Minca Colombia: Travel Guide & Best Things To Do (2023)

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Minca in a few words

Ecological Capital of Sierra Nevada, Minca is a tiny village located 15 kilometers from Santa Marta, 1 hour drive and the change of scenery is assured.

The village does not present a priori little interest, one comes there especially to lodge in the heights and to benefit from the exceptional environment of this small end of Colombia.

You will enjoy in Minca its incredible diversity of birds and its luxuriant flora. You will understand why it has become one of the favorite destinations of many travelers, and a must if you travel to Colombia.

Things to Do In Minca

Choosing your experiences will make your stay an unforgettable memory… or not!

Some places in Minca are crowded with tourists, while others are less crowded and of unequalled quality.

Discover here the best things to do in Minca

Pozo Azul

It is the most known plan in Minca, Pozo Azul is a large water hole for swimming in the river. 

It is important to know that it is crowded on weekends and holidays, it is an outing for Colombian families. 

There are other water holes a little further up the river. 

Don’t try to walk there by road, you will waste your time.

Getting there : 

• Duration to get there: 1h on foot / 20mn by transport.
• Mototaxi (one way): $10.000/pers.
• 4×4 (one way) : $40.000 (4 pers. max)

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Marinka Waterfall

Here is the other most famous activity to do in Minca : go and enjoy the Marinka Waterfall.

There is a small restaurant there. 

Getting There :

• Walking : 1h walk
• Mototaxi (one way): $10.000/pers -15 min
• 4×4 (one way) : $40.000 (4 pers. max) /20mn by transport
• Entrance fee: $5000

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Trekking to Cerro Kennedy

The Cerro Kennedy is a summit is one of the most spectacular viewpoints in the Minca region.

This viewpoint is still pretty unknown.

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In fact, before you could not reach because there were the Farcs, but now there is a military base to protect the TV antenas.

To do this trekking the best is to sleep 1 night in Casas Viejas.

On the second day, you can start the hike to Cerro Kennedy and sleep another night in Donde Moncho.

then in the early morning you ascend to the Cuchilla San Lorenzo and assist one of the most spectacular sunrize of your life.

• Duration: 9h walking/3h by transport
• Mototaxi (one way): $80.000 / pers.
• 4×4 (one way): $450,000 (4 pers. max)

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Bird watching

Minca is famous, like all of the Sierra Nevada, for the richness of its fauna and flora, and this can be an opportunity for bird lovers to do some Bird Watching!

There are several possibilities, of which the best known is certainly to call upon Jungle Joe, old man with 30 years of experience in bird watching ;-).

• Duration : 3h
• Rate: 30,000 pesos

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• @cristianbirding
• @cristianmanriquebirds
• Phone : +573107364337
• Email : [email protected]

Visit a Coffee / Cacao Factory

Finca la Victoria

It is one of the oldest finca cafetera in all Colombia, a true institution that offers an organic coffee culture and is a model of social development in Minca. 

• Duration of the tour: 1 hour
• Price of the tour: 15 000 pesos
• Duration to get there: 2h30 on foot/45mn by transport
• Mototaxi (one way): $15.000/pers.
• 4×4 (one way) : $80.000 (4 pers. max)

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Finca la Candelaria

The best Cacao and Coffee tours in Minca.

Ana & Eugenio receive tourists with incredible kindness.

The tours will show you the whole process of Coffee or chocolate from the seed to the cup of Chocolate. A delight for your taste buds. 

• Duration of the tour: 1 hour
• Price of the tour: 25 000 pesos
• From Minca : 1 hour on foot/30mn by transport
• From Mundo Nuevo : 15 Min walking
• Mototaxi (one way): $15.000/pers.
• 4×4 (one way) : $80.000 (4 pers. max)
• Contact : [email protected]
• Whatsapp : 3215887985
• Phone : 301 451 60 91

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Sunset in Mundo Nuevo

It has become an activity in its own right. Indeed, these two places have become so well known that even those who don’t live there want to go and discover them. It is therefore possible to simply go for a drink at Mundo Nuevo to discover their ecotourism project or at Casa Elemento to enjoy its giant hammock.

• Duration : 1h00 on foot / 15mn by mototaxi
• Mototaxi (one way): $20.000/pers.
• 4×4 (one way) : $100.000 (4 pers. max)

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Museum of the memory of the Sierra Nevada

A very small museum for a great history. An interesting visit to learn the history of Minca and the Sierra Nevada.

The team also acts socially at the local level and with young people, so it’s a nice initiative to encourage by going there!

• Price: free but you can leave a tip to support their action.
• Getting there: go to the Tienda Café Minca, and take the path away from the main road.

