14 City Tours in Santa Marta, Compared

1.Hike for 4 days to the Lost City, Santa Marta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,308 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $580Our pick

4 days hiking to Ciudad Perdida from Santa Marta, small-group guided jungle camps, and included meals on the Sierra Nevada trail.

“The hike was stunningly beautiful with a plethora of incredible vistas that included rushing rivers, thundering waterfalls, staggering cliffs, and the simplistic beauty of the indigenous homes. The food was simply excellent; I was amazed by how good everything tasted, but I was likely biased a bit by the 5 hours of hiking that preceded every meal. The guide (Cesar), the translator (Aldair), the chef (we called him Pollo) and the other crew member (we called him Polloito) were all excellent and very kind. Cesar and Aldair were both extremely knowledgeable about both Colombian and indigenous history and were able to tell stories that were both educational and entertaining. The…”

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2.Lost City – Ciudad Perdida Colombia

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,203 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $600

4-day Lost City trek from Santa Marta with an English translator, hammocks and hot meals, and community-led cultural stops.

“This was one of the most stunning and informational trips I have been on in a long time. The experience started off with a warm welcome at the Tour office with coffee and fruit while we met the other hikers in our group. Although the trail was slick and tough because of weather at certain points, it was very rewarding each night, arriving in camp to a delicious warm meal. I have dietary restrictions that I was worried about but at no point was that an issue I felt very well taken care of in that regard. Each night we would come together as a group and listen to the…”

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3.4-Day Lost City Small-Group Tour in Santa Marta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 254 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $580

Trek 4 days into Colombia’s Sierra Nevada to Ciudad Perdida, with a small group, guided history, included meals, and jungle swims.

“Excellent tour. Very friendly and skilled staff. Please ask for Pedro, Camillo and Pepe, they’re a great team!”

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4.4-Day Walking Tour to Lost City of Sierra Nevada

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 136 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $545

Four-day hike to Ciudad Perdida from Santa Marta, with jungle trails, 1,200 steps, camp nights in hammocks, meals, and small-group guiding.

“It was the best trip of my whole trip! Great organization! Would really recommend especially this company. The guides were very knowledgable, the food was great and the atmosphere was amazing!!”

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5.Private transportation from Santa Marta city to Cartagena

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $298

Private, air-conditioned door-to-door transfer from Santa Marta to Cartagena. Flat fee, safe drivers, and vehicle options for groups.

“No hassle ride in the chaotic traffic. 100% would just again. Driver was prompt, courteous and attentive even with a language barrier.”

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6.Multi-Day Trek to The Lost City

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 40 reviews · 4 days · from $713

Jungle trek from Santa Marta to Colombia’s Lost City, 4-6 days, bilingual guides, terraces and river camps, meals included, small group size.

“It was a once in a lifetime experience! 🤩 The whole trip was super organized and the team (Arghenith the guide, Victor the translator and Bridgette our chef) made it simply perfect! Couldn’t recommend it more! 🩷”

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7.Old Town and Quinta San Pedro Santa Marta City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 28 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $89

Private Santa Marta tour of Old Town landmarks, a Taganga beach drive, and Simón Bolívar at Quinta San Pedro Alejandrino, with tickets included.

“The Quinta was an outstanding experience, and the old town was pretty an interesting. Excellent guide and driver.”

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8.Santa Marta City Tour + Gold Museum

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 14 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $63

Private 3-hour Santa Marta city tour with Gold Museum, colonial sights, and fruit and juice sampling, plus hotel or port pickup for $63.

“Our guide Heberth was very proactive in communicating with us prior to our meeting time. he was right outside the Cruse gate at tour time. His knowledge of the history of the area and especially of the four indigenous tribes was extensive. He did a great job was very personable and we thought the tour was great.”

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9.Santa Marta ↔ Cartagena Transfer with Barranquilla City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 4 hours to 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $370

Private Santa Marta to Cartagena transfer with a Barranquilla panoramic stop, hotel pickup, bottled water, and flexible comfort for up to 3.

“Service ponctuel, Van très confortable, chauffeur aimable, conduite parfaite. Sentiment de sécurité. À recommander”

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10.Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City Half-Day

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $65

Half-day Santa Marta Old City food tour with hotel pickup, small-group tastings in local markets, and stories behind Caribbean flavors.

“The Food Tour was very educational of all the food that is served In Santa Martha I would recommend this tour for everyone”

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11.Old Town and Quinta Pedro Alejandrino Santa Marta City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 11 reviews · 7 hours · from $90

Private 7-hour Santa Marta tour with expert guide, Old Town walking sights, Tayrona Gold Museum, and Quinta San Pedro Alejandrino.

“Absolutely fantastic… our guide Jose had an advanced knowledge of the area and really was able to bring the history of Santa Marta to life for us!”

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12.Lost City Trek 4 days – 3 nights

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · 4 days (approx.) · from $560

4-day Lost City trek from Santa Marta. Jungle trails, camp nights, natural pools, and a Ciudad Perdida archaeology visit with meals and transport included.

“I would select the 3 day tour over the 4 day as you are just walking on the road with motorists going by the first and last days. Very Unpleasant and Not a trek.”

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13.Private transportation from Santa Marta city to hotel close to Tayrona Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $91

Private door-to-door transfer from Santa Marta to a Tayrona Park-area hotel by SUV or minivan, with bottled water and no bus hassle.

“My family and I used Bukap Travels for transportation from Santa Marta airport to our hotel in Santa Marta, Santa Marta to Tayrona, and Tayrona to Cartagena. Jader was our driver and he was AMAZING! He was punctual, helpful, and a safe. I would highly recommend this service for your transportation needs. The service and safety makes it worth every penny.”

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14.Full City of Santa Marta Tour and its Charms

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 6 reviews · from $15Best value

3-hour Santa Marta chiva tour with Parque del Agua, Pibe Valderrama, San Pedro Alejandrino, Tayrona Gold Museum, and Bay views.

“The Tour was in Spanish and the tour guide ignored me and My Husband who spoke English. I didn’t know what was going on and they just got off and on the bus without letting me and My Husband know, so we got off the second stop Read more”

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