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Santa Marta

Tucked between unspoiled beaches, dense rainforest, and the towering Sierra Nevada mountains, the region around Santa Marta is home to large Indigenous populations that have held onto their traditions and character despite the modernization of the world around them. This excursion carries you deep into the daily life of Katanzama, a village of the Arhauco people surrounded by rainforests along a magnificent seashore.  

The coach trip from the pier travels eastward along interesting coastal roads for about 80 minutes to reach Perico Aguao village in Magdalena. A community guide will lead the next segment of the journey on foot, shepherding the group along a 2.5 km (1.5 mi) path through moist tropical forest. Soon, an authentically magical village by the sea appears as the people of Katanzama greet you.

Accompanied by the town’s community leader, spend the next hour walking among the houses and community halls, gaining a vivid sense of the Arhuacos’ history and cultural traditions. Afterwards, enter a sacred space under a ceremonial tree, meet “Mamo,” the community’s spiritual leader, and participate in a short ritual and meditation. Following a brief visit to the village school, a delicious beachside lunch of “sancocho” rustic stew provides both nourishment and downtime.

A weaving demonstration and an endemic tree planting within the residents’ plantation conclude the immersion before the hike back to the coach and return drive to your modern ship in Santa Marta. You’ll likely see it with fresh eyes after this memorable day.

Drive around 70 km from the pier along the interesting coastal road to Perico Aguao village in Magdalena. Here a community guide will receive us for a short talk of about 2.5 km through a tropical humid forest to the Katanzama indigenous village, located in a magical place by the sea. Accompanied by the indigenous community leader of the town, we will walk around the houses and community halls, we will learn about the community traditions, culture, cuisine and customs of the Arhuaco’s and we will visit the plantations to learn about their crops and work materials.

After the tour of the community, we will reach a sacred space under a tree where we will have the opportunity to chat with “Mamo”, the spiritual leader of the community, who will lead a short indigenous ceremony & meditation.

After a brief visit to the school, we make our way to the seaside to enjoy a delicious typical lunch of “Sancocho” stew. During lunch time there is a possibility to learn about weaving methods of traditional backpacks.

Before returning back to the ship we will visit the local plantations and will get to plant our own endemic tree. All too soon, walk back to the bus parking and return drive to the ship

Shore excursions don’t get more all-access, or eye-opening. This remarkable outing provides you with a backstage pass to the ancient ruins and cultural ceremonies of one of Colombia’s original Indigenous tribes. Around 70 of them survive today, all thought to have ties back to pre-Hispanic civilizations.

You’ll be driven from Santa Marta deep into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada coastal range. Along the way, you’ll spot the lush jungle of Tayrona National Park and tiny villages where locals eke out a living vending fresh fruit to passing travelers. After about 90 minutes, you’ll swap the roadway for a jungle trail, trekking with your expert guide for some 30 minutes to reach the Tayronaka Ruins – remnants of an Indigenous settlement active between 800 and 1600 AD.

Close by are the tribal lands of the Kogi people, said to be direct descendants of the Tayrona tribe. After being greeted with a welcome drink, join your hosts on a walking tour of the ruined settlement and an introduction to the culture of the Kogi. Take part in a brief friendship ceremony. Visit a cultural micro-museum and tour a reconstructed roundhouse built in the early style, still in use today. And enjoy a delicious lunch of “sancocho”, a hearty soup/stew made with local vegetables such as yuca & green banana slow-cooked with meat and potato. The traditional drink to accompany is “agua panela con limon” – sugar cane juice with lemon.

At the end of your 2.5-hour backstage visit inside the lives of these engaging people, hike back with your guide along the same trail to rejoin your coach for the return drive to the pier, and the decidedly more opulent comforts of life aboard ship.

If one of the best ways to understand a country is by spending time in its markets and kitchens, this excursion fits the menu perfectly. Departing the pier by coach, enjoy a 25-minute panoramic spin through Santa Marta’s historic center en route to the labyrinthine, 500-stall Central Market, where hundreds of farmers from the countryside bring their daily harvest to feed the city’s people.

