Santa Marta Colombia Pros and Cons | Living In Santa Marta

We help you to settle down in Santa Marta!
Contact Leo our trusted relocation manager in Santa Marta here:
Leo - Relocation and Real Estate Services (Santa Marta)
WhatsApp: +57 300 7261217
E-Mail: expatwithleo@gmail.com
Website: expatwithleo.com/
Should you consider Santa Marta as your Expat destination?
I will talk about the Pros and Cons of Santa Marta in order to make it easier to decide if you should consider Santa Marta to relocate. We personally love Santa Marta and could see ourselves living there in the future.
For young people like us Santa Marta is not the right destination in order to make business. People are way too laid back and too easy going in order to make things work fast. But if you're not in a hurry and you don't mind the laid back culture, you will most probably fall in love with Santa Marta and everything it has to offer.
Pros
- Weather
- Diversity
- Nature
- Untouched (almost no Expats)
- Typical Caribbean Vibe
- Cost Of Living
- Traffic
Cons
- Infrastructure
- Lack Of English
- Not Close To A Good Hospital
Those are the main Pros and Cons of Santa Marta, at least from my personal perspective. Santa Marta is a beautiful city and has a lot to offer. It really depends on personal preference if Santa Marta is for you or not.
The video can surely help you to get a better idea of how life in Santa Marta would be for you.
Watch the full video if you like to know more about each point I mentioned above.
Don't hesitate to contact us with any Expat questions you might have. No matter if you've got questions about Medellin, Bogota, Santa Marta or Colombia in general. We would love to support you on your journey.
____________________________________
🎥 Medellin E-Guide
📙 E-Book
how-to-expat.com/the-real-dea...
📞 SKYPE | EXPAT CONSULTATION
📆 Book YOUR Appointment Today
www.how-to-expat.com/expat-co...
____________________________________
🌍 Expat Services 🌍
👀 Sneak Peek Services
Medellin: www.how-to-expat.com/medellin...
Santa Marta: www.how-to-expat.com/santa-ma...
💼 Relocation Services
Medellin: www.how-to-expat.com/medellin...
Bogota: www.how-to-expat.com/bogota-r...
Santa Marta: www.how-to-expat.com/santa-ma...
____________________________________
📧 E-MAIL
contact@how-to-expat.com
📱 OUR FACEBOOK
/ howtoexpat
🌎 OUR WEBSITE
www.how-to-expat.com/
____________________________________
👍🔔👍 Thanks for watching, we would love and really appreciate if you'd LIKE and SUBSCRIBE!👍🔔👍
____________________________________
ABOUT THIS CHANNEL
This Channel's missions is to help and educate Expats, soon to be Expats and travelers.
In order to simplify their Expat and travel journey abroad.
We provide information, especially for Latin America.
Are you planning to visit or even relocate to Panama, Colombia or Ecuador?
No matter where in Latin America you'd like to relocate to, we'll provide you with all the needed information you need, in order to get around safely and to settle down.
Credits:
Song: Nekzlo - A Clear Horizon (Vlog No Copyright Music)
Music promoted by Vlog No Copyright Music.
Video Link: • Nekzlo - A Clear Horiz...
#HowToExpat #ProsAndCons #SantaMarta

Пікірлер: 111

  • @HowToExpat
    @HowToExpat4 жыл бұрын

    Which is the best country for you? 🌎 Free Country Test 🌎 www.how-to-expat.com/expat-country-test/

  • @billytheweasel

    @billytheweasel

    3 жыл бұрын

    Outstanding vid! Subbed and liked. Santa Marta is my new focus of research. I worry that my 2 quarters of college Spanish might not cut it. Everything else is a great fit.

  • @michaelcooke8665

    @michaelcooke8665

    2 жыл бұрын

    Santa Marta looks pretty cool what's the real estate like compared to Medellin?

  • @gogysmorocho5590

    @gogysmorocho5590

    Жыл бұрын

    Do you have the contact for an agent down there?

