Santa Marta also hosts a number of inland neighborhoods, such as Bavaria, that would be great for full-time living away from the tourist traffic. This is the part that underwent the dramatic restoration. Santa Marta (the city itself) contains the original historic center and the cruise-ship port. Taganga’s bay is terrific for diving and snorkeling, and you’ll find a number of dive shops and excursions available. The beach is long and unspoiled and is bordered by a new boardwalk. Taganga is a small village surrounded by tall mountains that sits on an expansive, sparkling, deep-blue bay. Let’s take a look at them from north to south, starting with Taganga. This stretch of Caribbean coast is home to an amazing diversity of beachside destinations. When I refer to “Santa Marta,” I’m talking about the Santa Marta metro area, which extends 13 miles (21 km) from Taganga in the north to the airport in the south. The long-rumored 256-slip marina is now completed and operational, and new, tasteful condo projects have sprouted up around the entire area. The downtown now has an attractive seafront park, plenty of small cafes and bars, as well as coffee shops, boutique hotels, excellent seafood restaurants, and even a cruise-ship port. Today’s Santa Marta is a different story. Well-kept parks and fine colonial buildings are the Santa Marta of today The first leading-edge investors were prowling the city. When I first visited Santa Marta in 2010, it was definitely a “work in progress.” The formerly seedy downtown was undergoing restoration, bringing the fine colonial homes, parks, and churches back to their original splendor. There’s a rainy season that lasts from May to November, turning the surrounding mountains a lush green, while it’s very dry the rest of the year. It’s always warm in Santa Marta, with highs hovering in the high-80s to low-90s all year (31.5☌ to 33.5☌). It was here that one of Columbus’s crewmen documented the wealth and riches of the local indigenous people, which gave rise to the myth of El Dorado, the fabled city of gold. Colombia’s Oldest City Has Been RebornĬolumbus visited Santa Marta on his second voyage in 1499, and it was officially founded as a city in 1525. A smaller apartment can set you back a little more than US$46,000. dollar, prices here are better than ever. The way I think of it, Cartagena is where the world comes to visit, while Santa Marta is preferred by Colombians and a few savvy expats.Īnd with today’s resurgence of the U.S. It’s a town that offers excellent diving, sandy beaches, calm waters, an upbeat and energetic culture, and a collection of diverse and attractive living options. It’s Colombia’s #1 draw for foreign visitors and home to a sizeable expat community.īut just 150 miles up the Caribbean coast is Santa Marta. Plus: Spain’s Best Weather | Upcoming Coverage Of The Dominican RepublicĮveryone who made it beyond third grade has heard of Cartagena, Colombia.
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