Mendihuaca Caribbean Resort
Hotel Class: 
4 Stars - 3 Opinions
Km 35 Carretera a Riohacha, Santa Marta, Colombia
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More about Santa Marta
Photos
the cathedral
Iglesia de San Francisco
one very small but good hole-in-the-wall
at mian road of taganga village
Forum Posts
SANTA MARTA
by ORANGEBUTTERFLY
WOULD YOU MIND ADVISING ME WHAT TOURIST PLACES VISIT?
Re: SANTA MARTA
by MalenaN
It depends on your interest. Many tourists come to Santa Marta for the beach, and then stay at the "resort" part of town called El Rodadero where the beaches are. But there are many other things to do in, or around Santa Marta. You can do a six-day treck to Ciudad Perdida, or you can visit Parque Tayrona with beautiful beaches or dive in Taganga. In Santa Marta you have a small Gold Museum and the hacienda where Simon Bolivar died.
Travel Tips for Santa Marta
The First Spanish City
by grandmaR
Santa Marta was almost the first Spanish city founded in South America. Apparently the first city was actually Santa María la Antigua del Darién between Panama and Colombia.
Santa Marta was founded on July 29, 1525 by the Spaniard Rodrigo de Bastidas, accompanied by some two hundred of his men and a few amerindians. After he sailed on Columbus's second voyage, he decided to branch out on his own. He is supposed to have named the city after the Catholic day for Saint Martha, because the city was founded on her "day". In Spain Santa Marta Day was celebrated with festivities.
This was the beginning of Spanish colonization of the region, and it was from here that the Spanish set up of administrative functions for the colony, including a maritime port and the construction of defenses to prevent pirate raids. But in spite of the two fortresses built to protect it, 26 known pirates and attacked Santa Marta between 1543 and 1702. These pirates included John Hopkins, Francis Drake and Martin Cote. On December 3, 1655, British Vice Admiral William Goodson attacked and burned the city. During the Colonial times the city started losing its importance as maritime port to nearby city port of Cartagena. In addition to the statue on the waterfront, Rodrigo de Bastidas tomb is in the Cathedral (photo 2 and 5).
Omnium Columbianae Ditionis Ecclesiarum Mater
by grandmaR
That is what is inscribed over the main entrance door
The Cathedral was designed by architect Diego Rueda, and was built of stone masonry in the Roman Renaissance style. Construction was began in 1766, but the structure was not completed until the latter part of the 18th century. The cathedral's exterior is simple. You can see the dome from the port, but there is also a square belfry.
Morro Grande of Santa Marta
by grandmaR
Since I am interested in lighthouses, I always look for them. I took pictures of this one. When I looked at the photos there appeared to be a path to the top of the lighthouse, and the lighthouse looked like it had lights in it.
Then I asked at the information desk what the name of the lighthouse was. I would have been better off to go to the
Lighthouse Directory page which says under
Barranquilla Area Lighthouses
"Morro Grande (Santa Marta) (2)
1971 (station established 1870). Active; focal plane 82 m (269 ft); three white flashes every 15 s. Approx. 24 m (80 ft) hexagonal tower on a 2-story square base; the lighthouse is built of cement blocks with a frame of reinforced concrete. Lighthouse painted gray with white trim; the lantern has red and white vertical striping
Located on a steep-sided island in the entrance to the harbor of Santa Marta. Accessible only by boat. Site and tower presumably closed.
Madame Agustine House
by grandmaR
Across the square from the Cathedral, is Madame Agustine House, which the port lecturer told us was "a jewel of Colonial architecture". A quick look shows that there is an interior courtyard and a beautifully tiled staircase. All we did though was take pictures of the exterior balconies.
some stunning colonial architecture
by richiecdisc
Though the colonial center of Santa Marta is relatively small, especially when compared to its main competition in Cartagena, it's obviously under a state of renovation much befitting its “oldest city in South America” moniker. Much of it is still very much in disrepair and if you want to see a textbook town past its prime, Santa Marta will surely do. There is a certain charm in this disjointed state with some areas obviously very spruced up and others looking more ready for the wrecking ball than a makeover. It does appear that with Colombia's bid to become a bonafide tourist destination, Santa Marta is a city much deserving of a face-lift due to its position as the gateway to two of its most important natural treasures: La Ciudad Perdida and Tayrona National Park. There are some great examples of the more fixed up colonial architecture near the Plaza de Bolivar and lots of the more dilapidated ones near the budget accommodation mecca closer to the port.
Questions and Answers
Q: apartment in Santa Marta !!! "I am going to Santa Marta in a couple months And want to find a funrished apartment to rent for the 2 or 3 weeks I will be there!..."
A: "I know someone who rents apartments in the Rodadero area (15 from Santa Marta with a better beach). Oscar Barrios Aroca, 311-415-9588. If you don't speak Spanish, I could..."
Read 2 Replies »
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