I visited Santa Marta in April and absolutely fell in LOVE with it!! I like to do photography and the sunsets there every night were some of the best sunsets I've ever seen anywhere. Also, you didn't highlight the beautiful island out in the bay with the lighthouse on top. Its such a beautiful scene that is completely unique to Santa Marta. I took pictures there every night and they were my favorite pics from my whole trip in Colombia. You also didn't highlight the great restaurants along the main strip in downtown Santa Marta. Many great restaurants to choose from. I tried 5 different ones during my stay and never had a bad meal. Amazing food and all very affordable. There are even great street performers who perform every night for the folks eating out doors. Singers, Dancers, and musicians. Tyrona National Park is a short trip away and I took a wonderful day trip tour to the park which was amazing. The bus held about 30 people and I and one British man were the only tourists on board. Everyone else was a Colombian citizen. You really get the sense that it truly is a hidden gem while you're there. Great video. I like the vlog style. Keep up that great work!
To be fair they had business half their time there, so couldn't show everything. Glad the hear the food is great, I was spoiled by Thailand and Cambodia so Viet Nam was a huge let down. Street performers can be a mixed bag, they can annoy you when you're trying to eat to get money sometimes.
My only worry is that by the time I leave the USA in 10 years some of these places will no longer be cheap! Just like Medellin and others. But hopefully I can find me a gem like this in my travels the next few years.
That happened to me in Thailand. I decided to retire there early but it was too expensive by the time I was ready. Also, Thailand makes it more and more difficult to get a visa and live there.
The historic centre of Santa Marta is where most tourists go when they visit because it's safe, full of character and home to many different boutique hotels and hostels. Not only that, Santa Marta is a must if you are looking to visit Tayrona National Park, Minca or Palomino.
I admire the work that the two of you produce . When I’m ready to depart NYC to Medellin , you two will be among the first people I reach out to . All The Best !
I really like how you don't walk around putting cameras in people's faces like other Colombia vloggers. You and Tacha are very respectful and professional. Im down to Barranquila, Santa Marta, and Bogota. Santa Marta has jumped into the lead thanks to your videos.
Very nice, thank you for posting! My gf now lives in Cuenca, Ecuador, but cannot handle the cold weather there up in Andes mountains. She also loves beaches, warmer weather, is thinking of moving to Colombia, maybe Armenia. But thoSe Santa Marta beaches just might drag her there, lol! Again, nice video, just subscribed!
Great, enjoy your trip! Next time you might consider to visit Santa Marta too :D That way you'll see 2 cities in the Andes region and 2on the Caribbean coast that are close to each other but still pretty different.
I stayed in santa marta for 19 days in 2012. Had an apartment with ac and everything. I recognised alot of the places you showed in your video. Brought back good memories. I have a sister inlaw down there so we homecooked meals. We didnt follow tourist guide books or anything. Only a handful of people could speak english. That beach you were on, did you happen to see a guy pulling a makeshift trailer making drinks? He was our go to guy on the beach lol
For photocopies they always over charge you in the airport. The problem living in Santa Marta are the public services electricity is expensive and bad, water service sucks and when it rains they don´t have rainwater sewer.
Wow! $10,000 COP for 2 copies of the travel ticket is a lot. Normally outside of the airport the price is around $500 COP for two copies of a document. Great video and me and my wife already have plans to travel to Santa Marta this year.
Love the vlog. Thank you SO much for not making the transition music obnoxiously loud! Try Cafe Lulo next time you're in Santa Marta.. my favorite restaurant in Colombia.
Good morning, thank you once again for an excellent vlog. How about purchase prices there. How much for a 2b 2 bath there near the beach? Enjoy your vacation.
Being an expat doing English teaching online & trying to do hair like trenzesafricana etc braids in places in central and South America sounds plausible?
