What to Do in Santa Marta: Beaches, Plans, and How to Get There by Bus

Q: What are the best beaches in Santa Marta?

El Rodadero is the most convenient; Bahía Concha and the beaches of Tayrona Park are the most natural; Playa Cristal is visited by boat from Taganga.

Q: How to get to Santa Marta by bus?

Marsol has daily buses from Barranquilla (about 2 h 30 min) and Cartagena (about 5 h) to its office in Santa Marta, at Carrera 4 24-20.

Q: How many days do I need in Santa Marta?

With three or four days you can see the city, a beach, Tayrona Park, and Minca or Taganga.

Q: What is the best time to visit Santa Marta?

From December to April it rains less; in high season (December, January, and Easter) it is advisable to book the bus and accommodation in advance.

Q: What is near Santa Marta?

Tayrona Park, Minca, Taganga, Palomino, and the Lost City. Marsol stops at the entrance of Tayrona Park (El Zaino) and in Palomino.

Santa Marta, founded in 1525, is the oldest city in Colombia still standing and the gateway to Tayrona Park, Minca, Taganga, and the Sierra Nevada. Arrive by bus with Marsol from Barranquilla or Cartagena.

Santa Marta in Summary

The essentials to plan your bus trip with Marsol to Santa Marta.

$40,000

Ticket from Barranquilla (COP)

2 h 30 min

By bus from Barranquilla

16

Daily departures from Marsol to this destination

View Schedules and Tickets

Why Travel with Marsol

Official Tickets

Direct purchase on the Marsol site, no intermediaries.

Multiple Departures Daily

Check the schedules for each route and choose the one that suits you best.

Marsol Offices in Each City

Departures and arrivals for these routes are at Transportes Marsol offices.

Book Online

Choose your departure and book in a few steps from any device.

How to Get to Santa Marta by Bus

Daily buses from Transportes Marsol. Schedules and prices may change; confirm them when booking.

From	Departures Daily	Duration	Price From
Barranquilla	10	2 h 30 min	$40.000
Cartagena	6	5 h	$100.000

Arrival and How to Get Around

Where the Marsol bus drops you off and how to continue your journey.

Arrival by Bus: Santa Marta

Transportes Marsol Office
Carrera 4 24-20, Santa Marta, Magdalena

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How to Get Around Santa Marta

The historic center and the boardwalk can be explored on foot. For El Rodadero, Taganga, or the market where the collectivos to Minca depart, use a taxi or urban buses.

View Santa Marta on Google Maps

What to Do in Santa Marta

Historic Center: the Cathedral Basilica, the Tairona Gold Museum in the Customs House, and the bay boardwalk
Beaches: El Rodadero, Bahía Concha, Pozos Colorados, and by sea, Playa Cristal
Tayrona Park: about 35 km via the Caribbean Trunk Road; Marsol stops at the entrance of El Zaino
Minca and Taganga: coffee and waterfalls in the Sierra, or a fishing village with diving 15 minutes away
Lost City: a guided multi-day hike to the sacred city of the Tayronas

Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino

Old estate where Simón Bolívar spent his last days; he died there on December 17, 1830. Today it houses the Altar of the Fatherland and an art museum.

El Rodadero

The most popular urban beach in Santa Marta, with calm waters, restaurants, and boat trips to Playa Blanca.

Santa Marta Cathedral Basilica

One of the oldest temples in South America, in the historic center, facing the Cathedral Park.

Frequently Asked Questions About Santa Marta

Answers to the most common questions before traveling.

What to Do in Santa Marta in One Day?

Explore the historic center and the Cathedral, visit the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, have lunch with fish by the sea, and end with the sunset on the boardwalk or in Taganga.

What Are the Best Beaches in Santa Marta?

How to Get to Santa Marta by Bus?

How Many Days Do I Need in Santa Marta?

What Is the Best Time to Visit Santa Marta?

What Is Near Santa Marta?

Travel to Santa Marta with Marsol

Official tickets, purchased online, from $40,000 COP. Seats are limited in high season: book in advance.

Buy Tickets

What to Do in Santa Marta: Beaches, Plans, and How to Get There by Bus