Where to Stay in Santa Marta: Best Areas, Hotels, and Hostels for Every Budget
Understanding Santa Marta’s Geography
Before we dive into specific neighborhoods, let’s get oriented. Santa Marta is a coastal city that stretches along the Caribbean with distinct zones serving different purposes.
The Historic Center sits near the bay, where colonial architecture meets modern restaurants and the city’s main marina. This is where you’ll find the most concentrated tourist infrastructure—tour operators, restaurants, bars, and accommodations at all price points.
El Rodadero lies about 5 kilometers south of the center, a more developed beach zone dominated by high-rise hotels and condos. It feels distinctly resort-like, with a long sandy beach backed by restaurants and tourist amenities.
Taganga occupies a bay about 4 kilometers north of the center, a former fishing village turned backpacker haven. It’s smaller, more contained, with steep hills rising around a horseshoe bay.
Pozos Colorados and Bello Horizonte stretch north between the Historic Center and Taganga, quieter residential beach neighborhoods with larger hotels and fewer tourists. They’re perhaps less known but offer a different vibe entirely.
The distances aren’t massive—taxis between neighborhoods run 10-25 minutes depending on traffic—but each area creates a distinct base camp for your Santa Marta experience. Where you sleep affects which beaches you visit, how you spend your evenings, and who you encounter throughout your stay. For a complete overview of all the beaches you’ll be accessing from these neighborhoods, check our comprehensive guide to Santa Marta beaches.
Historic Center: Best for First-Time Visitors
The Historic Center delivers the most well-rounded Santa Marta experience, which is exactly why it’s the default recommendation for first-time visitors. You get easy access to everything without needing to commit to a specific niche—whether that’s partying, beach lounging, or cultural exploration.
Why Choose Historic Center
Staying here puts you within walking distance of Santa Marta’s main attractions. The colonial cathedral dominates the plaza, while nearby you’ll find Parque de Los Novios (where evening life concentrates), the Gold Museum, and Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino where Simón Bolívar died.
The beach situation is interesting. There’s an urban beach right in town—it’s not the prettiest beach Colombia offers, more of a convenient splash-and-sun option—but the real beaches are easily accessible via short taxi rides. You’re centrally positioned for day trips to Tayrona, boat tours to various beaches, or quick rides to El Rodadero or Taganga.
Restaurant variety exceeds other neighborhoods significantly. You’ll find everything from cheap street food to upscale dining, with international options mixing alongside Colombian classics. The evening scene centers around Parque de Los Novios, where bars and restaurants spill onto streets creating that lively Latin American plaza atmosphere.
The Historic Center also serves as the main departure point for tours. Most operators have offices here, boats leave from the nearby marina, and arranging any excursion becomes simpler when you’re staying in the center of the action.
Drawbacks to Consider
Noise is real. If you’re staying near Parque de Los Novios or on main streets, expect music, traffic, and general city sounds extending well past midnight on weekends. Light sleepers should request rooms facing interior courtyards rather than streets, or consider staying a few blocks back from the busiest zones.
The urban beach isn’t great. It’s convenient but not the reason you came to Colombia’s Caribbean coast. You’ll want to venture to other beaches for that proper beach experience, which means some neighborhoods offer better immediate beach access.
Street harassment can be annoying, particularly for solo female travelers. Vendors, tour touts, and taxi drivers will approach frequently. It’s rarely threatening, just persistent and sometimes exhausting. This affects the Historic Center more than quieter neighborhoods.
Parts of the Historic Center feel grittier than others. Santa Marta isn’t Cartagena—it’s less polished, more authentic perhaps, but also scruffier in places. The charm exists alongside urban realities like litter, stray dogs, and occasional seedier corners. Use normal city awareness, especially after dark.
Best Budget Options (Under $25/night)
Masaya Santa Marta stands out among hostels for its rooftop pool, modern design, and social atmosphere without being overwhelming party-focused. Dorm beds run $15-$20, private rooms around $50-$70. The location sits right in the center, and the pool area offers genuine respite from the heat. It attracts a mix of backpackers and digital nomads, creating good energy without the 18-year-old-drinking-games vibe some hostels cultivate.
The Dreamer Hostel has multiple locations, with the Historic Center branch offering solid facilities at lower prices than Masaya. Dorms start around $12-$15, and there’s a pool plus bar area that gets lively in evenings. It skews younger and more party-oriented, which works great if that’s your scene but less so if you’re seeking peace.