I just used Viva airlines and I just showed the ticket on the phone and I got away with carry on bag that was bigger than that basket they have to check size, got lucky I guess! Lots to see here and easy to get to places using Public Buses, did you go to Minca?
hey guys. I see this is an older video. Are the apartment prices you mention in the video 'gringo' pricing, or the same for locals as well? Also have prices dropped since the Covid?
I agree that Santa Marta has the potential to be a major international tourist destination but I see that the airport only handles domestic flights within Colombia. Are there any plans for the Santa Marta airport to handle international flights? That would really help with the logistics of traveling.
No way you can compare!! Santa Marta is a city , with history behind. It has a port, numerous hotels, extensive beaches and Caribbean flavor. Bocas not of that but nice .. small and not as developed
Very interesting. I’m currently planning my next trip to Colombia, deciding what cities to visit. I’m hearing VERY conflicting stories about Santa Marta. I’m in several Colombia groups online that consist of expats and travelers to Colombia and the picture they paint of Santa Marta is very different. They’ve said that due to proximity to Venezuela, extreme poverty and lack of any real (legal) industry there, that Santa Marta is a very dangerous place. Beaches are off limits after dark, nightlife can be dangerous etc
Yes, I can imagine. Most forums are full of different opinions based on unreliable sources. Two good tips for your research. Santa Marta is as safe as let's say San Diego (my opinion), and the that the Venezuela crisis has staggering consequences for the safety in Colombia is just BS (outside of the border regions 10 miles to the border). Is there a robbery or two more, sure. Are people scared of Venezuelans that flood the cities, no. Hope it helps ;) Sam
I was recently in Santa Marta for 4 days, and while I wouldn't compare it to San Diego, I will say that I felt just as safe as any other city I visited in Colombia. If nightlife is what you're seeking though, you might want to pass. There are just so many better nightlife destinations in Colombia. Santa Marta is a great jumping point to Tayrona, Minca, or several of the other beaches in the region and definitely has enough charm to warrant a day or two.
I still prefer Medellin, but of course if you like to go to a beach Santa Marta or Cartagena are better. www.how-to-expat.com/post/medellin-vs-cartagena/Choose Santa Marta over Cartagena if you speak Spanish and if you are ok with having a good hospital around 2h away. But we will most probably have a video about Cartagena vs. Santa Marta coming up.
To have lived there it's not that amazing. The hills around the city are all brown as the vegetations is so dry for exemple. Let's say this point is ok as you have Tyrona and Minca close around. But please don't advertise Rodadero beach as the perfect example of an amazing Caribbean beach !!!!!! It is absolutely not the case !!!! I came here reading and hearing the same and what a huge disappointment when I actually saw the beach ... Even more when you know how a real Caribbean beach looks like.
Hey Roxane thanks for the comment. Yes we have traveled the Caribbean and there are way more beautiful beaches in the DR or PR for example. But! They are mostly either very remote or full with tourists. That's why we like the one in Rodadero. But even better are the ones a little outside like in Zazue or Cabo Tortuga. But I completely understand why somebody does not like Santa Marta it's not for everyone. Bit always happy to see different options.
@@HowToExpat Great video guys! I've been very curious about Santa Marta for a while now. Also, when you do the Pros & Cons video, could you do a review of the internet and wifi service there, please? High speed, reliable internet is a non-negotiable for me, so I'm really interested in hearing a boots on the ground review of how stable their internet is. Thanks
![Top 10 Best Things to Do in Santa Marta, Colombia [Santa Marta Travel Guide 2024]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EE_C81osnCA/mqdefault.jpg)
I visited Santa Marta in April and absolutely fell in LOVE with it!! I like to do photography and the sunsets there every night were some of the best sunsets I've ever seen anywhere. Also, you didn't highlight the beautiful island out in the bay with the lighthouse on top. Its such a beautiful scene that is completely unique to Santa Marta. I took pictures there every night and they were my favorite pics from my whole trip in Colombia. You also didn't highlight the great restaurants along the main strip in downtown Santa Marta. Many great restaurants to choose from. I tried 5 different ones during my stay and never had a bad meal. Amazing food and all very affordable. There are even great street performers who perform every night for the folks eating out doors. Singers, Dancers, and musicians. Tyrona National Park is a short trip away and I took a wonderful day trip tour to the park which was amazing. The bus held about 30 people and I and one British man were the only tourists on board. Everyone else was a Colombian citizen. You really get the sense that it truly is a hidden gem while you're there. Great video. I like the vlog style. Keep up that great work!
