Santa Marta, Colombia

Santa Marta is Colombia's first Spanish settlement. Located on the coast, it boasts great beaches and access to Tayrona and Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta national parks, plus the famed lost city of the Taironas.

"As the dense vegetation of deep valleys unfurl before my eyes, I begin to agree with those who swore the six-day trek in Colombia’s Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta to Ciudad Perdida, the “Lost City,” would be the highlight of my ten-month South American trip."

Click on the images for larger views of the city, beaches, landmarks and scenic attractions.

Photos of the route, the ruins and details of the trip.

Photos of Santa Marta and links to other Colombian locations.

"Among the oldest permanent European settlements in Latin America and a major port on the Spanish Main since colonial days, Santa Marta is the site of a cathedral, Fort San Fernando, and the ruins of the Santo Domingo Monastery."

In south Santa Marta, the Santamar is nestled in gardens facing the Caribbean.

Santa Marta "treasures among its riches architectural relics preserved in its cobblestoned houses, overhanging balconies, churches and military fortresses..."

"La capital del departamento del Magdalena es uno de los destinos turísticos más visitados del país, por sus edificaciones coloniales, su infraestructura hotelera, los pintorescos alrededores, playas de arena blanca y los parques naturales cercanos."