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 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 facet 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 season.

Travel Tip: Before we dive in, be sure to try 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 offered 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 really Santa Marta that has been round since 1525, and gives expansive seashores backdropped by lush nature for arguably an much more picturesque cityscape than Cartagena’s.

Given Cartegena’s outstanding rise as a high Latin American vacation spot, you’ll be able to count on extra of a way of authenticity in Santa Marta, therefore the newfound fame seeing a 22.7% uptick in worldwide guests, in accordance with 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’ll be able to wander timeless streets and golden shores with out being guilt-tripped into vacationer traps or overpriced excursions.

Grab that excellent cup of Colombia espresso at a comfy 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 heart, 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 number of the most immediately recognizable seashores Americans have grown to like.

In different phrases, at the same time as standard 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 if you happen to by no means depart your poolside lounger.

Here in Santa Marta, you will unquestionably need to discover past the seaside, however there isn’t any denying the sheer great thing about the coast stretching West towards aforementioned Barranquilla, and east towards Venezuela (don’t be concerned — 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 current beachgoer claimed ‘hardly anybody goes’ — and that makes it all of the extra gratifying.

Hidden, but equally lovely seashores, similar to Playa Gusano and Playa Inca Inca stretch to the neighboring city of Gaira, however let’s circle again and give attention to the other way too.

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

Though, there may be Playaca, a public seaside away from the town bustle, however does not have the best evaluations 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 standard query, and rightfully so given quite a few safety alerts and journey advisory updates in recent times.

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 issues comfortable, however let’s not sugarcoat Colombia’s personal set of questions 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 12 months, so swiping proper in Santa Marta might not be the perfect concept.

For what it is value, 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 listing these 3 places because the most secure within the metropolis:

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