by casacarolina | Jun 17, 2015 | What to do in Santa Marta
Why I love Santa Marta As the owner of Hotel Boutique Casa Carolina, and family man in Santa Marta, I always get asked what I love about Santa Marta. In this blog post I will go over some of the main reasons why I love Santa Marta so much. Santa Marta is on the north coast of Colombia. It hugs the Caribbean Sea making it a picturesque location. Santa Marta is the oldest surviving city in Latin America today, dating back to July 29, 1525 the days of Spanish Conquistador Rodrigo de Bastidas. Santa Marta is the Colombia’s third largest coastal. Along with its amazing beaches the city is bordered by the breathtaking and unique mountains of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Range (the highest coastal range in the world, with snow and Caribbean sea around 10km apart!). Up until about 10 years ago, guerilla and illegal drug activity would shy tourists away from Santa Marta. The Colombian government has cracked down on crime and has remodelled the old city. Improvements on city parks and streets have not only attracted tourists, but also business owners. New restaurants, hotels and discos have emerged which makes Santa Marta a great place after hours. Five years ago Santa Marta’s historic centre had very little to offer visitors, but today there is a wide array of things to do and see. One of my favorite spots is Parque de Los Novios (Sweetheart’s Park). It is a hot spot for locals and foreigners to gather and socialize. Surrounded by bars and restaurants, Parque de los Novios is decorated with flowers and trees, couples stroll along and hang out on the park benches; a sight somewhat out of...
by casacarolina | Jun 3, 2015 | Beaches in Santa Marta, What to do in Santa Marta
We have had many guests and friends ask us which are the best beaches in Santa Marta. And some of our return guests have even asked us if we know of any less traveled beaches in Santa Marta. In this blog post I’m going to go over some of our favorite secluded beaches and even some secret spots around Santa Marta. Our Favourite Five Secluded Beaches in Santa Marta 1. Playa Cristal Do you like to snorkel? Eat fresh fish with your toes in the sea? Relax undisturbed in the tropical sunshine and warm turquoise Caribbean waters. This beach offers some of the safest and calmest waters around Santa Marta, perfect for kids, or non swimmers, with gently shelving sand entering crystal waters. A far cry from the crowded beaches of Santa Marta, Rodadero and Taganga, Playa Cristal in the Parque Tayrona offers seclusion and exclusivity as it is tucked away and 4×4 jeep and boat ride away. Not the easiest beach to reach, it is worth the trip as an exquisite offering rewards the intrepid visitor. Playa Cristal translates to the Crystal Beach and it lives up to it’s name. It’s crystal clear water and white sand beaches make it a picturesque escape. It’s beautiful coral reefs make it a popular destination for snorkelling with huge shoals of colourful tropical fish darting around the corals. This beach is highly popular so you won’t be alone, but it’s definitely worth going to if you want to relax and it can be pretty quiet outside holiday periods and weekends. The beach closes after 300 visitors enter, ensuring it is never too crowded and remains utterly unspoilt. In peak season you need to arrive early (by 8am!) to...
by casacarolina | Jun 1, 2015 | What to do in Santa Marta
At Hotel Boutique Casa Carolina we pride ourselves in being one of the top hotels in Santa Marta. In our effort to help all of our visitors have a great trip we have come together as a staff to compile a list of fun things to do in Santa Marta. The most obvious thing to do in Santa Marta is to go to the beautiful surrounding beaches. But in this blog post we are going to cover some ideas as an alternative to sun, sea and sand for when you just want to hang out in the city. Things to do and Sightseeing in Santa Marta 1. La Catedral Basilica de Santa Marta This is Latin America’s first cathedral. So if you like history and you like to visit churches, you cannot miss this one. It’s construction started in 1765. Its construction was delayed 30 years because of the frequent attacks by English, French, and Dutch pirates, it was knocked down by pirates more than 20 times! The architectural style of this pretty cathedral is colonial and the art inside is indicative of its age. An amazing fact about this cathedral is that it was once the burial place of our country’s liberator, Simon Bolivar. He was buried here from December 20, 1830 until 1842, when his tomb was dug up and sent to his birthplace, Caracas, Venezuela. The Venezuelan government left Bolivar’s heart behind in an urn, which is hidden somewhere in the cathedral. This and many other stories make up the wonderful history of one of Latin America’s most important cathedrals. It’s a must see when visiting Santa Marta. Address: Carrera 5 # 16-30 Phone:...
