The 15 Best Santa Marta Tours & Boat Trips

1.Sailboat day tour to Tayrona Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 352 reviews · 7h 30m · from $64Our pick

Meet the Sonata sailboat at Santa Marta’s International Marina for a 7.5-hour trip to Bahia Concha. You’ll pass Taganga Bay, Granate Bay, and Aguja Island, then swim, snorkel, paddle board, and eat grilled fish on the beach. Captain Carlos and the crew handle the sailing, with Spanish and English support available.

“I highly recommend this tour. The trip to the beach in Tayrona Park went smoothly both ways, the beach was absolutely wonderful, the water was clear, and everything was very clean. Transportation, and all details were very well organized. Sometimes on the boat it’s hard to stay out of the sun, so come prepared as it’s a little over an hour each way, and it’s easy to take a lot of sun before you even get to go out on the beach.”

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2.Tayrona National Park Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 131 reviews · 11 hours · from $77

This 11-hour Spanish-language tour takes you from Santa Marta or El Rodadero to Tayrona by private bus, then along a four-hour forest trail to Cabo San Juan. You will pass Cañaveral, Arrecifes, Arenilla, and Piscina Natural, swim for three hours, and visit a viewpoint. Guides have included Luiz and Jesus. Bring cash for lunch and the 55,000 COP foreigner tax.

“Mi reserva era para las 6:30. El conductor me llamó a las 5:55, bajé lo más rápido posible y el coche ya se había ido. El hotel me informó que el coche no regresaría. El conductor envió un mensaje anoche a las 11:54, pero para esa hora ya estaba dormido y tampoco me llamó. ¿Por qué no me avisaron antes? Podrían haber pedido al hotel que me informara. Esta ha sido una experiencia muy mala.”

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3.Tayrona Bay Sailboat trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 107 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $60

Leave Santa Marta at 9:30 am aboard a sailboat bound for Tayrona’s Bahia Concha. Expect a 6 to 7 hour outing with swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, fruit, drinks, and grilled fish, chicken, or vegetarian lunch. The boat often uses its motor outbound and may sail part of the return. Groups can reach 26 people.

“It was a nice day. Water was lovely for the sail and the swim. Not much time given to snorkeling and very little English spoken. So lovely day but if those two things are essential to you, I would look elsewhere.”

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4.Minca Coffee, Cocoa, & Waterfall Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 102 reviews · from $78

Travel from Santa Marta to Minca for a full day of jungle walks, natural river pools, coffee tasting, cocoa making, and lunch with mountain views. Guides such as Tony, Gustavo, and Sadam have led guests through the route in English and Spanish. Expect steep sections, insects, and plenty of time on foot.

“Pickup from hostel was seamless. Gustavo knows his stuff and took the time to educate us on a range of topics. Great fun!”

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5.Sunset Sailboat Tour with 2 Beverages

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 93 reviews · 2h 30m · from $47

Meet Tayrona Sailing at Santa Marta’s International Marina and board the classic Sonata sailboat for a 2.5-hour sunset trip toward Taganga Bay. You’ll receive marina entry, insurance, and two beverages, with English and Spanish support. Expect lovely sunset colors, social time on deck, and possible rolling motion when the wind picks up.

“O pôr-do-sol visto de dentro do mar é muito bonito e especial. Ficamos muito felizes por ter tido essa experiência. A equipe do veleiro é atenciosa e gentil, durante todo o passeio estiveram preocupados com as pessoas abordo e o bem-estar de todos. É uma experiência interessante, mas para quem tem medo de barco ou passa mal durante travessias eu não recomendo. Venta bastante e o veleiro fica instável, gerando movimentos contínuos para os lados, as vezes dando a impressão de que algo pode acontecer. Claro que a minha impressão é de alguém que não conhece/veleja, mas é uma impressão sincera sobre o passeio. Não dei nota máxima porque a…”

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6.Tayrona Park Hike And Beach Day

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

Hike Tayrona National Park with a private English-speaking guide such as Hugo, David, César, or Andres. From Santa Marta, you’ll walk through jungle, palms, mangroves, and beach forest to La Piscina and Cabo San Juan, with time to swim and eat by the sea. Transport, bottled water, and selected park fees are included.

“It was a private tour for my family. Andres was amazing. He was very knowledgeable and helpful. The scenery was excellent. We really enjoyed this tour and highly recommend it.”

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7.Sailing Tour to Tayrona Park with Luis’ Team

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 76 reviews · 6h 30m · from $66

Meet Tutour Colombia’s bilingual crew at Artivela in Santa Marta Marina at 10:30 am. Sail toward Bahia Concha, pass Taganga and Granate Bays, fish near Aguja Island, then swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or relax on the boat. Lunch, snacks, soft drinks, park fees, and equipment are included.