Shepherded through this captivating venue by a private chef and bilingual guide, feast your eyes and other senses on a dizzying profusion of food and spices, including fish, meats, mountains of dill and cilantro, and unending rows of fruits and vegetables. Just as interesting to observe are the people – vendors and customers alike – who gesticulate, whistle, shout, and even sing as they buy and sell everything from pots and mangos to hammers and rosary beads.

Fully enthralled by this sensory blitz and likely carting an array of intriguing ingredient purchases, continue on by coach to a private venue where you’ll be treated to a fresh local juice and tropical fruit tasting on arrival – and greeted by the expert chef who will soon lead your cooking class in this specially designed demonstration kitchen. Over the next two hours or so, you will prepare a typical Colombian dish which will be featured on the menu as you relax over a delectable full lunch – including starter, main course, dessert, soft drinks, and two glasses of wine.

With your degustation now complete, return to the ship well-sated and with a hands-on understanding of a day in the food life of Santa Marta.  

If there’s a more enthralling time to explore the streets of historic Santa Marta than as the sun departs and the evening begins, we can’t think of what it would be. Perhaps it’s best to just sign on for this excursion and decide for yourself. Oh, and sip some rums while pondering.

A walk in the parks
Your explorations begin at the pier where you board a shuttle with your guide for a short transfer to the port entrance. Then it’s off on a relaxed walk that soon reaches Bolívar Park, with its plaza, monuments, gardens, and ocean views. The surrounding blocks present an eclectic mix of Spanish Colonial, Republican, and contemporary architecture – and, of special note, the austere 17th-century Catedral Basilica de Santa Marta, the country’s oldest church. A bit further is Parque Santander, more commonly known as Parque de Los Novios, or “Lovers’ Park.” You’ll appreciate why this shaded oasis has earned that moniker as you view the glades of mimosa trees under which locals meet to chat and relax as day fades into night.

House of the spirits  
Every good walk has an ultimate destination; this one’s is a Colombian rum-tasting venue where you’ll be presented a welcome cocktail before sampling five different examples of the country’s signature spirits – from 3 to 8 years old – paired with a selection of traditional snacks. Distilled from sugarcane that thrives under the Caribbean sun, regional rums are much enjoyed in Colombia and several have earned international accolades, including Superior taste award honors in Brussels. After the tasting, savor the texture of historic Santa Marta a bit longer independently before boarding your coach for the short ride back to the pier.  

Led by a seasoned foodie, this walking gastro-adventure through Santa Marta’s historic center is curated to reveal the true flavors of Colombia by sampling some of its most traditional and popular artisanal goodies – from fragrant coffee to succulent green banana pancakes. Along the way, you’ll also get a good taste for the city’s gathering places, parks, and Spanish Colonial architecture.

Beginning the excursion by coach, you’ll enter the old city and prime your appetite with a visit to the Gold Museum, filled with lustrous jewelry from the pre-Colombian Indigenous era and exhibits on the life of Simón Bolívar, the famed liberator who died in this city in 1830.

The first of the tastings follows: a visit to a local coffee venue for an in-depth Colombian coffee sampling. Walking onward (well-caffeinated now), your next tasting is a coastal treat known as cayeye – mashed green bananas with butter, cheese, and sour cream – paired with coconut lemonade.

Further strolling reveals sunny squares like Bolívar Plaza, where ladies meet to catch up under the shade of leafy acacia trees, and the austere façade of Colombia’s oldest church. Soon, you’ll reach your next culinary taste – a traditional mini-lunch of fish, coconut rice, and green banana pancakes accompanied by fruit juice and a Colombian music presentation.

Next locale on the agenda is Parque Santander – aka “Lovers’ Park” –  a mimosa-shaded oasis where city sweethearts often meet. You’ll meet something sweet here, too, as you taste a local confection from one of the traditionally garbed women who sell them here in this park.

Take some time to explore further before walking to the Malecon seaside promenade, where the coach waits to ferry you back to the ship.

Your half-day outing begins with a drive to the Gold Museum, where you’ll admire and learn about gold, ceramic, and pottery objects that reflect the traditions of Indigenous artisans who have lived in the Sierra Nevada mountains behind the city for centuries.

