santa marta is particularly rich in arts and culture. one of its most significant cultural contribution is 'unidos da são clemente', which in the 70's was the first bloco of the zona sul to achieve the status of samba schools .  remarkably, in 1992, a second samba school was born in santa marta, the mocidade unida do santa marta.    

the favela painting project is a private effort aimed at decorating the favelas by having residents paint their own houses according to a predetermined pattern. in santa marta this project is well underway and the charming results can be seen here.