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Santa Marta, one of the oldest cities on Colombia's Caribbean coast, lies 71 kilometres (44 miles) east of Barranquilla. The bus is the cheapest way to get from Barranquilla to Santa Marta at $13 (40,500 COP). The minivan costs a little more but it's quicker, taking around 2h - 2h 10m.
Distance from Barranquilla to Santa Marta
Barranquilla and Santa Marta are about 71 km (44 miles) apart, and the journey itself covers around 103 km by road. Depending on the option, the trip takes between 2h and 3h 30m.
3 ways to travel from Barranquilla to Santa Marta
There are three ways to travel from Barranquilla to Santa Marta. You can choose between the bus, minivan, and private transport. The journey takes 2h–2h 10m and the quickest way is by minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at $13 (40,500 COP).
Reach out to our Community
1Hello
We are going to rent a car in Cartagena Will stay few nights in Cartagena, few nights in Baranquila and we want to go to Santa Marta with our car
How we can go ??ourself? ?
It will be in January
Thank you very much
Hello Corina, we don't have experience with renting a car in Colombia. Bus travel is quite convenient and a safer option as roads conditions are not the best and Colombians aren't particularly known for being safe drivers. Also do we recommend being careful choosing your area's where to park in cities like Santa Marta.
If you decided to rent a car, we recommend to check out this car rental blog post (geckoroutes.com). It's about renting a car in Europe, but the same goes for renting a car in any country. Also this guide about safety in Colombia (geckoroutes.com) will before when renting a car. Safe travels!
ABOUT YOUR DESTINATION
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.
Rounding it up
That's the full picture for getting from Barranquilla to Santa Marta, roughly 71 kilometres (44 miles) apart. In all, there are 3 ways to make the trip. The cheapest fare is $13 (40,500 COP). The quickest trip takes 2h.
Prices and timetables change, so it's worth a quick check before you travel. Have a question, or travelled this route recently? Ask the community below and we'll do our best to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance from Barranquilla to Santa Marta?
The distance from Barranquilla to Santa Marta is 71 kilometres (44 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Barranquilla to Santa Marta?
Journey times from Barranquilla to Santa Marta overlap: bus 2h 10m - 3h 30m, minivan 2h - 2h 10m, private transport 2h - 2h 30m. Depending on the departure, no single option is always the fastest.
What is the cheapest way to get from Barranquilla to Santa Marta?
The cheapest way to get from Barranquilla to Santa Marta is by bus with ticket costs starting from 40,500 COP.
About the Authors
Senior Travel Writer
Ela is a storyteller, content producer, solo traveller and a mermaid-in-training. When she's not in front of her laptop, you will find her barefoot and living her best tan on some island in the Philippines. Or exploring the depths of its seas as a budding freediver. An island girl at heart, she'll be happy anywhere there is sea, sand, sun and coffee.
Travel Writer
Selene is a writer who loves coffee, travel, and planning. After spending a decade in Manila, she left the city and her career in banking to embrace a more laid-back lifestyle. Now, she is discovering the beauty of slow-paced travel and finding joy in meaningful experiences.
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