Proceeding into the bustling historic city center on foot through Bolívar Plaza, you’ll experience Santa Marta’s eclectic mix of Spanish Colonial, Republican, and contemporary architecture as you make your way to the 17th-century Catedral Basilica, Colombia’s oldest church. Step inside with your guide to view its simple but beautiful interior with grey Italian marble altar and fine barrel vaulting overhead.

Stroll onward to Parque de Los Novios, or “Lovers’ Park” – a leafy oasis where locals meet and mingle under the shade of mimosa trees. Nearby, enjoy a repast of traditional Colombian light bites and fruit juice at a charming café on the plaza. Visit a small artisan market to graze the local handicrafts and jewelry. And walk to the Malecon seaside promenade where your coach is waiting to ferry you across the city to La Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino. Originally a working farm, this beautifully situated 17th-century hacienda is where Simón Bolívar, the great liberator of Colombia and many other Latin American countries, lived out his last days before his 1830 death. Inside, you’ll discover significant original works of art and furniture, including Bolívar’s deathbed. On the outside grounds, a vast marble altar with a unique statue of Bolívar, an active population of iguanas, and the rustle of Colombia’s ever-vibrant birdlife.

Freshly acquainted with Santa Marta’s color and heritage, relax and enjoy the 30-minute return to the pier.  

In just 2.5 exertion-free hours, experience a wealth of sights in and around Santa Marta, a delightfully authentic Spanish Colonial gem along the Colombian coast.

Panoramic Santa Marta & Rodadero
Your explorations begin with an hour of panoramic coach touring through bustling, colorful central Santa Marta with the stories behind its architectural landmarks brought to life by your guide’s commentary. Among the highlights are monument-rich Bolívar Plaza and the elegantly simple Basilica Cathedral (1765), esteemed as the oldest of all Colombian churches.

A spin down along the coastline brings you to the contemporary resort suburb of Rodadero, where tony hotels, seaside eateries, and paddleboarders showcase a more urbane aspect of the city, yet still faithful to its unique Colombian character.

Pay your respects to Bolívar
Just inland, one of Latin America’s most revered sites, La Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, allows you to stretch your legs in fascinating surroundings. This splendid 17th-century hacienda and its beautiful grounds were where Simón Bolívar, the great liberator of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, Panama, and Peru, spent his final days until his demise in 1830.

Tour the house, furnished with original pieces including his deathbed, notable works of art, and a marble bathtub fit for a statesman. Out in the grounds, gigantic old trees flourish, iguanas skitter, exotic birds preen, and a vast white altar holds a statue of Bolívar with a hidden illusion. Included in your 45-minute visit is a folkloric presentation by local performers.  Afterwards, the pier is just a 30-minute drive away.  

As engaging as it is by day, there’s something extra-magical about exploring Santa Marta as the sun goes down and the nighttime lights come up. Your outing begins near dusk as you depart the pier by shuttle, accompanied by your guide. Minutes later, you’ll be strolling the beautiful Malecón de Bastidas bayfront promenade, a magnet for locals looking to enjoy the sunset and evening air. With this as your backdrop, toast life over a complimentary cocktail as the sun goes to bed.

Continuing on foot, cross Bolívar Plaza at the edge of the historic city center and feel centuries of history come alive as you walk along streets lined with an eclectic mix of Spanish Colonial, Republican, and contemporary architecture. Pass the austere white 17th-century Catedral Basilica, Colombia’s oldest church, and stroll onward to beautiful Parque Santander, aka “Lovers’ Park.” Viewing the mimosa trees that create a shaded oasis for locals wishing to mingle here with friends and sweethearts, it’s easy to understand how the moniker came to be.

Speaking of love, you may soon be experiencing just that as you settle in at one of the city's most exclusive fine-dining restaurants – a venue known for its delicious Caribbean cuisine and airy ambiance, abuzz with diners who appreciate cuisine prepared from fresh Colombian ingredients. Over the next two hours, savor a relaxed three-course set menu dinner paired with two glasses of premium wine or beer and assorted soft beverages.  

This savory night concludes with a 25-minute walk and shuttle ride back to your ship. You may still be smiling from your memories when the sun comes up.

What could be more refreshing after time at sea than an offroad outing to a coffee plantation high in the cool mountain air of the Sierra Nevadas above Santa Marta? This 6-hour adventure even comes with a traditional Colombian lunch served in a mountain village known as a mecca for birdwatching!  