by casacarolina | May 20, 2015 | Uncategorized
Vacation in Santa Marta Colombia So you want to take a trip to South America and explore Santa Marta, Colombia? You have probably heard about the beautiful coast city of Cartagena, Colombia. With its history and location near the beach it is a popular tourist destination. Maybe you have been to Cartagena already and are looking for a new adventure. Perhaps you are planing a trip along the Colombian Caribbean coast and would like to visit various Colombian beach cities. Santa Marta is a popular destination for couples on romantic getaways or honeymoons, a family vacation, bachelor/bachelorette parties, backpackers, and more. In this post I’ll go over some recommended things to do in Santa Marta, Colombia. Hotel in Santa Marta First things first, accommodations. As a seasoned traveler I have stayed in an array of tourist accommodations. Hostels in Santa Marta. When I was younger I would love staying at hostels everywhere I went. Hostels are great because they are a hub for foreigners and a great way to make friends and find things to do. The negative side is that you have to share a dorm with a few other people and most hostels are not clean or quiet. I stayed in a hostel in Santa Marta my first visit, La Brisa Loca. This is definitely a party hostel, there is always something going on, and they have a big bar inside with beer, cocktails and food. La Brisa Loca is big, yet welcoming. I stayed in a private room because I do not really like to be in a big dorm full of people. The rate was...
by casacarolina | Feb 5, 2015 | What to do in Santa Marta
Surprise your partner at Hotel Boutique Casa Carolina this Valentine’s Day !! MARRY ME from 666,000 pesos >> Three course dinner with romantic decoration. One night luxury room decorated with roses, chocolate coated strawberries and a bottle of wine. An hour’s relaxing massage each. Two days R&R&R in Casa Carolina’s idyllic oasis of pool, terraces, jacuzzis and spa I LOVE YOU from 333,000 pesos >> An hour’s relaxing massage each followed by a romantic three course dinner and choice of wine YOU’RE KIND OF COOL from 222,000 pesos >> Enjoy a day at Casa Carolina. Use of pool, terraces, jacuzzis and spa during the day. Voucher for full lunch for two included I BARELY KNOW YOU from 111,000 pesos >> Three course dinner on our private terrace, by the pool, or in our Colonial building. Time to get to know each other… For more information about Casa Carolina please explore our website. Get in touch by phone or email for more information about our Valentine’s packages! Sorprende a su pareja en Hotel Boutique Casa Carolina este día de San Valentin !! CASATE CONMIGO desde 666.000 pesos >> Cena de tres platos con decoración romántica. Una noche en habitación superior decorada con rosas, fresas de chocolate y una botella de vino. Una hora de masaje para cada huésped. Dos días de Relajación, Recuperación y Romance en el Oasis idílico de Casa Carolina con sus terrazas, piscina, jacuzzis y spa TE AMO desde 333.000 pesos >> Una hora de masaje relajante para cada invitado. Cena romántica de tres platos con elección de vino ERES ESPECIAL desde 222.000 pesos >> Pasadía, disfruten un dia dentro de las...
by casacarolina | Feb 5, 2015 | Uncategorized
At Hotel Boutique Casa Carolina we have welcomed over 1,500 guests in our first twelve months of operations in Santa Marta, Colombia. As we celebrate 100 great reviews on Tripadvisor, we reflect on What Is Great Customer Service at a Boutique Hotel…? Exceed Expectations, not Budgets Starting with luxurious space and facilities, way beyond the competition. Casa Carolina offers more than thirty different spots to recline with a book (in addition to your spacious room’s adjoining lounge). In the shade or sun; by the pool or on a terrace looking out to sea; on a lounger, sofa, hammock, daybed, or with a freshly brewed Cappuccino in one of Cafe Carolina‘s 50 seats, with gourmet restaurant-cafe-bar available from 7am-10pm. At our boutique hotel in Santa Marta we boast the largest pool in Santa Marta’s historic centre, a second Jacuzzi on our sun terrace, and over 500 square metres of communal space (patios, pool, terraces, cafe, restaurant, bar, hammocks, lounges). All of this for just ten luxury bedrooms for a maximum of 25 guests… In room facilities and world-class amenities rival top hotels around the world. Luxury natural bathroom collections, Egyptian cotton towels and linen, design furniture and a suite of top electronics including Google Nexus tablets, and flat screen international TVs / Ipad docking stations in every room. Contrary to most Boutique Hotels in Santa Marta, our contemporary rooms are spacious and uncomplicated, leaving space for your stuff, not cluttered with ours. Bright natural lighting and ventilation, complemented by low-energy LED lighting, aircon and solar panels, natural restored materials are combined with modern high class finishing. We commit to ensure your entire experience in and around Santa Marta is exceptional. Because we are a boutique hotel...
