How to get from Barranquilla to Santa Marta

Why visit Santa Marta?

Santa Marta is one of the main tourist hubs on Colombia’s north coast. It is the gateway to Tayrona National Park, arguably the most beautiful national park in the country. But to be honest, there’s not much to do in Santa Marta itself.

You can spare a few hours exploring the colonial houses in the Old Town or scuba diving in El Rodadero, which has some of the most affordable scuba diving centres in South America. But we recommend saving your time for the more exciting destinations near Santa Marta — like Tayrona, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and Ciudad Perdida.

There are 3 ways to travel the 104 kilometre (65 miles) distance from Barranquilla to Santa Marta. You can choose between the bus, minivan and private transport. The journey takes 2 hours to 3 hours 30 minutes and the quickest way is by minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 48,000 COP ($12.70).

The bus is an affordable way to get from Barranquilla to Santa Marta. Combined costs start from 48,000 COP ($12.70). Travel time takes between 2 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 30 minutes, including the time to get to and from the bus stations.

You can choose from five bus companies: Expreso Almirante Padilla, Expreso Brasilia, Unitransco, Rapido Ochoa and Copetran.

Buses going to Santa Marta depart from Terminal Metropolitana de Transportes in Soledad, about 10 km south of Barranquilla city centre. There are 2 ways to get there: by Uber or via Transmetro, Barranquilla’s public bus system.

An Uber ride is direct and more convenient, with fares starting from 23,000 COP ($6.10). Travel time is around 30 minutes,

Taking the Transmetro is much cheaper, but involves some walking. Hop on any line heading towards Portal de Soledad and get off at Pacho Galán Station. From there, walk about 2 km to the bus terminal. A ticket costs 3,000 COP ($0.90), but note that cash is not accepted. You’ll need a rechargeable Transmetro card.

That said, we don’t really recommend taking the bus. The area around the terminal isn’t safe for walking, and the buses are often crowded.

Buses from Barranquilla to Santa Marta run almost 24/7, with frequent departures throughout the day and night. The journey takes around 1h 25m - 2h 45m, and ticket prices start from 25,000 COP ($6.70).

While it’s possible to buy your ticket at the terminal, buses can fill up fast, especially during weekends or holidays. To avoid the risk of waiting or missing a seat, it’s a good idea to book your ticket online in advance.

When booking via Bookaway, some operators accept a voucher or e-ticket, while others may ask you to print your ticket or exchange it at the terminal. Redbus is usually stricter. Make sure to check the instructions in your confirmation email before you travel.

You’ll find more helpful tips about travelling by bus in our full Colombia transport guide.

Buses arrive at Terminal de Transportes de Santa Marta. From there, you can take an Uber to the city centre, where most hotels are located. Fares start from 20,000 COP ($5.30). If you’re heading to the El Rodadero area, prices usually start from 34,000 COP ($9).

Taxis are also available and can sometimes be a bit cheaper than Uber. Just keep an eye out for overcharging. Some drivers hike up the fare for tourists, so it’s best to agree on a price before getting in.

A minivan ride from Barranquilla to Santa Marta takes around 2 hours, depending on traffic.

There are two companies operating on this route: Marsol Transportes and Beach Tayrona Park.

Marsol Transportes is the cheaper option with ticket prices from 49,000 COP ($13), but keep in mind that they don’t offer hotel pickup or drop-off. You’ll need to head to Marsol Transport Terminal in Barranquilla, and they’ll drop you off at their terminal in Santa Marta.

Looking for a door-to-door minivan transfer? Check out Beach Tayrona Park. Their tickets cost about twice as much, but the price includes free transfers to and from your hotel. That saves you the hassle and extra costs of arranging transport on either end.

A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from Barranquilla to Santa Marta.

Rates start from 289,000 COP ($77) for a 2-seater private transfer. Divide the cost, and that’s about 144,000 COP ($38.50) per person. Travel time is around 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes.

If you’re heading straight to Santa Marta Airport, you can book your transfer in advance through BookAway. This gives you a confirmed pickup and a smooth, door-to-door journey.

Uber is another option, with prices starting from 310,000 COP ($82). However, since this is a long-distance trip, availability can be limited. It may take a long time for a driver to accept your booking, if at all. It is not always a reliable choice when travelling to Santa Marta from Barranquilla.