Arriving at Simón Bolívar International Airport (SMR)? WelcomeTaxi provides pre-booked airport transfers and private transfers between the airport, Santa Marta and destinations across Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Travel directly to your hotel, resort, residence or another city with a professional English-speaking driver.
Our chauffeur service is also available for leisure travel, business journeys and tailored regional itineraries. From central Santa Marta and El Rodadero to Taganga, Tayrona National Park and destinations farther along the Caribbean coast, private long-distance transfers provide a comfortable door-to-door alternative to public buses, taxis or rental cars.
How It Works
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Choose the route and a vehicle |
| Select service type you need, choose the route (or hourly hire duration), indicate number of passengers and luggage, as well as other necessary details if needed. See the price for different vehicle classes, choose one suitable for you and press Next. |
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Choose the payment method |
| Complete the booking form, choose the payment method, press Make Booking button, make online prepayment (if needed) and get email confirmation. When a driver will be assigned to your job, his phone number will be emailed to you. |
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The driver meets you with a name tag |
| Your driver will meet you on-site with a name tag at the right time. He will walk you to the car and safely drive you to your destination. At the end of your ride, if needed, you will pay in cash or by card-to-card transfer to your driver. |
Our Benefits
English-speaking drivers
Always available — friendly, professional, and communicative.
Fixed prices — no surprises
Know your fare in advance, with no hidden fees.
Meet & greet included
Your driver will wait at arrivals with a name tag.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far in advance should I book a ride?
We recommend booking your transfer or hourly hire service at least 72 hours in advance. If you don’t have that much time, you can request an urgent transfer — we’ll let you know as soon as possible whether we can confirm it.
What pick-up time should I specify for the transfer?
If your transfer starts from an airport or railway station, please specify your flight or train arrival time as the start of your transfer. This helps the driver organize the meeting more accurately.
If your transfer starts from a hotel to an airport, please indicate the time you wish to be picked up at reception. You’ll need to calculate it yourself, allowing extra time for check-in. We recommend adding about 3 hours before your flight’s departure. For example, if your flight leaves at 14:00 and the trip takes 1 hour, your pick-up time should be 10:00.
How do I know if my order has been accepted?
After submitting your booking, you’ll receive an email with all trip details and your order status as “Waiting”. Once we receive and confirm your payment, the status will change to “Accepted”, and you’ll receive another email confirmation.
If you don’t receive the confirmation email, please contact our support team at office@welcome.taxi.
How do I change my booking?
To make changes to your booking, please contact our support team at office@welcome.taxi.
Important note: Requests for changes made less than 72 hours before your trip may be declined.
How can I cancel my booking?
You can cancel your booking in two ways:
- Via the booking page on our website — use the cancellation number provided in your booking voucher, at least 72 hours before the trip.
- By contacting our support team if it’s less than 72 hours before your ride.
Important note: In case of urgent cancellation, we may not be able to refund your deposit. The free cancellation period is stated in your confirmation email.
What should I do if my flight is delayed?
If your flight is delayed by less than 30 minutes, the driver will adjust their arrival time automatically.
If the delay is longer, please inform the driver directly (their phone number is in your confirmation voucher) or contact WelcomeTaxi Customer Support at office@welcome.taxi. Please include your order number and the new arrival time.
Important note: The driver may charge an additional fee for extended waiting time.
How will I find my driver?
For airport transfers, if you’ve added the meet-and-greet option to your order, the driver will meet you in the arrivals area — right after passport control and baggage claim. You’ll see a name sign with your first and last names (or custom text, if specified in your booking).
Important note: We strongly recommend adding the meet-and-greet option to your airport transfer booking.
For hotel pickups, the driver will wait for you in the hotel lobby. Detailed meeting instructions and your driver’s contact number are provided in your booking confirmation voucher.
How can I be sure that my driver will pick me up?
WelcomeTaxi guarantees that your driver will do their best to meet you on time.
Both you and the driver will have each other’s phone or WhatsApp number. Please keep your mobile phone switched on at the time of pickup. If you can’t reach the driver, contact our support team immediately.
I can’t find my driver. What should I do?
If you can’t find your driver, please double-check the name signs again — the driver may have missed you in the crowd.
Try calling or messaging the driver via WhatsApp. If there’s no response within the meeting time, contact our support team.
If necessary, go to the airport’s Information Desk to arrange a local taxi to your destination.
Important note: If the driver fails to meet you, we will refund your payment.
What Our Customers Say
United Kingdom
Highly recommended taxi service
Airport Transfers and Chauffeur Service from Santa Marta Airport
Simón Bolívar International Airport (SMR) is the main airport serving Santa Marta and one of the principal aviation gateways to Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Located south of the city, the airport provides convenient access to Santa Marta, El Rodadero, Taganga, Tayrona National Park and other destinations across the Magdalena region.
WelcomeTaxi provides pre-booked private airport transfers from Santa Marta Airport to hotels, resorts, residences and regional destinations. Passengers can organise their transportation before travelling and continue directly from the terminal with a professional English-speaking driver rather than arranging their onward journey after arrival.
Private transfers are suitable for individual travellers, couples, families and larger groups. Chauffeur service and long-distance transfers can also be arranged for journeys throughout Santa Marta, the surrounding coast and destinations farther across northern Colombia.
Getting from Santa Marta Airport to the City
Simón Bolívar International Airport is located around 14 kilometres from central Santa Marta, so most passengers continue by road after landing. Ground transportation options include public buses, taxis, ride-hailing services and pre-booked private transfers.
The most suitable option depends on the final destination, passenger number, amount of luggage and whether low cost or direct door-to-door convenience is the priority.
Public Buses from Santa Marta Airport
Local public buses connect the airport area with Santa Marta and other nearby districts. They provide an economical option for travellers with light luggage and flexible schedules.
