SANTA MARTA, COLOMBIA

Update: About 4 years since I visited Santa Marta, and I see no visible improvements to the city. In fact, from my saved locations from 2022, must be about half that closed, including nice locations like Andres Carne de Res, a nice rooftop restaurant I went to, a Juan Valdez (local Starbucks), and even grocery store chains. I visited Minca (I guess I also visited in 2022, but with limited memory, so that tells you something), and it's one main street with a bunch of things to do in the area, like waterfalls and views. It's going for the Ubud vibes, just at 10% the level. Rodadero redid their beachwalk, and it's actually quite nice and like a little Rio. It's been sunny every single day, a little on the hotter side, but not overwhelming. The news said it felt like 45C and that's flat-falase. Maybe 35C maximum, but I don't evne think that much. A benefit on Santa Marta is the quantity of day trips (see below).

• Simon Bolivar, the freerer of five nations, died here in 1830
• It is hot, but not unbearably hot (30C/86F). You can walk outside in the shade and it's comfortable because it's  NOT humid. Dew point is 68F while high, it is bearable (dew point matters more than humidity because it's relative to the city)
• It's kinda like Cartegena's little sister....less expensive, less nightlife, less fine dining and bars, less prostitution, less heat, less touristy, but equally dirty :/
• Even though it's on the northern coast of Colombia, you can see the sunset from all beaches because the coastline is similar to that of California due to its geographical position
• Lots of day trips! Minca, Taganga, Tayrona, Rodadero, Gauchaca, Lost City tour and even close enough to Barranquilla for a visit.
• Lots of girls with dyed red hair! What's going on?
• Filthy city, trash everywhere, nothing is pleasant to look at besides the sunset and the women
• Idea for Santa Marta: add bike rentals
• Here is the Airbnb I stayed at for $550 per week, it's on the more expensive end. Deals to be had around $40-$50/night.
• Day Trips: Tayrona (via the ocean or inland), Rodadero, Palomino, Minca, Taganga

Known For: the resting place of Simón Bolívar