  • @benksy96
    @benksy962 жыл бұрын

    I'm in Santa Marta now. What you say is true... less tourist trap (aside from downtown) but a little more run down. Lots of poverty & beggars around the town centre. Cheaper too.

  • @luisjaimegonzalez4592
    @luisjaimegonzalez45922 жыл бұрын

    I love Santa Marta. Moved here 6 months ago and totally agree with you in the sense that if you are a nature person this city is the perfect place. Regarding the cons, totally agree with the infrastructure and the lack of English knowledge. Thanks for the video

  • @FRANCESCORE1982

    @FRANCESCORE1982

    2 жыл бұрын

    hi Luis! I'm planning to move there but I'm worried about internet speed. Did you experienced any issues with it?

  • @GangeHrolfr

    @GangeHrolfr

    10 ай бұрын

    I'm wondering too@@FRANCESCORE1982

  • @jeffersonbroady
    @jeffersonbroady4 жыл бұрын

    Sam, Another great video. Thanks for showing different parts of Colombia, definitely a very diverse country.

  • @shemusmcquillaide
    @shemusmcquillaide2 жыл бұрын

    Santa Marta sounds quite good. If I have to relocate to Colombia, I will defintely keep it in mind and thats on the basis of this video alone, thank you very much for bringing it to my attention.

  • @mikelejeune344
    @mikelejeune3444 жыл бұрын

    Always very helpful and informative Sam... from an aspiring expat, I appreciate.

  • @mjmoore777
    @mjmoore7773 жыл бұрын

    Good job Sam in presenting that, I think Santa Marta is a good find and worthy of people checking it out.

  • @CSMtnBabe
    @CSMtnBabe3 жыл бұрын

    Loved this video. I am subscribing to your channel. Well done. Thanks!

  • @HowToExpat

    @HowToExpat

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks!

  • @jayhuang7747
    @jayhuang77473 жыл бұрын

    Dam, those places look so familiar. Live there for 8 years and finished high school there.

  • @AtomicusPrime
    @AtomicusPrime4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks man. Great helpful video.

  • @johnjohng668
    @johnjohng6683 жыл бұрын

    Bien dicho. Me gusto mucho el comentario. Gracias.

  • @rcpeter2023
    @rcpeter20232 ай бұрын

    Great info and advice, I have always been curious about Santa Marta being Caribbean born.

  • @michelfilion5482
    @michelfilion54824 жыл бұрын

    Very good review.,thanks

  • @jeffreyfell4418
    @jeffreyfell44184 жыл бұрын

    I'm a fan of Santa Marta .. I think you guys were smart to set up shop there. The infrastructure issue you mentioned will be non-existent in 5 years.

  • @Ckfree

    @Ckfree

    4 ай бұрын

    Nothing changed haha

  • @skyhawk2311
    @skyhawk23113 жыл бұрын

    DAMN GOOD video. Truly appreciate it.

  • @HowToExpat

    @HowToExpat

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks a lot!

  • @leonardbritt8945
    @leonardbritt89454 жыл бұрын

    Will visit in November but my impression from various KZread videos was that Santa Marta is not quite as developed as Cartagena. Parque Tayrona has some beautiful beaches though one needs to schedule a yellow fever vaccine prior to going. Even though your videos are oriented toward potential expats, there is still relevant info for tourists.

  • @ExpatMoneyMoves
    @ExpatMoneyMoves4 жыл бұрын

    Great insights in to Santa Marta, I love the way you made comparisons to Cartagena, it made it easier to contextualize for me as I have never been there.

