Move Over Cartagena! Forbes Reveals Lesser-Known Coastal City As Colombia’s New Vacation Hotspot

If you need affordability and tradition, go to Medellin.

If you need affordability, tradition, and superior seashores, go to Cartagena.

At least that was once the gameplan…

Forbes’ newest vacation spot feature peeled again the curtain on the last word Cartagena dupe, gaining traction as Colombia’s new trip hotspot.

On the flip aspect of Barranquilla, one other underrated coastal metropolis, lies a Caribbean gem vacationers have been skipping over far too lengthy.

Brimming with historical past, vibrant tradition, and vivid blue-water shores, Santa Marta is swapping hidden gem standing for stylish must-visit this summer time.

Travel Tip: Before we dive in, be sure to take a look at Travel Off Path’s new 1-minute travel checker — a one-stop store to dot your I’s and cross your T’s for a seamless journey to Colombia.

Happy five hundredth Birthday To Colombia’s Oldest City 🎉

Travelers have been bought by a single look at Cartagena’s towering skyline and shimmering waters, however Cartagena ticks off one other field as a pleasant Colonial metropolis oozing Old Colombia allure and beautiful Caribbean magnificence all wrapped up in a single vacation spot.

As immersively inviting as Cartagena’s UNESCO-listed cobbled streets and colourful facades could also be, it is truly Santa Marta that has been round since 1525, and provides expansive seashores backdropped by lush nature for arguably an much more picturesque cityscape than Cartagena’s.

Given Cartegena’s distinguished rise as a prime Latin American vacation spot, you may anticipate extra of a way of authenticity in Santa Marta, therefore the newfound fame seeing a 22.7% uptick in worldwide guests, based on Forbes.

For now, whereas it is caught within the in-between of being a name-brand vacation spot and nonetheless comparatively unknown to the lots, Santa Marta has fewer pushy distributors, so you may wander timeless streets and golden shores with out being guilt-tripped into vacationer traps or overpriced excursions.

Grab that good cup of Colombia espresso at a comfortable cafe, savor low cost avenue cart empanadas, and benefit from the surroundings of not solely Santa Marta’s astounding nature however the sightly maze of colonial structure all through the town middle, the place you will discover centuries-old marvels standing the take a look at of time, similar to Catedral Basílica de Santa Marta and scenic parks with scattered landmarks like Parque de los Novios.

Santa Marta’s Postcard Beaches 🌊

Much like Cartagena, Santa Maria boasts a vibe different Caribbean locations simply cannot replicate. Equal elements metropolis life and Caribbean bliss, Santa Maria is a far cry from the Bahamas and even Mexico’s sprawling shoreline, with a few of the most immediately recognizable seashores Americans have grown to like.

In different phrases, at the same time as widespread as they’re, downtown Cancun and Nassau simply do not supply the identical degree of allure, being solely acknowledged as a resort vacation spot the place no one bats an eye fixed for those who by no means go away your poolside lounger.

Here in Santa Marta, you will unquestionably wish to discover past the seaside, however there is no denying the sheer great thing about the coast stretching West towards aforementioned Barranquilla, and east towards Venezuela (don’t fret — it is not that shut).

Westward lies a cluster of coves and crowd-free shores similar to Playa del Amor, a white-sand seaside haven the place one latest beachgoer claimed ‘hardly anybody goes’ — and that makes it all of the extra pleasing.

Hidden, but equally stunning seashores, similar to Playa Gusano and Playa Inca Inca stretch to the neighboring city of Gaira, however let’s circle again and deal with the wrong way too.

Eastward, towards Taganga, you will discover fewer choices however there are beautiful outlooks like Sea Pescaito sandwiched between a row of waterfront lodges, which Forbes recommends staying at Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida.

Though, there’s Playaca, a public seaside away from the town bustle, however would not have the best critiques in comparison with Santa Marta’s westside paradises, however Tayrona National Park previous Taganga is the last word seaside lovers dream, filled with rainforests, hidden coves, and even preserved websites of ruins.

The Elephant In The Room: Safety Concerns ⚠️

“How safe is Colombia?” is a typical query, and rightfully so given quite a few safety alerts and journey advisory updates lately.

Actually, Santa Marta could have an additional layer of uncertainty.

From a pure geographic standpoint, Santa Marta is hours away from the no-go zone of Venezuela to place considerations comfy, however let’s not sugarcoat Colombia’s personal set of issues of safety.

The U.S. State Department final up to date Colombia’s advisory in April 2025, designating the nation as Level 3: Reconsider Travel with no particular point out of Santa Marta.

We did report on Colombia’s courting app scams final yr, so swiping proper in Santa Marta might not be the most effective thought.

For what it is price, Santa Marta’s official tourism website states “Santa Marta is a safe tourist site, and has become a favorite vacation paradise for Colombians and foreigners” and goes on to checklist these 3 places because the most secure within the metropolis:

• The historic middle
• El Rodadero
• Pozos Colorados
• Taganga