Great comment thanks. Glad you liked it.
To be fair they had business half their time there, so couldn't show everything. Glad the hear the food is great, I was spoiled by Thailand and Cambodia so Viet Nam was a huge let down. Street performers can be a mixed bag, they can annoy you when you're trying to eat to get money sometimes.
My only worry is that by the time I leave the USA in 10 years some of these places will no longer be cheap! Just like Medellin and others. But hopefully I can find me a gem like this in my travels the next few years.
Haha yes who knows what in 10 years is. But I guess Pereira, Rionegro in Colombia will be the up and coming areas. Maybe even Cali.
That happened to me in Thailand. I decided to retire there early but it was too expensive by the time I was ready. Also, Thailand makes it more and more difficult to get a visa and live there.
Met a colombian last month in Montreal and I asked about a nice place by the beach and he has mentionned Santa Marta.
The historic centre of Santa Marta is where most tourists go when they visit because it's safe, full of character and home to many different boutique hotels and hostels. Not only that, Santa Marta is a must if you are looking to visit Tayrona National Park, Minca or Palomino.
I admire the work that the two of you produce . When I’m ready to depart NYC to Medellin , you two will be among the first people I reach out to . All The Best !
I really like how you don't walk around putting cameras in people's faces like other Colombia vloggers. You and Tacha are very respectful and professional. Im down to Barranquila, Santa Marta, and Bogota. Santa Marta has jumped into the lead thanks to your videos.
Very nice, thank you for posting! My gf now lives in Cuenca, Ecuador, but cannot handle the cold weather there up in Andes mountains. She also loves beaches, warmer weather, is thinking of moving to Colombia, maybe Armenia. But thoSe Santa Marta beaches just might drag her there, lol! Again, nice video, just subscribed!
Yes Cuenca is a little chilly. Options are Pereira, Armenia, Medellin, Bucaramanga or as you said the coast in Colombia. Hope it helps :D
I’m in Barranquilla now, but I’m definitely going to be checking out Santa Marta in the future. When I took your country quiz, I got Santa Marta!
Sounds great hope you like it. If you need a guide there let me know :D contact@how-to-expat.com
Santa Marta looks cool. I just booked a ticket to Cartegena and plan to visit Medellin and Bogota too. Thanks for sharing!
Great, enjoy your trip! Next time you might consider to visit Santa Marta too :D That way you'll see 2 cities in the Andes region and 2on the Caribbean coast that are close to each other but still pretty different.
How's the dengue and mosquitoes problem?
I’m moving to Colombia in October
Thank you for showing me Santa Marta I would like to spend some time there
I stayed in santa marta for 19 days in 2012. Had an apartment with ac and everything. I recognised alot of the places you showed in your video. Brought back good memories. I have a sister inlaw down there so we homecooked meals. We didnt follow tourist guide books or anything. Only a handful of people could speak english. That beach you were on, did you happen to see a guy pulling a makeshift trailer making drinks? He was our go to guy on the beach lol
Cool you enjoyed your time in SM
@@HowToExpat very much. We plan on going back
Estoy enamorada de Santa Marta.
As a Floridiot, I can assure you Miami is way more expensive.
Hundreds of dollars a night.
gracias por tan bonito video amigos, un abrazo desde santa marta colombia
Hola Mauro. Muchas gracias, un abrazo desde Medellín
For photocopies they always over charge you in the airport. The problem living in Santa Marta are the public services electricity is expensive and bad, water service sucks and when it rains they don´t have rainwater sewer.
