What currency is used in Santa Marta?

Santa Marta uses the Colombian peso (COP).

How much does a day in Santa Marta cost?

Roughly $30-45 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $70-120 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.

Is Waypacker free to use in Santa Marta?

Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.

Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?

Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.

Can I meet locals in Santa Marta without staying with anyone?

Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.

Will anyone see my exact location?

No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

Santa Marta travel guide

Colombia

Colombia's oldest surviving city sits between the Caribbean and the Sierra Nevada mountains. It is hot and a little rough around the edges, but the gateway to jungle beaches, coffee hills and long treks.

Essentials

Language: Spanish; English is spoken in hostels and tour agencies
Currency: Colombian peso (COP)
Plugs: Type A and B, 110 V
Emergency number: 123
Tipping: Restaurants often add a voluntary 10% service charge to the bill, which you may decline; otherwise tipping is not expected.

Rough daily budget

Approximate spend per person per day, in US dollars:

Backpacker: $30-45, with a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport.
Mid-range: $70-120, with a private room and restaurant meals.

Last reviewed: October 2026

Where to stay in Santa Marta

Centro Histórico: the old centre near the waterfront, with restored houses, rooftop hostels and evening life around Parque de los Novios.
El Rodadero: a beach district south of town, busy with Colombian holidaymakers and apartment stays.
Taganga: a former fishing village over the hill, known for diving schools and a relaxed backpacker scene.

Getting around Santa Marta

Local buses run along the coast to El Rodadero, Taganga and the Tayrona entrances. Taxis do not use meters, so agree the fare first or use a ride-hailing app.

Best time to visit Santa Marta

December to April is the driest stretch, while September to November brings the heaviest rain.

Top things to do in Santa Marta

Hike through the forest of Tayrona National Park to the beaches at Cabo San Juan
Book the multi-day trek through the Sierra Nevada to Ciudad Perdida, the Lost City
Visit the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, the estate where Simón Bolívar died
See Tairona gold work at the Museo del Oro in the old customs house
Learn to dive or snorkel with one of the schools in Taganga

What to eat in Santa Marta

Arepa de huevo: a fried corn arepa with an egg cooked inside it
Pescado frito: whole fried fish served with coconut rice and patacones
Cayeye: mashed green bananas with cheese or hogao, a Magdalena breakfast
Jugo de corozo: a tart red juice made from small palm fruits

Day trips from Santa Marta

Minca: a cooler hill village with coffee farms, waterfalls and birdlife, about 45 minutes up the mountain
Tayrona National Park: jungle trails and palm-backed coves, about an hour by bus to the main entrance
Palomino: a quiet beach town where you can tube down the river to the sea, around two hours east

Local etiquette

Costeño culture is warm and informal, so greet people and expect friendly conversation. Dress modestly away from the beach in town.

Staying connected

Prepaid SIMs from Claro, Movistar and Tigo are easy to find and eSIMs work well, while Wi-Fi is standard in hostels.

Staying safe

Phone snatching and petty theft happen, so keep valuables out of sight and take a taxi after dark. Several Tayrona beaches have dangerous currents; swim only where signs allow.

A local tip

Check the dates before planning around Tayrona National Park, which usually closes for about two weeks, three times a year, to let the land recover.

Visas:rules depend on your nationality and change often – check your own government's official travel advice before you go.

Meet people in Santa Marta on Waypacker

Waypacker is a free travel community: stay with ID-verified local hosts, join meetups and city groups, and ask people who live in Santa Marta for advice. We are new here, so if you live in Santa Marta, you could be one of the first hosts.

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Questions about Santa Marta

What currency is used in Santa Marta?: Santa Marta uses the Colombian peso (COP).
What is the emergency number in Santa Marta?: In Santa Marta, call 123.
When is the best time to visit Santa Marta?: December to April is the driest stretch, while September to November brings the heaviest rain.
How much does a day in Santa Marta cost?: Roughly $30-45 a day in US dollars on a backpacker budget (a hostel or shared room, street food and public transport), and $70-120 mid-range (a private room and restaurants). These are broad estimates, last reviewed October 2026.
Is Waypacker free to use in Santa Marta?: Yes. Joining is free and stays with hosts carry no nightly rate or booking fee.
Are Waypacker hosts ID-verified?: Every host's ID and selfie are checked by hand by a real person before they can host. Nothing is sent to an AI service.
Can I meet locals in Santa Marta without staying with anyone?: Yes. You can join meetups and city groups, or ask locals for tips, without booking a stay.
Will anyone see my exact location?: No. Hosts and meetups appear as a neighbourhood-sized area about a kilometre wide, and exact addresses are never stored.

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