Day trips

The 12 Best Day Trips from Santa Marta

Drive times, distances, what to see, and a sample day plan for every place worth the trip.

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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.

Day trips from Santa Marta at a glance

DestinationDistanceDrive timeBest as
Barranquilla71 km SW1 hr 20 minFull-day trip
Valledupar134 km SE2 hr 5 minFull-day trip
Soledad72 km SW1 hr 25 minFull-day trip
Riohacha144 km E2 hr 15 minLong day or overnight
Sabanalarga104 km SW1 hr 40 minFull-day trip
Ciénaga26 km S40 minHalf-day trip
Baranoa93 km SW1 hr 25 minFull-day trip
Fundación80 km S1 hr 15 minFull-day trip
Aracataca72 km S1 hr 25 minFull-day trip
Bosconia145 km S2 hr 15 minLong day or overnight
San Juan del Cesar140 km E2 hr 10 minFull-day trip
Puebloviejo29 km S45 minHalf-day trip

Drive times are estimates from the distance. Check live traffic before you leave.

The best day trips from Santa Marta

  1. 1

    Barranquilla, Colombia

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 20 min by car71 km south-west of Santa Marta2 hr 40 min round trip

    Known for Ventana de Campeones.

    Also nearby: Malambo, Sabanagrande, Sitionuevo.

  2. 2

    Valledupar, Colombia

    Full-day trip
    About 2 hr 5 min by car134 km south-east of Santa Marta4 hr 10 min round trip
  3. 3

    Soledad, Colombia

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 25 min by car72 km south-west of Santa Marta2 hr 50 min round trip
  4. 4

    Riohacha, Colombia

    Long day or overnight
    About 2 hr 15 min by car144 km east of Santa Marta4 hr 30 min round trip
  5. 5

    Sabanalarga, Colombia

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 40 min by car104 km south-west of Santa Marta3 hr 20 min round trip
  6. 6

    Ciénaga, Colombia

    Half-day trip
    About 40 min by car26 km south of Santa Marta1 hr 20 min round trip
  7. 7

    Baranoa, Colombia

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 25 min by car93 km south-west of Santa Marta2 hr 50 min round trip
  8. 8

    Fundación, Colombia

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 15 min by car80 km south of Santa Marta2 hr 30 min round trip
  9. 9

    Aracataca, Colombia

    Full-day trip
    About 1 hr 25 min by car72 km south of Santa Marta2 hr 50 min round trip
  10. 10

    Bosconia, Colombia

    Long day or overnight
    About 2 hr 15 min by car145 km south of Santa Marta4 hr 30 min round trip
  11. 11

    San Juan del Cesar, Colombia

    Full-day trip
    About 2 hr 10 min by car140 km east of Santa Marta4 hr 20 min round trip
  12. 12

    Puebloviejo, Colombia

    Half-day trip
    About 45 min by car29 km south of Santa Marta1 hr 30 min round trip

A sample day trip: Santa Marta to Barranquilla

A realistic pace for Barranquilla, 71 km from Santa Marta. Packy AI builds this for any place on the list, with a route, opening hours and timings you can edit.

  1. 08:30Leave Santa Marta
  2. 09:50Arrive in Barranquilla (1 hr 20 min drive)
  3. 10:05Ventana de Campeones
  4. 12:05Lunch
  5. 13:20Explore the old town, markets and cafes of Barranquilla
  6. 15:50Head back to Santa Marta
  7. 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.
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.

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