La Villana Boutique Hostel brings that boutique aesthetic to the hostel world—better design, more attention to detail, slightly higher prices ($18-$22 for dorms). The owner apparently puts significant effort into creating welcoming atmosphere, and reviews consistently mention the genuinely helpful staff. It’s smaller than the mega-hostels, which some travelers prefer.
Mid-Range Comfort ($50-$120/night)
Casa de Isabella delivers excellent value in this price range with beautifully decorated rooms featuring colonial charm modernized with contemporary comfort. Rooms run $70-$100 depending on size and season. The location is perfect—close enough to walk everywhere, far enough to escape the loudest noise. Breakfast is included and apparently quite good.
Oasis Fresh Hotel takes a more modern approach with bright, clean rooms and a small pool. Prices hover around $60-$90, making it one of the better deals for couples or solo travelers who want private rooms without hostel vibes. The rooftop offers views and a chill space to hang out.
Casa de Leda operates as part of a small Colombian boutique hotel group, offering consistent quality with local character. Expect to pay $80-$110 for well-appointed rooms with good beds, functioning air conditioning (critical in Santa Marta’s heat), and helpful staff who actually know the city.
Luxury and Boutique ($120+/night)
Hotel Boutique Casa Carolina consistently ranks as one of Santa Marta’s best hotels, and the reputation seems deserved. Rooms start around $140 and go up from there, but you’re getting beautiful colonial architecture restored with attention to detail, excellent service, a gorgeous pool area, and those little touches that separate good hotels from great ones. The breakfast spread is substantial, and the location puts you steps from the best restaurants.
La Casa del Piano brings music-themed boutique vibes with stylish rooms and a rooftop pool positioned right in the heart of the action. Prices run $120-$180, placing it in that sweet spot between mid-range and true luxury. The downside is location—being so central means noise, so request quieter rooms if possible.
Hilton Garden Inn Santa Marta offers international chain reliability for those who prefer familiar standards. It’s not boutique or particularly characterful, but the rooms are comfortable, the service is professional, and everything functions as expected. Rates run $130-$180. Some travelers appreciate the predictability after roughing it elsewhere in Colombia.
El Rodadero: Best for Families and Beach Lovers
El Rodadero occupies this interesting space as Santa Marta’s proper beach resort zone. It feels distinctly different from the Historic Center—more polished, more family-friendly, more Colombian middle-class vacation spot than international backpacker scene.
Why Choose El Rodadero
The beach here is genuinely better than the Historic Center’s urban strand. The sand is nicer, the water is clearer, and the whole setup works well for families with kids. The bay curves gently with calm waters suitable for swimming, and the beachfront is lined with restaurants serving fresh seafood and cold beers.
Infrastructure is more developed. You’ll find beach chair rentals, jet ski operators, banana boat rides, and all those tourist beach activities that some people love and others avoid. For families, this convenience matters—you can set up for a full beach day with bathrooms, shade, and food all easily accessible.
The neighborhood feels safer and calmer than the Historic Center, at least in the tourist zones. Crime still exists (it exists everywhere), but the vibe is more relaxed residential than urban gritty. Parents with kids often prefer this atmosphere.
El Rodadero also serves as a launching point for boat trips, particularly to Playa Blanca and the aquarium on a nearby island. Many tours depart from El Rodadero’s dock, making logistics simpler if you’re staying here. For more details about beach options and boat tours, see our complete El Rodadero beach guide.
Drawbacks to Consider
El Rodadero isn’t charming. It’s functional and comfortable but lacks the colonial character of the Historic Center or the bohemian vibe of Taganga. High-rise condos dominate the skyline, and the architecture is decidedly modern and somewhat bland.
Restaurant variety is more limited. You’ll find plenty of seafood places and tourist-oriented restaurants, but less of that diverse international food scene the Historic Center offers. This probably doesn’t bother families looking for predictable meals, but food-focused travelers might feel restricted.
Getting to the Historic Center for nightlife or cultural attractions requires taxis (around 15-20 minutes, 15,000-20,000 COP). This isn’t terrible, but it does create separation from the city’s main action. You’re committing to a more beach-focused, resort-style vacation by staying here.
The crowds can be intense during Colombian holiday periods. El Rodadero is popular with domestic tourists, so long weekends and school holidays bring packed beaches and loud music. Outside these peaks, it’s much calmer.