  • @exstock
    @exstock3 жыл бұрын

    I grew up in Santa Marta in the 80s--I loved it there! It's wonderful to see what it looks like today. Pretty similar, actually, except there's tons more cars now than there were then, and MUCH fewer motorcycles. (The lack of cars back then wasn't so much because of infrastructure; it was more because the layers of bureaucracy and the bribes required to actually get one were out of the range of what most could handle.) Oh, but you left out one huge pro--THE FOOD--and one huge con--it's still a pretty dangerous place for norteamericanos, even though it's much safer now than when I was a kid. But hey, how many people get to learn how to thwart motorcycle jackings by the time they're 6? ;)

  • @HowToExpat

    @HowToExpat

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for sharing! We would have loved to see the Santa Marta from back then. Take care

  • @Isaac5123

    @Isaac5123

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for your input. As I don't want to be living close to the beach are there any rental houses a bit further back and also higher in altitude?

  • @exstock

    @exstock

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Isaac5123 Wish I could help you, but that was a long time ago! I do remember plenty of dwellings further up, but I couldn’t tell you if they were of a quality you might be interested in. However, I expect there’s plenty to choose from-and rentals are definitely common-so you’ve got a good shot!

  • @Isaac5123

    @Isaac5123

    Жыл бұрын

    @@exstock thanks anyway

  • @diegoespinal5337

    @diegoespinal5337

    Жыл бұрын

    @@Isaac5123 minca, bonda

  • @patriciaperez4799
    @patriciaperez47994 жыл бұрын

    Love 💕 Santa marta👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🇨🇴🇨🇦🥰🥰🇨🇱

  • @Ocean245
    @Ocean2454 жыл бұрын

    Great video my do you have video on Bucaramanga?

  • @jeffc7309
    @jeffc7309 Жыл бұрын

    good overview

  • @nicholasgaspard4876
    @nicholasgaspard48763 жыл бұрын

    Have you ever been to Cancun or playa de Carmen, it is not expensive to live there at all

  • @gnolan4281
    @gnolan42814 жыл бұрын

    Sam, Santa Marta does look like a lovely town. Your comment about its not being overly developed for tourists would attract me. The thing about Medellin I find so compelling is the quality, price and availability of health care. I don't need to travel for medical tune-ups. In just a few minutes I can be at a world class hospital. Still, Santa Marta would make an ideal vacation.

  • @justinajones3000

    @justinajones3000

    3 жыл бұрын

    @g nolan. SM is ideal for vacations, but forget about medical. You have to move in the upper tiers to find a decent doctor. Took me 3 months of asking around to find an optham. surgeon I can trust.

  • @gnolan4281

    @gnolan4281

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@justinajones3000 In less than 5 minutes from my Medellin digs I can walk to a superb dentist, dermatologist, physical therapist and two well stocked pharmacies. Two highly respected hospitals are a short taxi ride away. I walked about 15 minutes to a clinic to get my free COVID vaccinaton.

  • @thesilversurfer1071

    @thesilversurfer1071

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@gnolan4281 Do you know if thats only in Medellin? I love Medellin but am considering Barranquilla to move to because they have a beach and I would like to be close to the water and at a good price, Medellin doesnt have a beach but that medical benefit sounds awesome.

  • @gnolan4281

    @gnolan4281

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@thesilversurfer1071 I understand about the beach being attractive. In my particular case, for 3 decades I'd lived a few minutes from Miami Beach so had quenched that desire often. Temperatures in the Colombian Caribbean basin cities are always a bit too hot and humid for me. Even Miami has a cool season but not Barranquilla. I could take it when I was young because I always contrived to live near breezy Biscayne Bay but for retirement I like Medellin because although the tropical vegetation is nearly the same as South Florida's, the altitude above sea level is the same as Denver Colorado's so it's a lot cooler. You ought to consider a month or so in both places before deciding.

  • @thesilversurfer1071

    @thesilversurfer1071

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@gnolan4281 Thank you for this comment. I'm from Florida also so I understand what you mean. I did not know that Barranquilla doesnt get the cool season like Miami gets. This is great information and I think I will take your recommendation before deciding. Medellin gets hot but like you mentioned, at least you do get your cool breeze and that helps a lot. I love Medellin, so I will need to visit Barranquilla before deciding. I know I dont want to deal with too much humidity on a regular basis, if I am living there.Thanks again.

