PICTURE GALLERY OF SANTA MARTA
WHAT TO DO IN SANTA MARTA
- You could visit the vacational village of Rodadero with it's wonderful beach.
- Park Tayrona is the pearl on this coastline. It is one of the most beautiful places in the world and contains dozens of white sand beaches with crystal clear water. Many people spend days snorkeling, swimming and relaxing in the hammock in this paradise. A short and exciting walk in the jungle will lead you to the old Tayrona ruins, the Pueblito Chairama.
- A trip to the Lost City, or the second Machu Picchu, is a trip for lifetime and you will never regret going on a tour. Turcol can arrange such a 6 days trip for you for US$ 275 per person.
- There is a beach within the city which is very popular both among tourists and locals.
ABOUT SANTA MARTA
Santa Marta is a city 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. The first one was Santa María la Antigua del Darién.
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.
Prior to the Arrival of Spanish explorers, the area where Santa Marta lies was inhabited by Amerindians from the Tairona culture, and its subsequent families: Arhuacos and Koguis, among others.
History
The city was founded in July 29, 1525 by Spanish conqueror Rodrigo de Bastidas, accompanied by some two hundred of his men and a few Amerindians. With its foundation, the Spanish colonization also started the conquering of lands from this region, and the set up of administrative functions for the colony, including a maritime port and the construction of defenses to prevent pirate raids.
During the Colonial times the city started losing its importance as maritime port to nearby city port of Cartagena.
During the mid-19th century, French, English and North American immigrants along with some locals started to introduce industrial ways of productions and founded trade associations among industrials and the farmers. As a result they built railways which would connect productive networks.
In 1871, the University of Magdalena was founded, initially with two faculties: law and medicine.
During the 20th century the city served as a main port for massive exports of bananas and coal, produced inland with the assistance of major multinational corporations.
In 1968 the government decentralized the Port Authority, leaving Santa Marta with its own Port Authority (Capitania de Puerto).
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.
Source: Wikipedia
HOW TO GET TO AND FROM SANTA MARTA
You can get to Bogota with a lot of international and domestic flights.
Bus from most of the big cities in Colombia.
ACCOMODATIONS IN SANTA MARTA
Hotel Nueva Granada is a nice hotel with prices starting at US$ 30 for a room. It has swimming pool and is centrally situated in Santa Marta.
Hotel Yuldama is another hotel centrally situated in the old part of Santa Marta and very close to the beach. Prices from US$ 50 per room.
Playa Koralia is located one hour outside of Santa Marta, but nevertheless a good choice for a hotel. You should explore the beauty of the beach, rainforrest and the river at this place. They serve a comprehensive menu in the restaurant and have a nice bar for chilling at evenings. Prices starts at US$ 75 per night per person but that's all inclusive.
OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT SANTA MARTA
Crabs Bar located on Calle 18 #3-69 is a hangout if you like rock or blues.