Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide
Santa Marta, Colombia

Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide

Outty Ranking 76 4.8 · 41 traveler reviews3 hoursFrom $39
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Outty Ranking

76/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.8/5

Based on 41 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide worth booking?

Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide is a 3-hour experience in Santa Marta, Colombia, from $39 per person. It scores 76 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 41 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
76 / 100
Rating
4.8/5 (41)
Duration
3 hours
From
$39 per person

In this experience you will explore the authentic flavors of the Caribbean coast of Colombia with a local guide. We visit 7 different stops in the Historic Center of Santa Marta, tasting traditional dishes such as fresh zapote fruit, creamy local avocado, handmade arepas from Doña Ketty, the famous cayeye from Doña Yami, coconut sweets, specialty Colombian coffee at GNAM Café, and Caribbean‑style patacones at a local restaurant. Along the way, you’ll meet family‑owned vendors, learn about regional ingredients, and discover how food reflects the history and culture of Santa Marta. This tour is friendly for vegetarian and vegan travelers, and we eat enough for both lunch and dinner—so come hungry and ready to enjoy!

What you get

    About this experience

    In this experience you will explore the authentic flavors of the Caribbean coast of Colombia with a local guide. We visit 7 different stops in the Historic Center of Santa Marta, tasting traditional dishes such as fresh zapote fruit, creamy local avocado, handmade arepas from Doña Ketty, the famous cayeye from Doña Yami, coconut sweets, specialty Colombian coffee at GNAM Café, and Caribbean‑style patacones at a local restaurant. Along the way, you’ll meet family‑owned vendors, learn about regional ingredients, and discover how food reflects the history and culture of Santa Marta. This tour is friendly for vegetarian and vegan travelers, and we eat enough for both lunch and dinner—so come hungry and ready to enjoy!

    What's included

    Included

    • Natural fruit juice from local vendors
    • Local bilingual guide with deep knowledge of Santa Marta’s food culture
    • Tea and coffee
    • Snacks

    Not included

    • Alcoholic beverages

    What you'll see and do

    1. We meet in front of San Francisco Church to introduce the flavors and stories of Santa Marta before starting our food adventure.

      10 minutes here

    2. We enter the local market to taste fresh zapote and creamy local avocado from street vendors. This is where Santa Marta’s daily life and flavors truly begin

      45 minutes here

    3. Doña Yami – Traditional Cayeye We visit Doña Yami’s stand to try cayeye, a beloved Caribbean dish made from mashed green plantains. You’ll learn why this breakfast is essential to costeño culture.

      45 minutes here

    4. Santa Marta

      Doña Ketty – Handmade Arepas We stop at Doña Ketty’s street stand to watch how she prepares her famous handmade arepas. You’ll enjoy them fresh, just like locals do.

      30 minutes here

    5. GNAM Café – Specialty Coffee Experience At GNAM Café, a cozy specialty coffee shop, a barista prepares high‑quality Colombian coffee using alternative brewing methods. We explore aromas, flavors, and the cultural importance of coffee in Colombia.

      30 minutes here

    6. Bahia de Santa Marta

      Santa Marta Bay – Scenic Walk & Cocadas We walk along the bay to enjoy ocean views and taste cocadas, traditional coconut sweets sold by local vendors. It’s a relaxing moment to enjoy Santa Marta’s coastal atmosphere.

      30 minutes here

    7. Restaurante Mañe Cayón – Caribbean Patacones We finish the tour with delicious Caribbean-style patacones topped with Santa Marta flavors in a traditional local restaurant.

      45 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Santa Marta

    We meet in front of San Francisco Church, at Plaza de San Francisco in the Historic Center. Your guide will be by the main entrance holding a “Street Food Tour” sign. Please arrive 10 minutes early.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    We meet in front of San Francisco Church, at Plaza de San Francisco in the Historic Center. Your guide will be by the main entrance holding a “Street Food Tour” sign. Please arrive 10 minutes early.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en, es
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 30 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Walking tour bogota by (The True Colombian Experience)

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Service animals allowed
    • Public transportation options are available nearby
    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide, photo 2Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide, photo 3Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide, photo 4Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide, photo 5Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide, photo 6Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 41 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    8 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Food and drink

    8 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    7 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Traveler reviews

    41 verified traveler reviews for Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    36
    4 star
    3
    3 star
    2
    2 star
    0
    1 star
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    Sort
    Susan_S · March 2026

    Wonderful experience

    It was an amazing and you really get to see different parts of Santa Marta! Our guide Al took us all over to see the open fish and fruit and vegetable markets. We tried juice drinks and food from local people! Great

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind review 😊 We’re very happy to hear you enjoyed exploring different parts of Santa Marta and tasting local food along the way. These authentic, local moments are what make the experience so special.We’ll also share your feedback with Alvaro; guides like him make a big difference in creating memorable experiences. Thanks again for joining us, and we hope to see you again in Colombia soon ✨ The True Colombian Experience Team

    via Viator

    sissebagamahrvre2018 · February 2026

    Hugo, the best guide ever! Book a tour with Hugo.

