The 12 Best Day Trips from Santa Marta
How far each place is, what to see there, and a plan for the day.
Free day-by-day itinerary in seconds. No account needed to start.
There are 12 good day trips from Santa Marta, Colombia, led by Barranquilla, Valledupar, Soledad. The closest is Ciénaga, about 40 min by car, and 2 of them fit into half a day. Below: drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan.
Built from 12 nearby places, with sights from real traveler trips, on Packy AI. Last updated November 2026 by the Packy AI Travel Team.
Day trips from Santa Marta
- 1
Barranquilla, Colombia
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 20 min by car71 km south-west of Santa MartaKnown for Ventana de Campeones.
- 2
Valledupar, Colombia
Full-day tripAbout 2 hr 5 min by car134 km south-east of Santa Marta - 3
Soledad, Colombia
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 25 min by car72 km south-west of Santa Marta - 4
Riohacha, Colombia
Long day or overnightAbout 2 hr 15 min by car144 km east of Santa Marta - 5
Sabanalarga, Colombia
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 40 min by car104 km south-west of Santa Marta - 6
Ciénaga, Colombia
Half-day tripAbout 40 min by car26 km south of Santa Marta - 7
Baranoa, Colombia
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 25 min by car93 km south-west of Santa Marta - 8
Fundación, Colombia
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 15 min by car80 km south of Santa Marta - 9
Aracataca, Colombia
Full-day tripAbout 1 hr 25 min by car72 km south of Santa Marta - 10
Bosconia, Colombia
Long day or overnightAbout 2 hr 15 min by car145 km south of Santa Marta - 11
San Juan del Cesar, Colombia
Full-day tripAbout 2 hr 10 min by car140 km east of Santa Marta - 12
Puebloviejo, Colombia
Half-day tripAbout 45 min by car29 km south of Santa Marta
A sample day: Santa Marta to Barranquilla
- 08:30Leave Santa Marta
- 09:50Arrive in Barranquilla (1 hr 20 min drive)
- 10:05Ventana de Campeones
- 12:05Lunch
- 13:20Explore the old town, markets and cafes of Barranquilla
- 15:50Head back to Santa Marta
- 17:10Home in Santa Marta
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
- What are the best day trips from Santa Marta?
- The best day trips from Santa Marta are Barranquilla, Valledupar, Soledad, Riohacha, Sabanalarga. The closest is Ciénaga, about 40 min away by car.
- What is the closest day trip from Santa Marta?
- Ciénaga is the closest, 26 km south of Santa Marta, roughly 40 min by car. Best as a half-day trip.
- Where can I go within an hour of Santa Marta?
- 2 places are within about an hour's drive of Santa Marta: Ciénaga (40 min), Puebloviejo (45 min).
- What is the biggest city near Santa Marta for a day out?
- Barranquilla is the largest city in day-trip range, 71 km south-west of Santa Marta and about 1 hr 20 min by car. With that much to see, start early or stay the night.
- Where can I go for a weekend from Santa Marta?
- For a weekend away from Santa Marta, pick the places far enough to be worth a night: Bosconia (145 km, 2 hr 15 min), Riohacha (144 km, 2 hr 15 min), San Juan del Cesar (140 km, 2 hr 10 min), Valledupar (134 km, 2 hr 5 min). Closer places on this list work better as a single day.
- How far is too far for a day trip from Santa Marta?
- Up to about two hours each way keeps the day relaxed. The farthest place on this list is Bosconia at 145 km, around 2 hr 15 min by car, which is better as a long day or an overnight stay.
Ready to plan your Santa Marta trip?
Free day-by-day itinerary in seconds. No account needed to start.
Keep exploring