Summer vacations arrived in South America and there’s no better plan than to escape to the sea. A couple of days of sun on the beach, coupled with a cocktail and a massage would surely be wonderful. In this article, we recommend 3 places in the Colombian Caribbean for you to choose your favorite or decide to get to know them all.

Cartagena is a city for relaxation and culture, Santa Marta is the place for adventure and good vibes, while San Andrés is the island to enjoy absolute exclusivity. Take advantage of these travel tips and start planning your itinerary.

 

 

Enjoy the season in the Colombian Caribbean! / Photo: Daytours4u

Cartagena: romanticism, history and relax

Why visit Cartagena de Indias? The are plenty of reasons altogether, but, if we had to summarise them in just a few, we will say that, without a doubt, the most outstanding thing is its architectonic heritage, its cultural offering, its cuisine and the amazing islands that surround it, perfect for romance and absolute relax.

How long you should stay: Schedule a minimum of 4 days so you can explore places like Ciudad Antigua, Totumo Volcano, Bazurto Market, Palenque, Rosario Islands, Barú, Punta Arena and Isla del Pirtata.

What to visit: The majority of the tourist attraction in the city is in the old part, begins this wonderful tour with the incredible Tourist Bus of Cartagena and visits the most emblematic places of Cartagena as the Cerro de la Popa, the Castle of San Felipe, the Fort of the Pastelillo and the most important squares.

As for its beaches, know Bocagrande in Cartagena or take a boat to visit Punta Arena, Tierra Bomba or Baru Island. Do not miss the opportunity to book with us the best pass to the beautiful beaches that Islas del Rosario has to offer!

 

 

islas del rosarioDo not miss visiting the Rosario Islands! / Photo: Daytours4u

 

Natural Corales del Rosario National Park and San Bernardo is the largest coral reef in the Colombian Caribbean, a sanctuary of marine wildlife. The colors of the sand and the sea will make you feel inside a painting. There is an aquarium where you will see more than 30 sharks, dolphins spinning and a lot of the local marine wildlife.

In Barú island, its clear waters allow any visitor to do scuba diving. For this reason, if you want to enjoy the beach and explore its coral reefs,  book a Barú Island Scuba Diving Day Tour and live a unique experience during your vacation in Colombia.

 

 

Book online a scuba diving day in Barú island / Photo: Daytours4u

 

What to eat: Our first recommendation is to do a Street Food Tour in Cartagena, as you can get closer to local cuisine while being escorted by an expert guide that will guarantee the security both of the tour and of the preparation of the food.

Of course, there is a big variety of restaurants of Colombian and international cuisine like La Mulata or places to eat something light and enjoy the view like Café del Mar.

Next stop: We recommend getting first to Cartagena, which is the further south city of the three beach destinations, and then you can move overland to Santa Marta. The trip can last approximately 4 hours. You can hire a transfer service from Cartagena to Santa Marta or take a bus from the terminal, avoid pirate cars as they tend to rise the prices. You can check the time and rates for the buses here.

 

 

Gastronomia Colombiana Experience the delicious flavors of the Colombian Caribbean on the streets of Cartagena / Photo: Daytours4u

Santa Marta: mysticism and adventure

Perfect for travellers looking for peace and adventure in only one destination. Santa Marta and its surroundings offer the tourist complete experiences. It is a small city, full of ancient history because its surroundings are inhabited by native local communities of great cultural and social significance to Colombia. So if you want to fill yourself with good energies and connect with nature, you need to go to Santa Marta.

The transfers between the tourist sites and beaches are not long if you keep in mind that some of them are located outside the city. So, it is easy to wake up in the historic center, live an unforgettable experience in the different beaches of Tayrona and get to the party in Taganga.

Enjoy the best beaches with the Tayrona Park Day Tour without having to worry about transfers to and from your hotel!

How long you should stay: To visit each beach you need a day, so schedule at least 3 days.

What to do in Santa Marta: Besides its welcoming historic center, the city has different attractions like the farm of San Pedro Alejandrino, which is also a Botanic Garden, the Gold Museum, old churches, among others. It is advisable to make a list of monuments you want to see so that you don’t miss anything. If you want to tour everything in one day, the best thing is to plan a city tour with tour operators, so you can maximize your time.

