I visited Santa Marta in April and absolutely fell in LOVE with it!! I like to do photography and the sunsets there every night were some of the best sunsets I've ever seen anywhere. Also, you didn't highlight the beautiful island out in the bay with the lighthouse on top. Its such a beautiful scene that is completely unique to Santa Marta. I took pictures there every night and they were my favorite pics from my whole trip in Colombia. You also didn't highlight the great restaurants along the main strip in downtown Santa Marta. Many great restaurants to choose from. I tried 5 different ones during my stay and never had a bad meal. Amazing food and all very affordable. There are even great street performers who perform every night for the folks eating out doors. Singers, Dancers, and musicians. Tyrona National Park is a short trip away and I took a wonderful day trip tour to the park which was amazing. The bus held about 30 people and I and one British man were the only tourists on board. Everyone else was a Colombian citizen. You really get the sense that it truly is a hidden gem while you're there. Great video. I like the vlog style. Keep up that great work!
@HowToExpat
5 жыл бұрын
Great comment thanks. Glad you liked it.
@billytheweasel
4 жыл бұрын
To be fair they had business half their time there, so couldn't show everything. Glad the hear the food is great, I was spoiled by Thailand and Cambodia so Viet Nam was a huge let down. Street performers can be a mixed bag, they can annoy you when you're trying to eat to get money sometimes.
@jgamble60
5 жыл бұрын
My only worry is that by the time I leave the USA in 10 years some of these places will no longer be cheap! Just like Medellin and others. But hopefully I can find me a gem like this in my travels the next few years.
@HowToExpat
5 жыл бұрын
Haha yes who knows what in 10 years is. But I guess Pereira, Rionegro in Colombia will be the up and coming areas. Maybe even Cali.
@billytheweasel
4 жыл бұрын
That happened to me in Thailand. I decided to retire there early but it was too expensive by the time I was ready. Also, Thailand makes it more and more difficult to get a visa and live there.
@NomadShifu
3 жыл бұрын
The historic centre of Santa Marta is where most tourists go when they visit because it's safe, full of character and home to many different boutique hotels and hostels. Not only that, Santa Marta is a must if you are looking to visit Tayrona National Park, Minca or Palomino.
@MiC-T
3 жыл бұрын
I really like how you don't walk around putting cameras in people's faces like other Colombia vloggers. You and Tacha are very respectful and professional. Im down to Barranquila, Santa Marta, and Bogota. Santa Marta has jumped into the lead thanks to your videos.
@boutiquemai3100
5 жыл бұрын
Met a colombian last month in Montreal and I asked about a nice place by the beach and he has mentionned Santa Marta.
@eamonnwright5557
4 жыл бұрын
I admire the work that the two of you produce . When I’m ready to depart NYC to Medellin , you two will be among the first people I reach out to . All The Best !
@mfvargastorres02
5 жыл бұрын
For photocopies they always over charge you in the airport. The problem living in Santa Marta are the public services electricity is expensive and bad, water service sucks and when it rains they don´t have rainwater sewer.
@drecavaco
5 жыл бұрын
I’m in Barranquilla now, but I’m definitely going to be checking out Santa Marta in the future. When I took your country quiz, I got Santa Marta!
@HowToExpat
5 жыл бұрын
Sounds great hope you like it. If you need a guide there let me know :D contact@how-to-expat.com
@ScorpioOnTheGo
4 жыл бұрын
I’m moving to Colombia in October Thank you for showing me Santa Marta I would like to spend some time there
@boomxmilizexpathacks9440
2 жыл бұрын
Estoy enamorada de Santa Marta. As a Floridiot, I can assure you Miami is way more expensive. Hundreds of dollars a night.
@kengaroo120
4 жыл бұрын
How's the dengue and mosquitoes problem?
@adamsarwar
5 жыл бұрын
Santa Marta looks cool. I just booked a ticket to Cartegena and plan to visit Medellin and Bogota too. Thanks for sharing!
@HowToExpat
5 жыл бұрын
Great, enjoy your trip! Next time you might consider to visit Santa Marta too :D That way you'll see 2 cities in the Andes region and 2on the Caribbean coast that are close to each other but still pretty different.
