Santa Marta in Colombia with Another World in Tourism


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Santa Marta

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Spectacular lost cities high in the mountains, paradisiacal beaches framed by tropical jungle and snow-capped mountains that fall away directly into the Caribbean Sea. All can be explored in and around the beautiful Caribbean coastal city of Santa Marta. Complimenting Santa Marta’s natural wonders is its wide selection of luxury resorts and villas which help holidaymakers drift away on the warm breeze.

Santa Marta was the first city to be founded in South America in 1525 due to its perfect location and picturesque surroundings. The area has been inhabited by complex indigenous tribes for millennia and during the early centuries of Spanish colonialism was regularly attacked by famous British pirates and buccaneers. Santa Marta is now the final resting place of “The Liberator” Simón Bolívar who gave independence to many of the countries in South America from Spanish rule.

Two of the most popular attractions in Santa Marta are the Tayrona National Park whose beaches were voted number 2 in the world by the Guardian newspaper in 2006 and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta snow-capped mountain which is the tallest mountain in the world to descend directly into the sea. It is also the home to the Lost City of the Tayrona people which is hidden amongst the humid cloud forests.
There is more to discover than meets the eye in Santa Marta.

Climate:	Humid Tropical (depending on time of year)
Temperature:	Average 28 degrees centigrade
Wet Season:	April – May & September - November
A varied climate can be found in Santa Marta from the low, coastal Caribbean heat right up to the peak of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta which is covered by perpetual snow and temperatures plummeting to below 0°C. The lowlands of Santa Marta display the most pleasant of climates due to their high equatorial temperatures, made fresh by the high mountain breeze which sweeps down from the Sierra Nevada.

The culture of Santa Marta has its roots in the African slave trade and for that has a beautiful vibrancy but Santa Marta has been the home of different, complex indigenous tribes including the Koguis, Arhuacos, Tayronas and Malayos who over the millennia have constructed over 200 breathtaking stone cities with agricultural terraces, houses and temples, many of which have not yet been discovered or studied.

The fact that these tribes still live their amazing lives on the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and can be met and interacted with is a wondrous opportunity to connect with our ancient ancestors.

January:	The Cayman Festivals
June:	Cumbia Festival
August:	National Festival of the Sea
December:	The Cayman-Man Festival

The Museum of the Sea		A visit to the Santa Marta aquarium to see the sharks, dolphins and sea-turtles that live on the reefs close to the coast is a must.
National Natural Park The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta		An amazing mountain with discoveries to be made round every corner. Trek through the mountain’s cloud forests and páramos up to the edge of the snow-covered peak from where one can admire a breathtaking view of the Caribbean Sea. One of the Sierra’s most enigmatic and thought-provoking attractions is the Lost City of the Tayronas which is a large terraced stone city that appears from the cloud forest, high on the mountain.
Salamanca Island		This island is now a National Park which protects the thousands of migratory birds that settle on the island annually to rear their offspring. Archaeological sites can also be found on the island.
Sanctuary of Fauna and Flora, Ciénaga Grande		The “Ciénaga” is a large inlet lagoon of water with an area of 450 square kilometres. A national park, this ciénaga is also home to a population of fishing people who live harmoniously with their surroundings in huts which are founded on stilts to accommodate any rises in water level. Many unique and varied plants and animals inhabit the mangrove shallows which make up most of this spectacle.
Tayrona National Park		After a trek through humid coastal-rainforest, the visitor arrives at the heavenly beaches of Tayrona which were voted number 2 in the world by the Guardian newspaper in 2006. Crystalline waters and the finest of sands gives this place its mystique and the huge boulders and rainforest give it a “never before discovered” feel which enchants all who visit it. One family of indigenous Tayrona people live an hour’s trek through the jungle from the beaches and welcome all to enjoy their once expansive stone city which is now affectionately known as “El Pueblito”, the small town.
Taganga		A 40 minute drive from Santa Marta is the small fishing village of Taganga which is picturesquely surrounded by dry mountains which are covered by cacti and where large iguanas can be witnessed basking. Taganga’s coastline is extended far out to sea by its rich coral reefs which give Taganga some of the best scuba and snorkel experiences anywhere in South America.

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