Your day begins with a scenic 1-hr drive from sea level to cooler climes up mountain roads. In the village of Minca, you’ll switch from van to 4x4 for the final 30-minute ascent to Hacienda Victoria coffee plantation.

Founded in 1892 by a British couple and named for the English monarch of the era, Hacienda Victoria is now owned by a German family – and has become something of a ‘coffee museum’ – the only major coffee farm and processing plant in Colombia’s coastal mountains. During your extensive tour, you’ll see heritage machinery originally built in England, transported by ship across the Atlantic, and hauled up the mountain by mule train. A farm worker will guide you on a walk through the fields, explaining the hacienda’s methods of cultivating and hand-picking their fine organic coffees. You’ll savor a fresh cup of their aromatic brew with cake, and participate in a tree planting so you can leave behind a living trace of your visit.

Returning to Minca by 4x4, embark on a short walk to see some of this natural getaway where upscale Santa Martans seek respite from the summer heat and informed birdwatchers from around the globe flock for their avian pursuits. Lunch is at a local restaurant offering stellar mountain views and a typical Colombian lunch of hearty Sancocho Stew and sugar cane juice with lemon. The drive down to sea level and your ship takes an hour.

Up for a manageable but adventurous hike that will immerse you in unspoiled natural beauty? This excursion’s 75 to 90-minute trek into Tayrona National Park could be the ideal option.

Colombia is the Earth’s second most biodiverse country, and the wild beauty of 37,000-acre Tayrona Park typifies that rich abundance of flora and fauna. While it is perhaps most known for its glorious beaches and coastal lagoons, the vast majority of the reserve is covered by virgin semitropical forest that descends from the peaks to the sea. Within its borders thrive over 100 species of mammals, 50 species of reptiles, and 200 species of birds – including the iconic Paujil hen and majestic condors that nest in the upper reaches of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Adding to the wonder are wild monkeys, often seen along the beach fringes.

The first 1.25 hours of your outing are relaxed as you take in the scenery from your seat on the drive eastward to the park’s entrance. The next leg is more arduous as you set out on foot along natural paths through the jungle vegetation. Throughout the trek, your expert local guide will share highlights on the plants, animals, and eco-environments that make up this unique natural showplace. Breathtaking viewpoint stops along the way reveal the magnitude of the terrain you’ve covered, and the main walk concludes at Ecohabs Tequendama, a hillside eco-resort within the park.

Here you can rest your feet, replenish your energy with fresh tropical fruit and seasonal juices provided by the restaurant, and feast your eyes on still more fine views. After about 45 minutes, a short hike leads to where your coach is parked, ready to ferry you back to the pier.

An opportunity for Nature Lovers. Here’s your chance to experience a guided hike through moist and lush Caribbean rainforest to reach shallow natural pools fed by fresh mountain water cascading down from the Sierra Nevada mountain range – and enjoy a light picnic lunch while basking in the majestic beauty of this spot on Earth.

From the port, a 90-minute coach drive traverses scenic northern Colombia terrain to bring you to the entrance of Quebrada Valencia Tropical Reserve. Upon arrival, your experienced guide will escort you on an informative one-hour trek into this unspoiled natural reserve, renowned for its rich biodiversity. Hike under the shade of the semitropical rainforest canopy, along mostly flat sandy paths with some muddy patches and crossing of shallow pebbled streams. As you walk, gain meaningful insights into the local flora and fauna, pass small subsistence parcels where bananas are grown, and, mainly, revel in the tranquility of this authentic and remote environment.

A fitting reward for your efforts waits at the trail’s end; the mist and sound give it away even before you arrive. You’ve reached the Quebrada, the lush ravine where a waterfall with multiple streams of cool mountain water cascades down rocky slopes to feed a natural pool. It’s the perfect place for a refreshing dip. And for enjoying the light picnic-style refreshments provided, like green banana pancakes with savory tomato-onion sauce, fresh fruit, cheeses, and traditional local finger foods – all tossed back with Colombian sodas.

You’ll have about two hours to spend in this eco-utopia before trekking back along the now-familiar forest trail to where your motorcoach and a scenic 90-min return drive to the port await.