Start this full-day tour by meeting the expert local guide who will pick you up from your hotel. Firstly, you will visit the old city’s most emblematic places. Parque de Los Novios, Simón Bolívar Park, and the monument of Santa Marta’s founder Rodrigo Bastidas, among others. Then, you will go to the old city’s main Cathedral where they have the tomb of Bastidas.
Afterward, jump to La Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, a 17th-century hacienda, which is nowadays one of the most recognized and touristic spots in Santa Marta for being home and death place to Simon Bolivar, the “father of South American independence”. Learn about his life and enjoy its enormous gardens and patios covered by the trees’ shade before going to a whole different place.
In the end, the guide will take you back to the hotel.
Great city tour. Excellent guide! Everything noted when booked was provided during the tour. If you are a history buff or just want to learn more about the city then I highly recommend this tour.
It was an excellent day! Our guide Andres was a very professional; and entertaining person. He was able to answer all our questions. We enjoyed our walking trip around the old town and the ride to the Quinta where Bolivar died, which also allowed us to see some different areas of the city, A nice combination of actiities. We also really enjoyed our driver Joel and he was good enough to return my glasses which I had left in the car. PS We paid extra for a private tour - very worthwhile
Loved the experience! Our guide Andres was super knowledgeable and kind to us at all times. Would’ve liked if there was something planned for el parque the los novios Main Street not just a walk through it (maybe a stop for a local drink or snack) but other than that everything went flawlessly, would definitely rebook with them for the next visit!
Totally worth the experience! I went with my family and my mom who loves history and ended up very satisfied. Our guide Christian Carvajalino was very knowledgeable and passionate about his work! Would recommend 10/10
Andres was charming and well informed. We toured 2 museums, museums with which he was very familiar. We took a pleasant walk along the water and then through charming streets lined with restaurants with canapés of flora and flags. There were no lags - it all happened at the perfect pace.
As English speakers, we welcomed an English tour that connected the various parts of the area’s past. Andres did a great job. We were able to set a reasonable pace for the tour, which our teens appreciated too.
This tour was excellent! Jose is very knowledgeable and showed us all the great places in Santa Marta. He is so friendly and easy to talk with, and he really knows his history! Highly recommend!
Wonderful walking tour of the old city and the Quinta of San Pedro Alejandrino which is the estate where Simon Bolivar passed away. Our guide Jose was fluent in English and quite flexible with our itinerary. Pick up and drop off from our hotel outside the city went smoothly. Highly recommended worth the visit!
The Quinta was an outstanding experience, and the old town was pretty an interesting. Excellent guide and driver.
Wonderful day spent exploring Santa Marta. Learned all about the history of independence and Simon Bolívar. Our guide David is the man to know
Very interesting tour covering a few historic places in Santa Marta. Camilo Mateus was our tour leader, and this guy was really really amazing.
JuanDa was a very knowledgeable guide and flexible on the tour itinerary but at times difficult to understand in English. We spent most of our time in the Gold museum, the Bolivar museum and the home where Bolivar died. They were all underwhelming.
Andres was an excellent tour guide and was so knowledgeable about the history of Santa Marta. He was also very easy going and fun to spend the day with. We first walked around the historic Old Town. He first walked us thru the gold museum explaining the importance of gold to the region. We then went to the Cathedral, the City Square and he even showed us the oldest Hostel in the city. We then drove to the suburbs to visit the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, which was the house of the hacienda that was lent to Simon Bolivar in 1830. He was the liberator of Columbia and several other South American countries. He spent his final days there and passed away there. The house and grounds are a memorial to him and the area was beautiful. All in all it was a great trip and I highly recommend this tour and Andres!
Excellent History tour of Santa Marta, Simon Bolivar, Banana Massacre, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Bastidas and more! Rosa was so well informed and her love and dedication to her country was very apparent. The trip to San Alejandrino was great as well. See the Hacienda where S. Bolivar stayed and died, the Altar of Freedom. This country’s indigenous past, fight for independence and turmoils since was eye opening and gave me a great affection for Colombia and her people. Highly recommend as this tour will be most memorable and educational.