“The crew was lovely and took good care of us. However, the tour didn't deliver and is quite expensive for what it is. Despite having booked an English tour with what was advertised as a bilingual crew, no one spoke any English and we did not understand any of the information given about the park or the day. So it was basically an expensive taxi to Concha beach. The beach is very full with boats who are blasting music despite it being a national park. We did some sailing back to Santa Marta, which was nice. In the end thay wanted to make us pay for some beers we hadn't…”

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8.Private transportation from Santa Marta city to Cartagena

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 76 reviews · 4 hours (approx.)

Book a private, air-conditioned transfer from Santa Marta to Cartagena with Bukap Travels. Your driver meets you at your hotel, helps with luggage, and drives your group in an SUV, minivan, or van. Hader, Miltiño, Juan, Carlos, and Juan Guillermo are among the drivers praised for safe, punctual service. English is not guaranteed.

“I cannot recommend this transport company enough! They were absolutely amazing to work with, helping me coordinate multiple airport/pickups and drop offs for friends, and the drive to and from Santa Marta. Juan Carlos was incredible and responsive the entire time from booking until the trip, going out of his way to make things as easy as possible. Muchísimas gracias Juan Carlos!”

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9.Tayrona by sea

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 76 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $97

You leave Santa Marta Marina at 8:30 am for Cinto, Playa Cristal, and Bahía Concha. Expect a small-group speedboat, rough open-sea conditions, snorkeling, a fish lunch, snacks, and Sierra Nevada views. Guides such as Miguel, Camilo, or Oscar may assist, though English service is not always consistent.

“The snorkeling was good however the lunch and food was not what we expected for the price paid. The food needs improvement!!!”

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10.Tayrona Park – Cabo San Juan

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 74 reviews · from $65

Travel from Santa Marta into Tayrona National Park for a guided Spanish-language walk through Cañaveral, Arrecifes, Arenilla, and Piscina Natural before reaching Cabo San Juan. You get about three and a half hours at the beach, round-trip bus transport, park admission, medical insurance, and a demanding return hike.

“Caminata por el Parque Tayrona y las playas visitadas nos dejaron un recuerdo extraordinario. Atención, hay que estar en buena forma debido al valor y humedad. Eche de menos más explicaciones por parte del guía. Se nos cobró un acceso al parque superior al que estaba indicado en la información.”

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11.Guided Hiking through Tayrona National Park and Cabo San Juan

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 73 reviews · from $45

Leave Santa Marta before sunrise for a guided hike through Tayrona’s El Zaino sector. Walk past mangroves, dry forest, beaches, and viewpoints before reaching Cabo San Juan for swimming and lunch. The tour uses a mixed Spanish and English guide, includes park entry for Colombian nationals, and requires an extra foreigner tax.

“Had a great experience! The hike was not easy but definitely worth it. The crew was nice and professional!”

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12.A Pearl In The Caribbean-walking tour in English

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · 2 hours · from $16Best value

Join Javier, also called Javi, for a two-hour English walk through Santa Marta’s historic center. See Tairona gold, hear tales of pirates and local superstitions, learn where to eat and spend the evening, then taste a Caribbean fruit at the juice stalls. The tour costs $16 and includes museum entry and fruit tasting.

“Javier was very friendly, funny and knowledgeable. Really recommend this tour to everyone! His English is very good also for the English speakers.”

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13.Cacao Experience Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 66 reviews · 4h 30m · from $46

Meet Andrés or another bilingual guide at Minca’s church for a 4.5-hour walk through Tayrona Indigenous territory. Learn how cacao is grown and prepared, taste fresh fruit and chocolate, spot birds, visit a family farm, and finish at a waterfall with a clay mask. Small groups are limited to 10.

“Absolutely loved the tour with Andres. Can’t fault it. Learnt so much, it was a stunning hike through the beauty of Minca and the location for the cacao “bean to bar” part was gorgeous. Andres was also extremely responsive and flexible when plans changed unexpectedly (on my part). Book it, you won’t regret it.”

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14.Cape San Juan del Guía Tour in Tayrona Park

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 64 reviews · 11 hours · from $67

Travel from Santa Marta to Tayrona National Park for a guided two-hour forest hike past seven beaches, including Arrecifes, La Piscina Natural, and Cape San Juan del Guía. This Spanish-language tour includes hotel pickup, park entry, transport, insurance, and free time for swimming. Expect a long day, extra food costs, and a moderate hike.

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15.One amazing day in a private recent sailing boat in the Tayrona Park. The best sail trip from Santa Marta!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 63 reviews · 7 hours 30 minutes (approx.)

Join Thierry and Amy-Esther aboard a private sailing boat from Santa Marta for a relaxed day near Tayrona National Natural Park. Swim, snorkel, paddleboard, sunbathe, and jump from the boat in Bahia Concha. A sandwich, snacks, one drink, and a large rear swim platform are included.

“We had an amazing time! The hosts are wonderful and make the day simply perfect, highly recommend. Had a great time selling in the beautiful day and swimming. And they are very nice to spend the day with.”

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