Santa Marta Shore Excursions
4 & 5* Santa Marta Shore Excursions
Santa Marta
Old Town and Quinta San Pedro Santa Marta City Tour
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 5 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 89.00
Santa Marta
Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City Half-Day
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 3 - 4 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 65.00
Santa Marta
Hike for 4 days to the Lost City, Santa Marta
Duration: 96 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 580.00
Santa Marta
Lost City - Ciudad Perdida Colombia
Duration: 96 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 600.00
Santa Marta
Sailing to Tayrona with Luis and his team: Unique!
Duration: 8 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 56.00
Santa Marta
4-Day Lost City Small-Group Tour in Santa Marta
Duration: 96 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 580.00
Santa Marta
Full-Day Hiking Tour in Minca with coffee & Cocoa Workshop
Duration: 7 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 55.00
Santa Marta
MINCA TOUR - Explore waterfalls and discover the origin of coffee and cocoa
Duration: 9 - 10 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 79.00
Santa Marta
4-Day Walking Tour to Lost City of Sierra Nevada
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 96 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 545.00
Santa Marta
Historic Center Bike Tour
Duration: 2 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 20.00
Santa Marta
2-Day Coastal Motorcycle Tour
Duration: 48 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 359.00
Santa Marta
Tayrona Bay Sailboat trip
Duration: 6 - 7 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 60.00
Santa Marta
Tayrona Park Hike And Beach Day
Duration: 10 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 211.00
Santa Marta
PARK TAYRONA - PLAYA CRISTAL Sun, beach and crystal clear waters
Duration: 10 - 11 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 65.00
Santa Marta
Tayrona Park - Cabo San Juan
Duration: 10 - 11 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 65.00
Santa Marta
Private transportation from Santa Marta city to Cartagena
Port pick-up: Included
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 298.00
Santa Marta
Tayrona by sea
Duration: 8 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 97.00
Santa Marta
Guided Hiking through Tayrona National Park and Cabo San Juan
Duration: 24 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 47.00
Santa Marta
One amazing day in a private recent sailing boat in the Tayrona Park. The best sail trip from Santa Marta!
Duration: 7 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 790.00
Santa Marta
Full-Day Catamaran Tour through Tayrona
Duration: 8 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 90.00
Santa Marta
Trekking Cerro Kennedy 2 days
Duration: 48 Hours
Physical difficulty: Hard
Free cancellation
From USD 298.11
Santa Marta
Tayrona Park Hike Tour to Cabo San Juan: Private or Shared
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 8 - 10 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 126.00
Santa Marta
Tour of indigenous trails, coffee, cocoa, waterfalls - Minca
Duration: 4 - 5 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 55.00
Santa Marta
Los Naranjos Beach Horseback Riding Tayrona Park.
Duration: 3 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 119.30
Santa Marta
Santa Marta Food Experience
Duration: 3 - 4 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 39.00
Santa Marta
La Expedición Nativa - Sierra Nevada (3 días Awesomes view points)
Port pick-up: Included
Duration: 72 Hours
Physical difficulty: Hard
Free cancellation
From USD 625.00
Santa Marta
4 Hour Scuba Diving Course in Tayrona Park
Duration: 4 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 144.00
Santa Marta
Private shuttle service from Santa Marta Airport to Hotel in Santa Marta
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 29.00
Santa Marta
Amazing full day tour to Minca with a private guide
Duration: 10 Hours
Physical difficulty: Easy
Free cancellation
From USD 178.00
Santa Marta
Private Tayrona Park Hike to Cabo San Juan
Duration: 8 - 9 Hours
Physical difficulty: Medium
Free cancellation
From USD 190.00
Related destinations to Santa Marta
What should first-time visitors know about shore excursions in Santa Marta?
If you are stepping ashore for the first time, expect a compact historic centre, nearby beaches and easy access to natural parks. Most first-time itineraries focus on highlights such as Tayrona National Natural Park, the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino and relaxed beach time at nearby bays. Expect to balance travel time from the port with shore excursion durations and to choose trips that fit your cruise schedule. Plan ahead by checking luggage rules, transfer times and any required permits or park fees to make the most of Santa Marta shore excursions.
Which top attractions should I consider for a visit in Santa Marta?
Tayrona National Natural Park ranks as the principal natural attraction, prized for beaches framed by tropical rainforest. The historic centre offers colonial architecture, Plaza de Bolívar and the Gold Museum for a concise cultural overview. Day trips to the Lost City (Ciudad Perdida) and the Sierra Nevada’s indigenous villages highlight archaeology and local traditions. Bring comfortable footwear, sun protection and water as some sites require walking and limited shade. Choose from a variety of Santa Marta tours that combine nature, history and beach time depending on your interests and time ashore.
