Private · Door-to-door · Your schedule
Private transfer from Cartagena to Santa Marta
Travel directly from your hotel, apartment or Cartagena airport to your destination in Santa Marta—with a private vehicle, professional driver and Bukap coordinating the journey from pickup to arrival.
4.5–5.5 hoursTypical driving time
Private vehicleOnly your group
Door-to-doorNo terminal transfers
Cartagena→Santa Marta
Direct along Colombia’s Caribbean coast
#1 of 125Transportation companies in Santa Marta · Since 2022
The direct way to travel
Leave the terminals, shared stops and fixed departure times behind
Your driver collects you at the address and time confirmed in Cartagena, helps with your luggage and takes you directly to Santa Marta. The vehicle is reserved exclusively for your group.
The usual drive takes approximately 4.5 to 5.5 hours. Traffic leaving Cartagena, road conditions, weather and the exact pickup and drop-off locations can affect the final journey time.
Your transfer includes
- Private air-conditioned vehicle
- Professional Spanish-speaking driver
- Fuel, road tolls and driver expenses
- Pickup and drop-off at the confirmed addresses
- Scenic route along Barranquilla’s Gran Malecón
- Optional lunch stop at Caimán del Río with up to 1 hour of waiting
- Luggage appropriate for the selected vehicle
- Local coordination and operational backup from Bukap
Need English assistance? Select an English-speaking host in the booking form.
Pickup and drop-off coverage
From your door in Cartagena to your door in Santa Marta
Enter the exact hotel or address in the booking form. We will use it to coordinate the correct pickup and arrival instructions.
01
Pickup in Cartagena
Hotels, apartments and addresses in the Walled City, Getsemaní, Bocagrande, Castillogrande and other standard urban zones.
Airport pickup: Rafael Núñez International Airport can be selected as your origin.
02
Drop-off in Santa Marta
Hotels, apartments and addresses in Santa Marta city, El Rodadero, Gaira, Bello Horizonte and Pozos Colorados.
Traveling farther? Tayrona, Minca and Palomino are available as separate routes in the booking form.
Barú, Cartagena’s southern zones and properties outside standard urban coverage may require additional driving time and a different rate. Enter the exact location to receive the correct price.
Important access details
Beginning in Barú or continuing beyond Santa Marta?
Road access changes depending on the exact property. Select the correct hotel in the booking form; Bukap confirms the final vehicle and meeting instructions by WhatsApp.
Tayrona area
Plan your arrival before sunset
We can normally reach the hotel entrance, but some properties require a roadside drop-off or their own final shuttle. Aim to arrive before sunset—around 5:45 p.m.—so the last part of the journey is easier.
Inside Tayrona National Park: arrange your admission ticket, compulsory accident insurance and the vehicle entrance fee in advance. We recommend arriving at the park entrance before 3:00 p.m. and notifying your hotel so it can help expedite access. Without the required entry documents, the vehicle cannot continue inside and you may need to walk or pay for a separate shuttle beyond the entrance.
Minca
The police station is our standard reference point
Approximately 80% of Minca properties require a 4×4 connection because access roads are unpaved, steep or both. We can coordinate transportation to any property; once you provide the exact hotel, Bukap confirms the 4×4 requirement and meeting details by WhatsApp.
Barú
Prefer the road instead of a boat?
We can collect you directly from selected hotels in Barú and continue by private road transfer. Choose the exact hotel when booking so we can calculate the correct route, pickup time and vehicle.
Park entrance times vary by access point and season. Review the current requirements on the official Tayrona National Park website before traveling.
More than a highway transfer
See Barranquilla’s riverfront and stop for lunch
Bukap’s planned route passes along the Gran Malecón beside the Magdalena River. From the vehicle, you can see some of Barranquilla’s newest attractions, including Ventana de Campeones, the Shakira statue and the Luna del Río Ferris wheel.
