Fiestas del Mar

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Cultural & TraditionalSanta Marta

DatesDates TBA · Usually JulyCheck locally before booking

DurationAnnualEstimate from available data

Crowd-Public scale varies

Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsThe Reinado Nacional e Internacional del Mar

Language["es"]Currency: COP

CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type

The story

Fiestas del Mar in Santa Marta

Fiestas del Mar celebrates Santa Marta's maritime identity each July with a nautical parade of decorated boats through the bay, a national and international sea-themed pageant judging maritime knowledge and conservation commitment, and water sports competitions. Created in 1959 to promote the coastal city Rodrigo de Bastidas founded in 1525, the festival also features a dedicated Samarian and Caribbean seafood cooking showcase.

Fiestas del Mar was created in 1959 specifically to promote the marine identity and natural coastal wealth of Santa Marta, the Caribbean port city that Spanish conquistador Rodrigo de Bastidas founded in 1525, making it one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities of European origin in South America.

Your trip starts here

What is special

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The Reinado Nacional e Internacional del Mar pageant is unusual among Colombian beauty-adjacent competitions for judging contestants on demonstrated maritime knowledge and environmental conservation commitment alongside presentation, giving the event a substantive criterion beyond appearance

The mystery stays covered

Santa Marta's own founding in 1525 by Rodrigo de Bastidas makes it one of the oldest continuously inhabited European-founded cities in South America, giving the festival's coastal identity genuine historical depth

The city starts moving

The nautical parade of decorated boats through the working bay of a major Caribbean port, rather than a symbolic land-based float parade, is a distinctive format specific to this festival

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The Reinado Nacional e Internacional del Mar pageant's specific judging criteria

Water and renewal

Living ritual

maritime knowledge and conservation commitment alongside presentation

The sacred route

Living ritual

is a documented

The local code

Living ritual

distinguishing element of this festival's format

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually July

Getting around

Use Santa Marta transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.

What to wear

Light, breathable Caribbean-weight clothing and beach-appropriate footwear suit both waterfront viewing and daytime beach events. A change into slightly smarter clothing is worth having for...

Safety

For Fiestas del Mar, keep the basics simple: small bag, charged phone, meeting point and respect for crowd controls.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Santa Marta, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["es"] · COP

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map11.24 N, 74.19 W Open in Google Maps

Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia

Nearest airportBAQ — Ernesto Cortissoz

TransportUse Santa Marta transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.

Stay areaStay near workable transport in Santa Marta, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Santa Marta via local transport.Search routes Find a place to stayStays near Santa Marta, close enough for the event-day route.Browse stays Find flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for July.Compare fares Festival gearLight, breathable Caribbean-weight clothing and beach-appropriate footwear suit both waterfront viewing and daytime beach events. A change into slightly smarter clothing is worth having for evening pageant events held indoors.Shop the kit Check visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Colombia and apply online.Check entry rules Travel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Fiestas del Mar?

Fiestas del Mar is listed for July. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Fiestas del Mar take place?

The festival is listed in Santa Marta, Colombia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLsantamarta.gov.co

Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →

SourceSource link available

Listed datesDates TBA · Usually July

Source statusOfficial source linked

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →

Fiestas del Mar

Fiestas del Mar in Santa Marta

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The mystery stays covered

The city starts moving

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Water and renewal

The sacred route

The local code

Essential information

When to go

Getting around

What to wear

Safety

Where to stay

Tickets/cost

Language/currency

Family friendly

Santa Marta, Magdalena, Colombia

Your Trip Starts Here

Quick answers.

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

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