Updated Feb 18, 2026
KEY STATS
499K
Population
294 km2
Area
233 Mbps
Internet
8m
Elevation
UTC−05:00
Timezone
SMR (14km)
Airport
OVERVIEW
Santa Marta, officially the Distrito Turístico, Cultural e Histórico de Santa Marta, is a port city on the coast of the Caribbean Sea in northern Colombia. It is the capital of Magdalena Department and the fourth-largest urban city of the Caribbean Region of Colombia, after Barranquilla, Cartagena, and Soledad. Founded on July 29, 1525, by the S...
QUICK FACTS
Country
Colombia
Region
South America
Population
499K
Timezone
UTC−05:00
Elevation
8 m
Language
Spanish
Airport
SMR
GPS
11.24, -74.19
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Tech
233 Mbps average download — faster than most capital cities worldwide
A mid-sized city of 499,192 people
INFRASTRUCTURE
1,944 total POIs 6.6 per km²
Above avg per capita
Average
Below avg
Food & Drink
Restaurants
282
Cafes
50
Bars
35
Fast Food
43
Shopping
Supermarkets
71
Convenience
43
Shopping Malls
18
Healthcare
Hospitals
5
Clinics
18
Pharmacies
41
Education
Schools
345
Universities
8
Libraries
5
Recreation
Parks
90
Playgrounds
16
Sports
171
Cinemas
4
Museums
6
Theatres
4
Transport
Bus Stops
54
Fuel Stations
44
Services
Banks
22
ATMs
36
Post Offices
2
Police
14
Source: DropThe Database | dropthe.org
INTERNET SPEED
233 Mbps
Download
199 Mbps
Upload
15ms
Latency
12,939
Tests
4,016
Devices
2025-Q4
Last updated
CLIMATE
28°
J
28°
F
28°
M
29°
A
29°
M
29°
J
29°
J
29°
A
29°
S
29°
O
28°
N
28°
D
18-28 C ideal
Warm/Cool
Extreme
Year avg: 28.5 C Range: 28.2 - 28.8 C Rain: 989 mm/year Sunshine: 3,773 h/year
CITY SCORES
88.4
Nomad Index
C
Livability
26.3
Culture
48.9
Overall
AIRPORT
SMR
Simón Bolívar International Airport
14 km from center
~25 min ride
FUN FACTS
Santa Marta (Spanish pronunciation: [ˌsanta ˈmaɾta]), officially the Distrito Turístico, Cultural e Histórico de Santa Marta (English: Historic, Cultural & Tourist District of Santa Marta), is a port city on the coast of the Caribbean Sea in northern Colombia.
It is the capital of Magdalena Department and the fourth-largest urban city of the Caribbean Region of Colombia, after Barranquilla, Cartagena, and Soledad.
Founded on July 29, 1525, by the Spanish conqueror Rodrigo de Bastidas, it was one of the first Spanish settlements in Colombia, its oldest surviving city, and second-oldest in South America.
Due to a combination of tropical weather, significant rainfall, and the destruction and misrepresentation of many records by Spanish conquistadors, our understanding of the peoples of this region is limited.
The Tairona formed mid- to large-size population centers, consisting of stone pathways, terraces, protected waterways, and spaces dedicated to agricultural produce.
EXTERNAL LINKS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Santa Marta known for?
Santa Marta is a city in Colombia. It offers a range of cultural, historical, and natural attractions.
How fast is the internet in Santa Marta?
Santa Marta has an average download speed of 233 Mbps and upload speed of 199 Mbps, based on Ookla speed test data.
What is the weather like in Santa Marta?
Santa Marta has an average year-round temperature of approximately 28.5 degrees Celsius.
What airport serves Santa Marta?
Santa Marta is served by SMR (Simón Bolívar International Airport), approximately 14 km from the city center.
What is the population of Santa Marta?
The population of Santa Marta is approximately 499K.
What infrastructure does Santa Marta have?
Santa Marta has 1,944 mapped points of interest, including 282 restaurants, 5 hospitals, 345 schools.
What country is Santa Marta in?
Santa Marta is located in Colombia.
