Minca is a small hill top town located in Northern Colombia. While the town of Minca is small the surrounding area is full of wonderful adventures. This is one beautiful Colombian town that you do not want to miss.
HOW TO GET THERE
Located in northern Colombia, Minca is roughly 45 minutes from Santa Marta by bus. You can take the public bus, which picks up at EL Mercado in downtown Santa Marta. Tickets cost 8.000-mil one-way or 16.000 mil for a round trip ticket. The bus runs from 7:00 am till 6:00pm
WHERE TO STAY
There are a lot of great options for accommodation in Minca but two stand out the most. If you don’t mind sleeping outside Rio Elemento Hostel is a great option. You can rent a hammock for a night and it costs roughly $4/night.
If you’d rather have a bed for the night I recommend looking at Coco Bomgo Hostel. Beds costs 27.000 mil per night and it includes a towel and breakfast.
You can make a reservation here: COCO BOMGO HOSTEL
WHAT YOU CAN DO IN MINCA
La candelaria
Located about 1 hour walking from Minca or 20 minutes by motorcycle is La candelaria. This cultural treasure is famous for it’s organic cacao and coffee. They have coffee tours everyday once at 10:30 am and again at 2:30 pm. In addition they have cacao tours running all day.
On the tour you can learn all about cacao and how it is made into the powder to use for chocolate, baking and other creations. In addition you can taste the amazing cacao and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and a brownie.
Each tour costs 25.000 mil and lasts between 1 hour and 1.5 hours.
You can learn more about the tour here: TOURING AN ORGANIC CACAO FARM IN MINCA COLOMBIA.
Pozo Azul
Pozo Azul is a natural watering hole located just outside of Minca. It will take roughly 45 minutes to walk or 15 minutes by motorcycle for 10.000 mil. The watering hole is free and open to the public. The water is very cold but it is a great place to cool down and relax.
Don’t forget your eco-friendly and reef-friendly sunscreen as well!
The sun is strong in Colombia!
Los Pinos
Los Pinos is a view point of Santa Marta and Minca named after the two pine trees found at the site. It doesn’t cost anything to enter the viewpoint but it is a long walk away from Minca. Walking it will take roughly 3 hours walking up hill. I recommend taking a motorcycle up to the viewpoint for 25.000 mil and duration of 1 hour. Then from Los Pinos you can walk downhill to other places.
At Los Pinos you can buy a cup of coffee from Alejandro, the owner of the property. I was lucky enough to get to speak with him and felt very welcomed to his property and Colombia after our conversation.
Casa Elemento
Casa Elemento is a small hostel most famously known for its’ giant hammocks. Travelers seemed to enjoy the attraction and the hostel became famous through Instagram photos of this insta-worthy photo spot.
To enter the hostel as a guest you have to pay 10.000 mil. This price includes one drink (beer, juice or soda) and access to the entire hostel for the day.
To get to Casa Elemento from Minca it takes 2 hours walking or 25 minutes by motorcycle. Or, if you go to Los Pinos first you can walk, downhill, to casa element in roughly 45 minutes.
Cascada de Marinka
Cascada de Marinka is a well-known waterfall outside of Minca. To get to the Cascada on foot you will need to walk for roughly 2 hours from Minca or 1 hour from Casa Elemento. If you prefer to take a motorcycle taxi the ride will costs roughly 10 mill and last for about 40 minutes from Minca.
To enter the Cascada it costs 5.000 mil. Inside you can find bathrooms, changing rooms and a restaurant. Your entrance fee gives you access to both of the two waterfalls. This is another great place to relax and cool down from all the trekking.
Oido del Mundo
Located 40 minutes walking from Minca or 20 minutes by motorcycle, Oido del Mundo is a beautiful place for meditation and tranquility. You can come here to connect with nature and the river.
La Victoria
La Victoria is a coffee plantation, which also makes beer and organic beverages. It takes roughly 2 hours to get there on foot or 25 minutes by motorcycle for 15-20 mil.
At the plantation you can take a beer or coffee tour and learn about the two processes. The tours cost 25.000 mil each.
Cerro Kennedy
Cerro Kennedy is the farthest hike around Minca. It will take roughly 10 hours to walk from Minca to Cerro Kennedy. If you are not up for an entire day of hiking you can take a motorcycle for 3 hours. This will cost roughly 70.000 mil as it is really far away.
If you really want to go, but don’t want to walk, I suggest renting a car and going in a group so you can split the cost.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Overall, Minca is a beautiful and interesting place to explore. To explore everything listed you will only need to go for 1 or 2 nights. Be prepared for rain, as you are high up and in the jungle so the weather can be unpredictable. I recommend packing quick-dry clothing and water shoes that are also good for hiking.
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