Santa Marta - Weekend 1

Happy First Weekend in Santa Marta 

This post is coming to you on "Colombian time" - i.e., later than expected. 

The first weekend before classes started 4 other girls and I took a trip to Santa Marta, a nearby coastal city. For less than $10 USD we took a 1 hr and a half bus ride from Barranquilla to Santa Marta. We arrived in the evening, but didn't get settled into a hostal until quite late. The trip had a very spontaneous character so we had booked no hostels nor made any plans.

We were able to find a small beach only a short walk from our hostel! All the tents pictured are small venders.

Photos above: We fine-dined in Sona Rosa (I hope I'm spelling that right - pretty convinced I'm not) with live music and a bustling crowd. Didn't take many photos but it was an absolutely gorgeous area with great vibes. think "summer Broad Ripple but more live music and less cars" for my Indy folks out there.

Photos below: We stayed in Fatima Hostels, dormitory style. On the left is me in front of the hostel. On the right is pretty poor photo (whoops) of the eating space.

Saturday, July 20 - Minca

A german traveler's guide - provided by one of the students on the trip - HIGHLY recommended Minca, a town 40 minutes outside Santa Marta. So we boarded yet another bus. My life in Colombia consists of bus rides. 

Minca was well worth it - it's town that is a focal point for many hikes and cooler destinations. It was swarming with tourists.

From Minca, we took an hour and a half (mas o menos, more or less) hike up to a waterfall (Las Cascadas)! The waterfall was incredible! It had two levels. the first one was deep and great for swimming. The second one transformed into a photo session for like 8 families. There was also a small restaurant and hammocks to rest in front of the waterfall. 

Sunday, July 21 - Taganga Beach 

A 20 minute taxi ride - a very uncomfortable ride, I'm looking for the local slang equivalent to "frat packing" since it is a HIGHLY relevant term here" -  away from Santa Marta was Taganga Beach. We're pretty convinced it was a local beach, since we seemed to be of the few tourists there. The water was perfect! At one point a religious procession made its way to the beach, and with great commotion and a large crowd gathering, emplaced a statue of Mary with Jesus onto a boat (not pictured).