Santa Marta: Theater, Squares and City History

Discover Santa Marta through its distinctive landmarks and history: the historic center invites you to explore its streets and lanes on foot. Squares, a theater, and places of remembrance come together there. As you plan your trip, consider which of these experiences interest you most—and tailor your search for a vacation rental in Santa Marta accordingly.

Explore the historic center on foot

The streets and lanes of the historic center invite you to explore. Along the way, you’ll notice the colorful façades of houses that are more than 100 years old. If you enjoy wandering through a city center and taking in its buildings and public squares, this area offers a distinctive focus for your stay. The historic center is also close to the Port of Santa Marta and the Marina Internacional de Santa Marta. This sense of location may play a role in choosing accommodation if you’re interested in the city center and these maritime arrival points.

In central areas such as Callejón del Correo and Parque de los Novios, there are numerous restaurants and bars serving local and international cuisine. Individual businesses and offerings may change. A tourist information office is located at the Santa Marta bus station. Confirm that it is available before relying on it in your plans.

Historic squares and buildings

Parque de los Novios is also known as Parque Santander and was established in the early 20th century. At its center stand a statue of General Francisco de Paula Santander and a bust of Manuel Murillo Toro. Murillo Toro was president of Colombia from 1864 to 1866 and from 1872 to 1874. The square thus connects a public space with memories of two political figures; the two monuments give it a tangible historical significance.

Teatro Santa Marta is another notable stop for those interested in the city’s history. It opened in 1949 and was designed by Cuban architect Manuel Carrerá. Its opening and architectural authorship give the theater a distinctive place alongside the outdoor memorial sites. If you’d like to make culture and history a focus of your stay, these different places can shape your explorations of the city center.

At Camellón de la Bahía stands a bronze sculpture of Don Rodrigo de Bastidas, installed in 1928. The Camellón itself opened in January 2022 and was described at the time as a green corridor with a large event space. When it opened, the Camellón was accessible to the public, and visitors could enjoy the view and get to know Santa Marta.

Another cultural site

Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino is home to the Altar a la Patria. It was erected to commemorate the centenary of Bolívar’s death. The Quinta also serves as an exhibition venue for the Museo Bolivariano de Arte Contemporáneo. The monument and museum thus offer two different points of interest for a stay shaped by culture and history.

When choosing a vacation rental, you can first consider whether you’d like to focus your trip on walks through the historic center, squares and buildings, or visits to cultural sites. These interests can help guide your search for a suitable location. Having a clear idea of which places matter to you can help you further assess the right location for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Playa Blanca, Santa Marta, Papare, Guachaca, Guamal, Pozo Colorado, Ciénaga, La Ceiba.

For the broader travel overview: Magdalena.