Santa Marta consolidates its position as the seventh most visited destination by foreigners in Colombia

The arrival of international tourists to Santa Marta continues to rise, consolidating the city's status as one of the country's most attractive destinations. According to data from Colombian Migration, between January and August 2025, 2,502,049 foreigners entered the country for tourism purposes, representing a 9% increase compared to the same period last year. In this context, Santa Marta received 41,740 visitors from 107 countries, ranking it as the seventh most visited destination by foreigners in Colombia during that period.

An analysis conducted by the Pro Santa Marta Vital Corporation shows that the city registered a 26.4% increase in international tourist arrivals, ranking it as the second-highest-growing destination in the country. In total, 50,318 international visitors arrived in the District, 83% of whom were motivated by tourism activities.

The United States consolidated its position as the main country of origin for travelers, accounting for 20.1% of the total. It was followed by Ecuador (8.3%), Chile (8.1%), Peru (7.2%), Argentina (4.2%), Canada (4.1%), Mexico (3.8%), and, to a lesser extent, France and Spain (2.8% each). These influxes reinforce Santa Marta's international profile as a diverse destination with global reach.

Compared to other national destinations, Santa Marta stood out for its growth rate. San Andrés was the city that saw the greatest increase in foreign tourist arrivals (49.9%), while Bogotá, Cali, Barranquilla, and Armenia recorded declines in international visitor arrivals.

A key aspect for strengthening tourism in Santa Marta is air connectivity: 87% of international travelers arrived through Simón Bolívar Airport, highlighting the importance of expanding the range of routes and direct connections. According to Pro Santa Marta Vital, this improvement in connectivity should be viewed as a strategic factor to boost the destination's positioning.

The increase in visitors represents not only an economic boost, but also a cultural, social, and environmental boost. The revenue generated by international tourism and the events held in the city confirms the need to strengthen the tourism offering and consolidate Santa Marta as a world-class tourism destination.