Near T1 check-in, Carulla Express is the airport grocery stop
Carulla Express sits landside in Simón Bolívar International Airport’s T1, handy if you want real supermarket brands before security. Expect a compact mini-market layout with fridges, snack racks, and basic toiletries rather than a full hypermarket. It feels more like a neighborhood corner store than an airport gift shop, which matters if you’re trying to stock up at local prices before a domestic LATAM or Avianca hop.
Hours typically track main flight banks in T1, opening early morning to catch the first departures around 6:00 and staying open into the evening rush. You’ll find bottled water and soft drinks at more normal Colombian prices than most airside kiosks, plus simple sandwiches and packaged pastries that work as backup breakfast. If your hotel in Santa Marta skipped amenities, grab sunscreen or basic pharmacy items here instead of paying gate-area markups.
Food-wise, expect packaged snacks: Colombian chips, cookies, chocolate bars, and small packs of nuts under COP 10,000, plus grab-and-go items in the fridge. It’s not a made-to-order spot, so don’t bank on hot meals or espresso drinks; treat it as a self-serve pit stop. Payment is straightforward with cards widely accepted, so you can burn through remaining pesos or put a small COP 20,000–30,000 top-up on your credit card without fuss.
Quick tip: shop here before heading through T1 security, then carry your sealed drinks and snacks to the gate so you’re not stuck with the thinner airside options just before boarding.