  • @TheUnitedSardines
    @TheUnitedSardines4 жыл бұрын

    How about renting a house with a garden instead of an appartement?

  • @medict7
    @medict74 жыл бұрын

    hi, my friend..what about with art in Santa Martha? Thanks!

  • @michaelmoik8377
    @michaelmoik83773 ай бұрын

    Do you have information on broadband internet speed in Santa Marta (Download/Upload)? Gracias

  • @stevebbuk9557
    @stevebbuk95574 ай бұрын

    ¿Podría darme más detalles sobre qué tan graves son los cortes de energía y qué tan confiable y rápida es la velocidad de Internet? ¿También dónde encuentro sitios inmobiliarios? Tengo dificultades para encontrar apartamentos para comprar. Could you give me more details on how bad the power cuts are and how reliable and fast the internet speed is? Also where do I find property sites? I'm having difficulty finding apartments to buy.

  • 2 жыл бұрын

    I liked this video a lot! Thanks for showing so many informations! Best wishes from Brazil.

  • @jeffb5166
    @jeffb51664 жыл бұрын

    All the pretty places they show are Rodadero (near Santa Marta). Santa Marta is dirty, congested and the beach is gross. Minca is getting too congested too. Tayrona is not worth it, save your time for the lost city tour. People were nicer in Santa Marta than Cartagena, and we felt safer, but . . . it's not a beach destination. Rodadero is ok for a day on the beach. He says no traffic, but there definitely is!

  • @user-ry1cc1im6f

    @user-ry1cc1im6f

    4 жыл бұрын

    I went to Taganga Beach and it was clean, quite and beautiful! K really enjoyed there... The beaches that you mentioned are always full of people.

  • @jeffb5166

    @jeffb5166

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@user-ry1cc1im6f ? I don't mention Taganga, and I only mentioned one beach, Rodadero, and I don't think its a beach worth going to. The whole area is skippable really.

  • @cheapAl0

    @cheapAl0

    4 жыл бұрын

    SM, as mentioned in the video, is still a very Colombian tourist town, rather than a foreigner tourist town. There are dozens of beaches between Santa Marta and the airport that you can't find out about unless you live there. Many much better than Rodero.

  • @perezarmstrong6067

    @perezarmstrong6067

    4 жыл бұрын

    Rodadero is part of Santa Marta, that's my city I have no idea who told you it isn't but is it. It's not like Palomino or another suburb around, it's just as part of Santa Marta as Taganga and Bonda are. Yes, Santa Marta is dirty, but it's still beautiful, it's a third world country man what can we do, the touristic parts are well kept and the downtown is finally becoming clean and beautiful too. I'm honestly proud of the change it has had since I was a little girl living there, I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it, not everyone can like every part of the world haha.

  • @perezarmstrong6067

    @perezarmstrong6067

    4 жыл бұрын

    Also you're completely right about the traffic I'd rather walk from Rodadero to downtown than go on car, traffic is crazy, too many cars in that small of a city.

  • @greggdiggins2943
    @greggdiggins29433 жыл бұрын

    I just bought a hostel in Santa Marta but i am trying to get a flight!

  • @justinajones3000

    @justinajones3000

    3 жыл бұрын

    @Gregg Diggins I live here and don't think Tourism will bounce back until 2023. Hope you got a great deal on that hostel.

  • @robbwood6824
    @robbwood68244 жыл бұрын

    I am here in Santa Marta

  • @billytheweasel

    @billytheweasel

    3 жыл бұрын

    How is the corona?

  • @scottgeen3062

    @scottgeen3062

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hi robb wood am from new Zealand like to visit Santa marta can't speak Spanish will I struggle and are there plenty of girls thank you Scott

  • @robbwood6824

    @robbwood6824

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@scottgeen3062 just have Google translator with you. Plenty of women, but the best are in Medellin!