Public services follow fixed routes and stops rather than travelling directly to every hotel or resort. Passengers staying in El Rodadero, Taganga or accommodation outside the main urban corridors may need an additional local connection.
A private airport transfer provides direct transportation from SMR to the exact hotel, residence or resort address.
Taxis at Santa Marta Airport
Taxis are available from the airport and provide direct transportation to Santa Marta and nearby destinations. They are a practical option for passengers who prefer to arrange transportation after landing.
A pre-booked private transfer offers greater certainty before the flight and can be particularly useful for families, groups, travellers carrying substantial luggage or passengers continuing directly beyond the city.
Ride-Hailing Services
App-based transportation services operate in Santa Marta and can provide another option for local journeys. Pickup procedures may vary according to current airport access arrangements.
Ride-hailing can be convenient for flexible city trips, while a pre-booked transfer may be preferable when travellers want their vehicle and destination confirmed before arrival.
Why Pre-Book a Private Transfer from SMR?
Pre-booking allows the airport journey to be organised before arrival. The pickup, destination, passenger number and vehicle requirements can all be specified in advance.
This is especially useful in Santa Marta because accommodation is spread across the city, beach districts and resort areas rather than concentrated around a single transport hub.
Families and groups can reserve a vehicle with sufficient seating and luggage capacity rather than depending on the size of the next available taxi.
For international visitors, travelling with an English-speaking driver can also make communication easier during the airport pickup and journey to the destination.
Transfers from Santa Marta Airport to Central Santa Marta
Central Santa Marta is one of the main destinations for passengers arriving at SMR. The historic centre contains hotels, restaurants, cultural attractions and waterfront areas around the marina and bay.
A private transfer provides direct transportation from the airport to the passenger’s hotel, apartment or residence without requiring an additional local journey.
Santa Marta Airport Transfers to El Rodadero
El Rodadero is one of Santa Marta’s best-known beach districts and a major accommodation area for visitors. It contains hotels, apartments, restaurants and a popular urban beach.
Its location south of central Santa Marta makes it particularly convenient from the airport. A private transfer provides direct door-to-door transportation to hotels and residences throughout El Rodadero.
Transfers from SMR to Taganga
Taganga is a small coastal village north of Santa Marta known for its bay, diving activities, guesthouses and relaxed atmosphere.
Travellers using public transport generally need to continue through Santa Marta, while a private airport transfer provides a direct road journey from SMR to accommodation in Taganga.
Transfers to Tayrona National Park
Tayrona National Park is one of the most important leisure destinations near Santa Marta and is famous for its beaches, rainforest and dramatic Caribbean coastline.
The park has several access points and accommodation areas, so the exact transfer destination is important. A private transfer can take passengers directly from Santa Marta Airport to the appropriate entrance, hotel, lodge or nearby property.
This is particularly useful for visitors travelling with luggage or staying outside central Santa Marta before entering the park.
Chauffeur Service in Santa Marta
WelcomeTaxi chauffeur service can be arranged for sightseeing, events, business travel and personalised itineraries throughout Santa Marta and the surrounding region.
A private vehicle with driver allows travellers to visit several locations according to their own schedule rather than relying entirely on local buses or arranging separate taxis for each journey.
Chauffeur service can also be useful for hotel changes, restaurant visits, beach transfers and customised day trips.
Regional Transfers along Colombia’s Caribbean Coast
Santa Marta Airport is a practical starting point for road journeys along Colombia’s northern coast. Private regional transfers can be arranged to coastal towns, resorts, hotels and other destinations outside the immediate Santa Marta area.
Travellers whose final destination is beyond the city can continue directly from the airport rather than entering central Santa Marta simply to change transportation.
Transfers from Santa Marta Airport to Barranquilla
Barranquilla is the nearest major city west of Santa Marta and is linked by the coastal highway. The journey between the two airport areas is around 90 kilometres by road, making private road transportation a realistic option.
A private transfer provides direct transportation from SMR to a hotel, residence, business address or Barranquilla Airport without requiring an intermediate bus connection.
This can be particularly convenient for families, groups and business travellers carrying substantial luggage.
Long-Distance Transfers from Santa Marta
Private long-distance transfers provide an alternative to intercity buses when direct address-to-address transportation is preferred.
Journeys can be arranged from Santa Marta Airport to destinations farther across Colombia’s Caribbean region according to the required route and vehicle.
For longer routes, domestic flights or scheduled coaches may sometimes be more efficient, but chauffeur-driven transportation remains useful when flexibility, several stops or direct door-to-door travel is the priority.
Santa Marta Airport and Alternative Airports
Simón Bolívar International Airport is the natural airport for Santa Marta. Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport (BAQ) in Barranquilla is the closest meaningful alternative and offers a broader selection of flights on some routes.
Other airports such as Valledupar, Riohacha and Cartagena are farther away and serve separate regional markets.
For travellers whose destination is Santa Marta itself, SMR remains the clear airport choice.
Useful Information for Arriving Passengers
Simón Bolívar International Airport uses the IATA code SMR and is located approximately 14 kilometres south of central Santa Marta.
Public buses, taxis and app-based transport provide ground transportation from the airport, while private transfers offer direct door-to-door service to hotels, resorts and regional destinations.
When booking a private airport transfer, passengers should provide the correct flight details, complete destination address, number of travellers and realistic luggage requirements. For lodges and properties near Tayrona National Park, precise location information is particularly useful.
With airport transfers, chauffeur service and long-distance private transportation available from Santa Marta Airport, travellers can arrange their onward journey before arrival and continue directly to Santa Marta, El Rodadero, Taganga, Tayrona or destinations farther along Colombia’s Caribbean coast.