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Town · Santa Marta, Magdalena
Taganga
Fishing village in a bay north of Santa Marta, surrounded by dry hills, with colorful boats on the sand, diving schools and boats to neighboring beaches.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Taganga
Taganga is about 5 km north of downtown Santa Marta, on the other side of the hill, in a horseshoe-shaped bay surrounded by dry-vegetation hills. It is a fishing village that predates the arrival of the Spaniards, and the colorful boats still sit on the sand of the main beach, where the fishers return in the morning with their catch.
The village has become a diving center: several schools offer courses and trips to reef and wall sites near the coast and the Tayrona area, with warm waters and good visibility part of the year. It is also a departure point for launches to neighboring beaches, such as Playa Grande, a few minutes by boat or a walk along a trail, and to some Tayrona beaches, according to park rules.
The beach promenade has fried fish restaurants, coconut rice and patacones, and in the late afternoon the sun sets over the bay. The road from Santa Marta passes a viewpoint on top of the hill, with views of the village and the bay.
Taganga is small and is best explored on foot.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Half a day; a full day if you plan to dive or go to Playa Grande.
Best time
In the late afternoon, for the bay sunset, or early in the morning to see the fishers. For diving, the sea is usually calmer from May to November.
How to get there
It is about 5 km from downtown Santa Marta, by road over the hill. Go by taxi (about 15 minutes) or by city bus.
Tip
Stop at the roadside viewpoint before descending to the village to see the bay from above. For Playa Grande, the launch takes only a few minutes; the trail over the hill is about a 30-minute walk.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Taganga
Is Taganga good for diving?
It is one of the diving centers on the Colombian coast, with schools, courses and trips to reefs near the shore.
How to get from Taganga to Playa Grande?
By launch in a few minutes, or on foot via a hill trail, about 30 minutes.
Is it worth staying in Taganga?
For those who go diving or want a small beach village. For the town and the museums, downtown Santa Marta is 15 minutes away.