Do you know about near by gyms to workout. Can you add to to your futue trips. Thank you guys.
Noted, thanks
@@HowToExpat ;) Very Important, Ill be coming in 2 months.
@@AZANDAE Did you go? Are there lifter gyms? If so, how much?
Wow! $10,000 COP for 2 copies of the travel ticket is a lot. Normally outside of the airport the price is around $500 COP for two copies of a document. Great video and me and my wife already have plans to travel to Santa Marta this year.
Haha yes they really take advantage of it. Hope to see you soon.
@@HowToExpat we can schedule a time to meet. We're not doing much at the moment.
Sure I'll send you a message
I like the cubanos, very nice. Of course the beach was great.
Can you please make a vlog about Barranquilla? Quality of life, cost of living, pros & cons.
Barranquilla is not yet on the plan, but we will surely cover it one day
Thanks for this. You guys are so great. I appreciate all the info. Can you do a video on Bucamaranga?
Thanks! We actually wanted to visit Bucaramanga last year. Maybe we will be able to do so this year.
Love the vlog. Thank you SO much for not making the transition music obnoxiously loud! Try Cafe Lulo next time you're in Santa Marta.. my favorite restaurant in Colombia.
Thanks a lot really appreciate your comment. Sounds good, we will do that next time!
Good morning, thank you once again for an excellent vlog. How about purchase prices there. How much for a 2b 2 bath there near the beach? Enjoy your vacation.
Thanks for the comment, means a lot to us. It surely depends but it would cost around 100,000k USD
I saw that the balcony has sofas or couches. Is it very dry there like Aruba?
Depends on which season. We had a big storm one day. So surely not extremely dry
Being an expat doing English teaching online & trying to do hair like trenzesafricana etc braids in places in central and South America sounds plausible?
gamecreaterdude13 yes
I just used Viva airlines and I just showed the ticket on the phone and I got away with carry on bag that was bigger than that basket they have to check size, got lucky I guess! Lots to see here and easy to get to places using Public Buses, did you go to Minca?
Nice! Still prefer the Andean highlands at this point though haha!
haha yes we too :D
hey guys. I see this is an older video. Are the apartment prices you mention in the video 'gringo' pricing, or the same for locals as well? Also have prices dropped since the Covid?
Which airline fly from cartagena or medalline to panama at cheap price please?
I agree that Santa Marta has the potential to be a major international tourist destination but I see that the airport only handles domestic flights within Colombia. Are there any plans for the Santa Marta airport to handle international flights? That would really help with the logistics of traveling.
Have you guys been to San Andreas Isla? I heard it’s the most beautiful place in CO
We have not been there yet. We are looking forward to go one day.
Is that apartment still availible? lol wow
What was the name of the beaches you were at in this video? I couldn't understand what you said if you did in fact say what they were called? Thanks.
One was Cabo Tortuga, Playa Zazue and Playa Rodadero. Hope it helps ;)
more ideas, more growing jaja bless
How do you guys communicate when getting around. Do you both speak fluent Spanish being from Switzerland? Any tips?
They’ve stated in other vids that they’re fluent in Spanish
Can you comment on how Santa Marta compares to Bocas Del Toro, Panama?
extremely different Bocas del toro are small islands whereas Santa Marta is a city.
No way you can compare!! Santa Marta is a city , with history behind. It has a port, numerous hotels, extensive beaches and Caribbean flavor. Bocas not of that but nice .. small and not as developed
What about hospitals there?
And WHY is the hospital so far? omg That's kinda a big deal.
Great video. Thanks.
