“Santa Marta, Colombia’s first Spanish settlement, is the capital city of the Colombian department of Magdalena on the Caribbean Sea. It was founded in 1525 by the Spanish conqueror Rodrigo de Bastidas, which makes it the oldest remaining city in Colombia. Located northeast of Cartagena, between the Santa Marta Mountains and the Caribbean Sea, the city is a popular destination due to its history, colonial architecture, beaches and nearby nature reserves. The mountain range is second in height only to the Andes running through the country.
Among the city’s attractions include the grand hacienda where Simón Bolívar died in 1830. The recently renovated downtown of Santa Marta with its blend of colonial and Republican architecture is a highlight. The city has a new, distinctive international marina and boardwalk. Las Fiestas del Mar (The Festival of the Sea) is an annual celebration. The festival’s slogan is Santa Marta, la magia de tenerlo todo (“Santa Marta, the magic of having it all”). Tayrona National Natural Park, north of Santa Marta, is the most important ecological reserve in Colombia.” – Pacific Patter
Our tour of Santa Marta began on a bus … but we rode out of the port and a few blocks more then got out and walked around downtown Santa Marta. We viewed examples of Columbian (wooden verandas) and Republican (concrete verandas) architecture.
Then we visited Parroquia del Sagrario y San Miguel Cathedral where the body of Simón Bolivar was originally interred…
Finally we visited the Gold Museum …
After the Gold Museum, we returned to the city square and boardwalk …
Then we re-boarded our bus (happy for the air conditioning … Santa Marta is hot and humid …) and took a twenty minute ride to Quinta de San Pedro Alegandrino where Simón Bolivar died …
Next we went to a folkloric show where we were greeted by an iguana …
Afterwards we returned to the ship. Later that night we sailed away from Santa Marta headed for the Panama Canal …
