Santa Marta information

[movinout]

We'll be stopping in Santa Marta, Columbia on our NCL repositioning cruise next spring. Can't find any info regarding this port...if anyone has been there could you share some insights? Thanks:)

[bryanjaync]

went there on the Quest in October. Docked in "downtown", really not much there. Would not venture off the first couple of streets. Suggest you take tour if offered.

[cabo de hornos]

We were there three weeks ago on Journey. I took the half-day "City Tour" which included two stops in town (the City Museum - interesting), and the Cathedral (beautiful), a ride out to the Simon Bolivar Memorial Park (quite interesting display of furnishings that Bolivar used, with large banyans and a tree with cactus growing out of the limbs, and iguanas all over them), there is also an emerald concession there, and then on to a folkloric dance show and beverages on the beach at Itorama XXI, a private resort hotel and cottages complex located about 5 miles out of town. I generally agree with the reply about not much happening downtown. The beach is teeming with people on the weekend at least from what we saw. There is some reconstruction going on with nicer brick pavers being installed along the sidewalks.

 

Our bus had a "transit police escort" in town. The vendors swarmed the bus outside the museum, but were not very aggressive. Az contracts with Aviatur for the excursions, our guide was very good. He warned us that they are basically selling plastic stones, so when they ask for $2, offer $1, but he can't say that in front of them because we leave, he doesn't. The guides actually are based in Cartagena, and will likely be seen in both places.

[susiesan]

cabo de hornos:

 

Were there cabs at the pier that could be hired by the hour or to drive to a beach? Or is there a beach that can be walked to? Having just returned from 2 weeks in Egypt, aggressive vendors don't bother me. We will be there in March from Quest from 7:00 -5:00 and I'm not finding much info on things to do to fill a day and I hate ship's tours.

 

Susie

[cabo de hornos]

For some interesting info on cabs at Santa Marta, try this site. It's a blog for our cruise by Geoff Edwards. Scroll down to Santa Marta and this will give you some idea of what you may encounter.

 

Find it at http://www.avidcruiser.com/geoff

 

Cabo

[ecslady]

I was also in Santa Marta a few weeks ago...and all we did was walk off the ship a few blocks. It felt less safe than walking around Cartenega. Not much to see......Perhaps a tour as Cabo says is the way to go at this port. I don't remember seeing taxis.

[susiesan]

Why do cruise lines go to ports with nothing to do or no tourism infrastructure or where there is an impression that it is dangerous? There are so many other ports close by that would make for better visits. I have never understood the thinking of the cruise lines on this.

 

Susie

[adolfo2]

Why do cruise lines go to ports with nothing to do or no tourism infrastructure or where there is an impression that it is dangerous? There are so many other ports close by that would make for better visits. I have never understood the thinking of the cruise lines on this.

 

Susie

 

I strongly suspect that the Columbian Government made Azamara and others an "offer they couldn't refuse." :D

 

Making it mandatory to dock in Santa Marta if you want to visit San Andreas OR inexpensive/free dockage to stimulate growth of a city/port.

[Cruzn & Snuzn]

When you get off the boat in Santa Marta, you there is a beach area (very crowded with locals) with a tour company out front that has several small buses. It was $20 each and we saw more than the ship offered. The tour guide was great; finding a bathroom is tricky though so make sure you aren't with someone who just had the equivalent of a big gulp like we did or you will spend too much time looking for a restroom. The people were very friendly! A military person let us take our picture with him. After the tour (it was only 3 hours) we ate on the boat and walked back down to the street. I wouldn't venture too far on the roads near the boat alone but sitting there people watching was extremely entertaining. You have never seen a beach this crowded! No one bothered us except for a few people trying to sell necklaces, etc but they moved on quickly.

[NorthernLite]

I strongly suspect that the Columbian Government made Azamara and others an "offer they couldn't refuse." :D

 

Making it mandatory to dock in Santa Marta if you want to visit San Andreas OR inexpensive/free dockage to stimulate growth of a city/port.

 

 

I think the area comes under the UN's Caribbean Economic Inititive. I imagine that includes extra police and no port charges.

 

The beaches are not dirty BTW. They are black volcanic sand.