Best Budget Options
Budget options are limited in El Rodadero compared to other neighborhoods. The area skews toward mid-range and higher-end accommodation, which reflects its family resort character.
Del Mar Hotel offers three-star comfort at reasonable rates, with doubles starting around $50-$70. It’s basic but clean with a pool and breakfast included. The location puts you walking distance from the beach and main restaurant strip.
Hotel Casamart Rodadero provides simple rooms at lower prices ($40-$60), though reviews are more mixed. It works if you’re primarily using the room for sleeping and spending days at the beach, but don’t expect boutique touches or particularly memorable service.
Mid-Range and Family-Friendly ($80-$150/night)
Akela Gaira Hotel sits in the hills overlooking El Rodadero, offering spectacular views in exchange for being slightly removed from the beach (maybe 15 minutes walking downhill, longer walking back up). Rooms run $80-$120 with pools, terraces, and those panoramic Caribbean views that make for great photos. It works particularly well for couples or families with older kids who don’t mind the hill.
Hotel Mandalas House by DOT Boutique brings some actual style to El Rodadero’s generally bland accommodation scene. This four-star property offers well-designed suites, a nice pool area, and wellness center. Prices range $120-$180 depending on room type and season. It’s one of the more upscale options without going full resort luxury.
Apartamentos Amoblados Vista Al Mar (and similar vacation rental options) work well for families wanting more space and kitchen facilities. Prices vary wildly based on size and exact location, but expect to pay $70-$150 per night for apartments sleeping 4-6 people. The value improves with longer stays and larger groups.
Resort Luxury ($150+/night)
Irotama Resort dominates the luxury beach resort category, sprawling along the coastline with extensive pools, multiple restaurants, spa facilities, and that all-inclusive option some travelers prefer. Rooms start around $180 and climb quickly from there. It’s proper resort vacation mode—you could theoretically never leave the property and have everything you need.
Whether that appeals depends entirely on your travel philosophy. Some people want exactly this experience after hiking Tayrona or traveling rough through Colombia. Others find large resorts isolating and prefer staying more connected to local neighborhoods. There’s no wrong answer, just different preferences.
Best Western Plus Santa Marta Hotel offers international chain standards with beachfront access at slightly lower prices than Irotama ($130-$180). It’s less sprawling, more straightforward hotel than full resort, but the comfort level is high and the beach access is immediate.
Taganga: Best for Backpackers and Budget Travelers
Taganga is that place where opinions diverge sharply. Some travelers fall in love with its laid-back, bohemian vibe and end up staying weeks longer than planned. Others find it sketchy and leave after one night. It’s perhaps the most personality-driven neighborhood choice in Santa Marta.
Why Choose Taganga
The prices are unbeatable. Taganga offers the cheapest accommodation in the Santa Marta area by far, with hostel beds starting around $8-$12 and simple private rooms available for $20-$35. If you’re backpacking on a tight budget, Taganga becomes the obvious choice.
The backpacker scene is well-established. You’ll meet other travelers constantly, making it ideal for solo travelers looking to connect with others. The hostels cultivate social atmospheres, and the small-town geography means you keep running into the same people, which can create that nice traveler community feeling.
Diving and snorkeling are big here. Taganga has multiple dive shops offering courses and trips at competitive prices. If you’re getting certified or want to do several dives, staying in Taganga makes practical sense. The bay itself offers decent snorkeling, though visibility varies. For comprehensive information about snorkeling around Santa Marta, including Taganga’s best spots, see our complete snorkeling guide.
The sunset views from Taganga’s mirador (viewpoint) are genuinely spectacular. Watching the sun drop into the Caribbean from that hillside vantage point, maybe with a beer in hand and new friends around, creates those travel moments that stick in memory.
Boat access to beaches is convenient and cheap. Taganga serves as a launch point for trips to Playa Grande, Playa Cristal, and other nearby beaches. The fishermen-turned-boat-operators offer reasonable rates, making beach-hopping affordable. Our Santa Marta boat tours guide covers options departing from Taganga.
Drawbacks to Consider (Safety Concerns)
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Taganga has a reputation for theft and safety issues. Multiple sources mention this consistently, and it’s not just paranoid travelers being overly cautious. Theft from tourists happens here more frequently than in other Santa Marta neighborhoods.
