Expert: MRZ - 5/10/2008

Question
I will be visiting Cartagena soon and need an opinion on another place to visit.  I want to visit a beach somewhere and still take in the culture.  I have been debating driving to Taganga or visiting las islas del Rosario for 3 to 4 days. Are there any other small towns on the beach within a 4/5 hour drive of Cartagena that may be better to visit besides Taganga?

Answer
Santa Marta, only because it is so close to Parque Tayrona and wonderful beaches with tons to see in terms of nature. You can do the day trek to the lost city in Tayrona, you can go to Taganga, although they just had an oil spill and the beaches suffered because of it.
Cartagena is nice and all, but has no beaches, you have to go to Bocagrande. You can see the actual city in 3 days or so. Santa Marta has a lot more to see if you are a nature person. The drive from Cartagena to Santa Marta is 3 hours and from Santa Marta to Tayrona is only about 20 minutes. The walk to la Ciudad Perdida is about a day, but it is worth it.
Let me know if you need any help with flights, hotels, tours, etc. You can email me at info@colombianpossibilities.com
Thanks and enjoy Colombia!
Marta