Rodadero

Santa Marta, Colombia

A preferable area for beach activities due to proximity to the beach and other amenities.

Places in Rodadero

Burukuka A clifftop restaurant near El Rodadero, ideal for a sunset dinner.
Rodadero beachfront bars Bars in the preferable beach-activity area with proximity to the beach and amenities.

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.

Old centro / marina district — Near the marina and city beach, offering easy access to restaurants, bars, and lively nightlife.
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.