The common advice is to avoid walking the jungle trail to Playa Grande, taking boats instead. The trail can be empty at certain times, creating opportunities for robbery. Locals and regular visitors mention this consistently enough that it’s worth taking seriously.
General safety practices matter more here. Don’t flash expensive items, don’t walk alone late at night, use official taxis rather than random guys offering rides, and perhaps keep valuables in your hostel’s safes or safety boxes. It’s not that Taganga is extremely dangerous—plenty of travelers visit without incident—but the risk level is noticeably higher than the Historic Center or El Rodadero.
The vibe can feel too party-focused for some travelers. Taganga attracts young backpackers, often in their gap year or extended travel phase, and the hostel scene reflects this. If you’re past the “getting wasted and making new BFFs every night” phase of travel, Taganga might feel exhausting rather than energizing.
Beach quality is just okay. Taganga’s main beach is small, somewhat gritty, and not particularly pretty compared to other options around Santa Marta. It’s functional for swimming, but you’ll quickly want to take boats to better beaches nearby.
The town itself is scrappy. Taganga has expanded rapidly from fishing village to tourist spot without much urban planning, creating a somewhat chaotic feel. Streets are steep and narrow, infrastructure is basic, and it lacks the colonial charm of the Historic Center or the polished resort feel of El Rodadero.
Best Budget Hostels
The Dreamer Hostel Taganga operates another branch here with similar vibes to their Historic Center location—social, pool-focused, party-friendly atmosphere. Dorms run $10-$15 with private rooms around $30-$50. The rooftop pool area gets lively, and the hostel organizes activities that make meeting other travelers easy.
Hostal Vina del Mar sits just a block from the beach with a massive rooftop terrace offering those famous Taganga views. It’s basic—no frills, simple rooms, shared bathrooms in some configurations—but the location and views make it popular. Dorms start around $8-$12, which is genuinely cheap even by Colombian standards.
Casa Tara takes a quieter approach than the mega-hostels, offering a more intimate guesthouse feel. It’s about 10 minutes from the beach in a calmer area, which means better sleep quality but less immediate beach access. Rooms run $15-$25 for dorms, $40-$60 for privates. The owners apparently create a welcoming family atmosphere that many travelers appreciate.
Mid-Range and Alternative Options
Mid-range options are limited in Taganga since most visitors come specifically for budget accommodation. Those wanting more comfort typically stay elsewhere.
Airbnb apartments can offer good value, particularly for couples or small groups willing to stay slightly longer. You’ll find simple one-bedroom places for $25-$40/night with kitchen facilities and more space than hostels. The view apartments on the hills overlooking the bay are particularly appealing, though remember you’ll be walking those hills daily.
Small guesthouses scattered through Taganga’s hills offer private rooms with more character than hostels but less infrastructure than proper hotels. Prices run $30-$60, quality varies significantly, and you’ll need to research individual properties carefully.
Pozos Colorados and Bello Horizonte: Best for Quiet Beach Escapes
These neighboring beach areas north of the Historic Center remain somewhat under the radar for international tourists, though Colombian visitors know them well. They offer a distinct alternative to the main accommodation zones.
Why Choose These Areas
The beaches here are less crowded than El Rodadero while maintaining good quality. You get that proper beach experience without quite the same resort density. The water is clean, the sand is decent, and the vibe feels more residential and relaxed.
The neighborhood character is genuinely quieter. These are more residential areas with large hotels rather than dense tourist zones packed with hostels and tour agencies. If you want to escape the backpacker scene entirely while staying beach-adjacent, this works.
Several high-quality hotels have established themselves here, particularly appealing to travelers seeking comfort without the mega-resort experience. You get good facilities and beach access without feeling like you’re in a sprawling complex.
The airport is closer from here (about 15-20 minutes) compared to other neighborhoods, which matters for early flights or late arrivals.
Drawbacks to Consider
These areas lack walkable restaurant and nightlife options. There are some beachfront places, but variety is limited. You’ll likely want to taxi into the Historic Center for dinners out or evening entertainment, which adds cost and logistics.
Public transportation is less convenient. While taxis work fine, you can’t just walk everywhere like you can from the Historic Center. This makes you more dependent on taxis or rental cars.
The areas can feel isolated, particularly in evenings when things quiet down. Some travelers love this peace; others find it boring. It depends entirely on whether you want tranquility or action.
