• Airport Pick-Up & Drop-Off More details coming soon. We will have a designated car service available for you to book for transportation to and from the airport. Cabs are also available, but just make sure they do not charge you more than ~$7.00 USD. • Getting To Events Continuous transportation to and from the welcome party and wedding will be provided for those staying at the Marriott. The schedule will be updated soon with times and frequency of arrivals and departures. For those not staying at the Marriott, let us know, and we can help coordinate additional options. • Getting Around Town For transportation to restaurants and other activities, book through your hotel or purchase premium Ubers (Uber Comfort). If you order an Economy Uber, at least one person must sit in the front passenger seat. Do not take cabs in the street. • Cash & Gratuity Take out cash at the airport upon arrival to pay for rides that are not booked through Uber. There is no need to tip drivers. At restaurants tip waiters ~10 percent.
• Food & Water Avoid drinking tap water. It is not purified. Do not consume foods or beverages sold by vendors on the street and beach. Foods, drinks, and ice cubes that are washed or produced with unpurified water are not safe for consumption. Instead, purchase all foods and beverages from the hotel, restaurants, and stores. • Vaccines For general travel in Santa Marta and Colombia no vaccines are required. However, for activities in or near the jungle such as the Minca Coffee & Cocoa Tour, Tayrona National Park Trek, Tayrona National Park Boat Tour, and Lost City Trek, proof of the Yellow Fever vaccine is required.
A Colombian expression you’ll hear frequently is “no dar papaya”, which basically means, don’t show your valuables. Keep fancy jewelry at home, and be cognizant of holding your phone in your hand for too long in public. As a rule of thumb for tourists any place in the world, be careful walking late at night and avoid dark, quiet streets. For moving around, make sure to use reputable transportation services. For most destinations outside of the resort in Santa Marta, you will need to ask the front desk to order a car anyways. In summary, just be smart and aware of your surroundings, and you will comfortably enjoy this magical place. For those traveling before or after in other areas of Colombia, feel free to reach out to us for additional insights: maxromeyn.nicposada@gmail.com
DO try the rich cuisine of the Colombian coast. We highly recommend posta cartagenera / costeña and arepa de huevo (Max’s favorites), as well as cazuela de mariscos and patacones (Nic’s favorites). DON’T purchase foods or beverages from local vendors on the street or at the beach. Buy foods and beverages from the hotel, restaurants, and stores. DO enjoy a cuba libre in the sun or a shot of aguardiente at night (but not too much!). DON’T drink the tap water. DO check out the local merchandise sold by vendors at the beach. DON’T make a purchase from those vendors without negotiating the price.