How to get from Cartagena 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 235 kilometre (146 miles) distance from Cartagena to Santa Marta. You can choose between the bus, minivan and private transport. The journey takes 4 hours to 6 hours 20 minutes and the quickest way is by minivan. If you're on a budget, the cheapest option is by bus with tickets starting at 61,000 COP ($16.40).

Taking the bus is an affordable way to travel from Cartagena to Santa Marta. The entire journey, including travel time to and from the bus stations, takes around 4 hours 35 minutes to 6 hours 20 minutes. Combined prices start from 61,000 COP ($16.40).

The main bus companies operating on this route are Ruta Dorada Exalpa, Expreso Brasilia, Unitransco and Copetran.

Buses to Santa Marta depart from Terminal de Transportes de Cartagena on the far east side of the city, about 12 km from the centre.

You can get there via Uber, with prices starting from 44,000 COP ($11.90). Taxis are also available, but drivers often try to overcharge tourists, especially if you don’t speak Spanish.

If you’re on a budget and don’t mind a longer ride, the Transcaribe bus is a good alternative. It costs 3,000 COP ($0.90), and you’ll need a Transcaribe card to board since cash is not accepted.

If you’re coming from the city centre and other popular areas like Getsemaní and San Diego, you can catch Line X104 at the Centro B1 Station. The bus takes you straight to Cartagena’s main terminal.

Bus ticket prices from Cartagena to Santa Marta start at 50,000 COP ($13.40), and the journey takes between 3h 45m - 5h.

If you book in advance through Bookaway, some companies allow you to board directly with just a voucher or e-ticket. Others may still require you to print your ticket or exchange it at the terminal. Be sure to check the instructions in your confirmation email so you know what to expect.

Check our Colombia transport guide for tips on how to book bus tickets and compare the differences between bus companies.

Cartagena

Standard

Santa Marta

05:00

4h 34m

09:34

07:15

4h 34m

11:49

08:15

4h 34m

12:49

08:45

4h 34m

13:19

10:15

4h 34m

14:49

15:15

4h 30m

19:45

18:15

4h 34m

22:49

19:30

4h 34m

00:04

20:00

4h 34m

00:34

Expreso Brasilia

From 67,000 COP ($18.20)

Compare prices

• 24/7 customer support

67,000 COP ($18.20)

05:00

4h 34m

09:34

08:15

4h 34m

12:49

08:45

4h 34m

13:19

10:15

4h 34m

14:49

15:15

4h 30m

19:45

18:15

4h 34m

22:49

19:30

4h 34m

00:04

20:00

4h 34m

00:34

Check on BookAway

• 24/7 customer support

75,000 COP ($20.50)

07:15

4h 34m

11:49

Check on BookAway

Buses arrive at Terminal de Transportes de Santa Marta. From there, Uber is a popular choice for getting to the city centre. Fares start at around 13,000 COP ($3.50) — a bit more than a taxi, but many travellers find the convenience and fixed pricing worth the extra cost.

Taxi rates start from 8,000 COP ($2.20). Just make sure to agree on the price beforehand to avoid being overcharged.

Heading to El Rodadero? Expect to pay around 15,000 COP ($4.10) for a taxi and about 34,000 COP ($9.20) for an Uber.

A minivan ride from Cartagena to Santa Marta takes about 4 hours to 5 hours 30 minutes, depending on traffic.

There are three companies operating on this route: Marsol Transportes, Beach Tayrona Park and Cartagena Toures y Excursiones.

What we like about taking the minivan is that some companies offer free hotel pickup and drop-off. This saves you the hassle and extra cost of finding your way to and from bus stations.

Marsol Transportes offers the cheapest option, with rates starting from 91,000 COP ($24.50). However, they don’t offer door-to-door service.

You’ll leave from Marsol Transportes Terminal in Cartagena, and you’ll be dropped off at Marsol Transportes Terminal in Santa Marta. Once you add the cost of getting to and from the terminals, you might end up paying about the same — or even more — than a service that already includes hotel pickup and drop-off.

Minivan options from Cartagena to Santa Marta

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

Rates start from 644,000 COP ($175) for a 4-seater private transfer. Divide the cost, and that’s about 161,000 COP ($43.50) per person. Travel time is around 4 hours to 4 hours 40 minutes.

Private Transport options from Cartagena to Santa Marta