Discover with us the magnificent City Tour by Santa Marta and live the spectacular activities that we have prepared for you!

 

 

Santa MartaSanta Marta and its surroundings offer the tourist complete experiences / Photo: Daytours4u

 

The beaches in this vibrant city possess a great variety. In El Rodadero there are different beaches with white sand and an excellent view. In this area, you can find the best accommodation, restaurants, and bars of the city.

Unlike the city, there is the Natural Tayrona National Park. In low season there are few people so you will feel like you have the beach for yourself.

Live your best experience with the Tour to Cañaveral and Arrecifes in Tayrona Park and Reef Excursion Daytours4u has to offer!

In Taganga, a fishing village near Santa Marta, you can also find clear beaches and, in the late afternoon, wait for the sunset with a beer in one of the many bars next to the beach.

To finish your trip, you can immerse yourself in one of the native communities that inhabit the area, going up to Minca, a village in the middle of Sierra Nevada. This walk is one of the best experiences of ecological tourism in Colombia since you leave the bustle to discover the virtues of Mother Earth.

Take advantage of the incredible Minca Day Tour and don't miss the opportunity to enjoy your love for nature!

Where to stay: if you want to have a good time and party, you can stay in Taganga. But, in Santa Marta city you will find quieter accommodation and you will move easily to other destinations.

Next stop: from the airport of Santa Marta, you can travel to San Andrés. In a straight line, the route is, approximately, 800 kilometers long, meaning one flight hour. When you return, you can buy your ticket to Bogotá and make the connection to your destination. Remember to book beforehand.

 

 

You can immerse yourself in one of the native communities that inhabit the area / Photo: Tayrona Park

San Andrés: an exclusive paradise in the Colombian Caribbean

San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina are an archipelago famous for its sea of seven colors, where the sand is always white and the beaches are clean. Also, its was declared Biosphere Reserve, which means that in the water you can find an equivalent to forest hectares but with marine wildlife.

Scuba diving in one of the biggest coral reefs in the world is a must-see attraction and it doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or an expert at scuba diving, the coral reef acts in favour of the diver. That’s why, if you are looking for new adventures and you want to end your holidays far from everything, this destination is for you.

How long you should stay: because it is a small place, you can spend a weekend in San Andrés and spend 3 wonderful days.

What to do in San Andrés: In half a day you can visit the tourist attractions of the island-like Hoyo Soplador, Morgan Cave and the natural pool, finishing with a little tour of the city center to buy perfumes or liquors which are slightly cheaper than in the rest of Colombia.

Get to know each of these places comfortably with the City Tour in San Andres accompanied by the best expert travel guides, or travel to each destination independently with our golf cart rental service and get the freedom to accommodate your trip.

What is really fascinating about this island are the beach experiences. Here, literally, you can dive into an adventure, whether it's diving, walking underwater or taking a submarine ride. Book with us and get your adrenaline flowing with the Aquatic Adventures in San Andres!

 

You can spend a weekend in San Andrés and spend 3 wonderful days / Photo: Daytours4u

 

Each of them is a unique experience where colours and sea magic come together to show you the great work Mother Nature has done.

Because it is an archipelago, you can take a day to visit Providencia, an island considerably quieter than San Andrés. If you dare to live a day in Providencia, it is advisable to plan ahead so that you can enjoy all of the attractions that the island offers. Book here your tour to Providencia! We assure you tranquility and comfort.

At the end of the day, you can book a cruise party and dance to the rhythm of the sea. Don’t worry if you go alone or with few people, in these parties people are prepared to have a good time, so it’s impossible to get bored.

What to eat: the traditional food of this archipelago is based on marine species like lobsters, crabs, snails, and snappers among others. Almost every dish is paired with bananas, a perfect fusion. And the traditional cocktail? Crazy coconuts!

 

Plan your trip to the Colombian Caribbean today and live an unforgettable vacation. If you want to read more recommendations from our local experts, click here and discover the best of Colombia with Daytours4u.

 


By: Laura García Betancur, colombian journalist and visual communication expert from Universidad de Manizales, Colombia.