The Calle 22 Flea Market: Where Locals Sell Their Treasures and Tourists Walk By

What is the Calle 22 Flea Market?

If you walk along Calle 22 between Carreras 5 and 7 any Sunday before noon, you will come across something few tourists know about: a flea market that locals simply call "la de la 22." It is not an event organized by the city hall nor does it appear in travel guides. It is a street market that started over fifteen years ago, when some neighbors began bringing their odds and ends out to the street to sell among acquaintances. Over time, a community of ferieros —sellers and collectors— formed, gathering every Sunday from 6 in the morning until around 1 in the afternoon.

There are no fancy tents or ambient music here. Goods are displayed on blankets on the floor, in cardboard boxes, or directly from a car trunk. And that is precisely what gives it its charm: it is an authentic flea market where locals sell what they no longer use, and where curious travelers can find anything from a 1950s Underwood typewriter to a tagua nut necklace for 5,000 Colombian pesos.

The Craziest Finds That Have Appeared

In June 2026, the market remains a magnet for objects with history. The most common finds are vinyl records of salsa and ballads from the 70s and 80s, especially from artists like Joe Arroyo, Los Titanes, or Grupo Niche. There are also analog cameras —the kind that used film— like Kodak Retinas or Canon AE-1s, sometimes working, sometimes for decoration. Collectors of old coins and banknotes find pieces from the colonial era here, such as 2-real coins or Bank of the Republic bills from the 1940s.

A curious fact: a couple of years ago, a seller was offering a toolbox from a German carpenter who worked on the construction of the Santa Marta Railway. No one paid it any attention until an antique dealer from Bogotá bought the whole thing for 80,000 pesos. Things like that happen when you know how to look.

What Appears Most Often

• Second-hand books: from novels by Gabriel García Márquez to local history texts. Prices range from 2,000 to 15,000 COP.
• Used hammocks: some are handmade and in good condition. They cost between 20,000 and 50,000 COP, compared to 80,000 or more for new ones on the market.
• Vintage clothing: linen shirts, 70s dresses, leather jackets. You need a keen eye to spot the ones that are washed and stain-free.
• Antique toys: Matchbox cars, rag dolls, wooden spinning tops. Collectors look for them to restore.

Updated Costs

Prices at the market are a reference from June 2026. There are no fixed prices; everything is negotiable. But to give you an idea:

• Tagua nut necklace: 5,000 – 10,000 COP
• Vinyl record in good condition: 8,000 – 20,000 COP
• Working analog camera: 40,000 – 120,000 COP
• Colonial coin (18th-19th century): 15,000 – 50,000 COP depending on condition
• Second-hand book: 2,000 – 15,000 COP
• Used hammock in good condition: 20,000 – 50,000 COP
• Typewriter: 80,000 – 200,000 COP

Tip: If you see something you like, first ask the price and then offer half. Haggling is part of the game. Sellers expect bargaining, but always with respect.

Estimated Times

To thoroughly explore the market without rushing, budget between 45 minutes and 1.5 hours. If you are detail-oriented and stop to check every stall, you could be there up to 2 hours. The best time to arrive is between 7 and 9 in the morning, when sellers are still setting up and there are fewer people. By 10, it starts to fill up with curious visitors and the heat sets in.

To get there, from downtown Santa Marta you can walk in 10 minutes or take a bus heading north that passes along Calle 22. If you are coming from El Rodadero, the bus costs 2,500 COP and drops you off two blocks away. By taxi, from anywhere in the city, you should not pay more than 8,000 COP.

Practical Tips

Sundays Are the Key Day

The market only operates on Sundays. If you arrive after 1 in the afternoon, there is almost nothing left. Getting up early is key: by 6:30 there is already activity, and by 7 the best stalls are set up. The most experienced sellers save their most valuable pieces for the first buyers.

Watch Out for Replicas

Not everything that glitters is antique. Some sellers offer pieces that look colonial but are mass-produced reproductions, sometimes made with modern techniques. To distinguish an original piece from a craft made for tourists, look at these details:

• Coins and banknotes: originals have natural wear and irregular edges. Replicas are usually perfect and without signs of use.
• Cameras and electronics: check that the serial numbers match the model and that there are no modern "made in China" stickers.
• Hammocks and textiles: authentic handmade ones have irregular threads and manual knots. Industrial replicas have perfect seams.

If you have doubts, ask the seller where they got the piece. Honest ferieros will tell you the story without issue. Those who hesitate or get nervous are probably selling replicas.

Bring Cash

Almost no seller accepts cards. The nearest ATMs are on Carrera 5 with Calle 22 (a Banco de Bogotá) and on Carrera 7 with Calle 23 (a Bancolombia). Withdraw small bills of 5,000 and 10,000 to make change easier.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the market only on Sundays?

Yes, the Calle 22 flea market is held exclusively on Sundays, from approximately 6 in the morning until 1 in the afternoon. There are no weekday or holiday editions, unless Sunday coincides with a public holiday.

Can I pay with a credit card?

Almost all sellers only accept cash. It is best to withdraw money before you arrive. The nearest ATMs are on Carrera 5 with Calle 22 and on Carrera 7 with Calle 23.

Are there items of real value or is it all junk?

There is a bit of everything. Most items are used objects of little value, but occasionally collector's pieces appear: colonial coins, working antique cameras, out-of-print books, and even historical tools. The key is to go with time, know how to look, and negotiate. Local collectors know that sometimes they take home real treasures for less than 50,000 pesos.

