Minca, Colombia

Minca, Colombia is an eco-tourism hotspot famous for its waterfalls, giant mountainside hammocks, birdwatching, artisanal chocolate, and coffee plantations. Minca is just 45 minutes from Santa Marta, the gateway to Tayrona National Park. Despite its proximity to the city, Minca is not over-developed for tourism and is the perfect off the beaten path place to relax amongst beautiful scenery and wildlife. 

In this Minca travel guide I’ll offer some advice on how to plan your trip, including the best things to do in Minca. I’ll also share how I spent 2 days there and provide my honest thoughts on my stay at a luxury hostel in Minca.

For more Colombia travel tips and destination guides, head to my Colombia page.

Minca, Colombia Information and History

Minca, Colombia is located between a mountain range and the tropical Caribbean coast, resulting in a unique ecosystem that is home to over 360 species of birds. The area around Minca has long been inhabited by indigenous communities that thrived in harmony with nature. In the early 1800s, colonial sugar cane and coffee plantations were introduced. 

In the 1970s Minca fell victim to guerrilla groups, who exploited the land to grow marijuana and coca to fund their operations. Paramilitaries arrived soon after in the 1980s. Residents were caught in the middle of a violent conflict between these groups and were subjected to extortion, causing many of them to flee the area. 

In the early 2000s peace was restored to Minca upon the intervention of the government, and since then the community has slowly rebuilt itself into a haven for tourists. Most visitors who come to Minca to indulge in its luxury hotels are unaware of its conflicted past. Let this be a reminder to all of us to be informed and respectful travelers.

My Minca, Colombia Trip Report

Getting to Minca

On my fourth day in Colombia (and the very beginning of my one-year South America backpacking trip), I boarded a night bus that would take me from San Gil to Santa Marta. I felt a little nervous because I had never taken a night bus before, and this journey seemed particularly long at 13 hours. 

The cramped seats of the night bus hardly reclined, but I slept surprisingly well. I only woke up when the bus stopped at small towns, the lights flickering on as passengers entered and exited. The next morning I woke up to completely different scenery; the dramatic mountains had been replaced by tropical plains.

Upon arrival at the Santa Marta bus station I found a motorcycle taxi that would take me to my final destination, Minca. The driver skillfully perched my 45 L backpack on the front handlebars of the bike and we took off.

Minca, Colombia is situated high in a cloud forest, and it took us 45 minutes winding up the mountain to arrive in the center of town. From there I negotiated another moto taxi that would take me further up the hill to get to my hostel. 

This ride was more adventurous than the first, and at times it was challenging to balance on the bike. Not only did the driver not have a helmet for me, but the road was steep and full of huge rocks, mud, and stream crossings. A bumpy 30 minutes later, we reached a clearing in the bamboo forest: Masasya hostel, my home for the next two nights.

Day 1: Minca Viewpoints and Marinka Waterfall

It was too early for check in, so I left my backpack at the hostel and set off to explore. I first walked over to Los Pinos viewpoint, then continued to hike towards Marinka waterfall. 

The oppressive humidity soon turned into rain, which intensified by the time I arrived at the waterfall. I took shelter beneath a covered picnic area and watched a few carefree tourists swimming under the heavy rain. In better weather conditions, I’m sure the falls would be a refreshing place to cool off in the heat!

I returned to the hostel in time for sunset and was greeted by a stunning display of colors painting the sky behind the infinity pool. Due to the hostel’s remote location, most guests dine on-site and gather around the family style table for dinner. I learned that my fellow travelers were mostly in their early 20s, fresh from completing their master’s degrees, and several months into their backpacking journeys. Their aspirations to purchase property in Colombia and travel indefinitely baffled me, especially given the stark contrast with the local living conditions.

Somehow everyone in the hostel also claimed to be an expert in Spanish and was offering dubious advice on the best way to become fluent in a few weeks. Despite the hostel’s undeniable beauty, I couldn’t shake the feeling that its higher price point attracted a predominantly foreign clientele, some of whom seemed woefully ignorant of the realities faced by locals. 

Feeling too old and irritable for the hostel crowd, I texted a friend, who told me that this situation was my “karma”. Or in other words, a challenge presented by life for me to navigate and grow from. I thought about that as I went to sleep early, listening to the sounds of howler monkeys in the jungle.

Day 2: Pozo Azul

I kicked off my second day in Minca by putting on a pair of wet clothes. Oh, the joys of backpacking! My only set of hiking clothes was still drenched from hiking in the rain the day before, and nothing dries well in Minca’s consistently humid and rainy weather.

