Tourism in Magdalena

The department of Magdalena has the most complete tourist combination in the Colombian Caribbean: Santa Marta, the oldest surviving city in South America, Tayrona National Natural Park with its movie-worthy beaches, Ciudad Perdida (Teyuna) accessible only by 4–6 day trek, the bohemian town of Minca in the Sierra Nevada and the colonial charm of Ciénaga. All within a 100 km radius at the base of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

MAIN TOURIST ATTRACTIONS OF MAGDALENA

The most visited and unmissable destinations and experiences in Magdalena:

Attraction	Type	Description
Tayrona National Natural Park	Beach / Nature	Colombia's most visited park. Cañaveral, Arrecifes, La Piscina and Cabo San Juan beaches. Coastal tropical jungle.
Ciudad Perdida (Teyuna)	Trekking / Archaeology	4–6 day trek through the Sierra Nevada jungle to reach a pre-Columbian city older than Machu Picchu.
Minca	Ecotourism / Mountain	Town in the Sierra Nevada at 600 m. El Pozo Azul and El Paraíso waterfalls, coffee, birds, hammocks.
Santa Marta — Historic Center	Heritage / City	Colombia's oldest city (1525). Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino where Simón Bolívar died.
Ciénaga — Plazas Bocas Theater	Heritage / Nature	Oldest theater in the Colombian Caribbean. Access to Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta (UNESCO Ramsar).

ECOTOURISM AND NATURE IN MAGDALENA

The Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta is Colombia's largest wetland and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (5,775 m) is the highest coastal mountain system in the world and a Biosphere Reserve. Tayrona National Park has coral reefs with over 90 fish species.

CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL HERITAGE OF MAGDALENA

Santa Marta was founded in 1525 and at the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino Simón Bolívar died in 1830. The Kogui, Arhuaco, Wiwa and Kankuamo indigenous peoples of the Sierra Nevada maintain a worldview centered on caring for the world ('The Heart of the World'). Vallenato has deep roots in the Caribbean region of Magdalena.

TYPICAL GASTRONOMY OF MAGDALENA

Seafood casserole, rice with coconut and seafood, patacón with hogao and shrimp, fried mojarra, coconut lemonade, cocada. The Almendros neighborhood in Santa Marta has the best seafood restaurants.

HOW TO GET THERE

Simón Bolívar airport in Santa Marta, flights from Bogotá (1 h), Medellín and Barranquilla. Bus from Barranquilla (2.5 h) or Cartagena (4 h). Tayrona 30 min by bus from Santa Marta.

Also check the climate of Magdalena and the list of municipalities of Magdalena to plan your visit.