Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Cities of the coast: Santa Marta

Sunset over Santa Marta beach

Santa Marta is a city In the coast known for it's beaches and the nearby Tayrona national park.

The old city near the beach is a relaxed place with a mix of old colonial architecture, narrow streets and open air markets.

Santa Marta church

The nearby beach is a perfect place to enjoy the sunset or a swim, although the nearby Tanganga beach is better for swimming.

Santa Marta beach

Taganga beach

Cocktails on Taganga beach

Also in the city of Santa Marta is the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino - a restored hacienda which was the place where Simon Bolivar died.

The hacienda has now been restored and is a unique tourist attraction showing the history of Bolivar's last days.

The hacienda

Monument to Simon Bolivar

Statue of Simon Bolivar inside the monument

The impressive gardens in the hacienda also have a large population of iguanas - who seemed quite sanguine despite the large number of tourists eagerly taking photos.

Iguanas

Iguana climbing a tree

On the other side of Santa Marta is the upmarket area of Rodadero, lined with upscale apartments along the beach. The beach here is perfect for swimming but lacks the charm of the Santa Marta beach...

Rodadero beach

... which is a much nicer place to enjoy a quiet cocktail at sunset.

Sunset over Santa Marta beach

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