Santa Marta is a Haven for Sun and Sea Worshippers
Pressed between the Caribbean Sea and the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountain lies Santa Marta, South America’s oldest surviving city. With a population of 500,000 residents, Santa Marta is half the size of the more well-known city of Cartagena. But don’t let size fool you. Santa Marta is quickly becoming a sought-after destination for both tourists and retirees.
A few blocks between the beach and the historic district is Parque de los Novios (Lover’s Park), the heart of Santa Marta’s entertainment area. Restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and bakeries surround the plaza. The sounds of salsa, vallenato, and classic rock serenade you as you stroll along the cobblestone streets or stop to sit on one of the benches made just for two.
Parque Tayrona, one of the most popular attractions in Colombia, is only 40 minutes north of Santa Marta. The unspoiled beaches and tropical forests in this National Nature park are world class. Boasting nearly 400 bird species and 60 species of mammals, the park is a nature-lover’s paradise.
La Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, one of Colombia’s most treasured museums and historical landmarks, is the site where Simón Bolívar died in 1830. Known as The Liberator, Bolívar is the most revered historical figure in Colombia.
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