@seando87
4 жыл бұрын
I stayed in santa marta for 19 days in 2012. Had an apartment with ac and everything. I recognised alot of the places you showed in your video. Brought back good memories. I have a sister inlaw down there so we homecooked meals. We didnt follow tourist guide books or anything. Only a handful of people could speak english. That beach you were on, did you happen to see a guy pulling a makeshift trailer making drinks? He was our go to guy on the beach lol
@HowToExpat
4 жыл бұрын
Cool you enjoyed your time in SM
@seando87
4 жыл бұрын
@@HowToExpat very much. We plan on going back
@larry1754
5 жыл бұрын
Very nice, thank you for posting! My gf now lives in Cuenca, Ecuador, but cannot handle the cold weather there up in Andes mountains. She also loves beaches, warmer weather, is thinking of moving to Colombia, maybe Armenia. But thoSe Santa Marta beaches just might drag her there, lol! Again, nice video, just subscribed!
@HowToExpat
5 жыл бұрын
Yes Cuenca is a little chilly. Options are Pereira, Armenia, Medellin, Bucaramanga or as you said the coast in Colombia. Hope it helps :D
@maurocaicedoproducciones3337
5 жыл бұрын
gracias por tan bonito video amigos, un abrazo desde santa marta colombia
@HowToExpat
5 жыл бұрын
Hola Mauro. Muchas gracias, un abrazo desde Medellín
@EletiseMincey
5 жыл бұрын
Wow! $10,000 COP for 2 copies of the travel ticket is a lot. Normally outside of the airport the price is around $500 COP for two copies of a document. Great video and me and my wife already have plans to travel to Santa Marta this year.
@HowToExpat
5 жыл бұрын
Haha yes they really take advantage of it. Hope to see you soon.
@EletiseMincey
5 жыл бұрын
@@HowToExpat we can schedule a time to meet. We're not doing much at the moment.
@HowToExpat
5 жыл бұрын
Sure I'll send you a message
@rochelleglam
5 жыл бұрын
Can you please make a vlog about Barranquilla? Quality of life, cost of living, pros & cons.
@HowToExpat
5 жыл бұрын
Barranquilla is not yet on the plan, but we will surely cover it one day
@jeremygreenfeld7746
5 жыл бұрын
Love the vlog. Thank you SO much for not making the transition music obnoxiously loud! Try Cafe Lulo next time you're in Santa Marta.. my favorite restaurant in Colombia.
@HowToExpat
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks a lot really appreciate your comment. Sounds good, we will do that next time!
@charlesdavis7461
3 жыл бұрын
I like the cubanos, very nice. Of course the beach was great.
@gamecreaterdude13
5 жыл бұрын
Being an expat doing English teaching online & trying to do hair like trenzesafricana etc braids in places in central and South America sounds plausible?
@drecavaco
5 жыл бұрын
gamecreaterdude13 yes
@MiC-T
3 жыл бұрын
If Tacha is Colombiana, I'm moving there yesterday. Dios mio.
@item6931
5 жыл бұрын
Nice! Still prefer the Andean highlands at this point though haha!
@HowToExpat
5 жыл бұрын
haha yes we too :D
@donfss5088
3 жыл бұрын
Me too. It's cheaper in the Andean Highlands but also cooler and for new people there's the possibility of altitude sickness.On a 4 bdrm finca w/guesthouse, 1 hour north of Bogota, the electricity costs around $25. per month, this is with an electric water heater. Internet per month is the same, $25. Factory processed water approx $10 for 3 months. Eating out at the best restaurant in this small country town is $7 for 2 people for the executivo dinner. The food is delicious and plentiful. You will NOT have any room for desert. Steak at the butchers runs $1.50 - $2.25 a lb. After saying all this, Bogota and area has a very mild climate compared to the Coast, it can dip down to 10C at night to about 20C
@AZANDAE
5 жыл бұрын
Do you know about near by gyms to workout. Can you add to to your futue trips. Thank you guys.
@HowToExpat
5 жыл бұрын
Noted, thanks
@AZANDAE
5 жыл бұрын
@@HowToExpat ;) Very Important, Ill be coming in 2 months.
@billytheweasel
4 жыл бұрын
@@AZANDAE Did you go? Are there lifter gyms? If so, how much?
@canberough2670
5 жыл бұрын
I'm from Santa Marta. Love my city. Here's to hoping more ex-pats settle in.
