Iglesia de San Francisco

Santa Marta


Dating from 1597, the squat Iglesia de San Francisco is little more than its colonial facade these days due to recurring earthquakes and fires over the centuries. Its interior currently dates from 1963 and is nothing special to look at. Taken over by the English during their late-17th-century occupation of the city, the church was once used as an aristocratic ladies' prison.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Santa Marta attractions

1. Museo del Oro

0.12 MILES

Oro (gold) is only half of what this fabulous museum is about. Housed in the impressively renovated Casa de la Aduana (Customs House), which features in…

2. Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino

2.59 MILES

This hacienda is where Simón Bolívar spent his last days in 1830 before succumbing to either tuberculosis or arsenic poisoning, depending on whom you…

3. Pozo Azul

9.7 MILES

This fun natural pool and small waterfall is a popular sight for locals and tourists alike, though it can get very full on weekends and during high season…

4. Finca La Candelaria

9.93 MILES

This small coffee, cacao and fruit farm is a family-run, organic business that visitors are welcome to tour to see the various stages of growth, harvest…

5. Playa Cristal

10.73 MILES

This gorgeous boat-in beach on Bahía Neguange used to be known as Playa del Muerto (Beach of the Dead) – little wonder they decided on a name change. It's…

6. Cascada de Marinka

10.88 MILES

This lovely spot is a 1½ hour walk from Minca – or a 10-minute moto-taxi ride (COP$9000) – and is a surprisingly impressive set of two waterfalls, with…

7. Finca La Victoria

11.56 MILES

Founded in the late 19th century, this family-run coffee plantation offers interesting 40-minute tours (usually available in English) in which the coffee…

8. Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona

12.25 MILES

This dazzling slice of mountainous jungle, vast boulders and golden-white sand makes up one of Colombia's most stunning national parks and is a popular…

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