Caribbean coast
Lush wilderness and an azure sea
The scenery along Colombia’s Caribbean coast is breathtaking and will undoubtedly leave you with unforgettable memories. On one side lies a lush wilderness with the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada in the background, whilst on the other you look out over a white coastline that merges into the deep blue Caribbean Sea.
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Gateway to the New World
Santa Marta is Colombia’s oldest city and was once known as the gateway to the New World. From the coast, you can see the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada, the highest coastal mountain range in the world. A visit to the ‘Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino’ hacienda, where the great freedom fighter Simón Bolívar breathed his last and which is now a museum, is an absolute must!
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Exploring Tayrona National Park
Not far from Santa Marta lies the impressive Tayrona National Park, home to many birds, mammals and numerous reptiles. What makes this park special is that it comprises two very different ecosystems: the sea and the mountains. The many bays, beautiful beaches, white coral reefs, green mangroves, mountains and lush vegetation give every visitor that ultimate holiday feeling.
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Staying overnight at Cayena Beach
After the French owner had built his villa in this idyllic spot, he decided to rent out a few rooms from time to time via Airbnb. However, demand for the rooms proved to be so high that he decided to convert the villa into a small-scale hotel, which is what Cayena Beach Villa is today.
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Kogui culture
The Kogui people live in the cloud forests of Tayrona National Park. Because they live so remote in the mountains, they were spared during the Spanish Inquisition and subsequent occupations. As a result, the Kogui community still lives in much the same way as they did 500 years ago. A walk through the park gives you the opportunity to visit one of their villages.
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A must for adventurers
Do you love adventure and hiking? Then we would definitely recommend the Ciudad Perdida (Lost City) trek. This multi-day trek takes you to the archaeological site built around 800 AD by the Tayrona people. The area boasts lush flora and abundant fauna found nowhere else in the world, and the trek is regarded as one of the most beautiful in South America. Petra completed the Ciudad Perdida trek and wrote about it on our blog.
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Walks through the park
An impressive walk through the park is the Pueblitos trek. A walk through the lush jungle, via the village of Pueblito – home to the Kogui community – to the famous and idyllic beaches of Tayrona. Want to find out more? Johan did this trek and wrote about it on our blog.
Santa Marta, gateway to Tayrona National Park
The Spanish chose Santa Marta as their first colonial settlement. This is hardly surprising, as it is absolutely stunning here! Santa Marta is Colombia’s oldest city and, because of its harbour, is also known as the ‘New World’. The city was founded on 29 July 1525 by the Spanish conquistador Rodrigo de Bastidas. Its rich culture and history make this city and its region truly special. Santa Marta is home to the ‘Hacienda Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino’ museum. It was at this hacienda that Simón Bolívar, the ‘Gran Libertador’ (Great Liberator) of various South American countries, spent the final years of his life. He died on 17 December 1830. In the museum, you can find a wealth of background information about Simón Bolívar and the period in which he lived. Furthermore, Santa Marta is the gateway to Tayrona National Park and its stunning natural beauty.
Tayrona National Park is situated approximately 34 km from the city of Santa Marta. This park boasts an enormous diversity of flora and fauna, as it comprises two ecosystems: one in the mountains and one by the sea. It is home to remarkable wildlife, such as the black howler monkey, titi monkeys, red woodpeckers, iguanas, jaguars (which are rarely seen as they hunt at night), a variety of lizards and tropical marine life. There are also more than 400 species of birds, including eagles, condors and parrots. The flora ranges from tropical dry forest to coral reefs.
Fancy a trip of Colombia?
Would you like to organise your own trip of Colombia, including a visit to the Caribbean coast, and are you curious about the options? Then do take a look at the itineraries we’ve put together for inspiration. You can book these tours directly, but we’d also be happy to put together a personalised itinerary based on your wishes and ideas.
Do you have a question? Please feel free to contact us. Call +31 73 610 62 04 or send an email to info@sapapanatravel.nl. We’ll be happy to help.