Best Options
Santa Marta Marriott Resort represents the luxury option in this zone, offering full resort amenities right on the beach. Rooms start around $180-$250 depending on season and room type. It’s perfect for travelers wanting to unwind after trekking or celebrating something special, with pools, spa facilities, and multiple dining options on property. The beach access is immediate and the quality is high.
Santorini Hotel Boutique (and similar boutique properties) offer mid-range comfort in quieter settings. Expect to pay $80-$130 for well-appointed rooms with pools and beach access. These hotels cater more to couples and families seeking relaxation than backpackers or party seekers.
Vacation rentals can provide excellent value for longer stays or larger groups, with beachfront apartments and houses available through Airbnb and local rental agencies. Prices vary wildly based on size and exact location.
Other Neighborhoods Worth Mentioning
Bonda and Minca (Mountain Escapes)
While not beach neighborhoods, Bonda and particularly Minca deserve mention as alternative bases for travelers mixing beach time with mountain exploration. Minca sits in the hills about 45 minutes from Santa Marta, offering coffee plantations, waterfalls, birdwatching, and dramatically cooler temperatures.
Some travelers split their stay between Minca’s mountains and Santa Marta’s beaches, getting both ecosystems in one trip. Accommodation in Minca ranges from backpacker hostels to eco-lodges, with prices generally comparable to or slightly higher than Santa Marta due to the remote location.
Gaira (Between Center and Rodadero)
Gaira occupies the space between the Historic Center and El Rodadero, offering some mid-range hotels with beach access but less tourist infrastructure. It’s not terrible, just not particularly compelling unless you’re finding great deals on accommodation here. Most travelers choose more distinctive neighborhoods.
Practical Considerations for Choosing
Transportation Between Areas
Taxis are cheap and abundant in Santa Marta. Rides between neighborhoods typically cost 10,000-25,000 COP ($2.50-$6 USD) depending on distance. Uber also operates, often with similar pricing.
The local bus system exists and is even cheaper, but figuring out routes takes effort and time savings aren’t significant enough to bother for most travelers. Taxis are easier.
If you’re staying in one neighborhood but want to explore others, this isn’t expensive or complicated. You’re not locked into your accommodation neighborhood, which gives flexibility to stay somewhere matching your priorities (budget, beach quality, nightlife, etc.) while still accessing everything Santa Marta offers.
Safety Across Neighborhoods
Santa Marta isn’t particularly dangerous for tourists compared to many Latin American cities, but normal urban caution applies. Petty theft is the main concern—pickpocketing, bag snatching, occasionally stronger-arm robbery.
The Historic Center is generally safe in tourist areas, though avoid empty streets late at night and be aware of surroundings. El Rodadero feels quite safe in the main tourist zones. Taganga has the most consistent safety concerns, as discussed earlier. Pozos Colorados and Bello Horizonte are relatively safe but emptier at night.
Regardless of neighborhood, basic precautions help: don’t flash expensive items, avoid looking at phones while walking on streets, use official taxis especially at night, don’t walk alone on empty beaches or trails, and trust your instincts when something feels off.
Length of Stay Considerations
For short stays (2-3 nights), the Historic Center makes most sense. You can walk to meals, arrange tours easily, and maximize limited time without transportation logistics.
For longer stays (week or more), you might consider splitting between neighborhoods to experience different vibes. Maybe start in the Historic Center for orientation, then move to Taganga for budget beach time, or do El Rodadero for family beach days before finishing in the Historic Center for departure convenience.
For extended stays (weeks or months), what I’ve seen people do is try neighborhoods for a few days each before settling into their favorite. Digital nomads often land in the Historic Center initially, then migrate to quieter areas or Taganga depending on whether they prioritize workspace access or cost savings.
Season and Booking Timing
High season (December-January, Holy Week, July-August) requires advance booking, particularly for better mid-range and luxury options. Hostels maintain more availability but their best rooms fill up. Book 2-4 weeks ahead during these periods.
Low season offers much more flexibility. You can often show up and find accommodation same-day, though obviously this limits choices. Prices drop somewhat, though Santa Marta’s pricing doesn’t fluctuate as dramatically as some Caribbean destinations.
Long weekends and Colombian holidays can catch international travelers off guard. The country has numerous public holidays when domestic tourists flood coastal areas. If your dates overlap these periods, book ahead and expect higher prices and busier beaches.
