Colombia
Santa Marta
#5 Top 5 cities
Santa Marta is a simpler and often cheaper coastal alternative to Cartagena, but with less robust services.
Country overview
Population
499Β 192
Year-round temperatures
Day: 30°C aΕΎ 33°C
Night: 24°C aΕΎ 26°C
Climate
Hot tropical seaside weather with high humidity and little temperature variation through the year.
Distance to the sea
0 km
Social atmosphere
7/10
Costs
Housing cost
6/10
Food cost
7/10
Business friendliness
4/10
Safety
5/10
Santa Marta has persistent theft, robbery and tourist-targeted scams, with greater risk after dark and outside established visitor areas; licensed transport and careful neighborhood choice matter.
Natural disaster resilience
3/10
Santa Marta faces flash floods, landslides from the nearby Sierra Nevada, extreme heat, drought and occasional Caribbean tropical storms; vulnerable drainage and slopes increase disruption.
Other scores
Other scores
Internet availability
6/10
Internet speed
5/10
Internet stability
5/10
Electricity stability
6/10
Community types
Largest nationality groups
- πΊπΈAmericans
- πͺπΈSpanish
- π©πͺGermans
Pros / Cons
Pros
- +Beaches and sea
- +Lower living costs
- +Pleasant atmosphere
Cons
- βTourism seasonality
- βSmaller expat scene
- βFewer work opportunities