THINGS TO DO IN MINCA COLOMBIA
Perched at the top of the mountains of the Sierra Nevada is the tiny town of Minca. This town overlooks the Caribbean Sea and the popular coastal town of Santa Marta. Minca quickly became one of my favorite places in Colombia because it feels isolated, and it had the most beautiful sunsets I’ve experienced.
It’s the perfect destination for travelers looking to have a restful getaway filled with nature, hiking, or sunset viewing. If you have the time to explore smaller places in Colombia, I suggest you take a detour to the lovely town of Minca.
Things To Do In Minca Colombia
Table of Contents
Where Is It?
Minca is 45 minutes from Santa Marta and sits at the top of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. From Cartagena, it’s only a 5-hour bus ride away. So it’s worth taking the detour to this peaceful town.
In recent years, it’s become a bit more popular among backpackers because of its proximity to La Cuidad Perdida, The Lost City. The Lost City is an archeological site that requires a 4-day hike through the dense Colombian jungle.
The town of Minca is small and only has a population of about 800. Therefore, it feels a bit isolated, and it’s the perfect getaway from all the busy tourist spots in Colombia.
How To Get To Minca
The easiest way to get to Minca is from Santa Marta. Santa Marta is a popular beach spot amongst tourists, especially for party-goers.
To get to Santa Marta, you can ride a 5-hour bus there from Cartagena or fly directly into the city from most major cities in Colombia.
Once you are in Santa Marta, there are options for arriving in Minca, depending on your budget.
The most expensive option is to hire a taxi to take you to Minca for about 60,000-80,000 COP. However, this is a good option if you have a lot of luggage or are in a group.
If you’re a backpacker or looking for the most budget-friendly option, you can take a buseta (shared shuttle or Colectivo). You can find these buseta on Carrera 9 and Calle 12 in front of Mercado Publico in the city center.
The collectivo costs 8,000COP per person (as of February 2020). The ride there takes about 35 minutes to 45 minutes.
Transportation in Minca
Once you arrive in Minca, you will need transportation to your hotel or hostel if you stay in the mountains. I highly recommend you do!
To get to your hotel or hostel in the mountains, you will need to hire a moto-taxi for about 15,000 COP to take you up the crazy unmarked roads. For me, it was a bit wild to ride solo with a random stranger on his motorcycle all the way up to my hidden hostel. I was just praying nothing happened to me. Thankfully all went well, and I later rode one again.
You have the option to hike, but it will take over 45 minutes with your luggage in tow.
Lastly, you can pay for an expensive 4×4 truck to take you up. These are not as common to take, so you’ll have to ask in the town to find one who will take you up. That’s why less luggage is best so you can take the moto-taxi.
If you stay in the town, you can walk to it since it’s small.
Things To Do In Minca Colombia
1. Stay in the Mountains
One of the main reasons Minca became popular is because of the hostels with overlooking views. Some incredible hostels have opened up in the mountains with the growing backpacker community. Although you can stay in the town, being surrounded by nature and having sunset views will be the better option.
2. Watch the Sunset
I’m an Arizona girl, and I assure you the best sunsets are found in my state. However, I have never experienced better sunsets than the ones I’ve seen in Minca. It’s the exception. Watching the incredible sunsets has become an activity in this town. You can find a vantage point at a hotel or hostel in the mountains.
3. Explore Waterfalls & Rivers
Minca has a few waterfalls nearby. You can get to them by hiking there on scenic roads or riding a moto-taxi for about 10,000-15,000 COP to most places. Here are two you can visit:
- Pozo Azul is a swimming hole with a waterfall and a spot for cliff jumping. You can get there by moto-taxi ride or hike 1 hour uphill to get there. If you walk, you’ll see small businesses/homes selling water and other refreshments and snacks along the way. There are three pools to choose from for swimming in.
- Marinka Waterfalls is one of the most popular waterfalls in Minca. You can walk there in one hour or pay moto-taxi. There is a 5,000 COP entrance fee.
4. Go on a Hike
Minca is for outdoor lovers! There are many trails you can hike to for incredible views. You can also hike to the hotels, the waterfalls, and the coffee and chocolate farms you visit. Plus, you can run into wildlife such as monkeys and all kinds of exotic birds.
Here are a few hikes you can do:
- Las Piedras: It’s 15 minutes from the town next to River Minca.
- Mirador Misaya: This viewpoint is within walking distance from Mundo Nuevo’s hostel. Getting to the top took about 45 minutes. From town, it will be at least another 45. It has a lovely view of the ocean and the city of Santa Marta.
- Las Cascadas De Marinka: This waterfall is only one hour from the village. You will hike past the church and uphill until you read the sign “Finca la Esperanza, La Cascada Minka. To enter the falls, you need 5,000COP
- Los Pinos: This trek is about 6 hours long, and it will take you to Pozo Azul. The climb is uphill for about 2 hours, making it a bit difficult.
- Cerro Kennedy: It has one of the most spectacular views in Minca. Trekking Cerro Kennedy takes two days, but you get incredible views of the peaks of Los Nevados. It’s recommended to hire a guide. You can sleep in Casas Vieja on the first night.
- The Lost City: As mentioned above, The Lost City is a 4-day hike.