Join the Ferieros WhatsApp Group

If you want to stay updated on when the next edition is and receive alerts about rare objects that appear, join the ferieros WhatsApp group. There, sellers share photos of what they will bring on Sunday, and buyers place advance orders. Ask any veteran seller at the market for the group link, or search for it on social media as "Feria de las Pulgas Santa Marta 22." There is nothing more useful for not missing a bargain.

Available Options

Vintage Clothing

The Calle 22 flea market is a paradise for retro fashion lovers. Here you can find leather jackets, 80s dresses, and unique accessories. Insider Tip: Negotiate the price, as many sellers are willing to offer discounts if you show genuine interest.

Local Handicraft Items

Local artisans sell handmade products, from jewelry to home decorations. These items are perfect as authentic souvenirs. Insider Tip: Ask about the story behind each piece; many artisans are happy to share their creative process.

Second-Hand Books

Among the stalls, you will often find a collection of used books, from classic novels to local guides. Insider Tip: Do not hesitate to rummage through the boxes, as sometimes there are rare editions or copies signed by local authors.

Street Food

Do not leave without trying the local delicacies. Sellers offer everything from arepas to empanadas. Insider Tip: Look for the busiest stalls where locals buy, as that generally indicates quality and flavor.

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## Boletería, Precios y Dónde Comprar La Fiesta del Mar 2026, que celebra los 501 años de Santa Marta, es un evento **gratuito** en su mayoría. Los conciertos, desfiles y eventos culturales en espacios públicos como playas, el Camellón Rodrigo de Bastidas y la Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino no requieren boleto. Sin embargo, algunos eventos privados o con cupo limitado (como la pasarela Ixel Moda) pueden requerir invitación o compra de entrada. Se recomienda estar atento a las redes sociales oficiales de la Alcaldía de Santa Marta (@SantaMartaDTCH) y a la página de la Fiesta del Mar para anuncios de sorteos o preventas. Para el SamaFest (feria de emprendimiento y cultura, del 18 al 21 de diciembre en el Polideportivo), la entrada es libre y gratuita. No hay venta anticipada de boletas para eventos masivos; el acceso es por orden de llegada hasta completar aforo. ## Programación Oficial y Horarios por Tarimas La agenda oficial de la Fiesta del Mar 2026 se desarrollará del **23 al 29 de julio**. Según la programación publicada por la Alcaldía y medios locales, estos son los eventos confirmados: - **Viernes 24 de julio**: - **Festival Gastronómico Cocinar Santa Marta 501 Años** – de 12:00 m. a 2:00 a.m. en el Camellón Rodrigo de Bastidas. - **Concierto Acordeones y Mar** – 6:00 p.m. en playa Los Cocos, con Elder Dayán Díaz, Checo Acosta y otros artistas. - **Pasarela Ixel Moda** – 7:00 p.m. en la Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino. - **Del 23 al 29 de julio**: se realizarán desfiles, competencias náuticas, eventos culturales y deportivos en diferentes escenarios de la ciudad. La programación completa por días y tarimas se publicará próximamente en las redes oficiales de la Alcaldía y en la página de la Fiesta del Mar. Se recomienda consultar la agenda oficial para no perderte ningún evento. ## Cómo Llegar y Consejos de Seguridad **Cómo llegar:** - **Camellón Rodrigo de Bastidas**: ubicado en el centro histórico, frente a la bahía. Se puede llegar caminando desde el Parque de los Novios o en bus urbano (rutas que pasan por la Avenida Santa Marta). - **Playa Los Cocos**: al norte de la ciudad, cerca del Rodadero. Se accede por la Troncal del Caribe; se puede tomar un bus hacia El Rodadero y bajarse en la entrada a la playa. - **Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino**: en el corregimiento de Mamatoca, a 5 km del centro. Se llega en taxi o bus urbano (ruta Mamatoca). - **Polideportivo** (para SamaFest): en el barrio Los Fundadores, se puede llegar en bus urbano o taxi. **Consejos de seguridad:** - Durante la Fiesta del Mar, se espera gran afluencia de público. Mantén tus pertenencias seguras y evita llevar objetos de valor a la playa o a conciertos. - Usa protector solar, hidrátate constantemente y consume alimentos en puestos autorizados. - Respeta las indicaciones de las autoridades y los límites de aforo en cada escenario. - Para eventos nocturnos, prefiere desplazarte en grupo y utiliza transporte formal (taxi o aplicaciones). - Ten a la mano los números de emergencia: Policía (123), Cruz Roja (132) y Defensa Civil (144). ## Tickets, Pricing, and Where to Buy The Calle 22 Flea Market does not require tickets or admission. It is a free, open-to-the-public event held every Sunday on Calle 22, between Carrera 5 and Carrera 8, in the historic center of Santa Marta. Prices for items vary and are negotiable; you can find things from 5,000 COP to 200,000 COP, depending on the product. It is recommended to bring cash in small bills, as not all vendors accept card payments or digital transfers. ## Official Schedule and Stage Timetables The market does not have an official schedule of stages or musical events. Its usual hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every Sunday. In the morning there is a greater influx of vendors and local visitors; by the afternoon some stalls begin to pack up. There is no timetable of artistic performances, as it is a flea market and not a festival. ## Getting There and Local Safety Tips To get there, you can take any bus or taxi heading to the Historic Center of Santa Marta and get off at Calle 22 with Carrera 5. You can also use ride-hailing apps like Uber or Didi. It is advisable to go accompanied, carry only what is necessary, avoid displaying valuables, and keep an eye on your belongings. Although the area is busy, as in any market, it is important to be cautious with wallets and phones. Use sunscreen and bring water, as the climate is hot and humid.