I then started the 2 hour walk along the road into town. About halfway down the hill, I stopped at Pozo Azul, a swimming hole with a small waterfall. It was too early for tourists, but I saw moto taxi workers diligently cleaning up trash left by tourists on previous days. 

I continued walking another hour into town, where there wasn’t much to do except have a leisurely breakfast with coffee. Afterward, I made the 2 hour ascent back up the hill to the hostel. I spent the rest of the day at the hostel’s vista point, overlooking the pool and the rainstorms that came and went.

Day 3: Birdwatching

On my last day in Minca I woke up early to do some stretching and to watch the sunrise from the hostel’s pool deck. Little did I know, sunrise is also prime time for birdwatching. It was a magical experience to watch groups of brightly colored tropical birds flying across the canopy of trees. Despite my mixed feelings about this hostel, I couldn’t think of a better way to end my time in Minca.

Minca Trip Planning Information

Minca, Colombia Things to Do

In my opinion, the best things to do in Minca are: (1) visit Marinka waterfall, (2) visit Pozo Azul, and (3) visit a viewpoint in the mountains. If you’ll be visiting or have already been to Colombia’s coffee region, I would skip the coffee and chocolate farms in Minca.

If you’re short on time, organized tours (such as this one or this one) are affordable and can help you fit all of Minca’s attractions into a single day of sightseeing. A full-day tour will also enable you to visit Minca from Santa Marta without needing to spend the night in Minca.

Hiking in Minca

The hiking trails in Minca are easy to follow and you don’t need a guide. Aside from some slippery mud after rain, the trails are not too difficult and do not require specialized hiking gear. When hiking make sure to pack sufficient water and snacks as well as good shoes and a rain jacket.

It’s possible to make a loop starting from Minca that goes up to the Marinka waterfall, continues to Los Pinos viewpoint, then descends to Pozo Azul and down to the city. This loop is ~5.5 h walking time (12.5 mi / 20 km), although you could use a moto taxi on some portions of it to save time.

Marinka Waterfall

To visit the Marinka waterfall, you’ll hike 1 h 15 min (2.3 mi / 3.7 km) uphill from the city center. Alternatively, you can take a moto taxi. Stop by a small waterfall on the right, called Oido del Mundo, about halfway up.

Marinka waterfall has a 16,000 COP (4 USD) entrance fee and there is a restaurant and restrooms on site. It’s open daily from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Pozo Azul Swimming Hole

Pozo Azul is a ~1 h walk (2.1 mi / 3.4 km) from town, or you can take a moto taxi. There’s no entrance fee.

Mirador Los Pinos

Head to Mirador Los Pinos in the hills above Minca for a great view of the jungle below and, on a clear day, the ocean.

City Center

The town of Minca has a few shops and restaurants, but otherwise not much to do.

Birdwatching in Minca and Wildlife Tours

Minca, Colombia is an excellent place for birdwatching. Depending on where you’re staying, you might not even need to leave your accommodation to get a glimpse of colorful tropical birds! For a more complete experience, do a guided birdwatching tour or a night wildlife hike. You can book tours online, in town, or through your accommodation.

Coffee Farm in Minca

For a traditional Colombian coffee experience, visit Finca Victoria coffee farm. They also have an artisanal brewery next door. The tour is 25,000 COP (~6.35 USD). To get there, either walk 2 h from the city center or take a mototaxi for ~30,000 COP (7.60 USD) one way.

Chocolate Farm in Minca

Head to La Candelaria for cocoa or coffee tours in Minca. Tours are 30,000 COP (7.60 USD). La Candelaria is a 40 min walk uphill from the city center, or you can take a mototaxi for 20,000 COP (~5 USD).

For a guided coffee and chocolate experience that takes care of transportation for you, check out this tour.

Visit a Sunset Bar

One of the best things to do in Minca is to enjoy a coffee or drink from a viewpoint that overlooks the mountains. If your accommodation lacks mountain views, take a mototaxi to get to a more scenic spot.

Enjoy the Views from a Giant Hammock or Infinity Pool

Minca has some stunning resorts, some of which are open to non-guests! I recommend taking a mototaxi up to Sierra Minca resort. The day fee of 60,000 COP (15 USD) includes lunch and access to stunning viewpoints, swings, an infinity pool, and a giant hammock.

How Long to Stay in Minca, Colombia

2 full days is enough to see the main attractions in Minca, but feel free to stay longer to soak in the beautiful natural setting.

Minca Weather and When to Go

Year-round, Minca is hot and humid during the day, with temperatures cooling down in the evenings. December to March is the dry season. You can still visit outside of the dry season, but be prepared for afternoon rain showers. On the positive side, Minca’s waterfalls will be more impressive in the rainy season! I personally visited in August and the intermittent rain did not impact my plans too much.

