What to Eat in Santa Marta Colombia

Santa Marta, Colombia

Today’s food blog is about the oldest city in Colombia, Santa Marta.

Just like Cartagena and San Andres, this Colombian city is located on the beautiful Caribbean Coast. Home to spectacular beaches, breathtaking landscapes, amazing wildlife, and fascinating history, the picturesque city of Santa Marta is one of the top places to visit in Colombia. Bordered by the imposing mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta (the highest coastal range in the world), snow and ocean are only 10km apart!

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What to Eat in Santa Marta, Colombia

Similar to other Colombian Caribbean destinations, the gastronomy of Santa Marta has also been influenced by Indigenous, African, and Spanish cuisines. The star ingredient in this coastal city is fresh seafood (fish, shellfish, shrimp, crab, and more!). Typical Colombian ingredients such as yucca, patacones (fried plantains), and costeño (coastal) cheese, are also very common.

Without further ado, let’s have a look at 5 traditional dishes of Santa Marta, Colombia…

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FOOD IN SANTA MARTA: TYPICAL FOOD FROM SANTA MARTA COLOMBIA

5. Sweet Yam Dulce de ñame (a Caribbean dessert)

Yam is a starchy edible root vegetable native to Africa and brought to America during colonial times. It is commonly used in the cuisine of the Samario’s (people from Santa Marta Colombia), and this traditional Colombian dessert made using yam is particularly delicious! It is made by combining yam with milk, coconut milk, cinnamon, and sugar. When visiting Santa Marta, you can find this sweet treat in most restaurants (as well as lots of street stalls).

4.Tamarind Balls (Dulce de Tamarindo)

Tamarind is a pod-like fruit from the tamarind tree. Native to Africa, this exotic fruit now grows in tropical climates all over the world. It has a date-like texture and a delicious flavor profile with a unique mix of sweet and acidic. The fruit is a culinary staple in the Caribbean, and tamarind balls are a popular dessert all along the Colombian Caribbean coast.  

3. Fish Soup (Sancocho de Pescado)

Sancocho is a traditional broth/soup that is popular all over Colombia. Each region has its own unique recipe, and in Santa Marta, a typical sancocho is made with fish (instead of meat or chicken). This typical dish is highly nutritious thanks to its delicious and fresh ingredients. The popular Colombian Caribbean version combines fish with plantain, yuca, potato, yams, cassava, and corn. It is often served with rice, salad, avocado, and lime. Hot soup may sound slightly contradictory in the sunny weather of Santa Marta, but it is too good not to try and an excellent way to recharge your batteries!

TRIPS TO SANTA MARTA COLOMBIA 3 DAYS

2. Colombian Shrimp Cocktail (Cóctel de Camarones Colombiano)

You will find many different recipes for shrimp cocktails all over the world, especially in Latin America. Unlike Peruvian ceviche (which is made with raw seafood and citrus juices), the Colombian version is cooked and dressed with lime juice, ketchup, mayonnaise, garlic, and perhaps hot sauce, onions, or cilantro. It is always served in a glass bowl and comes with salty crackers. When visiting the Bay of Santa Marta or Rodadero beach, you will likely find various street vendors selling this delicacy. Locals can often be seen eating this delicious dish for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

1. Cayeye

When visiting the oldest city in all of Colombia, you must try this traditional dish!   Cayeye is made from mashed green guineos – a type of green banana. The puree is combined with fried onion, garlic, paprika, and tomato, and served with grated costeño cheese on top. It is a typical Colombian breakfast food, often served with a fried egg, avocado, fish, shrimp, crab, or beef. A tasty way to start your day!

As well as these 5 delicious dishes, in Santa Marta you will also find other typical Caribbean foods such as fried fish, chipichipi rice, egg arepas, and more! Have a look We hope you now have a better idea of what to eat in Santa Marta Colombia. This picturesque city and its beautiful beaches await you!

MY TRIP COLOMBIA

Travel agency with over 30 years of experience

Travel Advice for Santa Marta Colombia

There are a couple of tourist destinations in Santa Marta that are considered amongst the top places to visit in Colombia. You won’t want to miss them off your travel list!

The Lost City:  Ciudad Perdida Colombia

The first is the Lost City of the ancient Tayrona civilization. First built around 800AD (some 650 years before Peru’s Machu Picchu), this ancient city is hidden deep in Colombia’s jungle. Impossible to access by car, you will have to trek your way to the ruins. It is therefore essential that you bring your own food with you! The area is protected from development as it belongs to an indigenous community – shops and restaurants are scarce.

Tayrona National Park: Parque Tayrona Colombia.

The second destination is Tayrona National Park. A protected area full of lush palm tree forests and beautiful beaches, this national park is by far one of the best places to visit in Colombia. Although it is a popular tourist spot, shops and restaurants are also few and far between. If you are lucky, you can probably find a couple of restaurants serving some of the typical Colombian food mentioned above. But the park is really meant for adventuring, so we recommend bringing packaged food, fruit (which can be difficult to find inside), and water (not in plastic bottles as the park practices sustainable tourism).

TRAVEL TO SANTA MARTA, THE LOST CITY, & TAYRONA PARK

If you only get to visit this magical city for one day, we recommend dining in a restaurant that serves Colombian Caribbean food. Help make your trip even more unforgettable by trying some of the delicious foods mentioned in this article!

Do you want to travel to Colombia? Contact My Trip Colombia to create a tailor-made travel plan to visit Santa Marta. Come and try traditional Colombian food at some of the best restaurants in Santa Marta, and have fun exploring the delicious and unique flavors of the Colombian Caribbean!