Sleeping in Airports

Santa Marta Airport Guide

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or you are just quickly passing through, our Santa Marta Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit.  Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

The airport is closed at 11pm and is opened again at 4am. They don’t let you in, so you have to wait in front of the airport – a traveller (August 2023)

SMR Airport Overview

santa marta airport guideTo help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Santa Marta Simón Bolívar International Airport.

What to Expect

Situated along the waterfront, Santa Marta Airport (code: SMR) has a small, recently modernized terminal divided into domestic and international areas. Amenities include several eateries, cafes, and shops, though it seems everything shuts down for the evening by 10:00 PM. Free WiFi helps pass the time. Economy class passengers can pay to enter an airport lounge. See Airport Lounges in the guide below for location and access information.

Sleeping in Santa Marta Airport

We do not yet have any sleep-related airport reviews.  For uninterrupted sleep, nearby hotels offer shuttle service for a fee. See the Airport Hotels section below for locations, or read traveller airport reviews for more tips.

To help us keep this guide up-to-date, you can add or update information or write a review to submit airport tips and photos. You can also visit the airport’s website for current information.  For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Santa Marta Airport Guide.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.  For more information on Europe’s Schengen Area, click here.

airport loungeAirport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

If you are an economy class traveller, you can enter the following lounge at Santa Marta airport through a lounge membership program. Visit the individual lounge page for more details about the lounge itself and learn how to gain access with just an economy class ticket!

  • Avianca Sala VIP – Location: Domestic Terminal, Airside. Lounge Access: unknown.
  • The Lounge Santa Marta – Location: Domestic Terminal, Airside.  Lounge Access: Pay at the Door • Lounge membership programs.

Related Pages: Santa Marta Airport Lounges

airport hotelsAirport Hotels

If sleeping in Santa Marta airport sounds like a nightmare, there are hotels near the airport and along the road into the city.

  • Santa Marta Marriott Resort Playa Dormida – No airport shuttle. » Check Rates

For more options, visit Tripadvisor to see a list of hotels in Santa Marta, search for deals and read traveller reviews.

wifiAirport WiFi/Internet

Free WiFi is available at Santa Marta Airport. Connect to “wifiaeropuerto” and enter the same as the password.
Internet browsing facilities can also be found at six locations in both Terminals. If you are Landside in the International Terminal look for Aeroconet Internet Cafe.

airport infoMore Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover At The Airport

ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limit if you are travelling internationally. You may also want to notify your bank of your travel plans. Locations: Landside and Airside in both terminals.

Baby Care Facilities – If you are travelling with an infant, there is a baby care room for diaper changing. Location: Domestic Terminal, Transit Area, by Door 1 and 8.

Beauty Salon – Privileges offers beauty services. Location: Domestic Terminal, Landside, East Wing. Hours: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM.

Currency Exchange – Italcambio has 5 locations in the International Terminal (both landside and airside) and one location in the Domestic Terminal (landside). Hours: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM.

Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-Free shopping is available in the International Terminal. Hours: 5:00 AM – 11:00 PM. There is also a good variety of shops in domestic and international terminals, with most shops open from 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM. The Aeromarket Mini-market may be a good option for last-minute snack needs (International Terminal).

Food & Drinks – At the time of this update, it is unknown whether any restaurants are open 24 hours. There are over 30 restaurants/coffee shops available in each Terminal.

Information Desk – Need help finding your way? Information desks are available in the international and domestic terminals (arrivals halls).

Luggage Storage & Lockers – Not available.

Medical Services – If you require medical attention, the following locations are open 24 hours a day: Domestic Terminal Transit Area, Door 3 • International Terminal Transit Area, Gate 22.

Mobile Charging – Mobile Chargers can be found in all waiting areas of both Terminals.

Pharmacy – Farmacia Saas – Location: International Terminal, Transit Area, near door 22. Hours: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM • Domestic Terminal, Transit Area, near Door 2. Hours: 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM.

Post Office – IPostel provides mailing services in the following locations: International Terminal, landside, across from the escalators • Domestic Terminal, west wing, landside. Hours: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM.

Prayer Room – A prayer room can be found in the International Terminal, Landside, Level 3, West Wing. Hours: open 24 hours.

Rest Zones – No dedicated sleeping areas, quiet areas or rest zones exist. If this information has changed, click here to update this guide.

Showers – Not available.

SIM Cards – A reader has asked us to include where to buy SIM Cards. If you know, click here to update this airport guide.

Spa – Prana offers massage service in the International Terminal, Transit Area Door 25. Hours: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM.

Travel Agencies – If you are arriving in Santa Marta and need local arrangements or help planning a last-minute trip abroad, there are several travel agencies with offices at the airport that can probably be of assistance. International Terminal: Venetur (Arrivals) • Inatur (Transit Area, Phase 2) • Inatur (Central Area). Domestic Terminal: Venetur/Inatur (Central Hall).

airport hoursAirport Hours

A reader tells us the airport is closed from 11:00 PM to 4:00 AM.  (August 2023)

airlinesAirlines

Santa Marta Airport is served by the following airlines: Avianca • LATAM • Viva Air Colombia. Note: other airlines may serve the airport on a charter-only basis.

transportationAirport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Buses

SMR airport is connected to the bus system by two bus routes. For more information about the bus routes, schedules and fares, visit the Santa Marta Airport website.

Car Rentals

These car rental agencies are available onsite:

  • Domestic Terminal, landside: Aco • Budget • Friend Car Rental • Hertz • Margarita Rental Car • Unirent.
  • International Terminal, landside: Aco • Avis • Budget • Hertz • The Flich Rental Car • Unirent.

Hotel Shuttles

See also Airport Hotels above.

Taxis

Taxis are readily available for hire in the ground transportation area. There are no meters, so negotiate a fare with the driver before starting your journey.

Last updated: 2024-01-30

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning.  All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice.   The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or  write a review.