Minca will surprise you. In the best possible way. If you are traveling from hot and sticky Santa Marta or busy and bustling with street vendors, Cartagena. Minca is a beautiful, tranquil and magical mountain town that you must include in your Colombia itinerary.
This is your perfect Minca, Colombia travel guide.
Just under an hour’s drive from Santa Marta, you will find the small town of Minca located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. This small town enjoys cooler temperatures and tranquility that cannot be experienced in Santa Marta or Cartagena. Minca is a perfect nature getaway.
With stunning mountain hostels and eco-lodges offering incredible views, jungle trekking, waterfalls, adventures, plenty of great food, and a magical and somewhat mystical vibe – Minca will steal your heart, and the views will remain imprinted in your memory forever.
From the day I landed in Santa Marta and throughout my extended coastal journey, I kept hearing travelers talk about Minca. Finally, on my return to Santa Marta, I left my big bag in my hostel for a few days. and ventured to check it out for myself.
So here is everything you need to know about visiting Minca. How to get there, what to do, and whether I think it is still worth visiting. Let’s go!
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The changing history of Minca – is it safe?
Minca appeared on the tourist map of Colombia not so long ago. Before that, it was a destination that neither tourists nor locals were supposed to venture to, because of its guerilla and then, paramilitary presence.
Following the ceasefire by the paramilitary and guerilla groups in 2016, Minca slowly was reborn for tourism and became a backpackers’ heaven. It was one of those hidden backpackers’ travel destinations full of rustic charm, affordable hostels, and a hippie vibe.
Like any town that was once a backpacker’s hidden gem, and touted as a must-visit, it is not so hidden anymore yet it remains a gem. At least in my opinion. It is more touristy than it’s ever been, and you will see more tours and a few new more fancy eco-hotels. But the charm of Minca is still there, you just have to know how and where to find it.
You will still find cool rustic hostels perched on the side of the mountain or in the town of Minca, but also more upscale eco hotels offering a somewhat all-inclusive experience.
I loved Minca. After Rincon del Mar it was my favorite town in Colombia. It is super safe for solo travelers as well. I hiked solo to the waterfalls, surrendered my life to a moto-taxi driver, and spent endless afternoons in my hostel sipping cold beer and just watching the mountains. I mean only four afternoons, unfortunately. But one day I will be back for more.
So if you are wondering if Minca is safe to travel to, wonder no more. It is one of the safest travel destinations in Colombia, and as a solo female traveler, I can wholeheartedly confirm it!
How long should you stay in Minca?
Minca is only worth visiting if you can spare at least two nights to spend there. Minca is not a day trip kinda destination. Although you could visit it in one day, that wouldn’t make much sense.
The whole beauty of a place like Minca is in checking into one of the beautifully located hostels with a view, waking up to the sound of nature and the view of the mountains, taking endless hikes to the waterfalls, and then watching the sun setting behind the lush hills. Yes, I know I sound like a cliché. But Minca is just like that, trust me!
I spent 4 full days (5 nights) in Minca, but I recommend at least 2 nights so you have at least one full day. But do yourself a favor and allow some flexibility, as you might want to extend the time.
One doesn’t go to Minca because of the array of things to do and sights to see. One goes to Minca for the experience. To get away from it all.
What’s the weather like in Minca?
Minca has the perfect climate if you want to get away from the heat and humidity of the coast. The weather is still hot, so you will enjoy swimming in the pool with mountain views, taking a refreshing deep in the waterfall, and will sleep well in the open-air room or hammock, yet you will not be sweating buckets like in Santa Marta. The air seems to be fresher up in the mountains.
The temperatures oscillate between 22°C (71°F )and 28°C (83°F) and although on paper it doesn’t seem to be much different from Santa Marta, it definitely feels fresher.
How to get to Minca?
There is the only road going to Minca and it starts in Santa Marta. The best way to get to Minca is to jump on a so-called colectivo (shared minibus) departing at the corner of Calle 12 and Carrera 9 right by the central market of Santa Marta.
Look for the office called Cootrasminca. In case you struggle, ask at the ticket shop selling bus tickets to Palomino which is much easier to find as there is almost always a Palomino bus standing there. This is what I did 🙂
The ticket costs COP 9000 which works out to be around $2,10 and the journey takes around 50 minutes. It leaves when full, in the full sense of this word! But you won’t have to wait long.
