![]() ![]() This journey is done in 12-20 person minubuses or minivans by two companies who offer a slightly different type of shuttle: The price was 30,000 COP per person, with a change in Barranquilla.Ī slightly more expensive option, but the most convenient for a lot of travellers travelling from Cartagena to Santa Marta. Reader Update March 2020 | A reader kindly got in touch to let us know that Superstar runs this Cartagena - Barranquilla - Santa Marta route in nice new buses with AC and comfy seats. When you arrive at Santa Marta Bus Terminal, it’s a 10-minute taxi ride for 7,000 COP to your hostel in the downtown area or on the city outskirts (many of the best ones like The Dreamer aren’t in the city centre).Ĭost | 28,000 COP (£6.6 / $8.6) plus taxis We’ve now done this route a few times, and it’s relatively hassle-free but the taxi ride to the bus terminal is a pain and will take longer if traffic is bad. They always have a stop in Barranquilla bus terminal too to give the driver a break and pick up more passengers - if anyone tells you differently when you’re looking for tickets at the terminal then be very very sceptical! Unfortunately Cartagena to Santa Marta bus route is not done by the nippy little minivans more common in the south of Colombia, but in older buses that have seen better days. Don’t worry though as it will be on the same bus and you (usually) won’t have to change buses in Barranquilla. Note that you may be provided with two separate tickets once you’ve paid one for the Cartagena - Barranquilla section, and one for the Baranquilla - Santa Marta section. We each paid 28,000 COP (£6.6 / $8.6) in February 2019 and remember that, in Colombia, it's always worth trying to get a slight discount on the first price mentioned on any bus company. There's no need to buy a ticket in advance (unless you're unlucky and arrive on the peak Colombian holiday season in December - February when everyone is leaving the city and heading to the beach!) and you’ll never really have to wait more than 30 or 40 minutes for the next service to depart. There are a number of companies with services from Cartagena to Santa Marta with a few departures every hour, including Colibertador, Expreso Brasilia, Copetran, Berlinas, Superstar, and Unitransco. So we always recommend that you go straight to the ticket booths to buy your tickets. Once at Cartagena’s Bus Terminal, you will have no shortage of gentlemen coming direct to you to try and make sure you go on their bus or to help you buy a ticket, even if it isn't the cheapest or the next departure. The best option is however to just go for the taxi as you’ve got a quite a long day of bus travel ahead of you. The trip takes around an hour and tickets cost only $1,800 per person. It is also possible (and cheaper) to take a bus from by the India Catalina monument or Avenida Santander (look for a green and white bus with a "Terminal des Transportes" sign). Note that many taxis in Colombia do not have meters (or do and simply refuse to use them). This should cost around 20,000-25,00 COP (£4.7-£6 / $6-$7.5) and takes 45 minutes, depending on traffic. Before getting in the taxi however, we recommend confirming how much the ride will cost to avoid an expensive surprise at the end. Once you’ve worked out the best option for you to get from Cartagena to Santa Marta, then take a look our our Santa Marta guide for travellers next.Ĭartagena's bus station is about 8 miles from Getsemani and the Walled City, and you have two options to reach it. We have also shared costs and tips on the taxi rides below, based on our experiences. This isn’t a big issue, but does mean that a taxi ride is necessary to/from your hostel. It’s important to note however that both Santa Marta Bus Terminal and Cartagena Bus Terminal are located outside the historic city centres and main traveller hubs. However, most of us end up spending a night or two there anyway.įor travellers, there are three main options to travel from Cartagena to Santa Marta with public transport, and we’ve detailed the costs, logistics, and benefits of each below to make things clear and simple for your own journey. ![]() The city of Santa Marta sees a lot of visitors, but that’s really due to its strategic location as the access point to many of northern Colombia’s best attractions - such as Tayrona National Park, the natural paradise of Minca, or the famous Lost City Trek, or the most northerly point in South America - rather than the city itself. If you’re travelling the Caribbean coast of Colombia, then there’s a good chance that you’ll have to make the journey from Cartagena to Santa Marta. ![]()
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