Santa Marta, Colombia

Landing in Santa Marta, the heat blasted us in the face as we left the airport. We started by spending a few days exploring the city and the beaches to the north and south before a day in Parque Tayrona. When we went to the North, we spent a day at Taganga and ate loads of delicious food including our first foray in Colombia into ceviche and then took a boat around to Playa Grande for a swim. The next day was spent in the south at Playa El Rodadero. There were also some really delicious arepas on the street of our hostel and some amazing restaurants in the historic city centre which we tried.

The national park was by far the highlight of the area and we got up early to be one of the first through the entrance in the morning. Capuchin monkeys and beautiful coastal views were what awaited us on the 1hr 45min walk to the beach Cabo San Juan which was absolutely beautiful. A well deserved swim and play in the sun before walking back out with a quick stop for lunch on the way.

The final of our four days in Santa Marta was spent prepping for the lost city hike while Amber and Trist went off to another hotel for an additional four days of relaxing and visiting Minca for a coffee and chocolate tour. Ideally you only need three or so days here depending on whether you want to go out on a diving day but Keoni and I had some upset tummies so spent an extra day recuperating.