Introduction: The Dark Side of Colombia's Oldest City
Santa Marta is not just the gateway to Tayrona or the place where Simón Bolívar was buried. Walking through its cobblestone streets after 10 p.m. feels like the air weighs differently. Locals know that here, between the sound of the sea and the hustle of mototaxis, there are stories not told in tourist brochures. I'm talking about apparitions, shadows crossing colonial balconies, and bars where your drink comes accompanied by a legend.
If you prefer a night of mystery over a generic nightclub, this route is for you. In May 2026, I put together this itinerary with friends who know every corner of the city. Here are five must-stop spots for those seeking thrills, well-crafted cocktails, and, along the way, a scary story or two to tell when you get home.
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List of Places: 5 Bars with Ghost Stories and Legends in Santa Marta
1. El Bar del Pirata: Buried Treasures and Apparitions in the Historic Center
Located at Calle 16 with Carrera 3, right behind the Cathedral, this bar is an institution among those who know the dark side of the Centro Histórico. The place is named so because, according to the waiters, a currency exchange house that hid gold coins from the pirate era once operated here. The current owners found human bones while remodeling the basement in 2018, and since then, customers report seeing the silhouette of a man in a tricorn hat who sits at the bar and disappears when served rum.
The atmosphere is dimly lit, with stone walls and candles everywhere. Prices are affordable: cocktails from $22,000 COP (reference prices from May 2026). The bartender, Don Carlos, will tell you the full story if you order a "Mojito del Pirata," which has a touch of cinnamon and ginger that, according to him, wards off bad energy. They are open Thursday to Sunday, from 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. Just don't go alone if you're impressionable: the back bathroom has a mirror where, they say, someone who isn't in the room is reflected.
2. La Terraza del Hotel Tayrona: The Ghost of the Founder That No One Dares to Forget
This is not just any bar. The Hotel Tayrona, at Calle 22 with Carrera 5, facing the Parque de los Novios, is one of the oldest buildings in the city (dating back to 1924). The 8th-floor terrace has become a bar with a sea view, but the story surrounding it is hair-raising. Employees swear that the ghost of Doña Matilde, one of the hotel's founders, appears on full moon nights. She is seen dressed in white, walking the hallways, and sometimes sits at the corner table on the terrace.
The bar is elegant, with signature cocktails starting at $35,000 COP. The specialty is the "Eclipse Tayrona," a mix of vodka, passion fruit, and a touch of absinthe that, according to the menu, "awakens the senses." The waiters will tell you that Doña Matilde was a strict woman who died in the hotel in 1955, and she still checks that everything is in order. If you suddenly feel a chill, it's not the air conditioning: it's her passing by. They are open every day from 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. I recommend arriving at sunset to catch the best light and, incidentally, see if you spot her.
3. El Rincón del Cacique: Indigenous Legends in Mamatoco
We leave the center and head to Mamatoco, a popular neighborhood 15 minutes by taxi from the Historic Center. There, at Calle 12 with Carrera 10, is this bar that is more of a house turned into a temple. The place pays homage to Cacique Gaira, the indigenous leader who, according to legend, protects the mountains of the Sierra Nevada. The owners are descendants of the Arhuaco community, and the bar is decorated with masks, weavings, and a central fire pit where they sometimes perform energy cleansing rituals.
The paranormal stories here are different: no pirate ghosts, but presences that locals call "the owners of the mountain." Several customers have felt someone tap their shoulder when alone on the terrace, or have seen lights moving among the trees in the patio. The cocktails are artisanal, with ingredients like corozo juice and local aguardiente. Prices from $15,000 COP. They are open Friday to Sunday, from 7:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. The bar is small, so arrive early if you want a table. And don't be surprised if the waiter offers you a "limpia" with incense before serving you: it's part of the experience.
4. La Cueva del Diablo: A Hidden Den in El Rodadero with Santería Rituals
In El Rodadero, specifically at Calle 4 with Carrera 2, going down a staircase that seems to lead to a basement, is this bar that looks like it's from a horror movie. It's called "La Cueva del Diablo" and, believe me, the name is not an exaggeration. The place is a natural stone vault that, according to neighbors, was used in the 1970s for Santería and spiritism rituals. Today it's a heavy rock bar with strong cocktails, but the energy is dense.