@billytheweasel
4 жыл бұрын
If my wife and I are able to retire there early 2021 I hope we are polite and easy guests.
@humanoid144
3 жыл бұрын
10,000 pesos for two documents? thats like $1.50 per document its an Airport. I have been charged $30 to print a ticket in an airport.
@luhwik089
5 жыл бұрын
more ideas, more growing jaja bless
@coda3208
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for this. You guys are so great. I appreciate all the info. Can you do a video on Bucamaranga?
@HowToExpat
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks! We actually wanted to visit Bucaramanga last year. Maybe we will be able to do so this year.
@bigoso404
5 жыл бұрын
Very interesting. I’m currently planning my next trip to Colombia, deciding what cities to visit. I’m hearing VERY conflicting stories about Santa Marta. I’m in several Colombia groups online that consist of expats and travelers to Colombia and the picture they paint of Santa Marta is very different. They’ve said that due to proximity to Venezuela, extreme poverty and lack of any real (legal) industry there, that Santa Marta is a very dangerous place. Beaches are off limits after dark, nightlife can be dangerous etc
@HowToExpat
5 жыл бұрын
Yes, I can imagine. Most forums are full of different opinions based on unreliable sources. Two good tips for your research. Santa Marta is as safe as let's say San Diego (my opinion), and the that the Venezuela crisis has staggering consequences for the safety in Colombia is just BS (outside of the border regions 10 miles to the border). Is there a robbery or two more, sure. Are people scared of Venezuelans that flood the cities, no. Hope it helps ;) Sam
@jeremygreenfeld7746
5 жыл бұрын
I was recently in Santa Marta for 4 days, and while I wouldn't compare it to San Diego, I will say that I felt just as safe as any other city I visited in Colombia. If nightlife is what you're seeking though, you might want to pass. There are just so many better nightlife destinations in Colombia. Santa Marta is a great jumping point to Tayrona, Minca, or several of the other beaches in the region and definitely has enough charm to warrant a day or two.
@roygoad2870
4 жыл бұрын
I just used Viva airlines and I just showed the ticket on the phone and I got away with carry on bag that was bigger than that basket they have to check size, got lucky I guess! Lots to see here and easy to get to places using Public Buses, did you go to Minca?
@twsswt
5 жыл бұрын
Good morning, thank you once again for an excellent vlog. How about purchase prices there. How much for a 2b 2 bath there near the beach? Enjoy your vacation.
@HowToExpat
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comment, means a lot to us. It surely depends but it would cost around 100,000k USD
@matt18m18
5 жыл бұрын
I saw that the balcony has sofas or couches. Is it very dry there like Aruba?
@HowToExpat
5 жыл бұрын
Depends on which season. We had a big storm one day. So surely not extremely dry
@mfvargastorres02
5 жыл бұрын
Go to MIL CARNES is the best restaurant!
@HowToExpat
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the recommendation. We will think about it the next time that we are in Santa Marta.
@mikenogozones
5 жыл бұрын
I agree that Santa Marta has the potential to be a major international tourist destination but I see that the airport only handles domestic flights within Colombia. Are there any plans for the Santa Marta airport to handle international flights? That would really help with the logistics of traveling.
@coco9004
3 жыл бұрын
Which airline fly from cartagena or medalline to panama at cheap price please?
@LifeWithCandis
6 ай бұрын
And WHY is the hospital so far? omg That's kinda a big deal.
@unknownquantity4440
3 жыл бұрын
hey guys. I see this is an older video. Are the apartment prices you mention in the video 'gringo' pricing, or the same for locals as well? Also have prices dropped since the Covid?
@Mario-re2qp
4 жыл бұрын
had considered visiting until i read of an European who got his hillside property burned down because he refused to pay a local gang money
@asianbiker69canada
5 жыл бұрын
Good video. Would like to see more about the nightlife. Thanks
@Mr.AlwaysonVacay
5 жыл бұрын
Tacha without makeup = yummy :p
@steveo2078
4 жыл бұрын
shaun MAC Happily married woman and BTW Sams a great guy and they are a great couple !
@gregoriopuro
4 жыл бұрын
Parque de los Novios translates to " Lover's Park "
@LifeWithCandis
6 ай бұрын
Is that apartment still availible? lol wow
@mathematical_theology
5 жыл бұрын
Great video. Thanks.