The colectivo will drop you in the center of Minca town.
If your hostel is located up the mountains, on your arrival in Minca you will find a moto-taxi office by the road next to the colectivo stop. Most likely you will be offered multiple ride options as soon as you get off the bus.
I highly recommend leaving your larger bag in Santa Marta. Considering you will probably be using moto taxis a lot, and colectivo is pretty small and tightly packed, you want to travel as lightly as possible. Almost every hostel or hotel will store the bag for you if only you book at least one night with them. This is common practice in Colombia and you don’t have to worry. I did the same before my trip to Tayrona Park and a 3-day trip to Cabo de la Vela!
Where to stay in Minca?
Choose your hostel or hotel carefully depending on why you are visiting Minca. If you want to do treks, and some bird watching but are on an extreme budget – stay in town.
If you want to forget the world, experience magical sunsets, and pamper yourself with delish food for a couple of days – choose one of the mountain hostels.
Before choosing your accommodation in Minca, you need to be aware of one thing:
There is undeniable magic in staying in one of the more remote hostels like Casa Viejas or Finca Carpe Diem Ecolodge. But you will have to rely on moto-taxis to get there and, as you will be in the middle of nowhere, you will have to rely on the food in the hostel. None of those hostels offer a communal kitchen. So although a 10-bucks bed in a dorm sounds like an amazing deal, don’t fall for that trap.
Most of those hostels will open a tab for you. You will add your breakfast, lunch, dinner, activities, and drinks to it. You see, at the end of your stay, this bill might be larger than you expected.
I did this kind of stay and don’t regret a second of it, Casa Viejas was one of the best hostels I have ever stayed at. But I wish I knew about that ‘’deal’’ beforehand. I would prepare myself mentally for this financial experience or plan it better.
I just want you to be aware of it in case you are on a shoestring budget. But for the majority of folks, it is still an amazing value stay!
I stayed in Casas Viejas. It was recommended to me by numerous travelers and I just had to give it a go. And it was the best choice. This hostel is beautiful, the staff is super friendly, the food is absolutely delicious and the views are spectacular. I stayed in the jungle dormitory (no bunk beds yay!) which was pretty cheap for such a beautiful hostel.
You can get all your meals in-house. There are few options to choose from and change daily. Mind you, it is not the cheapest option, but the food quality was exquisite. I loved my stay there and everyone was so nice and fun!
The highlight of Casas Viejas is their pool. And the views, of course! It was slightly out of my budget and I spent more than I was planning to, but every penny spent was well worth it.
A couple more outstanding choices in Minca are Hostal Vista Verde and Finca Carpe Diem Ecolodge. Both offer breathtaking views and wonderful service and experience.
Still slightly outside of the village but more of a walkable distance is Finca Hostal Bolivar – Casa Quinta. On my return to Minca, I will definitely stay there. I prefer more freedom and to have a choice of eating either in the hostel or in the town. This hostel has great reviews and I have heard many great opinions from other travelers.
If you are visiting Minca on a tight budget, the best option is to book a hostel in the village. You will save on daily moto taxi rides which can be even around 20,000COP one way (but you will still be able to walk everywhere) and you will have more dining options in the town. A couple of the best options here are Casa Maracuya and the famous Rio Elemento.
Finally, if you are looking for an extraordinary experience and don’t mind the price – how about some luxury glamping or private house in the jungle?
Trekker Glamping offers stunning location, luxury camping, and delicious food!
Bring your food and drinks supply and forget the world in this Luxury Tiny House an hour’s drive away from Minca.
Reserva Natural Tierra Adentro will make for a lifetime experience – in the middle of the jungle, home to most exotic birds (they also rescue birds so you will see them everywhere), with flawless service and food, and stunning rooms!
Awesome things to do in Minca, Colombia.
Hiking!
Hiking is undoubtedly the best thing to do in Minca and there are plenty of wonderful trails to choose from ranging from easy forest strolls to challenging multiday-day hikes. Here are a few you should consider:
Minca Waterfalls
The best way to explore and enjoy Minca is to combine hiking with a visit to the refreshing waterfall. The abundance of waterfalls is probably Minca’s biggest attraction! Here are some of the best:
Birdwatching with Jungle Joe
In Minca you can spot birds like steely-vented Hummingbirds, Crimson Crested Woodpeckers, Collared Araçaris, and even Toucans. In fact, Minca is one of the best bird-watching destinations in the world.
