The airport is located 14 kilometres (8.7 mi) south of Santa Marta city center, on the shores of the Caribbean Sea.

It is named in honor of Simón Bolívar, the military and political leader who played a leading role in the establishment of several South American countries as sovereign states, and who died in Santa Marta in 1830.

The dirt track was located parallel to the sea and is built in two stages: the first 1,200 meters long and the second with an extension to 1,000.

At present, the ground movement works at Simón Bolívar Airport was progressing satisfactorily, under the direction of LANZA's engineering chief, Enrique Pérez Ayala.

[3] In August 2018, Viva Air Colombia announced an international route to Miami from Santa Marta airport, which started on 18 December 2018.

[4][5] The airport has a new medical health care facility for primary services, a new check-in area, airline offices, a new food square, renovated restrooms, and indoor ATMs.

The Santa Marta VOR/DME (Ident: STA) is located 9.7 nautical miles (18.0 km) south of the airport.

[12] The runway will meet the minimum length requirements for the operation of wide-body aircraft and also international destinations.

[citation needed] Santa Marta Airport is also easily accessible by bus, operated by SETP and STU.