What to expect when visiting Barranquilla
Barranquilla is a busy city in Colombia and is most popular for the iconic Carnival de Barranquilla — a vibrant celebration of dance and music. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people join this carnival, the 2nd largest in the world (next to the one in Rio de Janeiro)!
During the carnival (February-March), Barranquilla bustles with tourists and festivities. But beyond this time, there’s really not much to do in this seaport. If you find yourself here in the off-peak season, we recommend exploring the historic centre, enjoying the vibrant nightlife, and tasting the incredible cuisine in Barranquilla.
3 ways to get from Santa Marta to Barranquilla
There are 3 ways to travel the distance of 104 kilometers (65 miles) from Santa Marta to Barranquilla by bus (2 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours), minivan (2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes) and private Transport (2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes). The journey duration ranges between 2 to 8 hours and the quickest way is by minivan. The lowest priced tickets start from 39,000 COP ($9.30) for the minivan.Where to stay in Barranquilla?
Still looking for accommodation? Don't forget to check out our favourite places to stay in Barranquilla.
Santa Marta to Barranquilla by Minivan
There are a number of different companies offering the service from Santa Marta to Barranquilla, but the most popular ones are Marsol, Caribe Vans, Pro Tours and Coche express. They all have set departures every 2 hours, from 06:00-18:00.
You can check the availability and book a minivan with Marsol through BookAway, providing pick-up and drop-off addresses. We recommend booking in advance, preferably the day before travelling and wait for their confirmation.
Expect to pay around 39,000 COP ($9.30) to Barranquilla. Prices can increase by around 25% during the carnival and holiday seasons.
You’ll be picked up at the address you provided, before beginning the journey to your drop-off address, which takes around 2 hours to 2 hours 15 minutes. The time may vary slightly depending on traffic and rest breaks, but effectively all you have to do is sit back and relax the entire way.
Minivan schedule from Santa Marta to Barranquilla
- 24/7 customer support
- 24/7 customer support
Santa Marta to Barranquilla by Bus
The bus is an affordable way to get from Santa Marta to Barranquilla. Bus fares start from 42,000 COP ($9.90) and the journey takes around 2 hours 15 minutes to 8 hours.
You can choose from six bus companies operating on this route: Rapido Ochoa, Expreso Almirante Padilla, Expreso Brasilia, Unitransco, Copetran and Flota La Macarena.
Step 1: Santa Marta to Barranquilla
There are three major bus companies that will take you from Santa Marta to Barranquilla: Expreso Brasilia/Unitransco, Rapido Ochoa and Copetran. Every day there are buses leaving from Santa Marta Bus Terminal (Terminal de Buses) at various times.
The buses are quite comfortable, with reclining seats, AC, a toilet and the newer buses tend to have individual tvs and charging ports.
Expreso Brasilia is considered to be ahead in terms of services and amenities, but there’s only one bus covering this route a day.
Meanwhile, Rapido Ochoa and Copetran may be more convenient (and usually a bit cheaper) as they offer 5-6 departures a day, every 3-4 hours.
You can book your tickets online (make sure to print your ticket in advance though) or directly at the bus terminal. Day buses don’t tend to sell out as quickly as night ones, so it’s possible to get a ticket at the bus terminal.
To get to Santa Marta bus terminal take a yellow cab and indicate you are going to the “Terminal de buses”. The fare should be around 8,000 COP ($1.90) from Santa Marta city centre, where most hotels are. If you are staying in the El Rodadero area, that fare will increase to around 22,000 COP ($5.20).
- 24/7 customer support
- 24/7 customer support
Step 2: Barranquilla Bus Terminal to the city centre
Barranquilla bus terminal is located in the southern district of Soledad, pretty close to the airport. It is not the best or safest area, though.
Therefore, it is best to take a taxi that will typically cost between 20,000 COP ($4.70) to 26,000 COP ($6.10) to get to the city centre or 15,000 COP ($3.50) to the airport. The journey to the city centre and most tourist areas will take around 30 minutes.
It is possible to walk 15 minutes to the metrobus station “Pacho Galan” and take the line R1 towards the city. To access the system you need to buy a card for 5,000 COP ($1.20) and then a ticket for 2,000 COP ($0.60).
However, we don’t really recommend taking the metrobus, since the area is not the best for walking, plus the bus service is poor and tends to be crowded.
Santa Marta to Barranquilla by Private Transport
A private transfer is a convenient option when travelling in a group from Santa Marta to Barranquilla.
Rates start from 369,000 COP ($87) for a 6-seater private transfer. Divide the cost and that’s just about 61,000 COP ($14.50) per person. Travel time is around 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes.
Private Transport options from Santa Marta to Barranquilla
Frequently Asked Questions about Santa Marta to Barranquilla
What is the distance from Santa Marta to Barranquilla?
The distance from Santa Marta to Barranquilla is 104 kilometers (65 miles).
What is the fastest way to get from Santa Marta to Barranquilla?
The fastest way to get from Santa Marta to Barranquilla is by minivan and takes 2 hours.
What is the cheapest way to get from Santa Marta to Barranquilla?
The cheapest way to get from Santa Marta to Barranquilla is by minivan with ticket costs starting from 39,000 COP ($9.30).
Rounding it up
We hope this guide was helpful in planning how to get from Santa Marta to Barranquilla. If there's anything else you're wondering about, drop us a comment and we'll do our best to answer you within a few days.
PS: If you've recently travelled this route, share your experience with fellow travellers and help us improve this post. Thanks for helping out our travel community!
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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.
