The 15 Best Hiking & Trekking in Santa Marta

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.Full-Day Hiking Tour in Minca with coffee & Cocoa Workshop

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 189 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $55

A 7.5-hour Minca jungle hike with coffee tasting, Lost Waterfall time, lunch at Jungle Joe, and a hands-on cocoa workshop.

“This is a good way to see the eco friendly town of Minca. The waterfall and chocolate factory at Jungle Joe's were really something special. This may have been the best chocolate I've ever had.Lunch was also surprisingly good. Unfortunately the coffee plantation was a let down, with average coffee and prices roughly 2x what you'll see anywhere else. Even considering the artisanal, organic practices, there is no reason to charge that much for thoroughly average coffee. The guide was also pretty good and knowledgeable. I'd recommend if you're looking to explore the city”

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3.Eco-Hike in Minca: Coffee Tour, Waterfall & Chocolate Experience!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 140 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $64

Eco-hike in Minca combines a coffee tour, waterfall time, and a cacao workshop where you make your own chocolate bar from $64.

“👍Nelcy Olivera the tour Operator was Great we had wonderful time in Minca Colombia 🇨🇴 love ❤️ It I will Recommend to My Friends 👏”

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4.Tayrona Park Hike And Beach Day

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 91 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $211

Private Tayrona hike from El Zaino to Cabo San Juan, with an expert English guide, skip-the-line entry, transfers from Santa Marta, and beach time.

“We had an amazing time with our tour guide, Paula! She was knowledgeable, helpful, and fun & friendly! We learned many things related to Tayrona and Colombia. It gave us peace of mind to be with someone to guide us and take us to a calmer beach. My only complaint is that it’s expensive. We didn’t think it was worth $300 US dollars.”

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5.Trekking History and Indigenous Heritage in Minca + Cacao & Coffee + Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 63 reviews · from $41Best value

Half day trek in Minca via historic Tayrona trails, then a coffee and cacao farm visit with tasting, plus time to cool at a waterfall.

“Jorge is knowledgeable, social and happy to answer any questions. The tour was informative and fun. A great start to your stay in Minca.”

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6.Tayrona Park Hike Tour to Cabo San Juan: Private or Shared

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 44 reviews · 8 to 10 hours (approx.) · from $126

Guided Tayrona hike from Santa Marta to Cabo San Juan with park entrance, insurance, and beach time. Private or shared options.

“My excellent guide Guillermo had a lot of interisting things to tell about nature and mor and showed me small animals that i would not have seen when hiking alone. Beautiful beaches a bit crowded because of holiday time. The tour was very well organised and also the driver Camillo did a very good job.”

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7.Palomino River Tubing and Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 40 reviews · 210 minutes - 7 hours · from $52

Palomino river tubing plus a forest hike, with a motorbike transfer. Ride rapids, spot Sierra peaks, and reach the Caribbean Sea mouth.

“je recommande à 100% ... 0 stress, tres relaxant, une experience á vivre sans hesiter”

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8.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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9.Trekking in Minca Complete Waterfall Circuit

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 28 reviews · 5 - 7 hours · from $49

Guided Minca waterfall trek with culture, cacao and coffee stories, jungle plants, and a Plan B route when rivers rise, usually around 5 hours.

“Friendly knowledge cari g person The tours was great”

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10.Private Tayrona Park Hike to Cabo San Juan

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 24 reviews · 8 to 9 hours (approx.) · from $190

Private Tayrona hike to Cabo San Juan with a bilingual guide, scenic beaches, lunch by the sea, and smooth transfers from Santa Marta.

“Had a great day with Alexis! Everything from pick up at our hotel to admission to the park to the hike itself was smooth and easy. The hike was breathtaking and the beaches were stunning. Definitely recommend!”

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11.Coffee, Cocoa and Trekking Tour in Minca: Nature, Crops and Production

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 21 reviews · from $41

Hike through Minca’s Sierra Nevada, visit a sustainable farm, and taste organic coffee and handmade cocoa from bean to brew.

“We enjoyed the tour. A smal family owned coffee and cacao plantation was visited. The process of cacao production was explained and shown manually. It is a short hiking tour and at the end was time for a short swim in a smal natural lake at a waterfall. Albert is a kind guy and answered all of our questions.”

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12.Trek to Ciudad Perdida: 5 Days from Santa Marta

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 19 reviews · 5 days (approx.) · from $1,038

5-day hike from Santa Marta to Ciudad Perdida, Lost City. Small-group trek through jungle, rivers, camps, ruins, with meals and transfers.

“The hike was incredibly difficult! Be sure to bring proper footwear. Difficulty aside, it was a wonderful experience. Tour guide and translator were fantastic. Made great memories and better friends.”

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13.Tayrona National Park private tour: Hike to Cabo San Juan beach

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 9 to 11 hours (approx.) · from $212

Private Tayrona hike to Cabo San Juan beach from Santa Marta. Skip ticket lines, enjoy jungle-to-coast views, swim and relax, return same day.

“Good walk in high humidity, with rest stops along the way and great views of the coastline and forest”

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14.Tubing Across Palomino River Including a Hiking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 14 reviews · 3 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $43

Tube the Palomino River from tire to Caribbean Sea, with a forest hike and possible Sierra Nevada peak views, guided and insured.

“Was a great experience everybody should do in Palomino. The tour guide was very friendly and helpful.”

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15.Sisiguaca Beach Hike with Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 13 reviews · 4 hours - 270 minutes · from $70

Hike to Playa Sisiguaca from Taganga, then snorkel coral reefs. Transport, guide, snack, and photos included for $70.

“La ville n’est pas très propre. La plage est sympa, mais ça ne vaut pas de payer ce montant alors que nous pouvons le faire seul. Je déconseille de le faire ou alors allez-y par vos propres moyens. Il n’y a qu’un sentier à suivre, vous ne pouvez pas vous perdre.”

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