| Santa Marta |
Santa Marta is Colombia's oldest city beautifully situated in a bay with the
Sierra Nevada mountains rising in the background. The city has a pretty
nice beach and the old part of the city is being restored finally after many
years of neglect. New hostels and restaurants are popping up all over the
place making now a great time to visit this gem of Colombia.
Santa Marta and Taganga are a fifteen minute taxi/ bus ride from each
other
Sierra Nevada mountains rising in the background. The city has a pretty
nice beach and the old part of the city is being restored finally after many
years of neglect. New hostels and restaurants are popping up all over the
place making now a great time to visit this gem of Colombia.
Santa Marta and Taganga are a fifteen minute taxi/ bus ride from each
other
Where to Stay
La Brisa Loca Hostel
opened at the start of 2009 in a huge old house right in the center of all
the action this is a great option for those who want to party and make
the most of the city's nightlife. The hostel has a great bar and
restaurant(see below). It also has a swimming pool which is a blessing in
the never-ending heat.
Aluna Hotel
opened late 2009 this Irish owned hostel/ hotel/ cafe bar is a beautiful
little place. Mostly private rooms with three dorms all with ensuite
bathrooms and all completely new. There is a roof top terrace where you
can pass the hours enjoying the breeze and a few beers. Patrick the
owner is a mine of knowledge of all things Santa Marta and especially the
mountains where he owns a farm and may take you to visit if you are
nice.
What to do
As in a lot of places in Colombia doing nothing seems to be the most
popular activity. Drinking, eating and partying. Apart from that you have
the beaches of Santa Marta, Rodadero and Taganga to visit all within
fifteen minutes. The best beach of the region is Bahia Concha. Its over
two kilometers long and spectacular. You can get there by bus it will take
around 45 minutes. Ask at your hostel. Also popular are trips up the
mountains to the fincas and of course the ever more popular 'Lost City'
trek. There is really a lot to do in the surrounds. More and more tour
operators opening up other options also.
Where to Eat
There are numerous places to eat of course with fish being the most
popular dish, normally accompanied by fried banana and rice with
coconut. If you want to try something a bit better visit The Agave Azul
restaurant which is on the bottom floor of the Brisa Loca. The Mexican/
Chinese/ American chef serves up fantastic food at reasonable prices.
A long time favourite on the beach owned by a couple of Dutch guys,
Ben and Josseps i think serves great steak and cheap beer. Ask around
for the direction.
La Brisa Loca Hostel
opened at the start of 2009 in a huge old house right in the center of all
the action this is a great option for those who want to party and make
the most of the city's nightlife. The hostel has a great bar and
restaurant(see below). It also has a swimming pool which is a blessing in
the never-ending heat.
Aluna Hotel
opened late 2009 this Irish owned hostel/ hotel/ cafe bar is a beautiful
little place. Mostly private rooms with three dorms all with ensuite
bathrooms and all completely new. There is a roof top terrace where you
can pass the hours enjoying the breeze and a few beers. Patrick the
owner is a mine of knowledge of all things Santa Marta and especially the
mountains where he owns a farm and may take you to visit if you are
nice.
What to do
As in a lot of places in Colombia doing nothing seems to be the most
popular activity. Drinking, eating and partying. Apart from that you have
the beaches of Santa Marta, Rodadero and Taganga to visit all within
fifteen minutes. The best beach of the region is Bahia Concha. Its over
two kilometers long and spectacular. You can get there by bus it will take
around 45 minutes. Ask at your hostel. Also popular are trips up the
mountains to the fincas and of course the ever more popular 'Lost City'
trek. There is really a lot to do in the surrounds. More and more tour
operators opening up other options also.
Where to Eat
There are numerous places to eat of course with fish being the most
popular dish, normally accompanied by fried banana and rice with
coconut. If you want to try something a bit better visit The Agave Azul
restaurant which is on the bottom floor of the Brisa Loca. The Mexican/
Chinese/ American chef serves up fantastic food at reasonable prices.
A long time favourite on the beach owned by a couple of Dutch guys,
Ben and Josseps i think serves great steak and cheap beer. Ask around
for the direction.