While we absolutely loved our four months spent in Cartagena, Colombia it was more than time to move on. On September 19th 2025 at 0853 we tossed lines and waved goodbye to our summer home. We were so excited to have the boat ready and to be cruising again. The winds were calm 5-8mph with small 1 foot swells. We found one rain squall but the rest of the 61 mile journey to Puerto Valero was perfect. We chose to make one stop en route to Santa Marta, Colombia so we could time the crossing of the Magdalena River for daylight. At 0341 we pulled into Puerto Valero and dropped the hook. There really is nothing to speak of here except for a place to sleep in calm protected water. We visited by land a couple months ago to check out the marina and other than having docks they didn't offer much else.
Adios Cartagena
Puerto Velero Anchorage
Puerto Velero
Sunset at Puerto Velero
After a good nights sleep at 0610 we up-anchored and made our way the 70 miles to Santa Marta, Colombia. This day brought several challenges some excepted some not. When crossing the Magdalena River we had to dodge full trees, plants and endless trash which flowed out from the river into the Caribbean Sea. This much we expected and were on heightened alert during our watches. The seas were a little washing machine like which never makes for a comfortable ride. Finally at 0212 after debris dodging and tossing around we entered the basin outside the Santa Marta Marina and I hailed them on the radio to ask for our slip assignment. When I called I was told that the office was close and we would have to come back tomorrow. I explained that I had a reservation and that I knew the office was closed and we just needed our slip. The guy left us waiting for a long time and Jeff just ended up hovering next to a side tie while we waited. After several more back and forth and Jeff getting involved they said that they can't give us a slip until the office opens in the morning. We decided to drop the hook right outside the marina and turn the boat off for a while until this situation got handled or until the morning when the office opened. Fortunately our friend Skip on his sailboat Rajja was already in the marina and I called him and asked for his help. He explained (in Spanish) our situation to the security guy and told them we didn't need customs or immigration just a slip. Somehow this is what they needed to hear and after the dockmaster called me from his home and had me send him photos of our passports we were then issued the same slip that Jeff was hovering near. Once again after up anchoring we made our way into the marina where a team of guys and Skip was waiting to help us. By now we were more than ready for a drink and invited Skip on board for a thank you/ welcome shot of rum. Shew! After getting the boat tidied up and taking showers we met Skip for a. nice dinner at the Asian restaurant right outside the marina. The food and company was good and we were happy to be at our final stop in Colombia.
Passing Logs Magdalena River Crossing
Approaching Santa Marta
Sunset Santa Marta
Going to Dinner With Skip
The next day was Sunday which for us means p.j's and football which was perfect after our early morning the day before and the marina drama so we just hunkered down and were happy to be in Santa Marta.
Since our plan was to get to Aruba at the next weather window we made sure to spend the following days seeing and doing everything you are supposed to when visiting Santa Marta. From the marina we walked to the melacon, Boulivier park, Lover's park and the cathedral. It was really nice that a lot of the tourist attractions were within walking distance.
Walking the Melacon
Bouliver Park
The Cathedral
Everyone we told that we were in Santa Marta (including Skip) told us we have to visit the town of Minca. It's an hour drive up in the mountains and it's so charming they told us. So we figured we better do this. A guy at the marina had a friend who is a taxi driver who said he could drive us there and back. We thought this sounded good and booked it for the following day. Jeff made sure to ask that the taxi had both seatbelts and air conditioning. After some of the Ubers we rode in in Cartagena those two things were not a given. The driver confirmed and arrived at 10am to pick us up. From the minute I saw his "taxi" I should have known this wasn't going to be good. It was a little piece of crap something that looked like it could fall apart at any minute. Trying not to be judgy I got in the backseat while the driver insisted Jeff sit in the front. The inside was sweltering. I assumed it was because it had been siting for a bit and again tried to remain calm. Jeff asked the driver to turn the a.c. up and when he did I felt the hot air blasting. I began to sweat a lot. As we cruised along the taxi driver yapped it up with Jeff as I noticed him wiping his sweat from his forehead while I sat suffocating in the back seat. Finally I asked if the a.c. could be pointed more to me worrying I might pass out in my long sleeve sun shirt and pants. They attempted to do something but it didn't work and I pulled my handheld fan out of my bag. As some point as we made our way up the steep hill to Minca the car started to sputter and I noticed the driver turn off the ac and roll down the windows. It was starting to smell like burning and I was still dying of heat in the back seat. Finally the poor car had had enough and stopped all together. The driver was able to get it off to the side of the road and we saw smoke coming out of the hood. The driver said nothing but got out of the car and popped the hood. We got out as well in disbelief and annoyance. There was no cell service and no wifi and I imagined us stuck there for the day. Several cars passed in either direction none stopping to ask if we needed help. The driver continued going from under the hood to cranking on the ignition. I was really annoyed. Why were we out of town in an incapable car and why was the driver not saying anything about it. Finally after about 30 minutes on the side of the road the driver got it to start again and we were back on our way. He still did not acknowledge that anything had happened or apologize or anything which made me even more annoyed. Get me out of this car!! At some point we made it to Minca and I lept from the car.
Our plan was to stroll around this charming town, have a nice lunch then head back down but after about 10 seconds of seeing the town we knew this was far from the case. We were very confused about what all our friends saw in this town that warranted it as cute and as a must see. The only thing we could come up with was maybe they didn't come into the town but hiked and saw waterfalls outside of the town. The two short streets took us less than 10 minutes to see. There were a few restaurants, none of which you would want to enter and a couple tourist shops. I told Jeff if we left now we could have lunch on the boat. He agreed and we nervously got back into the taxi. Jeff assured me going down hill would be easier on the car and we shouldn't have the same problem again. Thank god he was right and I've never been more happy to be back on the boat.
Stuck on the Side of the Road
View Driving to Minca
Church in Minca
Minca
Having seen all the highlights and then some in Santa Marta we had our eyes set on Aruba. We watched the weather and worked with Commander Weather, a weather routing service we got from our friends on Long Windid. We all watched for what would be good conditions (less than 20knots of wind, under 5 foot seas with a decent period) to make the 595 mile run to Aruba. Jeff changed oil, I readied the interior as we were in daily contact with Commander Weather. Finally we all decided that September 26th (my sister's birthday) would be a good day to depart.
