ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Santa Marta has an average temperature of 28ºC, and it has dry and rainy seasons that are just those experienced throughout the rest of the country.

The steep mountains surrounding the city create  climatic regions and subregions in each on of the thermal floors.

Santa Marta is subject to the special condition of having a dry, yet refreshing climate due to the trade winds blowing in along the border of La Guajira, which crash against The Sierra Nevada and then blow into Santa Marta like gentle rainy breezes.  Santa Marta is also a hurricane - proof port.

 Parque Tayrona

To the north, the flat peninsula is not subject to stifling heat and winds blowing in from the northeast to inland Colombia.  For that reason La Guajira, which extends out from the green foothills of the Sierra Nevada, is marked by its landscape of extensive sandy steppes and dones.

Adequate clothing

Carry beach clothes if you are touring at the base of the mountain and along the beaches, but wear warmer clothing if you plan to ascend to The Lost City or go out on longer excursions.  It is recommended to take a cap or hat and wear sunscreen when hiking. 

How to get there

By air

You can fly into Bogotá, where there are connecting flights continually departing Bogotá and arriving at the Simón Bolivar airport just 30 minutes from Santa Marta.  If you prefer to avoid layovers, there are also direct flights to Barranquilla from Miami, and once in Barranquilla it is 90 minutes to Santa Marta by road.

By land

The troncal del caribe highway connects Cartagena and Bogota to Santa Marta.  Travel distances:

Cartagena is 209 km away,  it is a two and a half hour hour road trip with no stops;  Barranquilla is 93 km away,  and it is 90 minutes road trip; Bogota is 952 km away, and it is a 15 hour road trip.  You can also travel to Rioacha, which is a 160 km, two and a half hour road trip.  Area code + 57 (5).

Security

Take the same precautions you would take at a beach resort in your own country.  In Colombia you will be accompanied by an abundant tourist police force that is properly trained to provide you with a friendly service.

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