Hikes in Minca

There are plenty of great hikes to do in Minca,
But making an ill-prepared hike, or choosing the wrong route can quickly become a hassle.
Here are all the hikes to do with precise maps, walking times and elevation changes.
When you don’t know, you can easily find yourself walking along the road or pass all the cars & motorcycles, or get lost in the forest.

Hike Minca Cascada Perdida (Easy)

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Hike Minca Cerro Kennedy

Hike Minca  Pozo Azul Los Pinos Marinka

Top 5 Best Hotels in Minca

When it comes to plan your trip, the choice of your hotel can make or break your journey

You will learn here all the best places to stay in Minca

Thanks to the fact that Minca has become such a touristic place visited by foreigners and Colombians, there is a great variety of offers to stay.

Prices ranging from $25,000 in a shared room to $160,000 in a private room, or Even 700.000 for private houses.

Here are the 5 absolute best hotels in Minca :

Mundo Nuevo

Mundo Nuevo is considered is ranked by the lonely planet in the Top 5 hotels in All Colombia.

The Eco Lodge houses a sustainable farmhouse with a restaurant, bar, shared lounge and garden.

Many activities around such as Birdwatching, Cocoa or Coffee Tour, excellent massages, visit of the traditionnal Indigenous Village and more.

The sunsets are simply spectacular: to be able to contemplate the mountain, jungle and the sea at the same time, is simply unique.

The team is very dear, attentive and very professional, the food with products from the garden, is fantastic !

A very calm place where the only music is that of nature. And there are hundreds of birds 😉
Ideal to spend a few days and reconnect with nature.

100% Recommended

Casas Viejas

Casas Viejas is another Must see in Minca, and has been elected by Hostelworld as one of the best hostels in South America.

Variety of activities such as hiking, horseback riding, bird watching, a tour of the surrounding area and an old coffee factory, and swimming in the surrounding rivers and waterfalls. You can sign up for a two-day hike to a 3,000-meter peak. Massage services are available on site.

You will love it !

Hotel Siembra Minca

Located in Minca, Siembra Boutique Hostel – Minca features an exceptional and original swimming pool, a bar, a shared lounge and a garden.

This 4-star hotel offers room service and a tour desk. It has a terrace and offers free Wi-Fi and private parking.

Guests can enjoy a variety of activities in and around Minca, such as hiking.

The location is quiet, the view in the middle of nature. The setting is very beautiful and the decoration is well done. Very comfortable bedding. The music playlist is well chosen.

Siembra’s Restaurant is one of the best in Minca.

• Facebook Page : https://www.facebook.com/siembraboutiquehostel/

Minca Glamping

One of the best rated on Booking, Minca Glamping is a real experience, a magical place in the heart of the jungle!

The location in the middle of nature is ideal for the quietness, but still close to the center of Minca and on the way to the Marinka waterfall.

You will love the spaciousness and comfort of the accommodation in a Tastefully decorated Eco Lodges

Superb bungalow with all comfort. Perfect for a restful stay. The owners and the staff are also very attentive and available

And finally, an excellent breakfast!

La Casita Minca

Located above Minca, Casita Minca provides breathtaking views over the mountains, Santa Marta and the Caribbean ocean.

You’ll hardly find such an ideal location in the area : the house stands at the crossroads of the village of Minca, the cacao farm La Candelaria, Mundo Nuevo hotel farm, treks pathway…

The luxury of the house is about the view it has to offer. All the spaces have been designed to enjoy the best of it. The spacious living space sits between your 2 suite rooms for more peacefulness and intimacy. This central space is intentionally open to immerge yourself in nature and embrace the plunging view. You’re not at ease with open spaces? Don’t worry, the suite rooms are closed.

Instagram page : https://www.instagram.com/lacasitaminca/

How to Get to Minca ?

Travelling with all your luggage can be a bit stressful, especially when you don’t know the city,

Right ?

Here you’ll get all the detailed information on how to get to Minca : by bus, taxi or Moto Taxi

Getting to Minca from Santa Marta

MiniVans ‘Colectivos”

Take a Minivan from the “mercado publico” of Santa Marta to Minca.

• Company: CooTrasMinca
• Departures: every 30 minutes
• Price: 8000 pesos
• Duration: about 1 hour

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Getting to Minca from Palomino or Tayrona Park

Take a bus from Palomino to the “mercado” of Santa Marta.

• Price: 10,000 pesos
• Duration: about 2 hours

Then take a minivan from the mercado of Santa Marta to Minca.

• Price: 8000 pesos
• Duration: about 1 hour

Getting to Minca From Santa Marta Renting a car

If you want to take a road trip from Santa Marta, and have the freedom to visit Taganga, Minca, Palomino and Tayrona at your own pace, a good idea is to rent a car. Here you can compare the available offers and rent a car at the best price.

