Santa Marta, Colombia

A scenic bay in Santa Marta, Colombia
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Caserio_de_pescadores_-_Taganga_Sta._Marta_Colombia.jpg
Author: Wmart07


Santa Marta is the oldest existing city in Colombia. It was founded by Spanish conquistador Rodrigo de Bastidas on 29 July, 1525. The city is located on the coast facing the Caribbean Sea in northern Colombia. It covers 2,393 sq km (924 sq mi) and has a population of 415,000 people (2011 estimate). The city is today a popular tourist destination with fine beaches, a cultural heritage and proximity to nature reserves.

Until the arrival of the Spanish, the area around Santa Marta was inhabited by natives of the Tairona culture. It was originally established as a seaport, and batteries were constructed to defend it against pirates. However over time, Cartagena grew in imporance and eclipsed Santa Marta as the main Colombian seaport.

The city developed its tourism infrastructure towards the end of the 20th century, becoming one of the main tourist destinations in Colombia. The peak tourist season is around Christmas, from 15 December to 15 January, and during Easter week.

Customs House, Santa Marta
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Casa_de_la_Aduana_(Colombia).jpg
Author: Mijotoba

Visiting Santa Marta

The Simón Bolívar Airport (SMR), not to be confused with the Simón Bolívar International Airport of Caracas, Venezuela, is the airport serving Santa Marta. It receives flights from Bogotá, Bucaramanga and Medellín. There are also bus services connecting Santa Marta with main cities of Colombia including Barranquilla (2 hours), Cartagena (3.5 hours), Bucaramanga (8 hours), Medellín (15 hours) and Bogotá (16 hours).

Cathedral of Santa Marta
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Catedral_de_Santa_Marta.jpeg
Author: Oliver H

Places of Interest in Santa Marta

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