4 reviewed party hostels · from €6.90/night · Hostelworld rated
Santa Marta’s nightlife doesn’t shout about itself, but that’s part of the charm. On Fridays and Saturdays, the rooftop at La Brisa Loca in El Centro fills up by 11 PM with backpackers and locals dancing to reggaeton and salsa. The place is basic: think fairy lights and plastic chairs: but the crowd is loud, friendly, and up for anything. Hostels here are small but social. Casa de Lulu and Viajero Santa Marta are the two that draw the biggest groups, both with bars on-site and a five-minute walk to the action. Don’t expect Cartagena’s polished clubs; Santa Marta’s scene is scrappier, cheaper, and runs on rum cocktails under 20,000 COP.
Rated by Hostelworld score · Prices per dorm bed per night
Crazy party hostel perfect for adventurers. The hostel has a chilled and relaxed atmosphere, with lots of common areas where you can meet other travellers. They organize daily parties, with great deals on drinks. Guests can join some of many group activities like hiking, horse riding, rafting, cacao and nature tours, etc.
Purpose-built for travellers with two swimming pools, stunning rooftop bar, and cinema room, this hostel creates the perfect Caribbean party atmosphere. Daily cultural activities from salsa lessons to empanada making, plus free entry to nearby party venues, make meeting fellow adventurers effortless.
At La Brisa Loca you will have the chance to discover Colombia with comfort and style… but the eral challenge will be leaving the hostel!
Viajero Santa Marta Hostel immerses guests in the pulse of Santa Marta with rooftop parties that boast stunning city and mountain views. Enjoy tropical cocktails and a vibrant social scene, making it the go-to place for travellers looking to experience the local nightlife.
Organised nights out with a local guide
A guided crawl through El Centro’s bars and clubs. Starts at 8:30 PM with a welcome shot, then hits three venues: usually La Brisa Loca, La Puerta, and a surprise after-party spot. Includes a free drink at each stop and skip-the-line entry. Dress code: closed-toe shoes, no swimwear.
How Santa Marta's nightlife zones break down
The historic heart of Santa Marta, where colonial buildings house hostels, bars, and street food stalls. Calle 18 and Calle 19 are the main strips for nightlife, with most places within a five-minute walk. Parque de los Novios is the central square where people gather before heading out.
A fishing village turned backpacker hub, 20 minutes north of Santa Marta. The beachfront is lined with bars and seafood shacks. Nightlife is low-key: think reggae bars and bonfires. Gets busy on Sundays for reggae night at Café del Mar.
A mountain village 45 minutes south of Santa Marta, known for coffee farms and waterfalls. Nightlife is minimal, but hostels like Casa Loma organise jungle parties with bonfires and live music. Most places close by midnight, so it’s more about the daytime adventures.
Where the hostel pub crawls end up, and where to go on your own
A two-storey hostel bar that spills onto a rooftop terrace. Fridays and Saturdays see 200 people crammed in, dancing to reggaeton and salsa. Entry is free before midnight, 10,000 COP after. The crowd is 80% backpackers, 20% locals. Drinks are 8,000–15,000 COP. Gets sweaty by 1 AM.
Inside Viajero Santa Marta Hostel, this terrace bar has hammocks and fairy lights. Happy hour 5–7 PM serves two-for-one mojitos for 18,000 COP. Live salsa on Wednesdays, DJs on Fridays. The crowd is mostly hostel guests and a few digital nomads. Open until 2 AM.
A tiny club on Calle 18 that packs out on Thursdays for student night. Entry is 5,000 COP and includes a beer. Music is a mix of reggaeton and electronic. Gets busy by 11 PM and kicks out at 3 AM. Drinks are 6,000–10,000 COP.
A beachfront bar in Taganga, 20 minutes from Santa Marta. Sunday reggae nights start at 6 PM and run until midnight. Entry is free; cocktails are 20,000 COP. The crowd is a mix of backpackers and Taganga locals. Bring cash: no card machines.
A small hostel with a courtyard bar that turns into an after-party spot. Open until 4 AM on weekends. Drinks are 7,000–12,000 COP. The crowd is mostly hostel guests and their new friends. No entry fee, but bring your own music if you want a specific vibe.
A salsa bar on Carrera 3, popular with locals and a few brave backpackers. Live bands play Thursday to Saturday from 10 PM. Entry is 10,000 COP and includes a drink. The dance floor is tiny, so expect close quarters. Drinks are 8,000–15,000 COP.
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