Very interesting. I’m currently planning my next trip to Colombia, deciding what cities to visit. I’m hearing VERY conflicting stories about Santa Marta. I’m in several Colombia groups online that consist of expats and travelers to Colombia and the picture they paint of Santa Marta is very different. They’ve said that due to proximity to Venezuela, extreme poverty and lack of any real (legal) industry there, that Santa Marta is a very dangerous place. Beaches are off limits after dark, nightlife can be dangerous etc
Yes, I can imagine. Most forums are full of different opinions based on unreliable sources. Two good tips for your research. Santa Marta is as safe as let's say San Diego (my opinion), and the that the Venezuela crisis has staggering consequences for the safety in Colombia is just BS (outside of the border regions 10 miles to the border). Is there a robbery or two more, sure. Are people scared of Venezuelans that flood the cities, no. Hope it helps ;) Sam
I was recently in Santa Marta for 4 days, and while I wouldn't compare it to San Diego, I will say that I felt just as safe as any other city I visited in Colombia. If nightlife is what you're seeking though, you might want to pass. There are just so many better nightlife destinations in Colombia. Santa Marta is a great jumping point to Tayrona, Minca, or several of the other beaches in the region and definitely has enough charm to warrant a day or two.
Parque de los Novios translates to " Lover's Park "
What language do you guys speak to each other?
Swiss German
I'm from Santa Marta. Love my city. Here's to hoping more ex-pats settle in.
If my wife and I are able to retire there early 2021 I hope we are polite and easy guests.
Go to MIL CARNES is the best restaurant!
Thanks for the recommendation. We will think about it the next time that we are in Santa Marta.
10,000 pesos for two documents? thats like $1.50 per document its an Airport. I have been charged $30 to print a ticket in an airport.
Tacha without makeup = yummy :p
shaun MAC Happily married woman and BTW Sams a great guy and they are a great couple !
So, which one would you recommend, Santa Marta, Cartagena or Medellin? Could you please send me the link to the E book? Thanks in advance
I still prefer Medellin, but of course if you like to go to a beach Santa Marta or Cartagena are better. www.how-to-expat.com/post/medellin-vs-cartagena/Choose Santa Marta over Cartagena if you speak Spanish and if you are ok with having a good hospital around 2h away. But we will most probably have a video about Cartagena vs. Santa Marta coming up.
There are very diferent places. Mountains, beaches?
Thanks
If Tacha is Colombiana, I'm moving there yesterday. Dios mio.
can i pay for things in cryptocurrencies
Never heard of that option in Colombia.
Good people ☺
had considered visiting until i read of an European who got his hillside property burned down because he refused to pay a local gang money
Shhhhhhhhhh. keep it secret jeje
Looks nice but too hot for us
Dope
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT YOU ARE FROM USA AND YOUR GIRLFRIEND IS FROM COLOMBIA, AM I RIGHT?
Hehehe not really we are both from Switzerland :)
To have lived there it's not that amazing. The hills around the city are all brown as the vegetations is so dry for exemple. Let's say this point is ok as you have Tyrona and Minca close around.
But please don't advertise Rodadero beach as the perfect example of an amazing Caribbean beach !!!!!! It is absolutely not the case !!!! I came here reading and hearing the same and what a huge disappointment when I actually saw the beach ... Even more when you know how a real Caribbean beach looks like.
Hey Roxane thanks for the comment. Yes we have traveled the Caribbean and there are way more beautiful beaches in the DR or PR for example. But! They are mostly either very remote or full with tourists. That's why we like the one in Rodadero. But even better are the ones a little outside like in Zazue or Cabo Tortuga. But I completely understand why somebody does not like Santa Marta it's not for everyone. Bit always happy to see different options.
By the way. We will have a Pros and Cons video about Santa Marta soon. I will mention what you said in the comment there👍
@@HowToExpat Great video guys! I've been very curious about Santa Marta for a while now. Also, when you do the Pros & Cons video, could you do a review of the internet and wifi service there, please? High speed, reliable internet is a non-negotiable for me, so I'm really interested in hearing a boots on the ground review of how stable their internet is. Thanks
@@J_LeeChannel Great idea. Will do that :D
need more excitement in your video's to boring
rascal109 great vid Sam & Wife