Introduction: Beyond the Beach, an Open-Air Museum
If you arrive in Pozos Colorados for the first time, you most likely come looking for the sea. The neighborhood is famous for its hotels facing the Caribbean, its orange sunsets, and the constant sound of the waves. But if you stay only on the sand, you are missing something few tourists notice: the architecture. Here, among palm trees and quiet streets, there is a collection of houses that tell the story of how Santa Marta went from being a forgotten port to an elite destination. In July 2026, while new buildings keep popping up like mushrooms, the original houses of Pozos Colorados still stand, often ignored by those who pass by them in a taxi. This article is for you to look at them with different eyes.
Brief History of the Neighborhood's Development (1970s-1990s)
Pozos Colorados was not always the residential and tourist neighborhood you see today. Until the mid-20th century, this area was a collection of farms and vacant lots, with saltwater wells that locals called "colorados" due to the reddish tone of the soil. Development began in earnest in the 1970s, when wealthy families from Santa Marta and inland Colombia started buying lots facing the sea. There were no apartment towers or large hotel chains. What they built were vacation homes, designed by local architects who mixed traditional Caribbean style with modern influences brought from Barranquilla and Bogotá.
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In the 1980s, the neighborhood consolidated as the place to live if you had money. The houses grew in size and ambition: high ceilings for the heat, spacious terraces, tropical gardens, and facades painted in pastel colors. By the 1990s, Pozos Colorados was already a status symbol. But with the arrival of the new millennium, real estate pressure began to change the landscape. Today, the original houses coexist with modern condominiums and luxury hotels, creating a contrast that is precisely what makes walking its streets interesting.
What to Do: A Walking Route Through 5 Iconic Houses
The best way to appreciate the architecture of Pozos Colorados is on foot. The neighborhood is not huge, and in one morning you can walk the main streets without rushing. Here are five houses you cannot miss, with their approximate coordinates so you can locate them on Google Maps.
House of Architect Manuel Londoño (Calle 22 # 1-50, facing the sea)
This is perhaps the most photographed house in the neighborhood. Designed by architect Manuel Londoño from Santa Marta in 1978, the house is a perfect example of what is known as "Caribbean modernism." It has a white facade with straight lines, but the roof is a sloping slab that recalls the fishermen's houses of Taganga. The most striking feature is the floor-to-ceiling windows that open the entire living room to the sea. Today it is a private residence, but from the street you can see the structure and the garden that surrounds it. Coordinates: 11.2305, -74.1872.
Villa María (Carrera 3 # 20-45)
Built in 1985 for a family of Lebanese origin, Villa María blends colonial elements with Arabic touches. The semicircular arches at the entrance and the wooden latticework on the windows are a nod to Middle Eastern architecture, while the earth tones and clay tiles are pure Caribbean. The house is surrounded by a high wall, but from the opposite sidewalk you can see the second floor and the interior garden. It is a rare example of how immigration left its mark on the neighborhood. Coordinates: 11.2298, -74.1885.
House of the Mendoza Family (Calle 24 # 2-30)
This is one of the few original houses that remains almost intact from the 1970s. It has a style that architects call "reinterpreted colonial": whitewashed walls, solid wooden doors, a hallway leading to an inner courtyard with a small pool. What makes it special is that the facade does not face the street directly but is set back a few meters, creating a front garden full of bougainvillea and palms. It is a reminder of how life was lived before, when privacy was more important than showing status. Coordinates: 11.2310, -74.1865.
Edificio Mar Azul (Carrera 2 # 22-10)
Not everything is houses. Edificio Mar Azul, built in 1992, was one of the first apartment condominiums in Pozos Colorados. Its design is softened brutalism: exposed concrete, but with wooden balconies and colored blinds that soften the harshness. It is interesting because it marks the moment when the neighborhood began to densify. From the street, you can see how the apartments have different decoration styles on the balconies, telling a story of how the owners have adapted the spaces over time. Coordinates: 11.2308, -74.1878.
House of Architect Carlos Rojas (Calle 25 # 1-15)
This is the most recent on the list, built in 2001, but it is already a classic. Carlos Rojas, an architect from Bogotá who fell in love with Santa Marta, designed this house as a tribute to indigenous malocas. The roof is a huge palm thatch that seems to float over the glass walls. The house is hidden behind a small mango grove, so you have to walk to the end of the street to see it well. It is controversial among purists, but no one denies it is bold. Coordinates: 11.2315, -74.1860.
