In this video, IL editor Lee Harrison is in Santa Marta, Colombia. At night, Santa Marta comes alive. The waterfront often turns into an impromptu beach party; especially on weekends. Families turn out by the hundreds to enjoy the local music, and to dance to the rhythms of the traveling Vallenato bands. Meanwhile, vendors supply everyone with pizza, shish-kabob, and snow cones. It’s fun to watch, and to just be a part of it all.

Santa Marta is located on the Caribbean coast and the city appears to be the destination of choice for most Colombians. They’re most proud of Cartagena…but when it comes time to vacation, many head to Santa Marta. The city is also a popular cruise-ship stop. During the “high season” (June through August, November through January, and Easter week) cruise ships pull into Santa Marta at a rate of two to three per week.

Editor’s note: Learn more about Colombia and other countries in our daily postcard e-letter. Simply enter your email address here and we’ll send you a FREE REPORT: Beautiful, Diverse and Safe – Take Another Look at Colombia.