Moving around Santa Marta. A complete guide with all transportation options.

Transportation is a recurring concern among travelers, what is the best way to go to X place? It is cheap? Those are just some questions that bother us, but fortunately, getting around Santa Marta is easy and cheap. The city is not so big, so everything is relatively close.

If you are planning your trip to this wonderful  city, this guide will be very useful. We also have other guides that may interest you. So you can know what places to visit, where to eat, where to drink, where to dance, how to get to Tayrona Park (a must go destination), museums to visit, tips to visit the lost City, and how to get to Minca, a hidden paradise in the mountains.

Bus, the cheapest option to get around Santa Marta

Even if the public bus service is not well regulated and completely systematized, it is still the cheapest option to get around Santa Marta. Bus tickets cost 1,800 COP, less than 1 US dollar, and covers almost the entire city, reaching areas where a taxi can be very expensive. There is no bus stop per se, you can take a bus and get off it wherever you want; just let the driver know with the bell on the back or shouting 'stop' (funny, right?) And no, it's not a joke.

Another thing to know is that the bus routes names are posted in the front window; Only there can you see where the bus is going. You can kindly ask people to tell you what to take to reach your destination; however, most routes will pass through points of interest for tourists. In addition, buses are a good option to get around Santa Marta to and from places where a taxi usually charges a lot; for example, from and to the airport, Taganga, Bonda and even to the city center. In addition, traveling by bus is very useful for those traveling alone or on a low budget, or simply for those who want a deeper immersion in the local culture.

Taxi, the most comfortable option in Santa Marta

The taxi has been the easiest and most comfortable option anywhere in the world. You have almost nothing to worry about. Simply get in the taxi, inform the driver where you are going, get off and pay; But, taxis can be very expensive, which limits their use to certain people.

Here, however, this is not a big concern, since it is a very comfortable option to get around Santa Marta and it is NOT SO expensive. Taxis are equipped with a meter, as a result, each taxi fare may cost differently due to the route, traffic and speed; however, almost all taxi fares cost around 6,000 COP and 8,000 COP within the city center, that is, from 2 to 3 US dollars. Please note that the city center does not include El Rodadero, the airport, Taganga, Bonda, etc.

This is also a good option if you travel with a group or if you want to escape the high temperature of the city.

Mototaxi, another not so common option

Although this is the means of transport used primarily by locals, it is informal. It arose due to the lack of work in the city, so it has almost no regulation and fixed prices per trip. It is usually more expensive than a bus, but cheaper than a taxi; You have to negotiate the price before agreeing to jump. If you really need to get somewhere fast, this is a good option. However, if you do not have experience in negotiation, avoid using them, as they can scam you or overcharge. Remember, most of them do not respect  traffic signs and cause many accidents daily. Oh, and by municipal decree, men cannot go as back passengers.

Rent a car, a fancy option

If you are not sure about the previous options, or if you want to make your own way, there is always the option of renting a car to get around Santa Marta. Although renting in other European cities can be very affordable, here in Colombia, renting a car is usually expensive and can be a luxurius alternative; Still, it's up to you. For more information and prices, you can contact some of the city agencies that offer this service.

Finally, if it is your first time in the country, here is a list of places to visit and what to do in each of them when you visit Colombia for the first time, or all the activities you must do at least once. You can also check the essential apps for traveler,s or if you are into reading, here is a list of books to travel and be inspired to travel too. Traveling alone? No problem, this blog is for you.