Quito to Santa Marta by bus
Santa Marta lies 1,362 km (846 mi) north of Quito, in the same time zone. What the numbers say about getting there.
A coach takes about 24 h 41 min including stops, over roughly 1,662 km (1,033 mi) of road.
Open Santa Marta in Google Maps
| Quito | Santa Marta | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Ecuador | Colombia |
| Population | 2.8 million | 499,192 |
| Elevation | 2,854 m (9,364 ft) | 14 m (46 ft) |
| Time now | UTC-5 (America/Guayaquil) | UTC-5 (America/Bogota) |
What changes when you arrive in Santa Marta
Crossing from Ecuador into Colombia: money changes from the Dollar to the Peso (COP); the dialling code becomes +57; the emergency number is http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q25648825.
Where to book buses from Quito to Santa Marta
We take no bookings for these providers and hold no reservation with them. The provider you choose handles payment, confirmation, changes and refunds. How that works.
Staying in Santa Marta
Our booking partner lists 1,847+ places to stay in Santa Marta (statistics below are from the first 1,000). Of the 677 with a star rating, the largest group is 4-star (305), and 12 are five-star. Across 196 properties with at least 50 reviews, the average guest score is 8.5 out of 10. Guests have left 131,170 reviews in total.
Book a hotel in Santa Marta
Live rooms and prices from our booking partner, booked and paid for here. Free cancellation is marked where it applies.
Common questions
How far is Santa Marta from Quito?
1,362 km (846 mi) in a straight line, north of Quito; by road roughly 1,662 km (1,033 mi).
How long does it take to get from Quito to Santa Marta by bus?
About 24 h 41 min, estimated from distance and typical speeds. Timetables and traffic decide the real figure.
Is there a time difference between Quito and Santa Marta?
No, both are on the same offset at the moment.
What currency do I need in Santa Marta?
The Peso (COP).
Where can I stay in Santa Marta?
Our booking partner lists 1,847+ places to stay in Santa Marta, bookable on this site.
Where these facts come from
- GeoNames (CC BY 4.0): population, elevation, time zone, postal codes
- Wikidata (CC0): area, sister cities, visitor numbers, heritage listings, stations and ports
- OurAirports (public domain): airports, runways
- Natural Earth (public domain): map outlines
Data compiled 14 September 2026. Hotel and hostel figures are from our booking partner’s catalogue on that date. Journey times on this page are estimates from distance, not timetables; check the operator before you rely on one.