Santa Marta

Santa Marta is a city on the northern coast of Colombia, where a seaport meets the Caribbean and the Sierra Nevada rises in the background. The streets in the older center run in a grid between the waterfront promenade and the hills that climb inland.

Rodrigo de Bastidas founded the settlement in 1525, making it the oldest surviving city in Colombia. During colonial times, the harbor served as a launching point for expeditions inland and was attacked by pirates several times.

In the streets near the cathedral, vendors sell fried fish and arepas following recipes passed down through generations. On weekends, the plazas fill with families listening to vallenato music and gathering together late into the evening.

The Simón Bolívar Airport lies about 14 kilometers south and connects the city with Bogotá and other destinations. Within the neighborhoods, most distances can be covered on foot, while minibuses run along the main roads.

The Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, an estate on the outskirts, preserves the room where Simón Bolívar spent his final days. Visitors can walk through the gardens and see the personal items displayed there.

Location: Magdalena Department

Inception: 1525

Founders: Rodrigo de Bastidas

Elevation above the sea: 8 m

Website: http://santamarta-magdalena.gov.co

GPS coordinates: 11.23611,-74.20167

Latest update: December 12, 2025 19:38