If you would like lunch, the transfer includes up to one hour of waiting at Caimán del Río, where local and international food options come together. A stop elsewhere in Barranquilla, a detour outside this planned route or additional waiting must be requested in advance and carries an extra charge.
1
Meet your driver
At the confirmed Cartagena or Barú address and departure time.
2
Travel along the Gran Malecón
Enjoy views of the Magdalena River and Barranquilla landmarks from your private vehicle.
3
Optional lunch at Caimán del Río
Up to one hour of driver waiting time is included. Meals are paid directly by each traveler.
4
Arrive at your destination
We continue to the hotel, apartment or address entered in your reservation.
Choose the space you need
Private vehicles for couples, families and groups
Passenger capacity is only part of the decision. Include every suitcase, stroller, child seat and oversized item so the booking form can match you with the right vehicle.
1–2 passengers
Compact SUV
Best for couples and small groups traveling with moderate luggage.
3–6 passengers
Minivan
Recommended for families, extra luggage and a roomier long-distance ride.
7–15 passengers
Large van
For larger groups and coordinated journeys with more suitcases.
Luggage matters
A seat count does not guarantee suitcase space
Tell us the number and approximate size of your suitcases, backpacks, strollers, wheelchairs, surfboards or other large items. We would rather recommend a larger vehicle than make a four-to-five-hour journey uncomfortable.
Fast, direct booking
Book your Cartagena to Santa Marta transfer
Check your rate and send your trip details in just a few minutes. We email you a separate secure TAB payment link. Complete the payment and your reservation is confirmed.
1. Submit your tripSelect Cartagena as the origin and Santa Marta City as the destination.
2. Receive the TAB linkBukap sends the separate secure payment link by email.
3. Pay and you are confirmedYour booking is final as soon as payment is completed.
The separate Bukap Booking & Pricing plugin will replace this message automatically.
Need help before booking? Email info@bukaptravels.com
Why travelers choose Bukap
A local team remains responsible for the journey
You are not matched anonymously with whichever driver happens to be nearby. Bukap coordinates the vehicle, driver, pickup details and backup capacity behind your reservation.
01Clear instructionsPickup, destination, timing, travelers and luggage are confirmed in advance.
02Professional coordinationYour service is managed by Bukap from reservation to arrival.
03Backup when it mattersA managed fleet gives us options when circumstances change.
★★★★★
“From Cartagena to Santa Marta”
“Very professional service. Excellent communication, driver was punctual, comfortable ride. Thank you.”
tasnimaha2025
Written April 7, 2026 · Tripadvisor
Route questions
Before you travel from Cartagena to Santa Marta
These answers cover the questions travelers ask most often. For anything specific to your hotel, luggage or itinerary, email us.
How long does the private transfer take?
Plan for approximately 4.5 to 5.5 hours. Traffic leaving Cartagena, weather, road conditions, your lunch stop and the exact addresses can change the final journey time.
Is this a private or shared service?
It is completely private. The vehicle is reserved for your group and does not collect unrelated passengers.
Can you pick me up at Cartagena airport?
Yes. Select Rafael Núñez International Airport as your origin and provide the flight details requested by the booking form.
Can you collect me from my hotel or apartment?
Yes. Door-to-door pickup is available from hotels, apartments and addresses in Cartagena’s standard urban service zones.
Is the Caimán del Río lunch stop included?
Yes. On transfers between Cartagena or Barú and Santa Marta, Tayrona, Minca or Palomino, you may stop at Caimán del Río with up to one hour of driver waiting time included. Meals are paid directly by each traveler. Another stop in Barranquilla, a detour outside the planned route or additional waiting carries an extra charge.
Will the driver speak English?
Standard drivers speak Spanish. If you need English assistance during the journey, select an English-speaking host when booking.
How much luggage can we bring?
Capacity depends on the vehicle, passenger count and suitcase sizes. Declare all luggage and oversized items so the right vehicle can be assigned.
What is the cancellation policy?
You may cancel or reschedule without charge until 24 hours before the service. Cancellations made within 24 hours are non-refundable.