Is Santa Marta expensive to visit?
While Santa Marta is a popular destination, it is also very affordable and not expensive to visit. The average daily cost is just $37. This is actually one of the main reasons why it's so popular with tourists. When compared to other cities in South America, many travelers find it to be a very affordable destination. It's in the top 10% of destinations in South America for its affordability, and our cost analysis found it to be comparable to Cali and Salento.
Santa Marta, Colombia
How expensive is Santa Marta?
Travelers spend an average of $37 per day when visiting Santa Marta (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. You can stay fairly close to this average if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for Santa Marta here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Santa Marta?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a weekend trip to Santa Marta costs around $110 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $220.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Santa Marta?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to Santa Marta will cost around $257 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $514.
Is it expensive to backpack in Santa Marta?
Santa Marta is a popular backpacker destination with more than 100 hostels. Dorm beds in hostels cost, on average, $12 per night. (See hostel prices in Santa Marta here.) You'll find quite a range in prices here, too. The most expensive beds are priced around $48 and the cheapest around $0 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Santa Marta.
- $11 for a dorm bed at Dreamer Santa Marta
- $9 for a dorm bed at La Brisa Loca
- $7 for a dorm bed at Rio Hostel Buritaca
Are hotels expensive in Santa Marta?
If you're considering hotel prices in Santa Marta, you'll find them to be slightly more budget-friendly in comparison to hotels in other cities. On average, a night in a hotel room here will set you back approximately $38. In Santa Marta, there are about 1 five-star hotels with an average nightly rate of $78. For a more affordable option, three-star hotels come in at an average of $50 per night, while two-star hotels offer an even more economical choice at $23 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Santa Marta
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 1 | $78 |
| 4 stars | 14 | $80 |
| 3 stars | 62 | $50 |
| 2 stars | 60 | $23 |
| 1 star | 23 | $29 |
| No rating | 4 | $101 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Santa Marta?
In Santa Marta, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $13 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is less than the country's average of $13.
- Coffee Tour La Victoria and waterfalls in Minca - Private Tour: $145
- Tayrona Park Private Day Tour to Cabo San Juan, Hike and Beach: $193
- Authentic experience with the Sewiaxa Kogui community and the River 1 day.: $134
- Taironaka and Don Diego river - Private Tour: $179
- Seviaka Indigenous People and Tubing Tour in Palomino: $68
- Sanctuary Los Flamingos Tour: $120
- Tour Don Diego and Tayronaka: $110
- Horse Riding at La Mello Adventure Lodge: $35
Is food expensive in Santa Marta?
In Santa Marta, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $16 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $18.
- Flavors of Colombia - Santa Marta Street Food Tour: $93
- Fast Food Tour In Santa Marta More Than Just Food: $120
- Santa Marta Street Food Tour: $93
- Food Tour in Santa Marta Old City: $69
Is transportation expensive in Santa Marta?
The prices of local transportation in Santa Marta can vary by the type of transit used. Other travelers have spent an average of $5 on local transportation per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $7. To save money, take public transit whenever possible, as it will almost always be cheaper than a taxi or private driver.
More for Santa Marta
If you're planning a trip to Santa Marta, Colombia, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.