My Personal Recommendations
After covering all the options, here’s where I’d personally stay for different trip types:
First time in Santa Marta, 3-5 nights, wanting to see everything: Historic Center, something like Casa de Isabella or Oasis Fresh Hotel. Central location maximizes flexibility, and you can easily day-trip to beaches while enjoying evening life in town.
Backpacker on tight budget, planning to meet other travelers: The Dreamer Hostel in either Historic Center or Taganga, depending on whether you prioritize safety and convenience (Historic Center) or absolute cheapest option with beach vibe (Taganga). Just be aware of Taganga’s safety considerations.
Family vacation with kids, beach-focused: El Rodadero at a place like Akela Gaira or a vacation rental. The beach quality and family-friendly infrastructure outweigh the less charming neighborhood character. For detailed information about El Rodadero’s family amenities, see our El Rodadero guide.
Couple wanting romantic beach escape after Tayrona trek: Marriott or similar in Pozos Colorados/Bello Horizonte, or a boutique option like Casa Carolina in the Historic Center. Depends on whether you want isolated beach relaxation or city energy.
Digital nomad planning 2-4 week stay: Start with a week in Historic Center to get oriented and establish routines, then reassess. Maybe stay put if it’s working, or potentially move to quieter areas if you need better focus and lower costs.
Adventure traveler focused on diving and beach access: Taganga despite the safety concerns, staying in a better hostel or guesthouse. The dive shop access and cheap boat trips to beaches justify the trade-offs if you’re careful with belongings and aware of surroundings.
Booking Platforms and Tips
Most Santa Marta accommodation appears on standard booking platforms—Booking.com, Agoda, Hotels.com for hotels, and Hostelworld for hostels. Airbnb works well for apartments and vacation rentals, particularly for longer stays or larger groups.
Prices displayed on these platforms are generally accurate, though sometimes booking directly with hotels can yield small discounts or benefits like free breakfast upgrades or late checkout. It’s worth checking both.
Read recent reviews carefully. Santa Marta’s accommodation quality can vary significantly even within the same hotel over time due to management changes or deferred maintenance. Recent reviews (within 3-6 months) matter more than older ones or overall ratings accumulated over years.
Pay attention to what’s included. Some places include breakfast (huge value in hot climates where you’ll want to eat before heading out), while others charge extra. Airport transfers, taxes, and tourist fees can add to base rates, so check total prices not just advertised rates.
Final Thoughts on Choosing Where to Stay
The truth is, there’s no single “best” place to stay in Santa Marta. The right neighborhood depends entirely on your travel style, budget, priorities, and what you’re looking to get from your Santa Marta experience.
The Historic Center offers the most well-rounded experience with the best access to everything, making it the safe bet for first-timers or those wanting maximum flexibility. El Rodadero provides better immediate beach quality and family-friendly infrastructure at the cost of being less culturally interesting. Taganga delivers unbeatable budget prices and strong backpacker community despite legitimate safety concerns that require awareness. Pozos Colorados and Bello Horizonte create quiet beach escapes for travelers seeking relaxation over stimulation.
Perhaps the key insight is that Santa Marta is small enough that your neighborhood choice doesn’t lock you in entirely. You can stay in the Historic Center and still visit El Rodadero’s beaches. You can base yourself in Taganga while coming into town for dinners and nightlife. The taxis are cheap enough and distances are short enough that you can mix and match based on daily plans.
What matters more than choosing the theoretically “perfect” neighborhood is matching accommodation to your actual priorities. If you genuinely value quiet sleep over convenient nightlife access, choose accordingly. If meeting other travelers ranks higher than having the prettiest beach outside your door, let that guide your decision. If family-friendly infrastructure matters more than bohemian character, El Rodadero beats Taganga every time.
Read reviews, look at maps, consider your real priorities rather than theoretical ideals, and remember that accommodation is just your base camp. The actual experiences—the beaches, the food, the people you meet, the adventures you choose—matter far more than whether you stayed in the objectively “best” neighborhood according to some guidebook.
Santa Marta’s neighborhoods each offer something valuable. Pick the one that matches who you actually are as a traveler rather than who you think you should be, and you’ll probably end up happy with your choice. For comprehensive information about all the beaches you’ll be exploring from whichever neighborhood you choose, see our complete Santa Marta beaches guide.
