Caribbean coastline
Green wilderness and an azure blue sea
The environment on the Caribbean coast of Colombia is breath-taking and will undoubtedly leave an unforgettable impression on you. On one side there is a green wilderness with the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada in the background and on the other side you overlook a white coastline that flows into the bright blue Caribbean Sea.
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Gateway to the new world
Santa Marta is the oldest city in Colombia and was also called ‘the gateway to the New World’. From the coast you can see the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada, the highest coastal mountain range in the world. An absolute must is a visit to the hacienda 'Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino', where the great freedom fighter Simón Bolívar blew his last breath and what is now a museum.
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On the road in Tayrona National Park
Not far from Santa Marta is the impressive Tayrona National Park, home to many birds, mammals and numerous reptiles. Special about this park is that it consists of 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 the ultimate holiday feeling.
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Stay overnight in Cayena Beach
After the French owner built his villa in this idyllic spot, he decided to occasionally rent out some rooms through Airbnb. The rooms however, were in such high demand that he decided to transform the villa into a small hotel and that is exactly what Cayena Beach Villa is nowadays.
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Kogui culture
The Kogui people live in the cloud forests of Tayrona National Park. Because they live so remotely in the mountains, they have been spared during the Spanish Inquisition and occupation. Because of this, the Kogui’s way of living has stayed very similar to the way it used to be 500 years ago. With a walk through the park you have the opportunity to visit one of the villages of this community.
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A must for adventurers
Do you like adventure and hiking? Then we definitely recommend the Ciudad Perdida trekking (the hidden city). This trekking takes you in several days to the archaeological site which was built by the Tayrona Indians around 800 AD. The area has a lush flora and exuberant fauna found nowhere else in the world and the trek is considered one of the most beautiful in South America. Petra has walked the Ciudad Perdida herself. She will tell you about it in our blog.
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Hikes through the park
An impressive hike through the park is the Pueblitos trekking. A hike through the green jungle, via the village of Pueblito where the Kogui community lives, to the famous and idyllic beaches of Tayrona. Would you like to know more? Johan made this hike and wrote about it on our blog.
Santa Marta, gateway to Tayrona National Park
The Spanish chose Santa Marta as their first colonial settlement. Not surprising, because it's beautiful here! Santa Marta is the oldest city of Colombia and is also called the 'New World' because of its port. The city was founded on July 29, 1525 by the Spanish conqueror Rodrigo de Bastidas . The rich culture and history make this city and its region special. Santa Marta has the 'Hacienda Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino' museum. On this Hacienda, Simon Bolivar, the great liberator 'Gran Libertador' of several South American countries, spent the last years of his life. He died on December 17, 1830. In the museum you can get a lot of background information about Simon Bolivar and the period in which he lived. In addition, Santa Marta is the gateway to the Tayrona National Park and its beautiful nature.
Approximately 34 kilometres away from the city of Santa Marta lies the Tayrona National Park. This park has an enormous diversity of flora and fauna, because it consists of two ecosystems; between the mountains and the sea. Special wildlife such as; the black howler monkey, Titi monkeys, red woodpeckers, iguanas, jaguars (rarely seen when they hunt at night), a variety of lizards and tropical marine life. Including more than 400 species of birds, such as eagles, condors and parrots. The flora is characterized by tropical dry forest to coral reefs.
Travel through Colombia?
Would you like to make a trip through Colombia yourself, including a visit to the Caribbean coast, and are you curious about the possibilities? Then take a look at the travel itineraries that we have put together for inspiration. You can book these trips directly, but we also like to create a personal program based on your wishes and ideas.
Do you have a question? Feel free to contact us. Call +31 73 610 62 04 or send an e-mail to info@sapapanatravel.nl. We are happy to help.