Be mindful of weekends and holidays, which may be crowded with local tourists.

Minca Hotels and Where to Stay

When planning your trip to Minca, Colombia, decide if you want to stay in the center of town, or further up in the hills. Some of the hillside accommodations are too far to reach by walking, but the tradeoff is that you’ll have better views.

Budget: Costeño River Minca. Conveniently located near the center of town, with stunning poolside views. Options for dorms as well as private rooms.

Mid-range: Masaya Casas Viejas. Renowned for its large infinity pool overlooking the mountains and jungle. I personally stayed in the dorms here, and I thought it was a great value. You can also book a private room. Keep in mind you’ll need to pay extra for the moto-taxi or jeep to get to and from the hostel.

Luxury: Terramia Estate. Stay in your own private glass dome, surrounded by beautiful mountain views and with your own private hot tub. Surprisingly affordable for a luxury experience!

Where to Eat and Drink

If you’re staying in a hostel in Minca, check that it has a kitchen. Many do not and will instead offer meals on-site. If your hostel is located far from the center, be prepared to pay for meals at your accommodation’s restaurant.

There are many western and traditional restaurants in the center of town, including several places offering vegan dishes. 

There’s a small market in town to buy basic items and snacks, but no large supermarkets. You can buy fruit and snacks from vendors on the side of the road.

Tap water in Minca may not be safe to drink, instead opt for bottled or filtered water. For peace of mind, travel with a LifeStraw.

Is Minca, Colombia Safe?

Minca is a very safe mountain town that is located far from any urban centers with crime. Check out my Colombia safety guide for more tips, and make sure you have travel insurance.

Budget and Money

There’s one small bank in Minca but no ATM. It’s better to take cash with you, since some vendors may not accept cards.

Minca is not yet overly developed for tourism, meaning prices are lower than other destinations in Colombia. In addition, many of the best things to do in Minca are free or only require a small entrance fee. Use this opportunity to let your travel budget recover, or to indulge in affordable experiences!

What to Bring to Minca

If you’re planning on hiking in Minca, check out my day hiking checklist. For a full list of what to bring, refer to my Colombia packing list. I would stress the following:

• Downloaded maps of Minca and nearby areas you want to visit (use Google Maps or MapsME)
• SIM or eSIM card
• Rain jacket (Women’s, Men’s)
• Hat
• Sunscreen
• Natural mosquito spray
• Light jacket for evenings (Women’s, Men’s)
• Good walking/hiking shoes (Women’s, Men’s)
• There’s only a small market in Minca, so bring any snacks that you can’t live without

How to Get to Minca

First, get yourself to Santa Marta.

I recommend packing light, and if you can, leaving extra bags at your accommodation in Santa Marta and picking them up when you return from Minca. The transportation to and from Minca often involves Jeeps and moto-taxis that have limited space for luggage.

Santa Marta city center to Minca: Take the Minca collectivo, which leaves frequently from Santa Marta Mercado publico at the corner of Carrera 9 and Calle 12. It’s 10,000 COP (2.50 USD) for the 45 min trip. You could also take a normal taxi for 60,000 COP (15 USD) and up.

Santa Marta bus terminal to Minca: Santa Marta’s bus terminal is closer to Minca than the city center, so it doesn’t make sense to back-track into the city to catch the shared collectivo. From the bus station you can take a taxi, which should be less than 60,000 COP (15 USD) and 35 min. A moto taxi will be significantly cheaper than a normal taxi (~25,000 COP).

Getting to your accommodation: You’ll need to hire a moto taxi or jeep if you’re staying at one of the hostels or hotels in the hills above town. Ask your accommodation what the price should be. For the jeep, coordinate with your hostel in advance so they can have one ready to pick you up. The jeep can be expensive if you can’t find people to split it with, so I recommend packing light and taking the moto taxi if you’re comfortable with that.

How to Get Around Minca

If you’re willing to walk, you can get to most places in Minca on foot. If you don’t feel like walking up and down Minca’s hills, you can hire a moto-taxi. A short ride to many of the main attractions starts at ~10,000 COP (2.50 USD). If you’re traveling in a group, splitting a Jeep is also an option.

Where to Go Next

• Ciudad Perdida trek: Do a multi-day guided trek to an ancient archeological site. The trek leaves from Minca.
• Head back to Santa Marta and explore Tayrona National Park.

Thanks for reading, and I hope this Minca, Colombia travel guide helps you prepare for your trip! Would you visit Minca, or have you already been? Let me know in the comments. 

For more Colombia travel tips and destination guides, head to my Colombia page.

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