Santa Marta Cruise Port
Santa Marta, Colombia · Caribbean
Cruise ships dock at Muelle 2 — Cruise Berth (Sociedad Portuaria), Santa Marta.
Plan my port daysDocked port beside the historic centre: the Gold Museum and the bay promenade are about 1 km (10–15 minutes on foot) from the ship. Rodadero, Taganga and the Quinta are short taxi rides.
At a glance
Port summary
Cruise ships berth at Pier 2 of the Sociedad Portuaria de Santa Marta, a working cargo port at the north end of Santa Marta Bay. Most calls are small and mid-size ships between late September and March. You can't wander through the cargo area: follow the marked route or take the short port bus to the gate on Carrera 1, where taxis and local guides wait. From the gate it is a flat 5-minute walk to the Casa de la Aduana and the bay promenade. The historic centre is compact and easy on foot: the free Gold Museum in the Casa de la Aduana, Parque Bolívar, the white cathedral where the city's founder Rodrigo de Bastidas is buried, and Parque de los Novios with the best restaurants. Two to three hours covers it at a relaxed pace. It is hot all year (around 33 °C), so start early and plan an air-conditioned break around midday. For half a day, take a taxi to the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, where Simón Bolívar died (15 minutes), to the fishing village of Taganga (15 minutes) or to the beach resort of El Rodadero (20 minutes), with boats to Playa Blanca. Minca, in the cooler Sierra Nevada foothills, takes 45–60 minutes each way and fills a full day. Tayrona National Park is about 75 minutes to the entrance plus a long hike to the beaches, so it only works on a long call with a private driver. The park closes three times a year (in 2026: 1–15 February, 1–15 June and 19 October–2 November). The currency is the Colombian peso. Taxis have no meters, so agree the fare before you get in, and carry small notes for taxis, beaches and snacks.
Cruise dock
Muelle 2 — Cruise Berth (Sociedad Portuaria)
Cruise ships berth at Pier 2 of the Sociedad Portuaria de Santa Marta, a working cargo port at the north end of the bay; a new mooring dolphin lets larger ships use it from the 2026–27 season. A short port bus or marked walkway leads to the gate on Carrera 1, and the historic centre starts just outside.
Latitude: 11.251321, Longitude: -74.216731
See dock on port map →Getting to Santa Marta
From the cruise terminal to the city centre
Map & things to do
Money & payments
Bring pesos in small notes for taxis, beaches and snacks, and use cards in restaurants. US dollars are accepted in a few tourist spots, at a poor rate.
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Frequently asked questions
- Where does my cruise ship dock in Santa Marta?
- Your ship docks directly at the Santa Marta cruise terminal in Colombia.
- Can I walk from the cruise port into Santa Marta?
- Yes. Santa Marta is walkable from the cruise port — many cruisers reach the city centre on foot.
- How do I get from the cruise port to Santa Marta centre?
- Typical options include Shuttle bus, On foot, Taxi, Local bus. Durations and costs are listed in the transport section above.
- How much time do I need in Santa Marta?
- Plan for at least 2 hours ashore to see Santa Marta independently and return to the ship with a safe buffer.
- What currency is used in Santa Marta and are cards accepted?
- Santa Marta uses the Colombian peso. Carry some cash for markets, taxis, and smaller vendors — cards aren't accepted everywhere.
- Is there Wi-Fi at the cruise port?
- Wi-Fi isn't reliably available at the Santa Marta cruise terminal. Consider a local SIM or your cruise line's data package.
- When should I be back at the ship?
- Cruise lines usually require all passengers on board about 30 minutes before scheduled departure. Confirm the exact all-aboard time on your daily programme.
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