With the British man I met in Cartagena, I traveled on from Barranquilla to Santa Marta. The city is similar to Cartagena, less beautiful, but also less touristy.

On our first evening there we witnessed one of the most beautiful sunsets of my trip and enjoyed the beautiful beach atmosphere.

Hiking in Minca

Me, the British & the Surinamese I had met in Barranquilla, took a trip to Minca, a small village on a hill, which has become famous for its organic coffee. We visited some waterfalls and walked through the forest.

Booking a tour to the desert

Santa Marta can be the starting point for 2 three day tours either to the Lost City or to the La Guajira Desert. Most backpackers choose the first one. The tour to the Lost City leads to a lost ruin several days through the jungle and you sleep in hammocks. But when I looked at the bodies of the returned backpackers in my hostel, I decided not to do this tour. They were all covered with countless mosquito bites.

Then I rather drove 3 days into the La Guajira desert to the northernmost point of South America. So I booked this tour together with the Englishman in Riohacha, a city about 2-3 hours east of Santa Marta. The tour can be booked cheaper there and is also closer to the desert.

The tour, described in another article, was one of the most beautiful experiences of my trip.

Not enough time in Santa Marta

After the tour was over, I arrived back in Santa Marta.
I would have loved to visit the Taryona National Park near Santa Marta, but I didn't have time anymore, because my plane to Bogotá was already waiting for me. The next evening the Colombian-American Black Metal band Inquisiton was supposed to play there.