Top Things to do in Magdalena Department
Top Hotels in Magdalena Department
- 1. Placita Vieja Hotel Boutique Spa
- 2. Irotama Resort
- 3. Hilton Garden Inn Santa Marta
- 4. Cayena Beach Villa
- 5. Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida
- 6. Villa Maria Tayrona, a Kali Hotel
- 7. Dreamer Santa Marta
- 8. Mercure Santa Marta Emile
- 9. Masaya Hostel Santa Marta
- 10. Hotel Boutique Casa Carolina
Countries
10 Free Things to do in Magdalena Department That You Shouldn't Miss
Discover the best top things to do in Magdalena Department, Colombia including Museo Minca - Memorial Museum of the Sierra Nevada, Casa Museo Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Museo del Oro Tairona - Casa de la Aduana, Universidad del Magdalena, Centro Comercial Zazue Plaza, Museo del Cacao de Minca, Playa Bello Horizonte, Parque de Los Novios, Catedral de Santa Marta, Pozo Azul.
Restaurants in Magdalena Department
1. Museo Minca - Memorial Museum of the Sierra Nevada
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 104 reviews
Experience the history of the Sierra Nevada brought to life through the eyes of locals in this one of a kind community museum. Minca is MUCH more than meets the eye--and the bird tours, waterfalls and sunsets do not even scratch the surface. Museo Minca and the Memorial Center are FREE and aim to give voice to the community members and make sure their stories are told. Connect, have a coffee on us, and discover a whole new to side of Minca.
Reviewed By DrewL141
This was perhaps the most personal and touching presentation I’ve ever heard at a museum. Shenandoah is a young American woman who married a local school teacher. They turned part of his family home into a memorial museum. It’s also the site where some of the bloodiest conflicts between guerrilla groups and paramilitary armies took place in the very recent past. Shenandoah’s presentation of those bloody conflicts sets out a very nice overview that helps one understand both the modern history of this country and the present economic and tourist dynamic of this fascinating place. Donations accepted and you will come away from the a much deeper appreciation for where you are.
2. Casa Museo Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 72 reviews
Reviewed By Colombia-road-travel - Medellin, Colombia
So traveling in my car south down Route 45 from Santa Marta returning to my home in Medellin, my good friend who is born and raised in Medellin shouted, as were approaching the turn-off to Aracataca to "Turn Right" - I had no idea why he wanted to stop for but soon realized when we pulled up to this museum/home of Gabriel Garcia Marquez. I enjoyed the stop and visit to the museum but it was only later that my Colombian friend gave me the whole history behind this writer, he is despised by most Colombians for a variety of reasons including his political views and his lack of concern for his homeland (ie there was a reason why he lived in Mexico when he passed) but regardless the stop to this museum was a good place to stretch my legs before continuing the drive to my home in Medellin. All this aside yes if your in the area and you enjoy his books do stop for a visit.
3. Museo del Oro Tairona - Casa de la Aduana
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 318 reviews
The building which functioned in the Spanish colonial era as the Customs House (Casa de la Aduana) for the port of Santa Marta is today a museum that lets you explore stories of the past and present from this corner of Colombia's magic Caribbean region.
Reviewed By treetrippers - Fredericton, Canada
Nice museum, free admission, some areas air con and clean bathrooms. Don’t need a guide. Most signs in English and spanish
4. Universidad del Magdalena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 26 reviews
The University of Magdalena (UNIMAGDALENA) is one of the main higher education institutions of Colombia. Accredited for its high quality standards by the Ministry of National Education, it is a public university located in Santa Marta - a strategic port city in the Colombian Caribbean region - offering a wide range of established bachelor and graduate programmes, with research expertise and a tradition of public service. It is the oldest, largest and most comprehensive university in a State distinguished by its extraordinary natural, historical and cultural settings; as well as world-wide known for being the birthplace and literary backdrop of the Nobel Laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez. UNIMAGDALENA offers 24 undergraduate and 23 postgraduate programmes (19 MSc and 4 PhD programmes) in the Faculties of Engineering, Life Sciences, Education Sciences, Health Sciences, Humanities and the Faculty of Managerial and Economic Sciences.
5. Centro Comercial Zazue Plaza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By 970camilor - Bogota, Colombia
Nice access to the beach, good restaurants, we tried to sushi and crepes and waffles. Carulla super handy, nice refreshing system throughout the plaza. Bathrooms very clean
6. Museo del Cacao de Minca
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
Reviewed By Mares_Aris
While in Minca, do yourself a favour and visit this tiny museum / bar / restaurant and ask for a little tour from Mr. Cacao. This passionate owner will tell you everything this beautiful area has to offer and share some great stories while you enjoy a local beer or a delicious piece of chocolate. They have good breakfast too! Oh and don't forget to try The HUGE focaccia, it is exactly what you need after a long hike.
7. Playa Bello Horizonte
8. Parque de Los Novios
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 1,690 reviews
Reviewed By Colombianresident - Santa Marta Municipality, Colombia
A square with benches and atmosphere. It is located in the center of town with access to may nice bars and restaurants.
9. Catedral de Santa Marta
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 656 reviews
Reviewed By leonardor617
Located in the Historical District of Santa Marta...white building from XVIII century... used to be the tomb of Simon Bolivar... there are quite interesting histories on the casket of Bolivar being subject to strange adventures while some opponents trying to take it and send to the sea to destroy the simbol...surrounded by landmark buildings
10. Pozo Azul
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 314 reviews
Reviewed By JenDaly2017 - London, United Kingdom
The water is fairly cold and as we were there during the Christmas holiday period it was pretty busy, but I would still highly recommend a visit to Pozo Azul. The sights on the way are beautiful and the facilities once you get there are better than we expected - there are food and drinks sellers there, and plenty of places to park your bum and have a seat if you don't want to get in the water. There are a number of ways you can get here from Minca. The easiest way is to jump on a moto-bike and have them zoom you up to the entrance, the middling route is to walk up the short way (which is all "proper" road) and the hardest way is to hike the long way round (go up the street to the side of the Police Station then follow the signs). I would recommend hiking up the long way round because it was lovely. We saw all sorts of birds and butterflies, as well as some lovely views. It's a fairly easy hike, but bits of it are steep and it was a pretty hot day, so the hike made us really appreciate the cold water once we got there! Then you can either get a moto-bike or walk back down the easy way. We chose to walk and I'm really glad we did as there are a number of little bars / coffee shops on the road that have glorious views, so we stopped at a couple and had a very pleasant stroll back down. If you have enough time to make a full day of it, then the whole experience of getting there and back is really worth taking your time over.
