Christmas traditions in Santa Marta are a mixture of culture and traditions throughout its territory. It is such a diverse region that it is said that you could experience a cultural celebration every week of the year without repeating any destination. Christmas holidays are very important for Colombians, and Santa Marta is no exception.
No matter what culture or religion you practice, Christmas traditions in Santa Marta are a time for joy and revelry where families, neighbors, friends, and visitors gather to enjoy the festivities. In Visit Santa Marta, we are going to tell you some of the Christmas traditions for you to enjoy when you come to our region during this wonderful season:
Candlelight Day is a tradition with religious origins that has been practiced for many generations. The celebration is in honor of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary and is held every year on December 7.
The celebration consists of gathering with family and friends during the night to light candles, accompanied by food and drinks. It is a day when people in Santa Marta gather to start the Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations. In the company of a local, you will have the opportunity to learn many stories and traditions that will make you fall in love with this region.
The Tayrona National Natural Park is one of the crown jewels of tourism in Colombia. It is one of the most recognized natural parks in the country, home to many unique ecosystems in the world in its more than 15,000 hectares of extension. It is certainly one of those must-see places for locals and travelers alike.
One of the most entertaining local traditions you can experience is to spend a night in Tayrona Park, just 34 kilometers from the Historic Center. You will only have to travel a spectacular road for 45 minutes to reach the entrance of the road. From there, you will begin a walk of approximately two hours to reach the spectacular Cabo San Juan, where you can camp or sleep in a hammock by the light of the moon and stars.
This time of December is one of the best times of the year, as the average temperature is cooler, it is windier, and it does not rain. A night in Tayrona, disconnected from technology and in the middle of the jungle and the sea, will be an unforgettable experience.
If partying and dancing are your thing, we definitely have to recommend the White Party on the Tayrona Catamaran. The boat has a capacity for 90 people has its own bar, music, and a terrace on the second floor where you can enjoy amazing views while dancing and sipping a cocktail.
The departure is from the north dock in Rodadero. You will be able to see the bays of Gaira and Santa Marta at sunset, with spectacular views between beaches and the Morro de Santa Marta and Rodadero. After the tour, you will disembark at the picturesque beach of Inca Inca, where there will be a bonfire and live music for you to dance and enjoy in an incredible place. Before we forget, we must tell you that in addition to everything you read, the white party also includes unlimited cocktails and a small snack at Inca Inca.
Santa Marta is a privileged city in many aspects, especially in the abundance of rivers and streams. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is the highest coastal mountain in the world and is the source of more than 20 rivers important to 3 departments (Magdalena, Cesar, and Guajira). For this reason, one of the traditions that many Samarians do every Christmas is to visit a river for a refreshing swim.
The experience of going to the river is very fun. You can take a refreshing swim, go tubing, and have a delicious fish or sancocho for lunch. We can say that all the destinations and activities that Santa Marta offers have a river or creek nearby.
We tell you about the most recognized rivers for their beauty and diversity of activities:
Minca
Río Piedras
Mendihuaca
Guachaca
Buritaca
Don Diego
Palomino
The Christmas holidays are the perfect excuse to go to the beach for travelers and locals alike. After a celebration with family and friends, locals usually go to the beach to enjoy the sea and the sunny days of December, always accompanied by a refreshing breeze.
Santa Marta has more than 100 beaches where you can enjoy an ice-cold beer overlooking the fabulous Caribbean Sea at the foot of the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra. From the beaches within the urban perimeter, vibrant with activity and commerce, through the paradisiacal bays of Tayrona, to the beaches with waves in the northern area of Santa Marta, you can find a number of beaches where you can have a delicious beer.
After all that we have just told you, you should certainly live one of the Christmas traditions that exist in Santa Marta. It is a wonderful time where you can connect with its traditions and live totally unique experiences that you will remember for the rest of your life.
If you want to know more about everything you can do in Santa Marta during your visit at Christmas time, contact us through WhatsApp (+ 57 3108720384) or our social networks (@visitsantamarta).