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Getting There
Air
There are daily flights to Bogotá and Medellín; and connections to other cities. During the tourist season get to the airport early and book well ahead (the same goes for bus reservations).
Airline offices
Avianca, Edif de los Bancos, Cra 2B y C 14, T214 4018, T432 0106 at airport; Centro Comercial Rex, Cra 3, No 17-27, Local 102, T421 0120; and at C 7, No 2-15, T422 0118.
Bus
To Barranquilla, 7 daily, 2 hrs, US$5.50, Brasilia. To Medellín, 6 daily, 15 hrs, US$52, Brasilia or Copetran. To Bogotá, 7 daily, 16 hrs, US$67, Brasilia or Copetran. To Cartagena, 5 hrs, US$10-11, Brasilia. To Riohacha, 4 hrs, US$11.50. Frequent buses to Maicao, 4-5 hrs, US$17 for a/c or cheaper for buses without. Brasilia runs a bus through to Maracaibo, daily, US$28. To Bucaramanga, 9 hrs, US$45, Brasilia or Copetran. To Mompós there’s a door to door colectivo service, US$30 with Asotranstax, C 23, No 4-27.
Sea
Although cruise ships stop here, it is difficult to find onward passage.Orientation
Orientation
Santa Marta lies at the mouth of the Río Manzanares, one of the many rivers that drain the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, on a deep bay with high shelving cliffs at each end. The city’s fine promenade offers good views of the bay and is lined with restaurants, accommodation and nightlife, though none of a very high quality. At the southern end, where the main traffic turns inland on Calle 22, is a striking sculpture dedicated to the indigenous heritage of the region, La Herencía Tairona. The main commercial area and banks are on Carrera 5 and Calle 15.Stay In Touch
Banks
Most banks and ATMs are in Plaza Bolívar eg Banco Occidente, good rates for MasterCard. There are plenty of cash machines. For currency exchange, 3rd block of C 14, many others on this street. In Rodadero, Apto 201, Cra 1, No 9-23. Santa Marta is a good place to exchange pesos into Venezuelan bolivares.
Emergencies
Police, T112.
Immigration
DAS Office, Cra 8, No 26A-15, T421 4917, Sr Chávez (DAS director at Santa Marta) runs a tight ship and is not flexible.
Internet
Tama Café, C16 with Cra 13, open 0800-1230 and 1400-1830, sells delicious food too.
Telephone
Telecom, C 13, No 5-17.
