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AfrikaansAlbanianArabicArmenianAzerbaijaniBasqueBelarusianBengaliBosnianBulgarianCatalanChinese (Simplified)CzechDanishDutchEstonianFilipinoFinnishFrenchGalicianGeorgianGermanGreekGujaratiHaitian CreoleHausaHawaiianHebrewHindiHmongHungarianIcelandicIgboIndonesianIrishItalianJapaneseJavaneseKannadaKazakhKhmerKurdish (Kurmanji)KyrgyzLaoLatinLatvianLithuanianLuxembourgishMacedonianMalagasyMalayMalayalamMalteseMaoriMarathiMongolianMyanmar (Burmese)NepaliNorwegianPashtoPersianPolishPunjabiRomanianRussianSamoanScottish GaelicSerbianSesothoShonaSindhiSinhalaSlovakSlovenianSomaliSudaneseSwedishTajikTamilTeluguThaiTurkishUkrainianUrduUzbekVietnameseWelshXhosaYiddishYorubaZulu
Santa Marta, known for its beaches, unique landscapes, tropical climate, and beautiful sunsets, becomes an even more vibrant and lively place during its Fiesta del Mar (Sea Festival). Celebrated annually, this festival combines rich Caribbean culture with cultural, sports, artistic, and recreational activities, attracting tourists and locals alike.
A Festival that Evolves for its Attendees
Every July, the 'twice holy' city—as its anthem says—and the oldest in Colombia celebrates its anniversary within the framework of Fiesta del Mar. This event has a long tradition dating back to 1959. Initially conceived to celebrate and promote Santa Marta's marine wealth and natural beauty, these festivities have grown, becoming a celebration that reflects the identity and spirit of the city.
The festival has always been an opportunity to highlight the importance of the sea in the daily life of Samarios (as the locals from Santa Marta are called) and to promote local tourism and the economy. According to José ‘Pepe’ Alzamora, one of its founders, the Fiesta del Mar is a tribute to the God Neptune, and the greatest honor participants receive is the glory bestowed by the waters of the Colombian Caribbean.
Unmissable Events
The Sea Festival extends for over a week, with a varied and dynamic program that can be consulted on the event's official page. The main venues include the bays of El Rodadero, Santa Marta, and Taganga, which come to life with numerous activities.
The opening event is usually a spectacular nautical parade, where colorful boats adorn the bay, followed by a grand concert that brings together local and international artists from various musical genres. Each day, attendees can enjoy national water sports competitions such as surfing, windsurfing, water skiing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and rowing. There are beach volleyball and beach soccer tournaments, offering entertainment for all tastes.
In addition to sports events, the celebration also includes gastronomic, cultural, and artistic events. Among these is the National and International Sea Queen Pageant and the selection of the National Sea Captain, promoting the region's maritime traditions. This pageant highlights not only the beauty but also the sporting skills of the candidates, who each year parade through the streets of Santa Marta on colorful floats in the Parade of Floats, where children, youth, and adult folkloric groups also participate, spreading joy with their music, striking costumes, and dances.
Another important event is the Gastronomic and Handicraft Fair, mainly held in Parque de los Novios and Parque Bolívar, where visitors and locals can enjoy a variety of typical coastal foods and local crafts, centered on the indigenous cultures of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
Other unmissable events that are usually part of the festival include: the Artisanal Fishing Festival, the Summer and Music by the Sea Festival, the Vallenato Minstrels Festival, the Samarian Traditional Cooking Festival, the Children and the Sea Festival, a Photomarathon, and a Serenade to Santa Marta.
Our Recommendations
If you plan to attend the Sea Festival, we recommend booking accommodation in advance, as Santa Marta is a favorite destination for nationals and foreigners during this time. Wear light and comfortable clothing, use sunscreen, and stay hydrated to enjoy outdoor activities. Learn about the history and streets of Santa Marta with a walking tour, visit its main museums such as the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino and the Tairona Gold Museum, or spend an afternoon in the coastal town of Taganga.
Move around by public transport or rent a vehicle to freely explore the city and its surroundings. And since you're in the city, take the opportunity to discover Tayrona National Natural Park and the various nature and cultural experiences in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, where you can do activities such as coffee and cocoa tours, immersion with Kogui and Arhuaco communities, hiking, bird watching, and enjoying rivers and waterfalls in extraordinary places like Minca, Don Diego, and Ciudad Perdida.
Don't leave without trying the delicious cuisine of the Greater Colombian Caribbean, which is a blend of the flavors of three cultures: Indigenous, Spanish, and African. Dishes like fish platter, coconut rice, salpicón, patacones, sancocho, juices, and local fruit sweets are just some of the meals you can enjoy.
The future of Fiesta del Mar promises to be even brighter, including cultural activities you won't want to miss. Local authorities and event organizers are committed to maintaining the essence of the festival while innovating and enhancing the experience for national and international attendees, ensuring that the festival continues to be a symbol of pride for Santa Marta and Colombia.
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What do our visitors say?
The imagination and creativity in the design of this house defies belief. Amongst the most amazing I have seen in half a century of travelling. The 10'000 COP entrance fee is trivial for the eye-feast you get.
"If you want to spend sometime in a very nice sunny place of the city , this most be the spot. On Sundays there is always live music and some kind of show . There's also a long sidewalk , you can walk while enjoying the brise, the sun and the spectacular view to the Magdalena river. It is usually crowded, but the locals are happy, funny and very friendy.
If you go to Bquilla pass by El Malecon..., a really nice experience!"
This was a wonderful tour to go on. We really ended up learning how much effort and practice goes into a cup of coffee. There was a translator so we were able to fully understand everything, and the people who led the tour were so kind. Definitely worth going to see!
You can go up with the cable car and see by yourself how large Bogota is. I recommend you to do this.
Lots of different animals. Loved the zebras. Lots of educational things for kids. Loved the aquarium and all reptiles.
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