Terminal T1 hosts 5 airlines. You'll find 5 dining options, 5 shops here.
One compact Passenger Terminal handles every flight at SMR
T1 at Simón Bolívar International Airport runs all domestic and international traffic through a single Passenger Terminal, so Avianca, LATAM Colombia, Jetsmart Colombia, Wingo, and Copa Airlines all share the same check-in hall and security line. Check-in desks sit in a straight row on the ground floor, with airline logos easy to spot from the main entrance doors.
Security for T1 sits just beyond the check-in counters, and lines typically build up in the 90 minutes before Avianca and LATAM Colombia bank departures. Plan 20–30 minutes from front door to airside on a normal weekday, and add extra time in local holiday periods when multiple domestic departures crowd the screening area.
Once through security, the single departures corridor runs parallel to the apron, with all gates for both domestic and international flights branching off the same hallway. There are no piers or satellite concourses, so walking from one end of the Passenger Terminal to the other usually takes under 10 minutes at a normal pace.
Café Santa Marta sits near the central gate cluster and serves basic coffee, soft drinks, and pastries, with prices that run higher than in Santa Marta city; expect to pay more for an espresso and snack combo here than at a downtown café. This spot works as a last-minute caffeine stop before short hops to Bogotá or Medellín.
Bar Aviador, also airside in T1, focuses on beer and simple mixed drinks and tends to be busiest in the evening before Copa Airlines flights. A local lager from the tap costs more than a convenience-store can, but it’s one of the few sit-down places where you can watch aircraft through the windows while you wait.
Pizzeria Italiana sits further down the same departures hallway and serves individual pizzas and slices that are easy to carry to the gate. The menu leans on basic toppings, and a personal pizza typically matches the price of a mid-range meal in Santa Marta tourist areas, so factor that into your pre-flight budget.
Snack Bar Santa Marta occupies a smaller corner near the gates used by regional domestic flights and mainly sells packaged chips, candy, and bottled drinks. Prices on bottled water and soda are marked up compared with city supermarkets but line up with what you see at most Colombian airports.
The Local Market kiosk, also post-security, stocks Colombian coffee bags, sweets, and small food gifts that travel well in a carry-on. Expect to pay tourist-shop prices for branded coffee compared with supermarkets in town, but it lets you grab last-minute presents without leaving the Passenger Terminal.
On the retail side, a compact Duty Free store sits near the international gates, selling liquor, perfume, and chocolates to outbound passengers. Cartons of cigarettes and bottles of mid-range spirits often undercut city retail by a noticeable margin, though premium labels can still be higher than big-city duty free hubs.
An Electronics Store in T1 carries phone chargers, headphones, power banks, and basic adapters, with emergency cables often priced at least 20–30% above online shops. This is the place to fix a dead cable an hour before boarding rather than hunt for a mall in Santa Marta.
A small Fashion Boutique and a separate Souvenir Shop sit along the same airside corridor, selling clothing, beachwear, and Santa Marta-themed gifts such as magnets and T-shirts. Sizes and styles skew toward warm-weather travel, and prices land in standard airport-gift territory instead of outlet-level bargains.
A Travel Essentials shop closer to the security exit stocks neck pillows, basic toiletries, sunscreen, and simple medicines, useful if you forgot sunscreen before heading into the Caribbean sun. Expect single-use or travel-size items to be more expensive than in a downtown droguería but far cheaper than buying on board.
The Passenger Terminal lists no airline or independent lounges, so there’s nowhere to use Priority Pass or similar memberships for a quiet workspace or shower. With only public seating available near all gates, plan ahead for phone charging and bring any snacks you prefer rather than relying solely on the limited eateries.
One practical tip: arrive at least two hours before international departures from T1 so you have time to clear security, pass through exit controls, and still pick up snacks at Café Santa Marta or the Local Market before gates start boarding 30–40 minutes before departure.