If I were to go back, my preference would be Irotoma.

Cartagena is expensive and nice - and more bars as is larger. I stayed at a B&B (forgot name but owned by a English guy), Hilton on Boca Grande, Caribe and -- in the fort at a classy place and expensive - Santa Clara.

Larry

Larry Snyder, www.rn.org

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sloopskipper says on May 29, 2008, 09:11:

Alma del Norte says on May 28, 2008, 11:19: flag

"Sloop. I like Taganga as a place to stay."

It does look interesting from here, I will certainly check it out.

BTW, I did receive an e-mail from Park Hotel, June/July rates are:

TIPO DE HABITACION SGL DBL TPL ADICIONAL O NIÑOS
ELITE: habitacion con sala y excelente decoracion, aire $ 200.000 $ 200.000 $ 227.000
SUPERIOR: habitacion estilo juniro suite con sala y aire $ 89.000 $ 105.000 $ 129.000
ESTANDARD: habitacion con aire $ 75.000 $ 91.000 $ 156.000
Adicional niño, $ 27.000

Perhaps I will book a night or two there, then look for apartment.

I asked if they had in-room internet and they simply responded that they have WiFi wireless. I saw elsewhere that they had it only in the lobby.

Does anyone know this place, and also when Fiesta del Mar will be, this year? I think is suposed to be in June.

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traqueto del valle says on Jun 1, 2008, 16:18:

Taganga is getting boring at night. OK for a beach day but I recomend to stay in Santa Marta. If you want to stay in Taganga the best (but also the most expensive hotel) is Ballena Azul.... Taganga is full of Israeli and they just act horrible... I recomend the Park Hotel front to the beach in Santa Marta, there is a nice bar in the same building (BEN'S BAR) very good food and always some prepagos... Rumba is La Puerta nice place... Or try BANANAS also nice... or FLAMENGOS..... Rodadero sucks... I think is boring ok for a night or a day on the beach but when you visit Santa Marta stay in Santa Marta... Rodadero is full of Rolo idiots in high season....

Cultural: visit the hacienda de Pedro Alejandrino.... the place where Bolivar died...

Nature: visit Minca or Tayrona or Bonda.... or walk from Taganga to Playa Grande.....or Quebrada Valencia on the road to Riohacha.... Also very nice...... Go to the beach on the other side, 2 kilometers of beach and just some fishermans and NOBODY else....

PARK HOTEL is one of my favourite hotels in Colombia,,, is not that luxury but the location is great... front of the beach and near to everything

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jonas says on Jun 1, 2008, 23:03:

good advise from TRAQUETO

Mi alma se la dejo al diablo

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jonas says on Jun 1, 2008, 23:10:

traqueto del valle forgot to tell you that Santa Marta is the only exception in Colombia, where, except from Cali, you should wear all your jewelry, especially gold necklaces with a cruz de esmeraldas, and big golden rings. It is also recommended to show off a big pile of 50mil bills in your wallet when you buy a beer at the tienda for 1100. Sweet, you will love it!

Mi alma se la dejo al diablo

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