Santa Marta, Colombia

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Santa Marta is a city and municipality located in northern Colombia by the Caribbean sea and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, capital of the Magdalena Department. The city is an important maritime port and hub for tourism, history and culture. It was founded on July 29, 1525 by Spanish conqueror Rodrigo de Bastidas, who named the city after the Catholic day for Saint Martha, which in Spain was celebrated with festivities. However many historians argue that he named it after the Spanish city of Santa Marta de Astorgas, which he had also visited. It was one of the first cities to be founded in Colombia.

El Libertador Simón Bolívar died at a ranch named Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino on the outskirts of Santa Marta on December 17, 1830.

The city has been affected to some extent by the Colombian Armed Conflict. In recent years, Santa Marta has attracted large numbers of people displaced by the paramilitary groups operating in the area. The warm climate and the possibility of occasional work serving the tourist industry has increased the city's population drastically.

Temperatures in the city of Santa Marta ranges from 18.65 to 31.15 degrees Celsius (~66 to 88 degrees Fahrenheit) at sea level, but the Municipality of Santa Marta stretches up to the highest snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

Las Fiestas del Mar (The Festival of the Sea) is celebrated on a yearly basis in this city. It serves as a tourist attraction during the midyear vacation period. One of the main events in the festival is the jetski show organized by Santa Marta Esqui. There are beauty pageants, parades and parties in the city. The Festival's slogan is "Santa Marta, la magia de tenerlo todo", which translates as "Santa Marta, the magic of having it all."

Population: 415,270 Elevation: 6 meters. Average temperature: 28 degrees Celcius. Tel: 05 | Editing history.

Places to stay:

Hotel Miramar (1 comments) Calle 10C No 1C - 59 Tel: 423 32 76 Cheapest night: 5 US$/night. Dorm beds available. Private rooms available.
This is perhaps South America's oldest hostel, it's certainly been around for a long time. It has dorms and some hammocks on the roof. Dorm beds are 10000 pesos and doubles 20000.

Casa Familiar (0 comments) Calle 10C No 2 - 14 Cheapest night: 5 US$/night. Dorm beds available. Private rooms available.
It's friendly and clean, dorms at 10000 pesos, doubles at 20000.

Hostal La Galeria (3 comments) Calle 12 # 1C - 59 Tel: 5 4217157 Tel: 315 5041280 Website: www.hostalgaleria.es.tl Email: hostalgaleria at gmail dot com Cheapest night: 4 US$/night. Dorm beds available. Private rooms available.
Hostal La Galeria is half a block from the beach in Santa Marta. They offer dorm beds and private rooms. Dorms cost between 9,000 and 12,000 COP depending on the time of year and private rooms with bathroom with fan cost 15,000 - 22,000 COP per person. Discounts are available on the private rooms when occupied by more than one person. The owner is fluent in many languages including English, Spanish, and Japanese.

Residencias El Titanic (0 comments) Calle 10C # 1c - 68 Cheapest night: 4 US$/night. Private rooms available.
Across the street from the Miramar, this one has private rooms with baths starting at US$4 (8000 COP) for a single.

Finca Carpe Diem (2 comments) 15km southwest of Santa Marta Dorm beds available. Private rooms available.
An ecological farm run by a Belgian, this is a great place to relax, do some walking and horse riding or just enjoy the nature. You can get a collectivo and then a taxi (ask in the hostels). They have cheap rooms and food.

La Brisa Loca Backpackers (28 comments) Calle 14 N3-58 Tel: 315 736 4483 Website: labrisaloca.com Email: labrisaloca at gmail dot com Email: lalocabackpackers at gmail dot com Cheapest night: 5 US$/night. Dorm beds available. Private rooms available.
Actually in the final days of construction the second floor should be open mid april with first floor to follow. It is situated in the center of the centro historico Santa Marta right next to Plaza San Fransisco and Parque Bolivar. Built in a old republican house and restored with real Cartegena colonial feel the 65 bed backpackers will include a pool in the central patio, TV room, client kitchen, bar and restaurant with all day service, pool room, chill out room, hammock room and eventually roof top terrace.

Casa Scania (0 comments) Calle 21 3-88 Centro Tel: 54315438 Tel: 3148295292 Email: elsaligia at hotmail dot com Cheapest night: 15 US$/night. Dorm beds available. Private rooms available.
Swedish-Colombian family, only 4 rooms.Colonial style. Private rooms available.Doubles with shared bathroom at 15 USD, single room with bathroom 15 USD. Free wireless internet. Breakfast served if you want. Spanish classes (1 to 1) offered at terrace on top of the house.

SunCity (0 comments) calle 18-3 #28 Website: www.sahlmann.net Cheapest night: 10 US$/night. Dorm beds available. Private rooms available.
Located in a renovated colonial building near local santa marta beaches, in the historic center. Nightlife activities closeby (mainly on weekends). Dorm facilities accross the street in affiliated residence.

Casa Tranquila (0 comments) Calle#1 El Rodadero Tel: 310 744 3799 Tel: home 434 7914 Website: http://santamartarental at googlepages.com Email: sbharris at sympatico dot ca Email: SantaMartaRental at gmail dot coml Dorm beds available. Private rooms available.
A great cabin on the beach with sleeping for up to 10 people. For four people or more in a group, or a family, the price will fall into the cheap category. Prices are negotiable. Their website has things to do in the area too.

Travelguides:

The Lost City - La ciudad Perdida: How to do the trek

El Dorado bird reserve: This reserve has 18 endemic species of birds and is the most important place in South America for birders. It also has 4 endangered frog species and similar endemism in butterflies and other classes. Just near the lodge one can see the 5775m peaks of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta above, and the Carribean below, one of the most spectacular viewpoints on the planet.

 

Reviews

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Comments

Brians says on Dec 11, 2008, 06:50: I would recommend in La Sierra in Rodadero. This is the perfect location for Rodadero. If you want the fun party scene it is right in front of the beach. It will be a little loud during the Holidays but as far as Rodadero or Santa Marta goes this is about as top quality you will find. The prices include Breakfast and dinner but I just used for breakfast. http://www.hotelasierra.com/index2.html 12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia. Brian 0 funny, 0 helpful.

el norteño (☼Travelguide writer) says on Mar 4, 2009, 17:57: Santa Marta is a little dirty, grungy city. But, I liked it. 0 funny, 0 helpful.

sbf says on Aug 3, 2009, 09:34: SCT-"Safe Colombian Tours" Inexpensive English speaking guides and interpeters starting from 3 usd per hour (groups can share the cost, i.e. a group a 4 people will pay less than one dollar per traveler!!!!!!!!) We can find you the cheaper option available in road and air tickets (clearing out the always present tentation of overpricing goods and services to foregin looking visitors) only paying a very small fee Low Cost Travel Agency but with a very warm an personal touch. contact: cafemaya at telefonica.net 0 funny, 0 helpful.

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