Be aware though that road are in a bad state in Minca, and you may need to park the car in the village and then take a 4×4 or a motorbike taxi.

Getting to Minca From Santa Marta Renting a Motorcycle

If you would like to visit the area in an adventurous style and go off path, another good idea is to rent a motorcycle. We partner with Adrian who runs Colombian Riders, a motorbike Rental agency

How to Get Around in Minca

Most hostels are a bit lost in the mountains, so when you arrive in Minca, consider hiring a Moto Taxi to avoid a long walk with your luggage on your shoulder 

Right close to the arrival/departure of the busetas, you will see Motomink (motorcycles) and 4×4 Minca (cars) which offer transportation to all accommodations and to the main points of interest. You will see the prices displayed.

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Getting around in Minca renting a 4×4 with Driver

If you prefer safety, traveling with an experienced 4×4 driver is essential in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The roads are often in an incredibly bad state, and in rainy season things get worth. With a private driver, you can drive to your hotel, get Cerro Kennedy or visit remote communities. Here you can contact our partners, we have partnerships with several excellent drivers in the area

Best Restaurants in Minca

Despite Most Hostals propose their own food, Minca’s gastronomic offer is quite varied. 

Many foreigners have settled there to open cafes, bars, restaurants, etc. 

La Miga

Eating a real French baguette or a chocolate chip brioche in the Sierra Nevada is the experience offered by the French baker located in the church street. You won’t miss it, everyone will tell you to go there.

Mundo Nuevo’s Vegetarian Restaurant

Bururake

Bururake on Google Map

Asadero Camarita

Camarita is definitely one of the greatest figures of Minca culture.

He offers grilled meats and sausages, and if you like desserts, ask him “el Postre”, you won’t be disappointed!

an obligatory step if you go up to Los Pinos

Camarita’s place on Google Map

Siembra Hotel’s Restaurant

One of the finest kitchens in the region, you can taste its homemade sushi with your eyes closed. 

Siembra Boutique Hotel on Google Map

Pro Tip
Hotel Siembra has a private waterfall called Cascada Escondida, one of the most beautiful and quiet waterfalls in the Minca region. So If you go for a lunch you may have access to the natural pools.

Restaurant Lazy Cat

Very good service, good globalized cuisine, reasonable prices between 15,000 and 30,000 pesos and the very good advice of the waitress 

• Adresse : Google Map
• Fqcebook: https://www.facebook.com/lazycatminca/

Pro tip : go the hidden terrasse close to the river, the view is amazing and you’ll be more quiet

Best places to have a drink or see live Music

Sonidos Selva Live Music

Si vous voulez voir des petits concerts de musique locale, je vous recommande fortement d’aller à Selva Sounds & Music sur Minca.

The concept is very cool. Chris is a former producer from New York who moved here to Minca. He invites local bands to his garden and offers them to record their live session for free in order to make an album. Indeed, the goal is to use the good vibrations of the place to develop creativity, which is felt in the recordings. He has received bands such as Bomba Estereo in Minca!

Ils organisent des concerts toutes les fin de semain

• More Info : https://sonidoselva.com

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Casa Loma

Autre très bonne options sur Minca est Casa Loma. Ils font des petits concerts en live tous les samedis et des DJ les vendredi

• Plus d’info : https://www.casalomaminca.com

Top Travel Tips & Advices for Minca

You want to have a perfect trip ? So pay attention to this section :

• Avoid arriving to Minca at night or taking walks without lights, just for your peace of mind.
• There are annoying sunflies at sunset. Many people will tell you to use lot of repellent, but it is not ecological. Instead get ready to wear pants and socks use pants from 4:30 pm, it is much more efficient. 
• Get ready to wear a hat and protect yourself from the sun during the hikes
• Have cash to pay for motorcycle cabs or tours offered by the locals
• Bring enough cash for all your stay, You can withdraw in the village but they charge 10% fee.
• Use comfortable tennis shoes for long walks
• Carry hydration with you, preferably a thermos so you can repackage
• If you plan to save on transportation and walking, keep in mind that you must carry your luggage uphill during the entire trip, so take only what you need

Minca Wiki

• Inhabitants : 800
• Altitude of Minca : 580m over sea level
• Department : Magdalena
• Origin of the Name : The minka (mink’a or minga in Quechua,   is a pre-Columbian tradition of voluntary community or collective work for a social utility or reciprocal purposes, as a shared garden for example. 

What to do After Visiting Minca?

• Visit Santa Marta
• Visit Taganga
• Go to Bahia Concha
• Hiking in Tayrona Park
• Trekking to the Lost City
• Visit Palomino
• Visit Mompox
• Go to Cartagena
• Take a Tour in Guajira Desert