These three Santa Marta options cover very different trip styles: a short private mountain day, a two-day coastal motorcycle ride, and a longer trekking journey to the Lost City area. Each one centers on a distinct pace, route, and level of commitment, so the main choice is how much time and activity you want.
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This comparison is designed for travelers researching things to do in Santa Marta. For related planning, see our TourPickGuide experience comparisons and Colombia tours and experiences.
Santa Marta tour options at a glance
Use this comparison to match the itinerary, traveler feedback, duration, and key features to your preferred travel day.
| Tour | Best for | Rating | Reviews | Duration | Key point | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Coastal motorcycle getaway | Travelers who want a road-based coastal experience with meals included and a short multi-day format. | ★ 5.0/5 | 108 reviews | Approx. 48 hr | Includes food and drink, plus breakfast, lunch, and dinner. | View on Viator |
 Private Sierra Nevada day | Travelers who want a private guided day with transport and a mix of nature, viewpoints, and hiking. | ★ 5.0/5 | 13 reviews | Approx. 7 hr | Includes an air-conditioned vehicle and pickup. | View on Viator |
 Lost City trek | Travelers who want a longer trekking trip with multi-day camping-style logistics and included meals. | ★ 5.0/5 | 6 reviews | Approx. 96 hr | Includes tickets, insurance, and 4×4 transport. | View on Viator |
Santa Marta tour reviews and key differences
Each option includes its own photo gallery, overview, key features, traveler profile, and direct Viator link.
Compare it if you want a road trip feel instead of a hiking day or a longer trek.
2-Day Coastal Motorcycle Tour
Best for: Travelers who want a road-based coastal experience with meals included and a short multi-day format.
This option is built for travelers who want to spend two days on the coast rather than in a fixed sightseeing loop. The route notes show travel between Santa Marta and Buritaca in both directions, so the experience is shaped around movement along the north coast. It is described as an all-inclusive motorcycle tour, and the listed inclusions cover food and drink along with breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Because it is a motorcycle-based trip, it suits travelers who are comfortable with a more active, road-focused format and want a short escape that still feels like a full trip.
2-Day Coastal Motorcycle Tour
- Includes food and drink, plus breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- Uses a multi-day route rather than a single-day outing.
- Centers on Santa Marta-Buritaca travel by motorcycle.
Compare it if you want one day, private pacing, and a clear nature-and-hiking focus.
Full Day Private Sierra Nevada Tour with Transport
Best for: Travelers who want a private guided day with transport and a mix of nature, viewpoints, and hiking.
This full-day outing is centered on the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains and is structured as a private nature experience. The supplied notes show a route beginning in Minca, continuing by 4×4 around the San Lorenzo Ridge, and ending at the private nature reserve of Nevada San Martin. Confirmed inclusions are transport, entry to the reserve, and light snacks, while lunch is not included and is only suggested as something to bring. The itinerary emphasizes a guided hike on private trails, plus waterfalls, viewpoints, and nature interpretation, which makes it a strong fit for travelers who want an organized day with transport already handled.
Full Day Private Sierra Nevada Tour with Transport
- Includes an air-conditioned vehicle and pickup.
- Covers a private nature reserve with entry included.
- Combines guided hiking with waterfalls and panoramic viewpoints.
Compare it if you want the most immersive and physically active option.
Lost City Tour 4 Days 3 Nights
Best for: Travelers who want a longer trekking trip with multi-day camping-style logistics and included meals.
This is the longest and most logistically involved option in the group, designed as a multi-day trekking experience. The itinerary notes show a route from Santa Marta to Mamey and Camp 1, then through Camp 3 and the Lost City, before returning through Camp 2 and back to Santa Marta on day four. Confirmed inclusions cover tickets to the places visited, insurance, 4×4 transport, food and drink, lunch, and dinner. Alcoholic drinks are excluded. Compared with the other two experiences, this one is for travelers who want a deeper, more physical journey and are comfortable spending several days on the trail.
Lost City Tour 4 Days 3 Nights
- Includes tickets, insurance, and 4×4 transport.
- Covers multiple days with lunch and dinner included.
- Follows a clear trek route through several camps and back to Santa Marta.
Choosing the right Santa Marta itinerary style
If you want the simplest one-day plan, the private Sierra Nevada tour is the most straightforward. If you want more time away from the city, choose between the short coastal motorcycle trip and the longer Lost City trek based on how active and how committed you want the experience to be.
Santa Marta to Buritaca coastal route
A two-day motorcycle route with meals included and travel between Santa Marta and Buritaca.
Minca and San Lorenzo Ridge itinerary
A private mountain day with transport, reserve entry, snacks, and guided trail time.
Santa Marta to Lost City trek route
A four-day trek with camp stops, transport, tickets, insurance, and included meals.
Before you book in Santa Marta
Check the live product page before booking. Departure details, activity order, inclusions, and available options can change.
Santa Marta booking checklist
- Check the listed inclusions carefully, since meal, transport, and entry coverage varies by product.
- The private Sierra Nevada tour explicitly notes that lunch is not included and that bringing one is suggested.
- The Lost City trek is the most time-intensive option, so make sure its multi-day format fits your schedule before booking.
Santa Marta tour questions answered
Which option is best if I only have one day in Santa Marta?
The private Sierra Nevada tour fits best if you want a single-day experience with transport included and a nature-focused route.
Which tour includes the most meals?
The 2-day coastal motorcycle tour and the Lost City trek both include food and drink, but the coastal motorcycle tour clearly lists breakfast, lunch, and dinner, while the Lost City trek includes lunch and dinner in the supplied data.
Which experience is the most physically demanding?
The Lost City Tour 4 Days 3 Nights is the most demanding because it is a multi-day trekking itinerary with several route segments and camp stops.