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 final word Cartagena dupe, gaining traction as Colombia’s new trip hotspot.

On the flip aspect 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 fashionable must-visit this summer time.

Travel Tip: Before we dive in, be sure you 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 appeal and gorgeous 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 truly Santa Marta that has been round since 1525, and provides expansive seashores backdropped by lush nature for arguably an much more picturesque cityscape than Cartagena’s.

Given Cartegena’s outstanding rise as a prime Latin American vacation spot, you’ll be able to anticipate extra of a way of authenticity in Santa Marta, therefore the newfound fame seeing a 22.7% uptick in worldwide guests, in line 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 plenty, 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 town middle, the place you may discover centuries-old marvels standing the check of time, resembling 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 components metropolis life and Caribbean bliss, Santa Maria is a far cry from the Bahamas and even Mexico’s sprawling shoreline, with a few of the most immediately recognizable seashores Americans have grown to like.

In different phrases, whilst widespread as they’re, downtown Cancun and Nassau simply do not provide the identical stage of appeal, 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 may unquestionably wish to discover past the seaside, however there is no denying the sheer fantastic 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 resembling 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 pleasurable.

Hidden, but equally stunning seashores, resembling 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 may discover fewer choices however there are gorgeous outlooks like Sea Pescaito sandwiched between a row of waterfront lodges, which Forbes recommends staying at Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida.

Though, there may be Playaca, a public seaside away from town bustle, however does not have the best opinions in comparison with Santa Marta’s westside paradises, however Tayrona National Park previous Taganga is the final 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 lately.

Actually, Santa Marta might 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 considerations relaxed, 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 relationship app scams final yr, so swiping proper in Santa Marta might not be the perfect thought.

For what it is price, 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 record these 3 places because the most secure within the metropolis:

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