Santa Marta's historic center with kids: a half-day plan from El Rodadero

Santa Marta's historic center is the oldest part of the city: streets lined with colonial houses, squares, the cathedral and the seafront promenade on the bay. From El Rodadero you get there in less than half an hour, so it's a perfect plan for an afternoon when the family needs a break from the sun.

Getting there

It's about 5.8 km from the hotel along Avenida Hernández Pardo: 13 to 22 minutes by car depending on traffic. For a group, a taxi or a hired vehicle is most practical. Once downtown, everything is walkable.

A simple route

Start at the Santa Marta Cathedral, one of the city's best-known buildings. Then walk to the Tairona Gold Museum in the Casa de la Aduana, where kids can see pieces from the cultures that lived in the Sierra Nevada. Continue to Parque de los Novios, surrounded by restaurants and ice-cream shops, and finish on the Rodrigo de Bastidas seafront to watch the sunset over the bay. Museum and church hours change: confirm them before you go.

Tips for traveling with kids

Go in the afternoon, when the heat eases, and bring water and hats. The cathedral, the museum and the seafront are close to each other and easy to walk between. Agree on a meeting point, like the cathedral, in case someone gets separated in busier areas.

For groups

Downtown is a great evening plan for a group: dinner around Parque de los Novios and a walk along the seafront. For something livelier, our Chiva Rumbera tour visits Santa Marta's sights at night, with music on board.

A bit of history for the ride

Santa Marta is one of Colombia's oldest cities, and downtown you can see that history in the streets, the cathedral and the Casa de la Aduana. The Tairona Gold Museum shows the gold and pottery work of the peoples of the Sierra Nevada. Telling the kids about it before you go makes the visit more interesting.

Eating downtown

Around Parque de los Novios and the nearby streets there are restaurants, cafés and ice-cream shops for every taste. It's a good idea to have dinner downtown and head back after sunset, when the city is cooler.

Before you go

Bring a light layer for air-conditioned museums, small bills for snacks and a charged phone for photos at the bay. If you're a big group, tell us your plan and we'll help you organize transport from the hotel.

Combine it with the beach

A good idea is beach time in El Rodadero in the morning, a rest at the hotel at midday and downtown in the afternoon. The day goes further without tiring the kids out.

Where to stay

Staying in El Rodadero puts the beach a block and a half away and downtown less than half an hour away. At Taybo Beach we have triple and quadruple rooms for families and groups. With direct booking by chat or WhatsApp we help you plan your stay.