South America / Colombia
Places to go. A little room to wander.
THE SHORTLIST
Santa Marta
The official name is Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino. Beautiful and very interesting gardens, lots of iguanas, study the map before getting any further. The guide will tell you only about the buildings and the history of the "Libertador".
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
Calle 14 No.2-67
Displays a collection of precolumbian pottery, a nice collection of gold and a scale model of Ciudad Perdida.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
Regional outing · 16 km from Santa Marta (straight line)
This large park in the mountains abutting the modern city of Santa Marta was established to protect spiritual centers important to the native Tayrona cultures. Many indigenous persons continue to inhabit the mountains to this day. The park closes periodically to let the land rest and recover its spiritual energies. Closing dates are: ** from February 1st to 15th (during the Kugkui shikasa season), ** from June 1st to 15th (during the Saka Juso season), and** from October 19th to November 2nd (during the Nabbatashi season)
Allow about 60 minutes · planning estimate
A note before you go. Treat Tayrona National Natural Park as a separate regional outing from Santa Marta. Arrange the outward and return journey before adding another visit on that day. The suggested days are an editable grouping, not a timed tour. Visit allowances exclude transfers, meals and queues; confirm the exact entrance and current visiting arrangements for Tayrona National Natural Park before setting off.
Reference material retrieved 2026-10-19. Suggested days and time allowances are editorial starting points. Check the linked visitor information for opening hours, access, and reservations.
BEFORE YOU SET OFF
Streets are numbered. The beach can be considered "Carrera 1" or 1st St., and the first street is usually "Carrera 1A" or 1A St. The next street after the first row of buildings is Carrera 2 or 2nd St. Calles are streets running from east to west. Moovit covers the area for finding connections. As there are no bus stops, buses can be entered and exited anywhere along their routes. Some drivers will take you as far as Barranquilla, although you have to negotiate.
Simon Bolivar's place of death and Museo del Oro are about 4.3 km apart in a straight line. Use the route link to compare the actual streets or transport connections before putting both in the same morning; the measurement is not a walking distance or a transfer estimate.
A LITTLE STRUCTURE. ROOM FOR DISCOVERY.
Add a few stops, choose your days, and leave space between them.
Time estimates cover visits only. Add time for meals, travel, queues, and breaks. Map links open Google Maps with your selected stops.
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This city guide includes selected, abridged material by Wikivoyage contributors, adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0. The adapted guide text is available under the same license; photographs and website design retain their separate terms. Selected and abridged reference descriptions; operational prices and timetables omitted. Elsewhere added the shortlist, geographic grouping and planning notes.
Reference material retrieved 2026-10-19. It is community-edited background, not firsthand reporting or a live opening-hours service.
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