Taganga

Taganga's horseshoe-shaped bay and hills. Photo by Lorraine Caputo

By Lorraine Caputo

Located just five kilometers (3 miles) from Santa Marta, this once-upon-a-time small fishing village has now become a backpacker's haven. Desert hills steeply drape down to a palm-tree fringed horseshoe bay. On one side the fishing boats bob in the sunset, on the other bathers enjoy the cool waters. Taganga has become a premier center for scuba diving in the region, including excursions to reefs off neighboring Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona. Tranquility punctuated by laid-back partying reigns here, something that many travelers—both foreign and Colombian—find appealing. It's an escape from the bustling ports and tourist towns of this Caribbean coast, a place where increasing numbers of ex-pats find a home. But Taganga isn't just for mochileros. There are inns and restaurants catering to the more-well-heeled tripper. The town is rapidly growing, with increasing services available to its visitors. Whether this village continues to maintain its appeal of peace, or become the next El Rodadero is yet to be seen. The scarcity of water may help to preserve the inure that has drawn people to Taganga.

(Altitude: sea level, Population: approximately 5000, City Code: 5)

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