Historic Center

Santa Marta

Historic Center which includes heritage elements, street scenes and a city
Historic Center showing street scenes and a city
Historic Center which includes street scenes and heritage architecture
Historic Center which includes a square or plaza and heritage architecture
Historic Center showing a city and street scenes

Take a trip back in time as you explore the center of Colombia’s oldest surviving city, complete with colonial buildings and collections of indigenous gold and pottery.

Santa Marta’s Historic Center offers hostels, cafés, restaurants and old churches near the beach. The area attracts families and backpackers who want to learn about the city’s rich past before enjoying the ocean. Look for many buildings of Spanish Colonial design in this area.

Take a leisurely stroll through the city center. Admire the old white buildings scattered around the area. Explore the collection of gold and pottery from the Tayrona civilization at the Casa de la Aduana (Customs House).

Take photos of the Santa Marta Cathedral on the San Francisco Plaza. Its white façade is typical of Spanish Colonial architecture. The church claims to be the oldest in the country. This is the spot where Simón Bolívar was buried in 1830. He was a military leader who made great strides in the battle for independence from colonial powers.

Santa Marta has very hot afternoons. Take a break on a bench in the Historic Center’s main square as you watch the city pass you by. Share a picnic with your family on the grass.

Browse the shops around the Historic Center. Peruse the flea market for all types of products from sunglasses and watches to fresh food and Colombian soccer jerseys.

Dine at one of the many restaurants in the center and along the beach. Seafood is the specialty in this area. Relish local delicacies, such as arroz con coco (coconut rice) and lobster. Vendors sell cups of ceviche, raw fish seasoned with lemon and coriander.

Enjoy a cool beer or a glass of wine on the rooftop of a bar in the central square. Listen to music ranging from reggae or salsa to U.S. pop.

To reach the Historic Center, take a small bus from the main bus terminal in Santa Marta. You will journey through the sprawling suburbs for around 45 minutes. Then relax and imagine what life was like in colonial days in the center of old Santa Marta.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Historic Center Hotel Deals

MuchoSur Santa Marta
MuchoSur Santa Marta
3 out of 5
Calle 12 # 1c 50, Santa Marta
$34 nightly
The price is $34 total per night from Jul 22 to Jul 23
$34 total
Jul 22 - Jul 23
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Santa Marta. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Tayrona National Natural ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (15 reviews)
"Clean, good location, pool and rooftop views. Ricardo was so helpful and friendly. Also, hotel is walking distance to the bay."

Reviewed on Jun 6, 2025

MuchoSur Santa Marta
Ayenda 1614 Playa y Mar
Ayenda 1614 Playa y Mar
2.5 out of 5
Carrera 2 # 18-17, Santa Marta
$17 nightly
The price is $17 total per night from Jul 7 to Jul 8
$17 total
Jul 7 - Jul 8
Stay at this hotel in Santa Marta. Enjoy free WiFi, a 24-hour front desk, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Tayrona National Natural Park and Parque ...
6.6/10 (19 reviews)
"Very good, no complaints for the price"

Reviewed on Feb 26, 2023

Ayenda 1614 Playa y Mar
Hotel Puerto Pelicano
Hotel Puerto Pelicano
3 out of 5
Cl. 16 #2 - 39, Centro, Santa Marta, Santa Marta, Magdalena
$37 nightly
The price is $37 total per night from Jul 8 to Jul 9
$37 total
Jul 8 - Jul 9
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Santa Marta. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (31 reviews)
"Great staff. Nice amenities (AC, wifi, coffee) Just bear in mind that the pool is small and breakfast consists of fruit, egg and toast/arepa, daily."

Reviewed on Jun 19, 2025

Hotel Puerto Pelicano
Soy Local Santa Marta
Soy Local Santa Marta
4 out of 5
8-27 Cl. 19, Santa Marta, Magdalena
$26 nightly
The price is $26 total per night from Jul 21 to Jul 22
$26 total
Jul 21 - Jul 22
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Santa Marta. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Tayrona National Natural ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (30 reviews)
"Friendly staff, nice breakfast included, easy access to the cultural areas, stress-free stay."

Reviewed on May 7, 2025

Soy Local Santa Marta
Hotel Boutique Don Pepe
Hotel Boutique Don Pepe
4 out of 5
Calle 16 No 1c - 92, Barrio Centro, Santa Marta, Magdalena
$223 nightly
The price is $223 total per night from Jul 17 to Jul 18
$223 total
Jul 17 - Jul 18
Stay at this 4-star boutique hotel in Santa Marta. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Tayrona National Natural Park and Parque ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (114 reviews)
Best in Santa Marta
"Absolutely stunning hotel. Great location with many restaurants and shops nearby. The staff was incredible. Cannot wait to visit again."

Reviewed on May 13, 2025

Hotel Boutique Don Pepe
Hotel Boutique Maree
Hotel Boutique Maree
3.5 out of 5
carrera 2 No. 20-63, Santa Marta, Magdalena
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Santa Marta. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a rooftop terrace. Popular attractions Tayrona National Natural Park and Parque ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (47 reviews)
The Best.
"One of the most amazing hotel stays. From check in to check out everything was top-tier. It was extremely comfortable clean. The breakfast was amazing and the staff was very supportive."

Reviewed on Jun 18, 2025

Hotel Boutique Maree
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighborhoods around Historic Center

Historic Center showing street scenes and a city

Barrio Centro

If you're spending some time in Barrio Centro, Santa Marta Cathedral and Parque de los Novios are top sights worth seeing.

Barrio Centro
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Norte

While Norte isn't home to many top sights, Santa Marta Cathedral and Parque de los Novios are some notable places to visit nearby.

Norte
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Pueblito

While Pueblito isn't home to many top sights, Santa Marta Cathedral and Parque de los Novios are some notable places to visit nearby.

Pueblito
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Los Cocos

While Los Cocos might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Bahia de Santa Marta and Parque de los Novios.

Los Cocos
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Barrio Alambique

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Barrio Alambique and surrounding area, you can visit Santa Marta Cathedral and Parque de los Novios.

Barrio Alambique
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Barrio Miraflores

When in Barrio Miraflores, you can plan a visit to Santa Marta Cathedral and Parque de los Novios, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Barrio Miraflores


Historic Center

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