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Santa Marta

Overview

Santa Marta, Caribbean Coast

Highlights

Santa Marta is most famous for being the first city the Spanish founded on the South American continent. For travellers, Santa Marta is popular for it's close location to Parque Tayrona, where jungle runs right up to the Caribbean shore, making for stunning, exotic beaches. This is also the departure point for treks to Ciudad Perdida.

Santa Marta, Department of Magdalena, Colombia

Average Temperature: 27-35ºC (80-95ºF)
Rainy Season: June, July, September, October
Hottest Months: April, May, June
Weather Details: When it rains in Santa Marta, it is usually for 1-3 hours in the afternoon. Three days in a row of rain would be considered a lot, so really, you can visit all year long! The city of Santa Marta sits at 2 metres altitude (6 ft), but very near the coast you can begin going into the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where temperatures can begin to cool of drastically.
Population: 500,000
Date Founded: July 29, 1525
Parque Tayrona: 35km north of Santa Marta

The first city the Spanish founded in South America, Santa Marta was quickly abandoned for the more strategic Cartagena. However, the city remains as a monument to Simon Bolivar, the great South American Liberator, who died in Santa Marta. Today, the area is most famous for its close access to Parque Tayrona, where jungle shorelines meet the Caribbean Sea on wild white sand beaches. The national park was named after the indigenous tribes that still populate the mountainous areas, including areas like The Lost City (Ciudad Perdida). This is the only place in the world where snow-capped mountain peaks descend directly into the sea, making it one-of-a-kind for nature and adventure lovers alike!