Old centro / marina district

Santa Marta, Colombia

Near the marina and city beach, offering easy access to restaurants, bars, and lively nightlife.

Places in Old centro / marina district

Donde Chucho A lovely courtyard restaurant in front of Parque Santander, known for some of the city's best seafood.
Basiliea A French eatery in the laidback town center.
Old centro courtyard cafés Cafés near Parque Santander in the laidback town center.
Old centro nightlife bars Bars near the marina and city beach offering easy access to a lively nightlife.

Best time to visit: December to March (dry season) offers the most reliable weather for Tayrona National Park hiking and Santa Marta's beaches.
Getting around: Rodadero is preferable for beach access, while the Hilton Garden Inn's location near the marina, city beach, and old centro offers easy access to restaurants and nightlife; Tayrona National Park and the Ciudad Perdida trailhead are reached by road from the city.
Currency: Colombian Peso (COP $)
Language: Spanish. English is limited outside tourist areas.
Timezone: COT (UTC-5)
Current trends: Santa Marta's status as South America's oldest city continues to draw visitors primarily as the gateway to Tayrona National Park's beaches beneath the world's tallest coastal mountain range, with the multi-day Ciudad Perdida trek remaining the region's signature adventure experience, while Rodadero's beachfront convenience and the old centro's restaurants like Donde Chucho and Basiliea anchor the city's own dining and lodging appeal.

Rodadero — A preferable area for beach activities due to proximity to the beach and other amenities.
Tayrona National Park — A protected jungle and coastline running up to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the tallest coastal mountain range in the world.