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Today’s Santa Marta is a different story. Well-kept parks and fine colonial buildings are the Santa Marta of today The first leading-edge investors were prowling the city.
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When I first visited Santa Marta in 2010, it was definitely a “work in progress.” The formerly seedy downtown was undergoing restoration, bringing the fine colonial homes, parks, and churches back to their original splendor. There’s a rainy season that lasts from May to November, turning the surrounding mountains a lush green, while it’s very dry the rest of the year. It’s always warm in Santa Marta, with highs hovering in the high-80s to low-90s all year (31.5☌ to 33.5☌). It was here that one of Columbus’s crewmen documented the wealth and riches of the local indigenous people, which gave rise to the myth of El Dorado, the fabled city of gold. Colombia’s Oldest City Has Been RebornĬolumbus visited Santa Marta on his second voyage in 1499, and it was officially founded as a city in 1525. A smaller apartment can set you back a little more than US$46,000. dollar, prices here are better than ever. The way I think of it, Cartagena is where the world comes to visit, while Santa Marta is preferred by Colombians and a few savvy expats.Īnd with today’s resurgence of the U.S. It’s a town that offers excellent diving, sandy beaches, calm waters, an upbeat and energetic culture, and a collection of diverse and attractive living options. It’s Colombia’s #1 draw for foreign visitors and home to a sizeable expat community.īut just 150 miles up the Caribbean coast is Santa Marta. Plus: Spain’s Best Weather | Upcoming Coverage Of The Dominican RepublicĮveryone who made it beyond third grade has heard of Cartagena, Colombia.
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