How to Get From Palomino to Cartagena

Cootransoriente Tayrona is a small local bus company that operates on the Palomino to Santa Marta route. They depart every 10 to 20 minutes from 04:30 to 18:00, from the petrol station on the main road.

Buses will pick up passengers from other towns and from Tayrona Park before finally stopping at Cootransoriente Bus Station in Santa Marta (behind Mercado Central), where you should get off.

A more comfortable way to get from Palomino to Santa Marta is by private transport. You can ask your hotel or hostel to book a taxi or go through an official company. Prices typically start at 275,000 COP ($75), but may vary depending on your negotiation skills.

Booking in advance with BookAway starts from 330,000 COP ($90) for a 2-seater. It’s pricier, but you get a nicer car and don’t have to deal with negotiating. The trip takes about 1 to 2 hours.

Buses to Cartagena depart from Santa Marta Bus Terminal. If you're arriving in Santa Marta with Cootransoriente, just take local bus 03 or 03-F (La 30) from the central market to reach the terminal for 2,000 COP ($0.60).

Five companies are covering this route: Ruta Dorada Exalpa, Expreso Super Star, Expreso Brasilia, Unitransco and Copetran.

There are several departures daily, and travel time is around 3h 45m - 6h. Fares start at 54,000 COP ($15). You can book them online through the links provided below.

Cartagena Bus Terminal is quite far from the city centre. The quickest way to get into the Old Town is by taking a 30-minute Uber. It's a reliable option since you’ll know the fare upfront, no surprises and no need to haggle with drivers. Prices start at 44,000 COP ($12), but the rates can vary depending on traffic or time of day.

Taxis are right outside the bus terminal. But even though taxi rates are regulated in Cartagena, it’s common for drivers to charge above the standard fare, so we don’t recommend taking a taxi from here.

The bus is cheaper, but it takes longer

If you’re travelling on a tight budget, the Transcaribe bus is a good alternative. It’s not the fastest, but it’s definitely the cheapest, with fares from just 3,000 COP ($0.90). From the terminal, look for Line X104, which connects directly to the city centre and popular areas like Getsemaní and San Diego.

When going to the Walled City, ride all the way to the last stop, La Bodeguita. But if you're staying in Getsemaní or San Diego, get off one stop earlier at Centro B1 Bus Stop.

You’ll need a Transcaribe card to ride the bus — cash isn’t accepted. These cards are available at all Transcaribe stations and authorised retailers like SuperGiros.