Santa Marta, Colombia- A Walk in the Past
Founded in 1525, Santa Marta is also one of the oldest cities in the American continent. The historical center is romantic, colonial and very well preserved.
Santa Marta, Colombia Friday, January 9, 2015
Santa Marta is a city on the Caribbean Sea in the northern Colombian department of Magdalena . A busy port, founded by the Spanish in 1525, it was also the first Spanish settlement in Colombia. It is also one of the oldest surviving cities in South America.
It is fringed by beautiful beaches and the stunning mountains of the Sierra nevada de Santa Marta range. Though it is a bit gritty, it is worth visiting for its history, waterfront and vibrant street food scene. There’s a public market to wander through, as well as many restaurants, bars, resorts and hotel.
The Cathedral de Santa Marta is said to be the oldest cathedral on the continent. A visit inside will let you see where they kept the remains of the great revolutionary, Simon Bolivar before sending them to his descendants in Venezuela.
Santa Marta’s streets are packed with street vendors selling fresh fruit and juice and local food. We tried the fried fresh fish and arroz de coco with Colombian ceviche and fried potatoes. The food is delicious and super cheap!
Cathedral Basilica De Sta. Marta