SANTA MARTA REAL ESTATE & RELOCATION GUIDE
Taganga Real Estate
A fishing village on its own bay, ten minutes over the hill from Santa Marta, with some of the most affordable sea-view homes on the coast.
Living in Taganga
Taganga sits in a horseshoe bay just north of Santa Marta, surrounded by dry hills that drop straight into the sea. Fishing boats line the beach, and the village still lives around the morning catch.
It has long been popular with backpackers and divers, so the waterfront has hostels, dive shops, cafés and small restaurants. Up the hillsides, the streets are quieter and the views open across the bay.
Taganga suits buyers who want a sea view and village life on a modest budget, with Santa Marta’s shops, hospitals and old town a short taxi ride away.
On your doorstep
Diving and snorkeling
Taganga is the region’s main diving base, with dive shops that run trips to the reefs along the coast and into Tayrona.
Boats to quiet beaches
Water taxis leave from the beach for Playa Grande and other coves you can’t reach by road.
Sunsets over the bay
The hills face west, so hillside homes look straight out at the sun setting into the Caribbean.
Daily life
Taganga is small and walkable. Most residents buy fish on the beach, pick up basics at the village shops and go into Santa Marta for a big supermarket run.
The waterfront can get loud on weekends and holidays, when visitors from the city and backpackers fill the bars. Homes higher up the hill are calmer and catch more of the breeze.
Water supply is a known issue in Taganga, so many houses have storage tanks. It’s one of the first things to check before you buy.
What you can buy in Taganga
Prices in Taganga are among the lowest on this part of the coast. The market is mostly village houses, hillside homes with views and a few small apartments.
Village houses
Simple houses a few blocks from the beach, often with a patio and room to add a floor.
Hillside view homes
Larger houses up the slopes with pools, terraces and views over the bay and the Sierra Nevada.
Guesthouses and lots
Buildings already set up for guests, and lots with sea views for building your own place.
Example listings
House by the sea
- 3 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms on a 264 m² lot
- About one block from the sea
- Patio, kiosk and a pool
- Listed at COP 290 million (about US$90,000)
Sea-view house
- 407 m² with 3 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms
- Panoramic views of the Caribbean and the Sierra Nevada
- Pool and jacuzzi
- Listed at COP 800 million (about US$255,000)
Lot with bay views
- 1,200 m² in a quiet, wooded spot
- Views of the bay, the sea and the sunset
- Sold with a registered title
- Listed at COP 320 million (about US$100,000)
Six-bedroom guesthouse
- 600 m² built on a 1,050 m² lot, with 6 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms
- About four blocks from the beach
- Terraces and room to expand
- Listed at COP 1.2 billion (about US$380,000)
Examples from listings in October 2026. US dollar amounts use a rate of about 3,150 pesos to the dollar. Prices and exchange rates change, so treat them as a guide and ask us for current listings.
Before you buy
- Title. Buy property with a registered public deed, and have a lawyer check the Certificado de Libertad y Tradición.
- Water. Ask how often the house gets mains water and how big the storage tanks are.
- Access. Hillside streets are steep and some are unpaved. Check the route for cars and for walking with shopping.
- Noise. Visit on a Friday or Saturday night as well as during the week.
- Rentals. If you plan to rent to visitors, confirm the property can be registered for short-term rentals.
Compare with other areas
Taganga is a short drive from the city center. See how it compares with the neighborhoods nearby.
Frequently asked questions
How far is Taganga from Santa Marta?
About 10 to 15 minutes by car or taxi over the hill from the city center. Local buses also run between the two.
Can you swim in Taganga?
Yes. The bay is calm, though the main beach is busy with fishing boats. Many people take a short boat ride to Playa Grande for clearer water.
Is Taganga a good place for a rental property?
It has a steady flow of divers and backpackers, so guesthouses and small rentals are common. Check the permits you need and how the property is registered before you buy.
Can foreigners buy property in Taganga?
Yes. Foreigners can buy property in Colombia with the same rights as Colombians. Our step-by-step guide walks through the process.
See Taganga in person
We’ll help you build a customized 2 to 7 day tour with a local English-speaking agent, including viewings in Taganga and the city.