  • @scottgeen3062

    @scottgeen3062

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@robbwood6824 thank you robb for your advice like seafood as well from Scott new Zealand

  • @Verysimpleinvesting

    @Verysimpleinvesting

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hi Rob 👋 I’m planning to stay is Santa Marta for 2-4 months. What’s the average cost of apartment. I don’t need anything fancy. Thank you in advance 👋😊

  • @MiC-T
    @MiC-T3 жыл бұрын

    I think the lack of English speaking is a PRO. Sounds like Santa Marta is pure Colombia. Me voy.

  • @Karakulak1071

    @Karakulak1071

    8 күн бұрын

    también lo creo

  • @benksy96
    @benksy962 жыл бұрын

    Do you have a Barranquilla video??

  • @HowToExpat

    @HowToExpat

    2 жыл бұрын

    Unfortunately not. We never had the opportunity to visit.

  • @NONEOFYOURBIZ69
    @NONEOFYOURBIZ692 жыл бұрын

    Is this what you guys do? Greeting from Sabaneta and Enzo the Basenji.

  • @HowToExpat

    @HowToExpat

    2 жыл бұрын

    LOL! How did you find this channel? Yes, that's what we used to do. We actually moved back to Europe end of last year. Say hi to Enzo!

  • @viajerozz
    @viajerozz3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for good information as usual! Just wondering what your impression of crime level is there vs , say, Cartagena. I wasn't on the beach in Cartagena 10 minutes before witnessing a purse snatching. I am thinking there might be less of that in Santa Marta as it is not so heavily touristed?

  • @HowToExpat

    @HowToExpat

    3 жыл бұрын

    Good questions. I personally felt safer in Santa Marta than Cartagena. I think that the high influx of tourists is part of why the safety of your belongings is more "in danger" in Cartagena. Santa Marta has also more local tourists which also makes a big difference.

  • @billytheweasel

    @billytheweasel

    3 жыл бұрын

    Check out crime and rental comparisons on numbeo.com. I use it for many countries.

  • @LM-cl6ys
    @LM-cl6ys Жыл бұрын

    Does Amazon deliver directly to addresses in Santa Marta?

  • @HowToExpat

    @HowToExpat

    Жыл бұрын

    Yes

  • @kengaroo120
    @kengaroo1204 жыл бұрын

    How is the dengue fever and mosquitoes problem.

  • @davidsantiagoesquivelovied780

    @davidsantiagoesquivelovied780

    3 жыл бұрын

    For that there is the excellent healthcare that the country has, being the best in America above the USA and Canada. In addition, this disease can give you in many tropical countries and even in the north.

  • @justinajones3000

    @justinajones3000

    3 жыл бұрын

    It's here, but if you wear the right repellent you'll be safe. I had dengue when I lived in Brazil but never here. I did however have Chikengona (2014) and Sika (2015) but they mild compared to dengue.

  • @michaelrichmond3315
    @michaelrichmond33154 жыл бұрын

    How do you get there? Fly to barranquilla and drive?

  • @HowToExpat

    @HowToExpat

    4 жыл бұрын

    There's an airport in Santa Marta, you can directly fly there.

  • @seanslattery6366

    @seanslattery6366

    Жыл бұрын

    The bus from Barranquilla to SantaMarta is about 10$ or less . Confortable bus and Nice 1- 1.5 hour ride .

  • @scottgeen3062
    @scottgeen30624 жыл бұрын

    What girls like Medellin

  • @J.D.Vision
    @J.D.Vision Жыл бұрын

    Can you still live confortably there on $1,500 passive income a month still in 2022?. How's inflation? I'm a single 45yr old man, getting priced out of my home town, and looking for alternatives.