How do half-day and full-day shore excursions compare in Santa Marta?
Half-day options typically visit a single nearby highlight, such as the colonial city centre or a short beach stop, and suit passengers with limited time. Full-day excursions allow travel to more distant destinations like Tayrona or the Sierra Nevada, offering deeper exploration and longer hiking or swimming opportunities. Consider transit times, return-to-ship deadlines and how much walking you can comfortably do before selecting either format. Bookings labelled as Santa Marta shore excursions commonly indicate whether lunch, park fees or guide services are included so you can compare value.
What cultural and historical experiences are available ashore in Santa Marta?
Santa Marta’s colonial quarter preserves narrow streets, churches and colonial-era mansions that reveal its role as Colombia’s oldest surviving city. Museums such as the Gold Museum and the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino offer insights into indigenous cultures, Spanish colonisation and Simón Bolívar’s final years. Guided walks explain architectural details and historical context far better than wandering alone, especially when time is limited. Local operators promote Santa Marta tours that focus on heritage, but check itineraries to ensure they cover the themes you prioritise.
What natural scenery and wildlife can I expect on excursions around Santa Marta?
The coastline where white-sand bays meet emerald mountains creates dramatic contrasts that define the region’s scenery and photographic appeal. Rainforest trails, mangroves and coral-fringed beaches offer varied ecosystems within short distances of each other, visible on many day trips. Birdwatching, snorkelling and short treks capture the biodiversity, but wear appropriate footwear and insect repellent for comfort and safety. Select Santa Marta shore excursions that specify habitats visited if you have particular natural interests such as birdlife or marine environments.
Where and what should I eat while on shore in Santa Marta?
Coastal cuisine emphasises seafood, coconut flavours and fried snacks such as arepas and patacones served at small local eateries and beach kiosks. Try regional dishes like cazuela de mariscos and coconut rice to experience how Caribbean ingredients shape local menus. Markets offer fresh fruit, street food and cafés where you can sample typical sweets and juices while observing daily life. Look for Santa Marta tours that include a food-walking element if you want curated tastings and explanations about ingredients and traditions.
What activity levels should I expect for popular shore excursions?
Excursions vary from gentle cultural walks and beach relaxation to strenuous hikes such as the multi-hour treks to Tayrona’s scenic coves or the Lost City approach. Assess the difficulty ratings provided, note elevation change and trail conditions, and ask whether guides can adjust pace for mixed-ability groups. Moderate fitness, sun protection and adequate hydration make many activities feasible, while prior training benefits those attempting steep or extended hikes. Read reviews and clarify mobility requirements when booking Santa Marta shore excursions to match expectations with your physical capability.
How accessible are shore excursions for travellers with reduced mobility?
Accessibility varies strongly by site; the historic centre and some beaches have flat, paved areas while national parks and remote beaches often involve uneven trails and steps. Transport vehicles, dock transfers and boats may present additional barriers for wheelchair users or people with limited mobility, so pre-arrange assistance. Operators can sometimes provide port-to-vehicle ramps, adapted transport or alternative itineraries, though availability is not universal. Ask about specific provisions and request Santa Marta tours that explicitly list accessibility features and staff training before you depart.
When is the best time of year to take shore excursions in Santa Marta?
Santa Marta enjoys a tropical climate with a dry season roughly from December to March and a wetter season that can bring heavier rainfall and occasional storms. Sea conditions influence snorkelling and boat access, so choose dates with calmer waters if marine activities are a priority. Peak cruise months increase visitor numbers, which affects availability and pace; consider shoulder seasons for fewer crowds and pleasant weather. Plan bookings for Santa Marta shore excursions with weather trends in mind and permit restrictions for protected areas during rainy periods.
Should I join a guided shore excursion or explore independently in Santa Marta?
Guided experiences offer local knowledge, logistical coordination and historical context, which can be helpful for first-time visitors and timed shore calls. Independent exploration gives flexibility and the chance to move at your own pace but requires more pre-planning for transfers, tickets and safety considerations. Compare itineraries, what is included and the level of local support before deciding, and verify whether guides are licensed or environment-aware. Decide between self-guided and guided options by assessing comfort with navigation, language needs and whether you prefer structured commentary or spontaneous discovery on Santa Marta tours.
Which cruise lines visit Santa Marta?
Norwegian Cruise Line, Azamara and Oceania Cruises will all visit Santa Marta this year.
What cruise ships will sail to Santa Marta in 2026?
Santa Marta will be visited by Norwegian Jade, Azamara Quest and Oceania Insignia.