Santa Marta has beautiful beaches, an interesting historic area, and all the cultural sites to see. But when you want to get away from the crowds, there are plenty of little-known places near the city that you can escape to.
Interested in bird watching, scuba diving, visiting coffee farms, getting immersed in local cultures or just relaxing on a quiet beach? Read on.
Minca
The small town of Minca is less than an hour from Santa Marta. You’ll go up winding roads into the hills of the Sierra Nevada where coffee farms and waterfalls add to the splendor of nature hikes.
But perhaps what makes Minca really worth the trip is the amazing bird watching. Due to the numerous micro-climates in the area, there’s a wide variety of birds in one small area; toucans, macaws, raptors and numerous songbirds.
Taganga
This small fishing town near Santa Marta is the place to go to get away from the crowds. Just a short drive from Santa Marta, go there to practice scuba diving or get certified – or just hang out on a less visited beach.
Other beaches are a short distance from here; for instance, beautiful Playa Grande is a 20-minute walk or just a short boat ride away.
Parque Tayrona
Get away from the crowded beaches of Santa Marta by spending a couple of days – or many more – in Parque Tayrona.
Bordering the Sierra Nevada park, this long line of beaches is a good getaway for those wanting to spend some time on possibly the best beaches in South America.
Beautiful Bahía Concha can be reached by bus, unlike many other beaches. To get from beach to beach you can hike or go on horseback.
Lost City Trek
The Lost City in the Sierra Nevada National Park is about as far from the beaten path as you’ll ever get. In fact, you’ll need a tour guide to get there, and the 6 day trek is arduous but exhilarating.
Led by Tayrona natives, this hike will take you over rough mountain trails through indigenous camps to the Lost City, calculated to be over a thousand years old.
And don’t forget to learn about coffee with us! Our Colombian Coffee and Culture Workshops are a fascinating way to learn about coffee in Colombia without leaving Santa Marta.
