Colombia · SANTA MARTA TOURS
Santa Marta is a base rather than a destination, and what you book decides the trip. The 15 below cover Tayrona by boat and on foot, the Minca waterfalls up in the Sierra, and the sunset sailings, with prices and pickup times.
Sail from Santa Marta to Bahia Concha in Tayrona Park for swimming, snorkeling, lunch, paddle boards, and sunset views.
“The boat ride was awesome and the guides were so friendly. The beach was a really good time and the lunch was delicious!”
Review of the Santa Marta to Tayrona guided tour, with a four-hour forest hike, Cabo San Juan beach time, costs, tips, and honest drawbacks.
“Malheureusement, je trouve que l’activité ne vaut pas du tout son prix. Le guide ne parlait pas un mot anglais, ok c’était précisé que l’activité se faisait en espagnol mais à certains moments on se savait pas quoi faire et il ne nous aidait pas. Pendant tout le trajet il avait l’air pressé, il enchaînait tout et il ne prenait pas le temps de se poser. Le trajet est de plus ou moins 12km et c’est un aller retour, on reprend le même chemin pour rentrer et ça va encore plus vite que pour l’aller. Je vous conseille vivement de le faire par vous même, ce n’est pas compliqué car…”
Review of Santa Marta’s Tayrona Bay sailboat trip: beach time, lunch, snorkeling, SUP, sailing details, value, and practical tips.
“Beautiful boat and very friendly crew. They all seemed to enjoy their jobs. It was very fun to actually travel by sail in the afternoon. It was a bit rough and some people might not like that but I enjoyed it. Excellent lunch. Bring sunscreen and some cash for extra drinks with you.”
Trade Santa Marta for Minca on a coffee, cocoa, and waterfall day trip with lunch, guided hikes, tastings, and mountain views.
“It was a fantastic day. The guide was well informed and explained everything in great English. Be ready for lots of hiking and very Colombian driving on the way to Minka!”
Review of Santa Marta’s 150-minute sunset sail to Taganga Bay, including two drinks, marina access, timing, comfort, value, and practical tips.
“This experience was not relaxing at all. We expected a smooth, calm sunset sail, but instead it felt like a rollercoaster ride for nearly two hours. The waves were extremely choppy, the guide offered little to no communication, and after sunset they continued going further out into the sea when it was already dark. We genuinely did not feel safe, and our guide didn't even once reassure us even tho we looked unease Unless you’re looking for a rough, adrenaline-style boat ride, I would not recommend this activity.”
Hike Tayrona National Park from Santa Marta with a private guide, wildlife sightings, three beaches, transport, water, and park entry options.
“Alex was an excellent tour guide! Both he and our driver, Aldo, were professional, prompt, and very considerate from the very start. We were picked up from our hotel and comfortably transported privately to the entrance of Tayrona Park where Alex helped us obtain park tickets. He was able to lead us through the trail to eventually reach the final beach, Playa Cabo, which had a breathtaking view. Along the way, Alex knowledgeably responded to all our questions regarding Colombia and its culture. He was also able to expertly point out interesting plants along the trail and helped identify several animals (including Capuchin monkeys!)”
Review of Santa Marta’s sailing trip to Tayrona Park, with Bahia Concha, lunch, snorkeling, paddleboarding, bilingual crew, and practical value advice.
“The crew was lovely and took good care of us. However, the tour didn't deliver and is quite expensive for what it is. Despite having booked an English tour with what was advertised as a bilingual crew, no one spoke any English and we did not understand any of the information given about the park or the day. So it was basically an expensive taxi to Concha beach. The beach is very full with boats who are blasting music despite it being a national park. We did some sailing back to Santa Marta, which was nice. In the end thay wanted to make us pay for some beers we hadn't…”
Review of Bukap Travels’ private Santa Marta to Cartagena transfer, covering comfort, price, timing, vehicles, drivers, and practical tips.
“I had a great experience with the transportation service from Santa Marta to Cartagena. The chauffeur, Hader, was very knowledgeable, respectful, and professional throughout the journey. He made the trip smooth and enjoyable, and it was clear he knew the route well. Great guy—highly recommended!”
Review of Tayrona by Sea from Santa Marta, with three beaches, snorkeling, lunch, boat tips, rough-sea warnings, and honest value advice.
“Great daytrip, super friendly crew, group is not too big, you go to 3 beautiful beaches, snorkel, swim, have a lovely lunch, and before you know… the day has flown by! Best boattrip to Tayrona beaches from Santa Marta if you ask me”
Hike Tayrona’s jungle trails to Cabo San Juan from Santa Marta, with beaches, park entry, transport, guide, and practical tips.
“Lo que mas recuerdo? 1. Me avisaron por mail a las 12 de la noche que pasaban a buscarme a las 6.30 y no a las 5.15. Ese mail lo vi cuando ya estaba desayunando. 2. La recogida no fue en auto por el hotel sino caminando por el hotel. Y me paRead more”
Review of Tayrona’s Cabo San Juan hike from Santa Marta, with route details, costs, beaches, fitness advice, and honest booking tips.
“the place is actually nice, but the tour a real shamble. The bus was 1.5h late and the guide was not able to speak at all. When I complained after the tour, I have been told the other guide was sick, but really not an excuse”
Explore Santa Marta’s Tairona gold, legends, food, nightlife, and Caribbean fruits on a lively two-hour English walking tour.
“Great guide , Javier showed us different facets of his city. I highly recommend it!”
Explore cacao, wildlife, Tayrona territory, and a waterfall near Minca on a small-group jungle tour with bilingual guides.
“Absolutely loved the tour with Andres. Can’t fault it. Learnt so much, it was a stunning hike through the beauty of Minca and the location for the cacao “bean to bar” part was gorgeous. Andres was also extremely responsive and flexible when plans changed unexpectedly (on my part). Book it, you won’t regret it.”
Review of the Cape San Juan tour from Santa Marta, with seven Tayrona beaches, hotel pickup, a two-hour hike, and practical booking advice.
Spend seven hours sailing from Santa Marta to Tayrona, with snorkeling, paddleboarding, beach time, snacks, and a private crew.
“We had an amazing time! The hosts are wonderful and make the day simply perfect, highly recommend. Had a great time selling in the beautiful day and swimming. And they are very nice to spend the day with.”
Pick a coast, a barrio or a coffee slope.
