![Santa Marta is South America's oldest European-founded town and the second most important colonial city on Colombia's Caribbean coast.]()
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Plan a holiday to Santa Marta, where beachside city meets tropical jungle. Hire a cheap Colombia airport rental car to experience all that South America’s oldest surviving city has to offer.
Santa Marta is a popular tourist destination located on the Caribbean Sea in northern Colombia. Appealing to every type of traveller, the city offers exciting nightlife, mouthwatering eats, and beachside shopping.
Ocean lovers can drive over to Taganga for beach lounging and a scuba-diving or snorkeling experience, while landlubbers can head up into the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the jungle town of Minca. Be sure to fit in a trip to Tayrona National Park to visit the famous Lost City.
Colombia is full of exciting places to see. Take a road trip in your rental car to Barranquilla, Bogotá, Cartagena and more!
Hiring a cheap Santa Marta rental car with Airport Rentals
Secure a cheap rental car for your Santa Marta holiday in just a few clicks, with Airport Rentals. Use our optimal search engine to browse top industry deals from numerous rental car suppliers, and easily compare rates on one simple page. To get started, simply type in your travel details for Colombia, click ‘search’ and let the deals roll in. Select your preferences such as car type and rental brand, using filters to narrow down your search to the ideal vehicle. You can choose to hit the Colombian coastline in a 4WD or save on petrol with a compact car.
Finish your booking on our secure site without the hassle of hidden fees, plus access our customer service team at any hour of the day.
Simon Bolivar International Airport (SMR)
Also referred to as Santa Marta Airport, Simon Bolivar Airport is located 16 kilometres south of the city and serves only domestic fights. With over 1 million passengers travelling through each year, the transport facility provides standard amenities, including a food court, free WiFi, shops and charging stations.
Head to the arrivals area to locate your car rental agency. Alternatively, if you are collecting a car hire from a downtown Santa Marta location, catch a taxi to the designated depot.
Guide to driving a car rental in Santa Marta
Use our guide to driving, directions and parking in Santa Marta.
Driving from the Simon Bolivar International Airport to downtown Santa Marta
The drive to Santa Marta from the airport takes around 30 minutes. Head north leaving the airport and merge on to Route 90 towards Santa Marta. Stay in the left lane to exit towards Rodadero to continue north on Av. Hernandez Pardo. This road brings you directly into the heart of Santa Marta.
Driving tips for your Santa Marta rental car
Santa Marta is an easy city to get around, however Colombian drivers are known to be aggressive and use their horn often. Stick to the road rules and drive safely.
Colombia car hire driving tips
● Drive on the right side of the road.
● Carry cash to pay the road tolls.
● Look out for speed bumps and potholes.
● Keep your headlights turned on at all times.
● Avoid driving at night as the roads are poorly lit.
● Worried about a break down? Read our tips on what to do in the situation.
Navigation Tip: Download Maps.Me app before starting your road trip. This app allows you to download the entire country’s road system and use offline maps.
Parking options at the Airport and downtown Santa Marta
Parking at Simon Bolivar International Airport can be found directly across from the terminal in an underground parking garage.
When parking in Santa Marta, on-street spaces are available but only recommended for short-term parking. Abide by signs to avoid fines. For peace of mind, park at hotels or secured parking lots. Most accommodation providers offer guest parking.
Is this your first time driving in a foreign country? Read our top tips for planning a successful international road trip.