Jungle Joe is your man to book for a great birdwatching tour. Find his shop in town or check it out online. He knows the area inside out and will make sure you have the best experience.
I have personally not taken this tour, but I have heard only great things about it, so I wholeheartedly recommend it.
The village of Minca
Minca town is surprisingly interesting and offers some unexpected entertainment, but still in a quaint, relaxed environment.
It’s a small village and at first sight, there is not much to it. But when you start exploring, you will stumble across a few surprises. Like a small whitewashed Minca Church located on Calle 5a, Museo de Minca (yes, museum!), quirky and hippie coffee shops, locally owned souvenir shops, excellent restaurants, and a couple of great bakeries!
Apart from restaurants serving traditional food (including fried chicken shops), there are a few international cuisine restaurants in Minca. A great Middle Eastern restaurant Arabesca, Casa Aney serves Israeli food and Lazy Cat serves great burgers and cocktails too.
You will also find a couple of great bakeries in Minca which are becoming a destination of their own, especially if you are missing some ‘real’ bread.
Support local community
The best way to support the local community is by buying goods that are produced locally, with all the revenue going back to the people who made them. There are a few cute souvenir shops selling locally produced and handmade goods like soaps, oils, spices, bags, or jewelry.
There is also a local brewery in Minca, Nevada Cervecería producing artisan craft beer.
It was in Minca that I bought natural insect repellents (those crazy sandflies!!) that actually served me long after I had left and worked better than the deet spray I bought beforehand!
For such a small town it’s really surprising how many needs Minca can cater for and truly, one could stay here for a while without needing to restock anything. And if you need some supplies – Santa Marta is just 45 minutes away. Hmmm, I’m kind of convincing myself more and more that it could be a great place to stay longer, maybe a lot longer.
A visit to a coffee farm
If you are not planning on traveling to Colombia’s coffee region, Minca is the best place to visit a coffee farm on the Colombia Caribbean coast.
Finca La Victoria is one of the oldest coffee plantations in Colombia. It was opened by Charles and Alice Bowden back in 1892 and has been using the same mechanical machinery ever since. It’s a completely self-sustaining coffee farm that runs exclusively on hydropower from nearby mountain streams.
Located not far from Casas Viejas, around a 15-minute moto-taxi ride from Minca Center, it opens its doors to tourists without the need for a reservation and the tour costs 25,000 COP ($6.50). There you will learn about the process of making coffee, its history, and of course, taste some great coffee!
Cocoa farm and maybe even a ceremony?
If you want to save the coffee farm tour for Eje Cafetero, then you should visit the cocoa farm – Finca La Candelaria. This family-run organic cocoa and coffee farm is where you can learn to make the best food in the world – chocolate!
And I’m talking about real chocolate. I must admit, after my travels in Latin America I have become a real chocolate snob and I have experienced what real cacao and chocolate taste like. If you want to see how cacao is farmed, and chocolate produced and taste the real stuff – visit La Candelaria in Minca.
Mundo Nuevo is an eco-resort and hostel offering not only superior accommodation, but also some super interesting activities like yoga or chiropractic massage and also Cocoa ceremonies! And you don’t need to book a room to participate!
You will be taking a dose of organic mountain cocoa that increases the release of endorphins. It is combined with deep breath work and shamanic chanting that will create an atmosphere and enhance cocoa’s heart-opening properties, which helps you to connect more deeply with yourself and those around you.
How to get around Minca
There are only 2 ways to go around Minca – on foot or by motor taxi.
You can walk to anywhere in Minca, depending on your fitness level. The town itself is small and you don’t need much time to discover it.
The majority of Minca attractions and accommodations will require a hike, sometimes a strenuous one. So taking a moto-taxi is a very popular way of getting around Minca. You will pay between 8000 and 25000 depending on the distance.
Minca was actually a place where I was introduced to the moto-taxi experience and officially got rid of my fear of motorbikes.
You can also rent a bike in Santa Marta and travel to Minca this way. Or you can rent a bike in Minca for approximately 100,000 COP (24 USD) a day.
Important tips for visiting Minca Colombia
Exploring more of Colombia? Be sure to visit my Colombia travel page where you will find plenty of Colombia posts including a complete Colombia itinerary, a Caribbean coast itinerary, a guide to visiting Tayrona National Park, and many more!
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