Santa Marta is quieter and as the other poster mentioned, there is the natural beauty of Parque Tayrona. Cartagena has much more in terms of nightlife, restaurants and the cultural and historic attractions of the old walled city. In terms of beaches, neither city has spectacular ones but they are still worth the visit.
Are there nice beaches in Cartagena? Cartagena also has some of the most beautiful beaches on the Caribbean Peninsula. With an average temperature of 81.6 degrees, nearly every day is perfect for heading to the beach. The tropical islands and beaches that surround the city attract visitors from around the world.
Then, Which is better Medellin or Cartagena? Cartagena is very safe and very touristy.. its also very hot!!! Its a colonial city so its nice if you are into colonial buildings and forts. It will be good for 3 days. Medellin will be more locally and you might not see many tourists.
Which is better Cartagena vs Barranquilla? Cartagena is your best bet. Baranquilla is an ugly city in general, with few tourist attractions. It does however, have one of the best party scenes in Colombia, so if that is your main aim, then it may be an option for the weekend.
FAQ
How much is a taxi from Santa Marta to Cartagena?
The quickest way to get from Santa Marta to Cartagena is to taxi which costs $95 – $120 and takes 3h 23m.
Can you swim in Cartagena beaches? But while Cartagena is set so close to the sea you can literally taste it, actually swimming in those waters is a rookie mistake. Even the city’s “nicest” beaches in Castillogrande and Bocagrande are littered with garbage and swarming with relentless vendors.
Are there sharks near Cartagena? Re: Sharks in waters around Cartagena? No sharks that bite people if you are asking about that.
Are there beaches in Barranquilla? Barranquilla’s beaches are a hidden gem
But locals tell us it borders the Caribbean shore and beaches surround the entire metropolis.
Should I go to Bogota or Cartagena?
No question here – Cartagena hands down. Beautiful colonial city with all the services a tourist need. Bogota is a capital and thus huge, chaotic and polluted. There’s obviously some great things to do there, but Bogota often disappoints travellers.
Which is better Bogota or Medellin? Medellin is the undisputed winner in this area. The city is renowned for its ‘perfect weather’. Medellin boasts spring-like weather all year round and provides a pleasant experience to the visitors. Bogota, on the other hand, is colder than its Colombian counterpart, as it is located in a high altitude region.
Which city has the best nightlife in Colombia?
Medellin Nightlife
Medellin is Colombia’s most exciting party city and home to the world’s most amazing women.
How many days do you need in Cartagena? 3 days is just about the perfect amount of time spent in Cartagena. It’s enough time to see all the main sites and enjoy a day at the beach, and it will leave you time to see some of those other destinations.
Is Santa Marta worth visiting?
Santa Marta was the first Spanish settlement in Colombia and it’s one of the oldest surviving cities in South America. Despite its gritty exterior, bad traffic, and pockets of crime, a stay (or a stroll) through the city’s historic center is worth your while.
What is the closest beach to Cali Colombia?
The one true beach town in Mainland Colombia is Santa Marta. The better option, staying within the territory of the Republic of Colombia, would be the San Andres Islands in the Caribbean. Another option would be the San Blas Islands of Panama, also in the Caribbean.
How many days should you spend in Cartagena? 3 days is just about the perfect amount of time spent in Cartagena. It’s enough time to see all the main sites and enjoy a day at the beach, and it will leave you time to see some of those other destinations.
How long is the bus ride from Cartagena to Santa Marta? Cartagena to Santa Marta Bus Service
Avg. Bus Duration | : 4 hours 11 mins |
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Buses depart from | : Cartagena |
Bus arrives in | : Santa Marta |
Distance | : 226 km |
Cheapest Bus | : COP 48000 |
Is Cartagena Colombia expensive?
Cartagena is undoubtedly the current crown jewel of Colombian tourism, and as such is one of the most expensive locations in this amazing country.
Does Cartagena have clear water? In the Rosario Islands and Barú, south of Cartagena, you’ll find crystal clear Caribbean waters that feel and look like paradise. There is also good diving here. Doing a day trip or spending a night or two out there is, in my opinion, one of the all but obligatory things to do in Cartagena.
Are there Shark Attacks in Colombia?
Colombian environmental authorities have reported a huge shark massacre in the Malpelo wildlife sanctuary in Colombia’s Pacific waters, where as many as 2,000 hammerhead, Galápagos and silky sharks may have been slaughtered for their fins.
What sharks are found in Colombia? Related content
Scientific name | Common name | Family |
---|---|---|
Calidris alba | Sanderling | Scolopacidae |
Procellaria parkinsoni | Black Petrel | Procellaridae |
Phoenicopterus ruber | Greater Flamingo | Phoenicopteridae |
Rhincodon typus | Whale Shark | Rhincodontidae |
Are there sharks in Columbia?
Of the 400 that exist worldwide, Colombia is home 76 species of sharks, which are distributed through 18 families in the Caribbean (57) and the Pacific Ocean (36). These statistics rank Colombia as the third most diverse country in terms of sharks in Latin America, after Mexico and Brazil.
Does Barranquilla have nice beaches? The Barranquilla beaches are not very nice. The Puerto Colombia beaches are better, for sure. There are other beaches much better yet, but if you don’t have time to visit Santa Marta or Santa Veronica or Cartagena, then visit Puerto Colombia. There is a nice plaza in the center of town, restaurants and shops.
What’s the closest beach to Medellin Colombia?
Medellin Tourist says that Playa Bianca in Isla Baru is the best beach near Medellin. Although you have to take a 45-minute boat trip from Cartagena to Isla Baru, that is all part of the experience, and it will give you the chance to appreciate the beautiful coastline of Colombia.