Where to Eat or Drink
After the walk, you will need something to eat or drink. Pozos Colorados has several options, although they are not as well-known as those in El Rodadero.
La Terraza de Don Carlos (Calle 23 # 2-15)
A restaurant that has been in the neighborhood for over 20 years. Specializing in fish and seafood, with an outdoor patio where you can see one of the iconic houses from the table. The shrimp ceviche is $28,000 COP (reference prices from July 2026). Open Tuesday to Sunday, 12pm to 9pm.
Café del Parque (Carrera 3 # 21-50)
A small coffee shop, run by a local family. They serve coffee from the Sierra Nevada and baked empanadas. It is the perfect place for a mid-morning break. An American coffee costs $4,000 COP. Open every day from 7am to 6pm.
Bar El Mirador (Calle 24 # 1-80, rooftop of Edificio Mar Azul)
It is not a commercial bar, but the terrace of an apartment that the owners open to the public on weekends. They have cold beer and a spectacular sea view. It is a casual spot where you can talk to locals who will tell you stories about the neighborhood. Ask at the building's reception if it is open. Prices: beer $6,000 COP.
How to Get There and Transportation
Getting to Pozos Colorados is easy from any point in Santa Marta.
- From the historic center: Take a taxi or a mototaxi. The trip takes about 15 minutes and costs between $12,000 and $15,000 COP.
- From El Rodadero: It is only 5 minutes by taxi. It will cost you about $8,000 COP.
- By bus: Routes heading to El Rodadero pass along the main avenue of Pozos Colorados. Look for buses with signs saying "Rodadero" or "Pozos Colorados." The fare is $2,500 COP.
- On foot: If you are staying in El Rodadero, you can walk in 20 minutes along the seaside avenue. It is a pleasant walk, with a sea view the whole time.
Inside the neighborhood, the best way to get around is on foot. The streets are quiet and safe during the day. If you need a taxi, you can ask for one at any restaurant or hotel reception.
Local Tips
- The best time for the route: Early in the morning, between 7am and 9am. The light is soft and it is not too hot. Also, the homeowners are usually watering the gardens, which makes everything look more vibrant.
- Do not enter private property: All the houses I mentioned are inhabited residences. Respect the boundaries, do not touch the gates or enter the gardens. Most owners do not mind you taking photos from the sidewalk, but be discreet.
- Bring water and sunscreen: Although the streets have tree shade, the sun in Santa Marta is intense. A bottle of water and sunscreen are mandatory.
- Talk to the neighbors: The older residents of the neighborhood are a source of incredible stories. If you see someone sitting on a porch, greet them and ask about the house next door. Many will tell you what the neighborhood was like before the tourists arrived.
- Download the interactive map: On our website malokal.com you can download the map 'Hidden Architecture of Pozos Colorados', which includes exact coordinates, historical photos, and data on each building. It is free and helps you not miss any details.
Reflection on the Neighborhood's Urban Future
Pozos Colorados is at a crossroads. On one hand, the demand for tourist housing continues to grow, and every year new apartment tower and hotel projects are announced. On the other, there is a movement of residents and local architects who want to preserve the neighborhood's original character. In 2025, the Santa Marta Mayor's Office approved a partial plan that limits the height of new constructions on streets near the sea, but economic pressure is strong.
What is at stake is not just the neighborhood's aesthetics, but its identity. The houses from the 1970s and 1980s are not just old buildings: they are testimonies to a time when Santa Marta bet on low-density tourism development, with respect for the environment. If they disappear, the neighborhood will lose its soul and become another El Rodadero, full of concrete towers. That is why, every time you walk these streets and stop to look at a facade, you are performing a small act of resistance. Architecture is not just for architects. It is for everyone who wants to understand where we come from and where we are going.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to walk alone in Pozos Colorados?
Yes, the neighborhood is quiet and has private security on several streets. As anywhere, avoid walking alone at night in very isolated areas. During the day, there is no problem.
Can I enter the houses to take photos?
No, they are all private properties. It is best to respect the residents' privacy. From the sidewalk you can get good shots, especially if you use a zoom lens. Some houses have open gates during the day, but do not assume you can enter.
Are there guided architecture tours in the neighborhood?
There are no permanently organized tours, but some local architects offer private tours if you contact them in advance. You can also use Malokal's interactive map to do your own tour. Ask at your hotel reception; sometimes they have contacts.