💌 Wedding Guest Guide: Welcome to Santa Marta, Colombia

María Albao M.
Sep 18
3 min read

We are so excited to welcome you to celebrate with us in Santa Marta! This guide will help you get ready for your trip—covering the essentials from weather and dress code to currency, groceries, and phone data.

🌞 Weather in Santa Marta

Santa Marta is on the Caribbean coast—expect it to be hot and humid year-round.
Average daytime temps: 28–32°C (82–90°F). Nights are warm too.
Rainy seasons: April–June and September–November. Even then, showers are usually quick bursts.

📌 Tip: Always carry water and sunscreen. The sun is strong!

👗 How to Dress in Santa Marta

Daytime: Light, breathable fabrics (linen, cotton) + sandals or sneakers.
Evening: Casual chic—think flowy dresses, guayaberas, polo shirts.
For the wedding: Tropical elegance. Lighter fabrics and colors are perfect—no jackets required unless you want one for photos.
Cultural note: Colombians dress a little sharper than average beach towns. Shorts and flip-flops are fine for the beach, but locals often wear jeans/dresses for dinner or going out.

🗣️ Handy Spanish & Colombian Words

Even a few words will go a long way:

Hola = Hello
Gracias = Thank you
Por favor = Please
La cuenta, por favor = The check, please
Baño = Bathroom
Agua sin gas = Still water
Agua con gas = Sparkling water
Tinto = Black coffee (not wine!)
Cerveza = Beer
Plata = Money (Colombian slang)
¿Cuánto cuesta? = How much does it cost?

📌 Colombian tip: Colombians are warm and patient—if you try even a little Spanish, they’ll love it.

📱 Phone Connection & Data

At the airport, supermarkets, and even in small shops, you can buy a local SIM card (Claro, Tigo, or Movistar).
Bring your passport—you need it to register the SIM.
Data packages are cheap (e.g., ~$5–10 for 10–12 GB).
WhatsApp is the #1 way locals communicate—download it if you haven’t already.

📌 If you prefer, you can also use Airalo eSIM or Holafly for instant digital connection (no need to swap SIMs).

💵 Currency & Payments

Local currency = Colombian Peso (COP).
Cards (Visa/MasterCard) are widely accepted in Santa Marta restaurants, hotels, and larger shops.
Smaller places, taxis, beach vendors, and markets = cash only.
ATMs are common in the city center and shopping malls.
💡 Bring a debit card with no foreign transaction fees to withdraw pesos easily.

📌 Quick math trick EUR ≈ 4,500 COP.

🛒 Grocery Stores in Santa Marta

If you want snacks, bottled water, or pharmacy items:

Éxito – big supermarket chain (like Auchan/Carrefour vibes).
Carulla – slightly more upscale supermarket, with international brands.
Ara & D1 – discount stores for cheap basics (Our version of Lidl).
Farmatodo / Olímpica – pharmacies that also sell drinks and groceries.

🚕 Getting Around Santa Marta

Taxis are the main way—agree on the price before getting in (most trips are 10,000–20,000 COP = $2–5).
No Uber here.
Walking is fine in the city center & marina during the day, but take a taxi at night.
To Tayrona or beach areas, ask the hotel or driver for a set rate.

🌿 Final Tips for Guests

Bring bug spray (mosquitoes love Santa Marta evenings).
Drink bottled or filtered water (don’t drink tap water).
Don’t flash valuables on the street.
Always carry some small bills (2,000–10,000 COP) for taxis and tips.
Keep a photocopy of your passport in case you need it.

💌 Final Word

Santa Marta is a city full of Caribbean energy, fresh seafood, and stunning sunsets. We can’t wait to share it with you—not just for the wedding, but as an experience of its own. If you want to know more about what to do in Colombia, click here

Pack light, stay cool, and get ready to dance the night away. 🎶✨