@nikita000001
3 жыл бұрын
What about hospitals there?
@centasource613
4 жыл бұрын
How do you guys communicate when getting around. Do you both speak fluent Spanish being from Switzerland? Any tips?
@sebasty1800
4 жыл бұрын
They’ve stated in other vids that they’re fluent in Spanish
@bananahead44
5 жыл бұрын
What was the name of the beaches you were at in this video? I couldn't understand what you said if you did in fact say what they were called? Thanks.
@HowToExpat
5 жыл бұрын
One was Cabo Tortuga, Playa Zazue and Playa Rodadero. Hope it helps ;)
@danielatumisi3866
3 жыл бұрын
What language do you guys speak to each other?
@HowToExpat
3 жыл бұрын
Swiss German
@justinjoerger6253
5 жыл бұрын
Have you guys been to San Andreas Isla? I heard it’s the most beautiful place in CO
@HowToExpat
5 жыл бұрын
We have not been there yet. We are looking forward to go one day.
@Recuper8
5 жыл бұрын
Thanks
@metarick3390
3 жыл бұрын
can i pay for things in cryptocurrencies
@HowToExpat
3 жыл бұрын
Never heard of that option in Colombia.
@pablopineda1673
5 жыл бұрын
Good people ☺
@YellowPineappleHoyas
4 жыл бұрын
Can you comment on how Santa Marta compares to Bocas Del Toro, Panama?
@HowToExpat
4 жыл бұрын
extremely different Bocas del toro are small islands whereas Santa Marta is a city.
@mariabaier3080
2 жыл бұрын
No way you can compare!! Santa Marta is a city , with history behind. It has a port, numerous hotels, extensive beaches and Caribbean flavor. Bocas not of that but nice .. small and not as developed
@p.c.h.6721
5 жыл бұрын
So, which one would you recommend, Santa Marta, Cartagena or Medellin? Could you please send me the link to the E book? Thanks in advance
@HowToExpat
5 жыл бұрын
I still prefer Medellin, but of course if you like to go to a beach Santa Marta or Cartagena are better. www.how-to-expat.com/post/medellin-vs-cartagena/Choose Santa Marta over Cartagena if you speak Spanish and if you are ok with having a good hospital around 2h away. But we will most probably have a video about Cartagena vs. Santa Marta coming up.
@mariabaier3080
2 жыл бұрын
There are very diferent places. Mountains, beaches?
@bananapatch9118
4 жыл бұрын
Looks nice but too hot for us
@the701squad1
4 жыл бұрын
Shhhhhhhhhh. keep it secret jeje
@mikeprat1
5 жыл бұрын
Dope
@JERios-wv8lx
5 жыл бұрын
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT YOU ARE FROM USA AND YOUR GIRLFRIEND IS FROM COLOMBIA, AM I RIGHT?
@HowToExpat
5 жыл бұрын
Hehehe not really we are both from Switzerland :)
@roxanemenez8288
5 жыл бұрын
To have lived there it's not that amazing. The hills around the city are all brown as the vegetations is so dry for exemple. Let's say this point is ok as you have Tyrona and Minca close around. But please don't advertise Rodadero beach as the perfect example of an amazing Caribbean beach !!!!!! It is absolutely not the case !!!! I came here reading and hearing the same and what a huge disappointment when I actually saw the beach ... Even more when you know how a real Caribbean beach looks like.
@HowToExpat
5 жыл бұрын
Hey Roxane thanks for the comment. Yes we have traveled the Caribbean and there are way more beautiful beaches in the DR or PR for example. But! They are mostly either very remote or full with tourists. That's why we like the one in Rodadero. But even better are the ones a little outside like in Zazue or Cabo Tortuga. But I completely understand why somebody does not like Santa Marta it's not for everyone. Bit always happy to see different options.
@HowToExpat
5 жыл бұрын
By the way. We will have a Pros and Cons video about Santa Marta soon. I will mention what you said in the comment there👍
@J_LeeChannel
5 жыл бұрын
@@HowToExpat Great video guys! I've been very curious about Santa Marta for a while now. Also, when you do the Pros & Cons video, could you do a review of the internet and wifi service there, please? High speed, reliable internet is a non-negotiable for me, so I'm really interested in hearing a boots on the ground review of how stable their internet is. Thanks
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