The waiters will tell you that they have often found black candles lit on empty tables, or heard murmurs in languages they don't recognize. One night in 2021, a customer recorded a video showing a shadow moving behind the bar; the video went viral on TikTok. Prices are popular: beers from $7,000 COP and cocktails from $18,000 COP. They are open Wednesday to Saturday, from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. If you are sensitive to energies, it's better not to go alone. But if you like mystery, this is where the night gets truly dark.
5. El Bar de la Plaza del Mercado: The Apparition of the Vendor Who Never Left
To close the route, we return to the center, but this time to the Plaza del Mercado, at Calle 10 with Carrera 1. There, in a place that was once a fruit warehouse, a bar called "La Última Parada" opened two years ago. The name is no coincidence: market vendors claim that a mango seller named Doña Rosa died at that stall in 1998, and her spirit still haunts the place. The bar owners decided to leave a photo of her on the wall, and since then, customers report sometimes smelling ripe mango without any fruit nearby, or seeing an elderly woman sitting in the corner chair.
The bar is rustic, with wooden tables and vallenato music in the background. The cocktails are simple but well-made: the "Mango Loco" (with vodka, mango, and chili) costs $20,000 COP. The best part is the relaxed atmosphere, ideal for chatting with locals and hearing their own stories of apparitions in the square. They are open Thursday to Sunday, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. If Doña Rosa offers you a mango in your dreams, they say it's good luck. But if you see her awake, better ask for the check and leave.
Map or How to Get There
This route is walkable if you stay in the Historic Center, but keep in mind that El Rodadero and Mamatoco are farther away. Here is a logical order so you don't waste time:
- Starting point: El Bar del Pirata (Calle 16 with Carrera 3, Centro) – Walk if you are in el Centro.
- Second stop: La Terraza del Hotel Tayrona (Calle 22 with Carrera 5, Centro) – 10-minute walk from El Bar del Pirata.
- Third stop: El Rincón del Cacique (Calle 12 with Carrera 10, Mamatoco) – Take a taxi from the Center. It's about 15 minutes and costs between $8,000 and $12,000 COP.
- Fourth stop: La Cueva del Diablo (Calle 4 with Carrera 2, El Rodadero) – From Mamatoco, take another taxi. It's 20 minutes and about $15,000 COP.
- Fifth stop: La Última Parada (Calle 10 with Carrera 1, Plaza del Mercado) – From El Rodadero, the taxi back to the Center costs about $12,000 COP.
If you don't want to go back and forth, you can start from the Center and do the first two stops, then take a taxi to Mamatoco and El Rodadero, and finish at the Plaza del Mercado. It is recommended to check hours before visiting, as some bars are only open certain days.
Conclusion or Final Recommendation
This route is not for those just looking for cheap beer. It's for those who want to feel the city in a different way, for those who believe that walls hold memories. Each bar has its own story, and the waiters are more than willing to tell it to you if they like you. My recommendation: go in a group, don't stray from your friends, and keep an open mind. If you're a skeptic, you'll still enjoy the cocktails and the unique atmosphere. But if you're sensitive to the paranormal, get ready: in Santa Marta, legends don't stay in books; they sit next to you at the bar.
And if you want a more guided experience, book your spot on the nighttime legends and cocktails tour with an expert guide. There are local agencies that offer tours of these same bars, with detailed stories and sometimes even protection rituals included. Look for them on social media or ask at your hostel. The night in Santa Marta has two faces: one of partying and one of mystery. This route shows you the second. May Cacique Gaira protect you.
Numbered List (Minimum 5 Items with Mini-Review)
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La Canoa
This iconic bar not only offers a variety of exotic cocktails but is also steeped in ghost stories that have frightened its visitors. It is said that a former owner still haunts the place, searching for her beloved who never returned from the sea.
El Bahía
Located facing the sea, this bar is known for its relaxed atmosphere and spectacular views. However, its walls are filled with tales of sailors who couldn't leave this world. Many claim to have heard whispers in the breeze.
Casa de la Aduana
This bar is located in a historic building dating back to colonial times. Legends speak of a spirit that protects the place, ensuring the drinks are always of the highest quality. Storytelling nights are often held where ghost stories are told.
El Guayabo
Famous for its bohemian atmosphere, this bar attracts artists and musicians. Its history is full of encounters with the beyond, and many artists claim to find inspiration in the souls that haunt the place.
Barón
With its rustic and cozy design, Barón is an ideal place to enjoy good conversation. Customers have reported sightings of an elderly man at the bar, whom many believe is a spirit watching over the place.
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