6 Bed Dormitory Room Dormitory Room Mixed
- 1 Bed in shared room
Hotel · Santa Marta (Magdalena) · Magdalena
The Cantamar Beach Hostel - Santa Marta (Magdalena)
A beachfront hostel in the Rodadero area, a short walk from Playa Salguero and a 20-minute stroll from Playa El Rodadero, offering a pool, rooftop bar, and direct beach access.
- 5-minute walk to Playa Salguero
- Outdoor swimming pool and sun terrace
- Private beach area with sun loungers
7
good
174 reviews
Booking.com 7 · 174 reviews
About
The Cantamar Beach Hostel - Santa Marta (Magdalena)
The Cantamar Beach Hostel occupies a former hotel in the Rodadero neighborhood of Santa Marta, giving it a more spacious feel than the typical hostel. The property is about a 5-minute walk from Playa Salguero and around a 20-minute stroll from Playa El Rodadero Public Beach, putting guests close to the sand without being in the busiest stretch.
The hostel keeps the comforts of its hotel past: a swimming pool with a shallow end, sun loungers and umbrellas, a sun terrace, and a rooftop bar known for sunset views. There’s also a restaurant, a picnic area, and a lounge with board games. Practical touches include 24-hour reception, luggage storage, laundry, and tour or ticket assistance.
- Non-smoking rooms
- Wi-Fi
- 24-hour reception
- No pets allowed
- 24-hour security
- Luggage storage
In brief
What works, what to weigh
+
Strengths
4 reasons to book- Beachfront location with private access — Guests can step directly onto the sand from the hostel's private beach area, complete with sun loungers and umbrellas. Playa Salguero is a 5-minute walk away, and Playa El Rodadero is a 20-minute stroll.
- Spacious rooms with strong air conditioning — The former hotel layout means rooms feel larger than typical hostel dorms, and several reviews highlight the effective AC. Options range from mixed dorms to family and deluxe rooms.
- Pool, rooftop bar, and sunset views — An outdoor pool with a shallow end sits alongside a sun terrace, and the rooftop bar is a recurring favorite for watching the Caribbean sunset. There's also a restaurant and picnic area.
- Helpful, English-speaking staff — Multiple reviews mention the team being friendly and fluent in English, assisting with tour bookings and activity recommendations. Named staff members are praised personally.
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Worth weighing
4 to weigh- Value rating is middling — The property scores 7 out of 10 for value, lower than its scores for rooms and service. While many reviews call it a bargain, some guests may find the price point less compelling.
- Shared dormitory lacks private amenities — The 6-bed mixed dorm offers a bed in a shared room with no listed in-room amenities, so you'll rely on communal facilities. This suits budget travelers but not those wanting more privacy.
- Check-in window ends at midnight — Check-in runs from 15:00 to 23:59, so late arrivals after midnight are not accommodated according to the listed policy. This could be an issue for overnight flights or late buses.
- No parking or pets — There is no parking listed, and pets are not allowed. If you're driving or traveling with an animal, you'll need to make other arrangements.
01 — Rooms
Rooms & rates
High season: summer dates usually book out a few weeks ahead.
Family Twin Room
- 2 Single beds,1 King-size bed,2 Double beds
Family Private Bathroom Double Room
- 1 Double bed
Deluxe Double Room
- 1 Double bed,2 Single beds,1 King-size bed
Twin Room
- 2 Single beds,2 Single beds or 1 Queen-size bed,1 King-size bed
- Sea view
- Shower
- Balcony
- Air conditioning
02 — Amenities
Services & amenities
Everything included at this stay — the facilities and essentials, at a glance.
General
- Non-smoking rooms
- Wi-Fi
- 24-hour reception
- 24-hour security
- Luggage storage
- Housekeeping
- Laundry
Food & Drink
- Restaurant
- Picnic area/ Tables
- Vending machines
- Grocery shopping service
Pool & Beach
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Shallow end
- Beach access
- Beach umbrellas
- Sun loungers
- Sun terrace
Services
- Tours/Ticket assistance
- Meeting/ Banquet facilities
- Fax/Photocopying
- Board games
- Diving
Room Amenities
- Air conditioning
- Flat-screen TV
- Sea view (in some rooms)
Photos
Gallery
03 — Reviews
What guests say
Recent verified reviews from guests who stayed here.
Guest-rated 7/10 from 174 reviews
Booking.com · 7 · 174 reviews
7Verified guest“Rooms were clean and spacious, with strong air conditioning. The staff were friendly and helpful, and there were laundry facilities available. The building used to be a hotel, so it has a pool, rooftop bar, and beautiful sunsets. There’s a private beach area with river access, and it’s the closest hostel to the airport.”
7Verified guest“Our room felt more like an apartment, and the pool and restaurant with sea views were nice. The staff were helpful and spoke English fluently.”
7Verified guest“The rooms were spacious, the beach location was beautiful, and the communal area was amazing. The staff were friendly, the food was good, and the views were excellent.”
7Verified guest“The location is great, with nice beach views from some rooms and a convenient private beach area. The communal areas like the terrace and pool are clean and enjoyable. The staff are friendly and helpful, giving suggestions for activities in the area.”
7Verified guest“The location was excellent, quiet, and right in front of the beach, a great escape from the crowded areas. The staff were incredibly helpful and friendly, always assisting with tour bookings and recommendations. The rooftop bar was a fantastic place to relax and watch the sunset, with beautiful views.”
7Verified guest“The pool and beach access were very nice, great for relaxing and enjoying the surroundings. The rooms were spacious and clean, offering a comfortable space. The staff were surprisingly helpful and friendly. I had a wonderful experience and would highly recommend it for a beach getaway.”
04 — Location
Getting around Santa Marta
The property sits in Santa Marta.
Beaches: Playa Salguero is just a 5-minute walk away, while Playa El Rodadero Public Beach is around a 20-minute stroll. The hostel's own private beach area offers direct sand access.
Transport: The hostel is closest to the airport among those reviewed, making it a convenient base for arrivals or departures. Tour and ticket assistance is available at reception.
Calle 20B # 1 13 Rodadero, Santa Marta, Magdalena, 470006, Colombia
05 — Good to know
Policies & conditions
Hotel details are shown for reference. Final rate terms are confirmed on the partner’s site at booking.
- Check-in
- From 15:00-23:59
- Check-out
- By 07:00-12:00
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation on many rates — terms on booking page
- Payment
- Pay-at-hotel available on many rates; final terms at booking
- Pets
- Not allowed
- Property
- 28 rooms
06 — Questions
Frequently asked
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 15:00 to 23:59, and check-out is from 07:00 to 12:00.
Are pets allowed?
No, pets are not allowed at the hostel.
Is there a swimming pool?
Yes, there's an outdoor swimming pool with a shallow end, plus sun loungers and a sun terrace.
Does the hostel have a restaurant?
Yes, there is a restaurant on site, along with a picnic area and a rooftop bar.
Is Wi-Fi available?
Yes, Wi-Fi is listed as an amenity, and reviews mention good wifi on the terrace.
The bottom line
The Cantamar Beach Hostel delivers a rare mix of hotel comforts and hostel prices, with a prime beachfront spot, a pool, and a rooftop bar that draws praise for sunset views. It's an excellent choice for travelers who want easy beach access, helpful staff, and spacious rooms—just be mindful of the dorm's basic setup and the check-in cutoff at midnight.
7A beachfront former hotel that wears its hostel badge lightly.
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