Founded on July 29, 1525, by Spanish Conquistador Rodrigo de Bastidas, Santa Marta was the first city founded in Colombia and the second oldest in the Americas. Located between the Caribbean Sea and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range, it enjoys a privileged average temperature of 27 to 35°C at sea level. Santa Marta stretches from the coastline up to the snowy twin peaks of the highest coastal mountain range in the world, Simón Bolívar and Cristóbal Colón, rising to 5,770 meters above sea level. The city is a popular tourist destination thanks to its rich history, colonial architecture, beaches, and the nearby Tayrona National Park, making it an exceptionally attractive place to visit.
Simón Bolívar passed away here on December 17, 1830, at the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino estate, which today serves as a museum exhibiting personal belongings of the great Liberator.
Northeast of Santa Marta, a winding road leads to the fishing village of Taganga. Nestled within a bay and surrounded by lush green hills, its dramatic landscape contrasts the deep blues of the sea with the vibrant vegetation. Traditional fishing practices continue to shape daily life, and Taganga remains a departure point for boat trips to Concha Bay and Playa Blanca, beaches named after their white sands.
Inland from the city lies Minca, a small mountain village tucked into the lush foothills of the Sierra Nevada. Known for its waterfalls, coffee and cacao farms, and cool mountain climate, Minca offers scenic hiking trails and panoramic views that stretch from the forested slopes to the Caribbean Sea. It is a peaceful retreat where biodiversity, birdwatching, and a slower pace of life invite visitors to reconnect with nature and the cultural traditions of the region.