    WOW! Amazing tour! Hugo is the best guide ever. He is a wonderful, caring and extremely knowledgable guide. He went above and beyond, devoting his whole day to us. Thank you, Hugo! His love for the English language comes through his happy and funny stories. I am a retired English teacher from Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Hugo's English is better than mine. My wife and I have taken tours all over the world. Hugo is the best guide we have ever had. Do yourself a favor, book a tour with Hugo!

    via Tripadvisor

    ILMtraveler2 · January 2026

    Highly recommended food tour.

    We had a wonderful experience with this tour. We got to see some of the city outside the historic center and experienced some local food that we wouldn't have tried on our own. One word of caution - go hungry. This is more that just a tasting tour and we had plenty of food and drinks for a nice lunch. Our guide spoke perfect English and the pacing was just right. It was a lovely tour and a highlight of our few days in Santa Marta.

    via Tripadvisor

    Roelmessie · December 2025

    Great tour for getting familiar with local food and Santa Marta

    Tour led us to many sites in Santa Marta, fruit markets, fish, meat etc. We made many stops to taste fruits, local dishes, and wonderful juices and coffee. Meanwhile Hugo was giving us much background on food, Santa Marta and local culture. Fun and informative. Hugo was a great guide, very dedicated, friendly and fun.

    via Tripadvisor

    Patti_S · December 2025

    Excellent introduction to Santa Marta and the food

    Great walking tour of the fruit/veg stands, trying fruit along the way. Also the fish market and meat market. Ate amazing arepas, green banana cayeye, plantain crust with cheese and shrimp. Add lemonade and wonderful coffee to make a wonderful time. Only 4 of us with Al and Hugo - their knowledge was shared freely and made me appreciate so much about Colombia. My only warning is that we walked at a good pace which might make this not a great fit if mobility is an issue.

    via Viator

    Good to know

    Duration
    3 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    14
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Who runs this experience

    Operated by Walking tour bogota by (The True Colombian Experience), who run 11 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 77.1 and 3 in the 90+ Club.

    See everything Walking tour bogota by (The True Colombian Experience) runs

    Why this scores 76

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)82
    Review evidence (18% weight)68
    Booking momentum (14% weight)60
    Value for money (12% weight)79
    Listing quality (10% weight)84
    Local standing (8% weight)65
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Santa Marta.

    How much does Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide cost?

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    Prices start at $39 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Santa Marta usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide take?

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    Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Santa Marta is not rushed.

    Is Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide worth it?

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    It holds an Outty Ranking of 76 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 41 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Santa Marta, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide?

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    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide suitable for kids and families?

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    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide?

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    Around 14 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Santa Marta can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

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    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Santa Marta and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide start and how do I get there?

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    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Santa Marta within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Santa Marta?

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    On Outty we rank every Santa Marta experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Hike for 4 days to the Lost City, Santa Marta, 4-Day Lost City Small-Group Tour in Santa Marta, 4-Day Walking Tour to Lost City of Sierra Nevada. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Santa Marta?

    +

    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Santa Marta?

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    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

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    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    What is included in Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide?

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    Included: Natural fruit juice from local vendors; Local bilingual guide with deep knowledge of Santa Marta’s food culture; Tea and coffee; and Snacks. Not included: Alcoholic beverages. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.

    Where is the meeting point for Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide?

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    We meet in front of San Francisco Church, at Plaza de San Francisco in the Historic Center. Your guide will be by the main entrance holding a “Street Food Tour” sign. Please arrive 10 minutes early. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.

    What languages is Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide offered in?

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    It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.

    Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide?

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    Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.

    Is Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide wheelchair or stroller accessible?

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    The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap; and Specialized infant seats are available. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.

    What happens to Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide if the weather is bad?

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    This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

    What do travelers say about Santa Marta Street Food Tour: 7 Tastings with a Local Guide?

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    Across 41 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

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