Santa Marta3 tours

Playa Blanca (Santa Marta)

Playa Blanca is the Santa Marta beach next to the Aquarium, in the El Rodadero area, and most visitors reach it by boat. Don't mix it up with Playa Blanca on Barú, in Cartagena: they are two different destinations in two different cities.

Where it is

Playa Blanca sits on the Santa Marta coastline, very close to El Rodadero, next to the Aquarium and Playa Inca Inca. It is framed by hills that are foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, covered in dry vegetation adapted to long droughts.

Underwater it has a rocky shoreline with patches of coral reef that shelter fish and other marine life, which makes it one of the favorite beaches in the area for snorkeling and diving.

Watch the name: Cartagena also has a Playa Blanca, on Barú island. If your trip is to Santa Marta, this is the one you want.

Source: El Informador (Santa Marta)

How to get there

By boat from El Rodadero. This is how most visitors arrive: a short ride by sea that is part of the fun.

On foot. You can also walk over the hill that separates Playa Inca Inca from the Aquarium. The last stretch is a 75-meter stone and concrete path built by the aquarium that leads down to Playa Blanca.

The Turist Angel day trip to Playa Blanca includes the round-trip boat ride. Departure is between 8:45 and 9:00 a.m., and you choose your return: 1:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m.

Source: El Informador (Santa Marta)

What you'll find on the beach

Beachfront restaurants serving typical Caribbean coastal food
Zip line (canopy) with views over the beach
Banana boat rides and jet skis
Snorkeling and diving over the reef patches
Lifeguards every day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Rip currents are more common late in the afternoon, and boat traffic gets congested at that time. If you swim then, be careful and follow the lifeguards' instructions.

Source: El Informador (Santa Marta)

A Blue Flag beach

In November 2022 Playa Blanca was awarded the Blue Flag, the international environmental-quality label granted by the Foundation for Environmental Education. With it, Santa Marta had two certified beaches: Playa Blanca and Bello Horizonte.

The award was the result of joint work by the city government, the beach's tourism providers and industry associations.

Source: Alcaldía Distrital de Santa Marta

Aquarium and Playa Blanca in one day

The Santa Marta Aquarium is right next door, so the most popular combination is to visit the aquarium first and spend the rest of the day at Playa Blanca. Turist Angel runs two versions:

Rodadero Aquarium + Playa Blanca with lunch: boat ride, aquarium entrance, Sea Museum and Tayrona Museum, dolphin show (viewing), aquarium tunnel, typical lunch and free time at Playa Blanca. Departure between 8:45 and 9:00 a.m.; return at 1:30, 3:00 or 4:00 p.m.
Rodadero Aquarium with beach option: transportation from the meeting point, boat ride, aquarium entrance and insurance. After the visit, which takes about an hour, you can head back or stay at Playa Blanca until 4:00 p.m. Lunch is optional and can be added when you book.

Dolphin interaction (swimming with them) is not included in either plan; it is paid separately at the aquarium.

What to bring

Swimsuit, towel and a change of dry clothes
Sunscreen
Cash for drinks, souvenirs or sun lounger rental
ID or passport

You may bring food and drinks, as long as they are not in glass containers or Styrofoam coolers.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the same Playa Blanca as the one on Barú?

No. This Playa Blanca is in Santa Marta, next to the Aquarium and close to El Rodadero. The Barú one is in Cartagena and is a different destination.

How do you get to Playa Blanca in Santa Marta?

Most people arrive by boat from El Rodadero. There is also a walking route over the hill next to the Aquarium. The Turist Angel day trip includes the round-trip boat ride.

What does the Playa Blanca tour include?

Boat transportation, direct transfer to Playa Blanca, a typical lunch (fried fish, grilled beef or grilled chicken breast, with coconut rice, patacón and salad) and travel insurance. Drinks and sun loungers are not included.

What time does the tour leave and return?

The boat leaves between 8:45 and 9:00 a.m. You choose your return time when booking: 1:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m. or 4:00 p.m.

How much do children pay?

On the Playa Blanca day trip, children aged 5 and over pay the same as adults.

Can I combine it with the Aquarium?

Yes. Two plans include a visit to the Santa Marta Aquarium and time at Playa Blanca on the same day.

Go with us

These are the tours we run to Playa Blanca (Santa Marta). Prices come live from our catalog, in Colombian pesos (COP) per adult. Tour pages are in Spanish; write to us on WhatsApp for anything you need.

7 hfrom $ 105.000