Reggaeton, Cumbia, Vallenato, Dance and Music on the Caribbean Coast

Reggaeton and Cumbia, these are just two of the many styles of music and dance that you will probably be doing before you leave Santa Marta. There is no doubt that when you end up on the Caribbean Coast you just might be dancing, it just seems natural and Santa Mart is the place to get it all started.

Colombia Music and Dance

• Reggaeton blending reggae with latin style music.

• Cumbia Colombia's national dance especially on the Caribbean coast, uses similar instruments as Vallenato except the accordion.

• Vallenato (meaning Born in the Valley), national dance, uses accordion in its music. Romantic cowboy style.

• Salsa, especially popular in Cali with it's own distinctive style. Colombia has world champion salsa dancers.

• Champeta, popular in Cartagena.

• Porro, big band style music.

• Bambuco, folk style music.

• Pasillo, the Colombian version of the waltz.

There are others, quite a few actually, and I can't tell half of them apart, that's for the experts, all I know is it's fun. As far as the dances, you don't have to learn them all but you just might, it's all about having fun which is so natural with the warm evenings and with music coming from the beaches, taxis, restaurants, all over.

Some of the popular places to go in the evening are

Santa Marta

• Praga Bar Café Cl 19 2 A-55 Santa Marta, Colombia
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• La Puerta, Calle 17 2-29 Santa Marta, Colombia
  
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• Comodoro Club Cr 3 19-17 Santa Marta, Colombia
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• Distrito Calle 19 with Carerra 3
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  Fruta Fresca
  Disco Bar
  Downtown Santa Marta

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• Valsao Disco and Bar, Cra 1 10A 12, Santa Marta, Colombia
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• Barrio Samario, Calle 17 No 3-36, Santa Marta, Colombia
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• Peskaito C16 2-08, Santa Marta, Colombia
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• Bananas Cra 2 19-47
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El Rodadero

• The Beach, (Playa Rodadero) lots of music and dance.
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• La Escolera Cl 5 4-107 Sector El Laguito El Rodadero, Santa Marta, Colombia
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• Champagne Disco Club Cl 9 3-33 El Rodadero, Santa Marta, Colombia
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Festivals

• Santa Marta festival is the Festival of the Cumbia. Every year in June, and includes dances, musical events and contests.
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• Barranquilla's Carnaval, Four Days Preceding Ash Wednesday. Barranquilla, Colombia, one hours drive from Santa Marta.
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• Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata (The Vallenato Legend Festival) End of April, in the city of Valledupar (Valley of Upar)
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• Accordions' Cradle Festival in Villanueva, La Guajira, takes place in September.
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• Vallenato Festival in Bogotá.
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Return from Reggaeton to Adventure Travel

Return from Reggaeton to Santa Marta Travel Guide