Most of our time was spent lounging by the hotel pool, as the kids were solely fixated on swimming and didn’t want to venture far. This meant our travel experience was limited, leaving us with just a few general impressions.
We chose a hotel right by the sea because we were traveling with children and wanted easy access to the beach—it was literally just steps away from the ocean. The hotel was so close to the airport that we could see it from our room, but the taxi ride still cost a fixed 27,000 pesos, and bargaining proved futile.
Taxis here aren’t exactly budget-friendly. We opted not to stay near the old town, as the beaches around our hotel were reputed to be more picturesque. That said, having visited Santorini, I must admit the beaches and the color of the sea here didn’t quite measure up. The sand is black rather than white, which can look somewhat drab at first glance, and the water also seemed less inviting.
Still, the black sand is surprisingly soft and feels delightful underfoot—something I genuinely appreciated. White sand, in contrast, can feel rougher and often requires wearing beach shoes. While Santorini’s beaches had fewer shells, this place was filled with them, including some still alive. One of the most relaxing moments for me was collecting these shells—it brought a sense of calm that nothing else did during the trip.
The climate here wasn’t as scorching as in Santorini, and though I wore a lightweight jacket for sun protection most of the time, I never felt drenched in sweat or overly uncomfortable. When swimming, I simply slipped into my swimsuit and applied sunscreen generously. This time, I came prepared with a high-quality sunscreen, and I managed to avoid getting too tan.
The downside? The yellowish tint of the sunscreen left stains on my white pants—a stubborn mark that refuses to budge no matter how much I scrubbed. One afternoon, we took a taxi into the old town for a quick visit. We snapped a few photos, but with the kids being uncooperative, we ended up having lunch there before heading back to the hotel to swim [a bit embarrassing].
Our best meal of the trip was at a charming restaurant called Ouzo, located next to the 16th picture we took.
Many locals and friends who’ve been here highly recommend Santa Marta, likely because the temperatures are milder, and the sea breeze adds to its serene charm. I certainly enjoyed three days of pure relaxation. There are opportunities for boat trips and hikes in a nearby national park, but those adventures will have to wait until the kids are older.