  • @teekayrezeaumerah
    @teekayrezeaumerah4 жыл бұрын

    1500$ ?? Wtf ? Are you saying it’s more expensive than life in Europe ? I was checking out apartments and it’s barely 4/500$ a month, what are you doing with the extra 1000 bucks ?

  • @andrevandermerwe7326

    @andrevandermerwe7326

    3 жыл бұрын

    $1500...all costs included....apartment, groceries, utilities, etc....total monthly living cost...I live in Barranquilla and visit Santa Marta quite often.

  • @billytheweasel

    @billytheweasel

    3 жыл бұрын

    Some things cost more; good computers, cars, phones, western food ... that's actually a low total expenses for a good standard of living if you look at the condos for rent.

  • @teekayrezeaumerah

    @teekayrezeaumerah

    3 жыл бұрын

    Andre Van der Merwe yeah, I pay less than that in FRANCE, SPAIN, GERMANY..1500$ is surprisingly high for a developing country.

  • @teekayrezeaumerah

    @teekayrezeaumerah

    3 жыл бұрын

    billytheweasel wow that’s a LOT for a developing country. With that kind of spending I’m staying in a developed country with free medical care and better job opportunities

  • @davidsantiagoesquivelovied780

    @davidsantiagoesquivelovied780

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@teekayrezeaumerah Colombia is a developing country and yet has a better healthcare than the USA, Canada and Germany. About work I think that it is more complicated

  • @plumbingmaster3982
    @plumbingmaster3982 Жыл бұрын

    it seems all youtubers not talking about 35 percent tax on your social security you have to pay to colombia!....mencioned it..very important!!!! not for me i changed my mind to retire in colombia

  • @BOGOTAROCKSTAR
    @BOGOTAROCKSTAR2 жыл бұрын

    U mean immigrant destination?

  • @devbachu7072
    @devbachu70723 жыл бұрын

    Is it hot like Barranquilla

  • @seanslattery6366

    @seanslattery6366

    Жыл бұрын

    Yup . But the mountain is 30-40 minutes away and comfortable

  • @jeffreygonzalez9797
    @jeffreygonzalez9797Күн бұрын

    Any good weed in Santa Martha?😅

  • @johnjoseph3667
    @johnjoseph36674 жыл бұрын

    Any idea how many times in this 12-minute video you said LET'S SAY? Sometimes two LET'S SAYS in the same sentence. It's LET'S SAY a meaningless filler like YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. Frankly, people who overuse fillers like LET'S SAY in their speech patterns tend to either LET'S SAY lack confidence (nervous/uncomfortable) or intelligence. I have seen enough of your videos to LET'S SAY know that's not the case but it nonetheless nerve-wracking as hell to hear so many times LET'S SAY in one short video. LET'S SAY never adds nada to any sentence or idea. Pls accept this as a friendly suggestion, not LET'S SAY as criticism. Gracias por todo.

  • @johnjohng668

    @johnjohng668

    3 жыл бұрын

    John Joseph so very painful to read what you wrote. It stung. He is young and I enjoyed his talk. I am a teacher and am a stickler for proper speech, but I found him articulate and fluid. English is obviously not his first language, so be kind and give him a break. Ok. Have a beautiful day, friend.

  • @johnjoseph3667

    @johnjoseph3667

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@johnjohng668 if no one points it out it's an easy thing to get in the habit of...like people who say YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN all the time which drives many folks crazy. I like their vids & yes his English is very fluid & fluent just pointing out so hr can improve. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? :-)

  • @Alan-jz5ls

    @Alan-jz5ls

    3 жыл бұрын

    Sometimes it's better off to shut up. It's evident that English is not his first language and this video is not meant for grammar nazis like you to deviate from the topic to point out bullshit that has nothing to do with Colombia

  • @lemonlime5865

    @lemonlime5865

    3 жыл бұрын

    I listened to the entire vid and did not pick up on that until I read this silly rant. KMA.

  • @MiC-T

    @MiC-T

    3 жыл бұрын

    You're off your meds bro. Go away.