What to Pack for Santa Marta. Clothes, Accessories, Essentials

Tropical Attire

Santa Marta's climate remains consistently hot and humid throughout the year. Pack accordingly to stay comfortable.

Recommended Clothing

Choose lightweight, breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, rayon, or quick-drying synthetics.
Pack longer pants or skirts and light Long-sleeved shirts for Sun protection, mosquito prevention, and modest dress.
A Light rain jacket or Poncho is for sudden downpours. A light sweater or Shawl for air-conditioned spaces or cooler evenings in Minca.

Dress Code & Activities

Santa Marta is generally relaxed about dress, especially in tourist areas like Rodadero. However, modesty matters at certain sites.

Specific Attire Guidelines

For churches or traditional areas of the historic center, cover shoulders and knees.
Hiking: Lightweight, moisture-wicking activewear. Long or Convertible pants for trail protection.
Swimming: Swimsuits, board shorts, and Rash guards for sun protection in water.

Footwear Essentials

Casual Comfort

Comfortable walking sandals or flip-flops are ideal for city walking, beaches, and general wear.

Options for daily use

City & Day Trips

Closed-toe walking shoes or sneakers are for exploring the city, day trips, or any walking on uneven surfaces.

Suitable for varied terrain

Hiking & Water

Hiking shoes or boots are for extensive treks. Water shoes/aqua socks are useful for rocky beaches or river activities.

Specialized for adventure

Essential Documents

Document Checklist

Keeping your documents organized and secure is for smooth travel. Always carry your original passport, valid for at least 6 months beyond your departure date.

Passport & Visa: Original passport, valid for 6 months beyond departure. Visa (if needed), printed copy of e-visa or physical visa.
Photocopies: Passport main page, visa, entry stamp. Store digitally and physically in separate locations.
Travel Insurance: Policy information, emergency contacts, coverage summary (digital and printed).
Driving Permit: International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to home country license, if renting a car.

Health Documents: Vaccination records (Yellow Fever ICV if applicable), prescription medication list (generic names), doctor's note for controlled substances.
Reservations: Printed and digital copies of flight itineraries, hotel bookings, tour confirmations, bus tickets.
Emergency Contacts: Family/friends back home, local embassy/consulate, travel insurance emergency number.
IDs for Discounts: Student, senior, or press IDs (e.g., ISIC) for potential discounts.

Technology & Electronics

Power & Connectivity

Plan your electronics to stay connected and powered up in Santa Marta.

Electrical Details

Colombia uses 110V AC voltage and 60 Hz frequency. Plug types are Type A and Type B.
If your devices use a different plug type, a Universal travel adapter is needed. Voltage converter not typically needed for modern dual voltage electronics.
Mobile Phone: Ensure phone is unlocked and supports GSM frequencies. Local SIM cards from Claro, Tigo, Movistar are available at airport or official stores. Affordable data packages. For e-SIMs, consider Airalo.

Photography & Power Banks

Capture your memories and maintain device power.

Camera & Charger Needs

Camera: Compact camera or Smartphone for casual photos. Mirrorless or DSLR for photography enthusiasts.
Consider a Waterproof case or bag for beach/boat trips. An Action camera like GoPro HERO12 Black is for adventurous excursions. For camera gear, visit B&H Photo.
A Portable charger or Power bank is for keeping devices charged on the go (10,000mAh+ capacity).

Apps & Data Management

Recommended Apps

Google Maps (offline maps), Waze, Google Translate (Spanish offline pack), SayHi Translate, Uber/Didi/Cabify, WhatsApp, XE Currency, Booking.com, Airbnb. Consider NordVPN or ExpressVPN for secure connections.

Data Backup Solutions

Use cloud storage (Google Drive, Dropbox, iCloud) for photos and documents. An External hard drive or USB stick is for additional backup.

Security Measures

Ensure your phone is unlocked and supports local frequencies for SIM cards. Use reliable VPN services for internet security.

Health & Wellness Items

Personal Health Kit

Pack a specific First aid kit tailored for Santa Marta's climate and activities.

Include Band-Aids, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers (Ibuprofen/Acetaminophen).
Anti-diarrhea medication (Loperamide), antihistamines, Hydrocortisone cream.
Sufficient prescription medications (in original packaging with labels), doctor's note for controlled substances. Over-the-counter cold/flu, antacids, laxatives, rehydration salts.

