Santa Marta

From Cartagena we took a bus to Santa Marta. The road lead through a natural reserve at the coast and we also crossed River Magdalena at Barranquilla, which was amazingly huge. At the riverbank we also saw the statue of Rihanna. We drove past some very poor settlements, which was very heart breaking to see especially after seeing the contrast in the relatively rich Cartagena. After a five hour ride, we finally arrived in Santa Marta. We walked around the town, went to the ocean and to the market, which was still full in the afternoon. You could find hundreds of exotic fruits and vegetables, sweets, toys and everything you can imagine. You could even get your nails and eyebrows done on the streets.
Afterwards, we had dinner in a small restaurant. Tipical restaurants normally serve a daily menu, which consists of chicken or fish, with cooking bananas and rice, sometimes with a soup as well, all for around 5 €, all very tasty. We also ordered a beer, but as the restaurant didn't have any, the waiter just went to the shop across the street and brought us some.
After dinner we had another walk in the city. Though Santa Marta is the oldest city in Colombia, there are not many sights, besides the cathedral and the obligatory Bolivar square, but the nightlife is quite lively, with many pubs and restaurants. Also several people approached us on the street offering beer and cocaine.Read more