Santa Marta is such a special and magical place— we can’t wait to share it with you. Here are a few tips to make your trip seamless. Take out Cash Many places will take card, but it is advisable to have cash/ pesos on hand for tips, tolls, etc. For the best exchange rate, we recommend getting pesos from your bank before you travel. Alternatively, bring your ATM card and withdraw directly from the bank in Santa Marta. Otherwise, there are money exchange stands in town but better avoid withdrawing money in public. Stay Hydrated It will be hot, and the Santa Marta sun will wear on you. Please don’t forget to drink plenty of water, especially if you will be partaking in Aguardiente and cervezas throughout the weekend :) It’s a marathon, not a sprint! Don’t drink the sink water The normal sink water in Colombia is not safe to drink. Make sure you drink bottled water.
We recommend arriving on Wednesday, September 6th into Simon Bolivar International Airpot (SMR) so you can join in all the weekend activities! If you’d like to extend your trip before or after, let us know if you’d like any recommendations on where else to visit!
All attire information is in the ____ tab. Please keep in mind that temperatures are ranging from 32° (high) to 25°(low), and it will be humid. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Mariana, Vicky or Fatima, and they will be happy to help.
Santa Marta is one of the calmest cities in Colombia, and Colombia as a country is so much safer to visit today than it was several years ago, but it still has its dangers like everywhere else. There is a basic principle you can do to make sure your trip is fun and problem-free. Don’t ‘give papaya’. The Colombian phrase no dar papaya – literally “don’t give a papaya” – means don’t make yourself an easy target. Sure, it feels a little bit like victim blaming sometimes, but all they’re saying is that you shouldn’t walk around at night flashing your fancy iPhone or brand-new camera or leave your bag hanging open. Try to be aware of the impression you give and keep an eye on your belongings. Better to be low profile. Some basic rules: #1 Taxis are cheap, use them, specially at night. Avoid walking. #2 Don’t hail taxis, but ask the hotel or the restaurant to order it to avoid overpaying. #3 Be careful with your phone #4 Don’t show off valuables (watches, jewelery, etc) or take out your wallet in public #5 Don’t use an ATM in the street or at night #6 UBER doesn´t work good in Santa Marta