Prevention & Hygiene

Insect repellent and sun protection are important for the climate.

Essential Protection

Insect Repellent: At least 20-30% DEET or 20% Picaridin (Sawyer Products Picaridin).
Sun Protection: High SPF (30+) Broad-spectrum sunscreen (Sun Bum Original SPF 50), Lip balm with SPF, wide-brimmed hat, Sunglasses.
Water Purification: Portable water filter bottle or purification tablets for non-potable tap water.

Special Considerations

Motion Sickness

Motion sickness remedies not typically needed for Santa Marta (sea level).
If traveling to higher elevations (Minca or Sierra Nevada treks), consider Motion sickness medication.
Discuss altitude sickness prevention with your doctor if venturing high.

Personal Hygiene & Brands

While most common personal hygiene items are available locally, specific brands or organic/sensitive skin products might be harder to find.
Bring Travel-sized toiletries and Hand sanitizer.
Any specific feminine hygiene products you prefer.

Activity-Specific Equipment

Hiking Gear

Pack gear tailored to your planned activities.

A Small daypack for essentials.
Trekking poles are optional but helpful for trails.
A Quick-dry towel.
Consider a waterproof dry bag for electronics.

Water Activities

For snorkeling or diving, you can rent masks, snorkels, and fins locally.

Bringing your own Mask and snorkel for hygiene.
A Full-face snorkel mask can offer comfort.
A light Beach bag for beach days.
Surfboards available for rent in Palomino.

Camping & Specialized

Camping gear can be rented for Tayrona.

Bringing your own lightweight hammock with a Mosquito net.
A Waterproof dry bag (10-20L) for electronics on boat trips or rain.
Consider what items to rent versus bring based on quality and availability.
Specialized hiking or outdoor gear may be limited in local availability.

Rent vs. Bring Decision

Advantages of Bringing Your Own

Guaranteed quality and fit for personal items like masks and snorkels.
Familiarity and comfort with your own gear for activities like hiking.
Cost savings on long trips by avoiding daily rental fees.
Hygienic reasons for personal use items.

Advantages of Renting Locally

Less luggage to transport, lighter packing.
Convenient for one-off activities or short durations.
Access to specialized gear without long-term commitment.
Rented items often include local support or replacements if issues arise.

Miscellaneous Must-Haves

Comfort & Security

Ensure your journey remains comfortable by packing a few miscellaneous items.

Travel Accessories

For transportation, a Travel neck pillow, Eye mask, and Earplugs are for long bus rides or noisy accommodations.
Security: A small Padlock for hostel lockers or luggage.
A Money belt or hidden wallet for discreet carrying of cash and passport copies. An RFID blocking wallet to protect credit card information.
A Small backpack or daypack for daily excursions.

Local & Sustainable Living

Embrace sustainability by bringing reusable items.

Eco-Friendly & Region-Specific

A reusable water bottle for hydration and reducing plastic waste.
A Reusable shopping bag for market purchases.
A Reusable cutlery set for street food or takeaways.
A small, battery-operated Portable fan for high heat and humidity.

Items Difficult to Purchase Locally

High-SPF Sunscreens

Specific high-SPF, water-resistant sunscreens might be expensive or hard to find.

Quality Insect Repellents

High-quality insect repellents (with DEET or Picaridin) might be cheaper and more reliable to bring from home.

Specialized Hiking Gear

Specialized hiking or outdoor gear may be limited in local availability.

Personal Preference Items

Specific personal hygiene brands or sensitive skin products might be harder to find.

Destination-Specific Gear

For Water-Based Adventures

Personal mask and snorkel for hygiene and comfort.
Waterproof dry bag (10-20L) for electronics on boat trips.
Water shoes or aqua socks for rocky beaches.

For Land Explorations

Small daypack for daily excursions (water, snacks, sunscreen).
Lightweight hammock with mosquito net for overnight stays in Tayrona.
A small umbrella for unexpected rain showers or sun protection.

Packing Pro Tip

Roll your clothes to save space and minimize wrinkles. Use packing cubes for better organization.

Lay out all items you think you need, then halve them. Most travelers overpack.

What to Pack for Santa Marta