The tour is as very well organised and our guide was very knowledgeable and professional. Rosa explained a lot of history and customs that we found really interesting.
The guide was very knowledgeable and explain in detail everything. She was able to manage a bilingual group and provided information to everyone.
My parents went on this tour and they loved it. Ceasar (the guide) was amazing, very knowledgeable, kind and professional. Everything was perfect. The guide and driver were very flexible and adapted to my parent's preferences. My mother enjoyed learning about Simon Bolivar and my father loved the little snacks (deditos de queso and jugo). Thanks so much Ceasar for looking after them and making this day so special.
Jose was one of the best part of our vacation. He tailored everything to us helped me find ear drops at the pharmacy and even arrange a short boat ride in the best scuba diving area. He was so knowledgeable and quick to explain what we wanted to learn not just the standard tour guide info Thanks Jose!!!
Great way to know the important places in Santa Marta and a view of Taganga, Jose the tour guide was very good and Knowledgeable
Andrea was amazing at translating and making the history come to life! We never felt rushed and enjoyed all the sites
Our day started promptly with a tour guide who was instantly likable and easy to be with. Guillermo had so many stories of the history of everything we saw from Simon Bolivar and the liberation os South America, the fishing village of Taganga, and the history of gold in Columbia at the gold museum. We walked all over and Guillermo took great care of me as I do have some handicaps but he did not let that stop us. We had a wonderful lunch and then walked through the old city shopping stalls were you can find all manner of things. If I ever find myself in Columbia again I would definitely use this company again and I will ask for Guillermo. It could not have gone any better.
It was a great experience overall and Nicole was very good guide and she took me around all of the best spots to explore in Santa Marta. She also explained the history of the sites that we visited. Muchas Gracias por el tour
First before I even met my tour guide Andrea, I was impressed by her level of service. She offered to pick me up from my hotel even though TripAdvisor was not able to accommodate that for me. Andrea was able to share a lot of information about the history of the Old City of Santa Marta. She explained the importance of the different cultural sites and how things have evolved with time. I was lucky enough to have Andrea as my guide on July 20th which is also Colombian Independence Day. In addition from visiting the different cultural sites I can tell you that Andrea is equally passionate about giving tours that are about nature and the beautiful scenery from the beaches, mountains, and beautiful sand dunes. Andrea knew of the best places to have lunch and also took me too a famous Soccer Statue titled “El Pibe” which was not part of the itinerary. I wish I had more time in Santa Marta because I would definitely do a different tour with Andrea as my guide. FYI Andrea is also a great photographer.
I would always return to Santa Marta; it is a wonderful destination, the historic center is very beautiful, walking along the boardwalk, reaching the marina, and undoubtedly Tayrona Park is a must-see, as well as going to Taganga, which is also a must.
Excellent historical circuit!, punctual and professional. In my case, the guide was Nicole , a young tourism professional who relates the facts faithfully. You notice his passion for what he does as well as his knowledge and warmth! I highly recommend!
It was great, José a great company, we met, we learned, we laughed and you know something, José a spectacular photographer 👌 Super recommended.
Very nice activity, it was an afternoon to get to know an important part of the history of Colombia. Jose is an excellent guide, in addition to teaching us about Santa Marta and her heroes, took us to try typical Colombian food. Super indicated!
Wonderful experience, if you want to know or learn about architecture this is the tour, if you want to know about history this is the tour, if you want to know the affection of the samarium this is the tour, if you want to know the magic of Santa Marta this is the tour!!
Many thanks to our great Nicole Gonzales guide tour, she was always too attentive and willing to give us the best experience and reminder of each site we had the opportunity to visit. Once again thank you Nicole Gonzales and the beautiful city of Santa Marta, my family and I hope to return soon:)
Santa Marta and its streets made our day, touring the old city transports you to the past. Don’t forget to ask Andrea Carolina as your guide and eat egg arepa in the store. Thank you.
The tour in downtown Santa Marta was spectacular. Beautiful taganga bay and the fifth of Saint Peter. Thanks Gran Colombia Tours and Andrea Carolina
Monday through Friday 9 am to 7 pm EST
Reach us by phone
Reach us by email