Magdalena Department

Region · 🇨🇴 Colombia

Population 1,427,026

Area 23,127 km²

Time zone America/Bogota

Official website www.gobmagdalena.gov.co

Magdalena Department – Planning a Trip?

Build your day-by-day itinerary in the Tripomatic app.

Start Planning

Featured Lists

Juan Pablo / CC BY-SA 3.0

Magdalena's Absolute Essentials

Magdalena spans from the Caribbean coast to the Sierra Nevada mountain range. This selection features the archaeological ruins of Ciudad Perdida and El Pueblito, alongside the diverse ecosystems of Tayrona National Park. The list highlights the colonial architecture of Santa Marta, the mouth of the Magdalena River at Bocas de Ceniza, and the heritage town of Ciénaga. These sites reflect the region's pre-Columbian history, Spanish colonial influence, and unique coastal geography.

12 places

Ben Bowes / CC BY 2.0

Colombian Caribbean Beaches

This collection highlights the diverse coastline of Colombia's Magdalena department, stretching from the urban shores of Santa Marta to the wilderness of Tayrona National Natural Park. The region is defined by the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains descending into the Caribbean Sea. Key sites include La Piscina, protected by a natural rock reef, and the secluded Arrecifes. Further east, Palomino offers a unique landscape where freshwater rivers meet the ocean against a backdrop of high-altitude peaks.

7 places

Gunjarinmaku / CC BY-SA 4.0

Colombian Peaks and Viewpoints

The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta contains the highest coastal mountains on Earth, dominated by the twin summits of Pico Cristóbal Colón and Pico Simón Bolívar. This list features high-altitude glaciers like Glaciar Bolívar and Glaciar La Reina, alongside coastal viewpoints in Tayrona National Park and the mouth of the Magdalena River at Bocas de Ceniza. These locations range from the tropical shores of Cabo San Juan to the rugged, snow-capped peaks and the mountain ridges of Minca.

20 places

Juan Carlos Tofiño / CC-BY-SA

Parks and Nature Escapes

Explore the diverse landscapes of Magdalena, from the historic colonial plazas of Mompox to the lush foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. This collection features central urban squares like Santa Marta's heart at Parque de los Novios, botanical collections at the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino, and natural landmarks including the Marinka waterfalls. It also highlights the region's vital aquatic ecosystems, ranging from the Ciénaga Sapayan wetlands to high-altitude glacial lagoons.

40 places