5. Go on a Coffee Tour
Although Minca is not a coffee region per se, a few Fincas or Coffee Farms hold coffee tours. One is Finca La Victoria Planation. From town, you can hike for 90 minutes to get there. The tour costs 20,000 COP. Finca la Candelaria also has coffee tours, although it’s best known for its Chocolate Tours mentioned below.
6. Tour a Chocolate Farm
There are also a few Fincas (farms) that hold chocolate tours. If you’re a chocolate lover like me, then this is a fun tour to go on. You get to taste fresh and delicious chocolate and learn all about the process. Finca La Candelaria is where to go. The tour is 25,000 COP, and you can get there by foot in an hour.
7. Trek to La Ciudad Perdida
La Ciudad Perdida, or the Lost City, is one of the most famous treks in Colombia. Although I haven’t done it myself, it’s considered one of the best things to do. The hike is four days through the jungle of the Sierra Madre. It has to be done by a tour accompanied by a member of the indigenous Kogi & Wiwa Natives groups. They take you to the Lost City, Teyuna.
8. Buy Local Handmade Crafts & Handbags
Due to the increase in tourism in Minca, more local artisans and craftspeople are now selling their handmade items. It is the perfect community to support if you buy souvenirs in Colombia.
9. Relax on a Giant Hammock
One of the things that put Minca on the Colombian map is the Instagram pictures of the giant hammock with overlooking views of Sierra Minca. You don’t even need to stay here to enjoy the giant hammock. Instead, you can buy a day pass for 15,000 COP or one with lunch included for 40,000. You will need to hike 2 hours from the town or hire a moto-taxi to get there.
If you don’t go to this Insta famous hammock, you will still find comfy hammocks in other hostels, such as Mundo Nuevo.
10. Go Birdwatching
Colombia is the country with the most amount of birds in the world. So it’s no surprise that Minca is a perfect place to see them. There is a richness of fauna and flora all around the town.
You can have the opportunity to go birdwatching with Manrique Birding, a man with over 30 years of experience. He will take you on a 3-hour tour for 30,000 COP.
Tips For Visiting Minca
- Minca is a small town, therefore there are no banks or ATMs. So, make sure to bring enough cash to pay for the things you purchase, souvenirs, food, moto-taxis, etc.
- The less luggage you have, the better. If you stay at a hostel or hotel in the mountains, you will most likely need a moto-taxi. Having a travel backpack is the most convenient type of luggage to have when traveling here. Strapping hard case luggage to a motorcycle will be a pain. The other option will be riding a 4×4, but it can be expensive and not as easy to find.
- Be ready to hike. You don’t necessarily need hiking shoes (these are my favorite) unless you do the long treks, but I recommend hiking gear like a water bottle or hydration pack.
- Don’t be surprised if you want to stay longer. I went for one night and wound up staying four because I loved it so much. Almost everyone I met extended their stay, and many called Minca home for one to two weeks. The isolated vibe and connection with nature are appealing to backpackers.
Where to Stay
Minca has some incredible hostels and hotels with gorgeous views. It now has a few places to choose from.
- Mundo Nuevo: I stayed at Mundo Nuevo and loved it. It has incredible views of the sunset, shared rooms, private rooms, and hammocks throughout the property. The eating space is perfect for digital nomads. I also loved that they sold food for all three meals. Although I’m not vegan, the meals were. However, they were delicious and made from their own locally grown vegetables. You can hike there or get a moto-taxi or a 4×4 ride. (I recommend the moto-taxi).
- Finca Carpe Diem Ecolodge: This Ecolodge has 3 swimming pools, overlooking views of the Minca, and is surrounded by nature. It also has shared rooms if you’re on a budget.
- Costeño River Minca: At this hotel and hostel, you will find giant hammocks overlooking the mountains. There are also private rooms, shared rooms, and it is surrounded by nature.
- Hostal Sierra Minca: Hostal Sierra Minca is lovely. From their private rooms, you get window views of the nature surrounding them. They also have a pool and giant hammock.
- Casas Viejas by Masaya: At Casas Viejas, you also have a pool and overlooking views in the mountains. You can book a private room or a dorm room.
What to Pack For Minca Colombia
Travel Booking Resources
Book Your Flight:
To find cheap flights, check Skyscanner and Google Flights. These search engines check airlines to find you the best deals. The more flexibility you have, the better flight deals available.
Book Your Accommodation:
Booking.com is my favorite booking site for hotels but it also shows great deals on hostels and apartments. Plus, when you reach Genius Level, you get special discounts, included breakfasts, and upgrades on some hotel rooms. Hostelworld is specifically for budget travelers who enjoy hostels. This is the best place for finding great options.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance and Visa Applications:
Travel insurance will protect you against theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. Sometimes unexpected things happen during a trip and protections will keep you covered. Two great options are: Safety Wing and World Nomads. Also, iVisa can help you get a visa if you need one.
Book Tours:
Sometimes the best way to see a place is through tours. I recommend checking out Get Your Guide for some fun and unique adventures wherever you go.
Check out my other travel resources to help you book your trip!
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and purchase a product, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Please note I only recommend products and brands that I personally use or have used and believe in.
