Is Santa Marta Safe for Cruise Passengers?
Santa Marta carries a high risk rating. CruiseAware recommends reviewing the latest U.S. State Department and CDC advisories carefully before going ashore.
See the current cruise safety outlookAt a Glance
Overall Risk
High
Emergency Number
123
Cruise Port
Port logistics NOT ASSESSED. The cited eligible sources do not support berth, walking, taxi, terminal, or transfer facts for Santa Marta.
Last Updated
September 5, 2026
Executive Summary
Santa Marta is a Colombia cruise destination. The current U.S. State Department advisory is Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) for Colombia countrywide due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and natural-disaster risks; this is a country-level assessment, not Santa Marta-specific.
Quick Facts
Risk Level
High
Country
Colombia
Emergency Number
123
Cruise Port
Port logistics NOT ASSESSED. The cited eligible sources do not support berth, walking, taxi, terminal, or transfer facts for Santa Marta.
Health Considerations
CDC displays a Level 2 yellow-fever notice for Colombia and a Level 1 global dengue notice; travelers should review CDC vaccine and medicine guidance. Colombia Travel states the single emergency number is 123.
Safety & Security
The U.S. advisory identifies countrywide crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and natural-disaster risks. Santa Marta-specific crime conditions are NOT ASSESSED. Colombia is overall U.S. Level 3; the advisory’s named departments and the Venezuela border are Level 4.
Port Tips
Port logistics NOT ASSESSED. The cited eligible sources do not support berth, walking, taxi, terminal, or transfer facts for Santa Marta.
Local Emergency Number
123
Store this number in your phone before going ashore.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does High mean for Santa Marta?+
High maps to the current U.S. State Department Level 3 advisory for Colombia; it is countrywide, not Santa Marta-specific.
What health notices apply to Colombia?+
CDC currently displays a Level 2 yellow-fever notice and a Level 1 global dengue notice on Colombia’s Traveler View.
What emergency number should travelers know?+
The official Colombia Travel health page states that 123 is the single emergency number in Colombia.
What are the verified Santa Marta port logistics?+
NOT ASSESSED. No berth, walking, taxi, terminal, or transfer claim is supported by the cited eligible sources.
Is Santa Marta safe?+
Santa Marta carries a high risk rating. CruiseAware recommends travelers reconsider nonessential travel and consult a travel health provider. Santa Marta is a Colombia cruise destination. The current U.S. State Department advisory is Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) for Colombia countrywide due to crime, terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and natural-disaster risks; this is a country-level assessment, not Santa Marta-specific.
Is Santa Marta safe for cruise passengers?+
Santa Marta carries a high risk rating. CruiseAware recommends travelers reconsider nonessential travel and consult a travel health provider. The U.S. advisory identifies countrywide crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and natural-disaster risks. Santa Marta-specific crime conditions are NOT ASSESSED. Colombia is overall U.S. Level 3; the advisory’s named departments and the Venezuela border are Level 4.
How safe is Santa Marta?+
Santa Marta carries a high risk rating. CruiseAware recommends travelers reconsider nonessential travel and consult a travel health provider. Most cruise passengers visit Santa Marta without incident when they stay in port and tourist areas and use licensed transportation. The U.S. advisory identifies countrywide crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and natural-disaster risks. Santa Marta-specific crime conditions are NOT ASSESSED. Colombia is overall U.S. Level 3; the advisory’s named departments and the Venezuela border are Level 4.
Is there a travel warning for Santa Marta?+
The U.S. advisory identifies countrywide crime, terrorism, unrest, kidnapping, and natural-disaster risks. Santa Marta-specific crime conditions are NOT ASSESSED. Colombia is overall U.S. Level 3; the advisory’s named departments and the Venezuela border are Level 4.
Source Citations & Review History
Our medical and travel experts synthesize information from the following authoritative public sources. We do not rely on AI without human verification.
- Colombia Travel Advisory— U.S. Department of State
- Colombia - Traveler View— CDC
- Colombia travel advice— UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
- Health & Vaccines for Travel to Colombia— Colombia Travel (official tourism agency)
Last verified by CruiseAware: September 5, 2026
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