Search: Lodging in Santa Marta or Taganga

Gator says on Sep 19, 2005, 08:31:

IMHO... both hotels in Taganga are not what I would classify as even three star and there is NOTHING to do except hit the beach area(come to think of it, everything there is the beach area)where the sound of the jukeboxes at night and thwe weekends is unbearable. 'Bout the only hotels would be Casablanca or La Ballena Azul. I would stick to the El Rodadero area.

WATCH OUT for these time periods called high season,December 15 to January 15, Holy Week and June 25 to July 25. Prices will more than double and places to stay are at a premium. You might take a look at the Hotel Cañaveral on Cr 2, about $66 USD a night, Hotel la Serria about the same price, Hotel Sorrento on Cr. 3, $50 USD.

Some of the tour operators are rip-off artists but I can recommend Richard Rodríguz owner of Acua Tours on Cr 3a N6-54, by the Hotel Sorrento. He and his wife run a great operation. If you want to make a side trip to either Santa Marta or Taganga take on the local buses, cheap and you get a good look at the area.

Restaurants in El Rodadero that we like are Brisas del Caribe on Calle 7, Restaurante Karey on Calle 9 and Cr 1, El Patio Cr 2 and 9, R$estaurante Los Almendros, ca 6, car 3a and, our favotate, Pez Caribe on Cr. 4 #11-35, a little pricier, by Santa Marta Standards but the average meal is about 10 USD. Several weeks ago we took friends to dinner there (nine of us)had a couple of drinks, entradas, some had sopa, coffee, after dinner drinks. The total bill, including tip was $191.00 USD. We think this is the best in El Rodadero and it is an up-scale type place fully air conditioned.

Other questions? Just ask.

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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Saltador says on Sep 20, 2005, 07:40:

Gator Great info! I did find a site finally that had some Santa Marta hotel reviews, and all reviews of Hotel Sierra were good. They especially liked the location. We'll probably stay there and then just travel to Taganga for snorkeling and maybe some diving. Will also check out Acua tours and see what they have to offer.

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Carrie_ says on Sep 20, 2005, 09:11:

In Taganga there's a good place to stay, Casa de Felipe (www.lacasadefelipe.com). It's just 5 or 10 min walking from the beach. And Taganga it's only 20 min away from Sta Marta.
I'll ask a friend about other hotels in Rodadero, since there it is better to stay than in Sta Marta, and it's nearer to the airport.
Dont miss to visit the Tayrona park!

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Gator says on Sep 20, 2005, 09:50:

Beware of.... any place in Colombia that advertises "Our picturesque guesthouse" and features photographs of hammocks. I have seen this place and it is clean and neat but it looks like someplace that would really appeal to backpackers. NO A/C to the best of my knowledge.(Of course this comes from Mrs. Gator who considers anything less than a Hilton camping out.)

It is only maybe five minutes to the beach-but then EVERYTHING is Taganga is "five minutes to the beach." As best as I can rember the price is right-like $10/30 USD

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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Gator says on Sep 20, 2005, 10:05:

Saltador... Good choice right the center of everything. On thing I forgot to tell you. Be sure and go to the Panaderia Bread on Calle 6 #1a-27, near the Kokorika. Best damn bread and pastry you can find-and the price is right. Everything made there. Also hit the Kokoriko for a little heladería-the Frutos de Bosque or Amaretto really hits the spot and not too bad for a quick meal.

Have fun

"Bene, cum Latine nescias, nolo manus meas in te maculare" .

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Mr. Hollywood says on Sep 20, 2005, 11:35:

Blue Whale I've stayed at the Ballena Azul in Taganga and it was perfectly okay (clean, quiet, had AC, etc). I wasn't looking for a posh place though, just a place to sleep after diving all day. People always say Casa de Felipe is a nice backpacker hostel but 5 minutes from the beach is about as far from the beach as is possible in Taganga.

If you want anything even approaching a luxury hotel, Rodadero is your place.

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Carrie_ says on Sep 20, 2005, 13:33:

Some hotels in Santa Marta ... My friend told me these are ok to stay in Rodadero: Betoma, Cañaveral,Riviera,Sierra,Mar Azul,Yuldama,Sorrento ... and there are more. These are not luxurious nor cheap and ugly ...
Some ppl like hotels other hostels, I just like places where I feel comfortable and meet new ppl. It's really up to you and your budget.

Good Luck!

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Saltador says on Sep 20, 2005, 14:59:

Diving in Taganga Mr. Hollywood,
Did you dive with Poseidon? If not, who? And how was the diving there? My girlfriend is not certified PADI, but I'd like to go snorkeling with her. Did you do any snorkeling there?

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Mr. Hollywood says on Sep 20, 2005, 15:49:

Yes I dove with Poseidon. I liked them a lot. It's owned by a couple Germans who are a little more anal about keeping up their equipment than most people, so you don't run into the problems one might find with other shops.

The diving when I was there was great. My understanding is that the visibility varies a lot depending on the winds. When I was there it was pretty clear and the dives were really nice. The main thing that stood out was the variety of different corals there. Also saw a lot of eels and beautiful fish. All the good diving is about a half-hour boat ride east of Taganga.

I didn't snorkel there but others have said there's good snorkeling in the Tayrona Park.

If you're really interested PM me your email and I'll send you some underwater photos from there.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Sep 20, 2005, 15:50:

One other thing I forgot to mention that Poseidon has a hostel-like place for people to stay who are doing the certification course. Looked really mellow and fun.

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cosmos says on Sep 27, 2005, 07:38:

felipe I was to santa marta/taganga before 4 days, and I recommend la casa de felipe, its cheap, felipe is very good person and the exterior is great.

c

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YO RAPS says on Oct 13, 2005, 22:45:

CHECK THIS OUT FIRST!!! BETTER THAN FELIPE!! DON'T DO ANYTHING UNTIL YOU GO TO WWW.MESAINVERSIONES.COM THERE IS A GREAT APARTMENT FOR RENT RIGHT NOW, I WAS THERE AND IT WAS AMAZING!! RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THR RODADERO AND FITS UP TO 6 PEOPLE. IT HAS POOL IN THE ROOF TOP AND OCEAN FRONT. GOES AROUND $50 TO $60 DOLLARS A NIGHT. TOTALLY FURNISHED CHECK IT OUT!!!

WWW.MESAINVERSIONES.COM

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