Minca
Minca is a small town located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, considered the ecological capital of Colombia for its great biodiversity of flora and fauna, crystal clear rivers and waterfalls, organic coffee and a less warm climate.
Minca in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta has become a destination of choice for backpackers and foreign tourists alike. In recent years, the region has experienced a remarkable growth in the lodging offer, with options such as glamping, boutique hotels, quality hostels, authentic restaurants and attractive ecotourism proposals. This evolution in the tourism and mobility infrastructure has led to a significant increase in the number of domestic and foreign visitors each year.
How to get to Minca, Santa Marta
The town is located about 20 km from the city center and the transportation options you can take are: cab, minibus or mototaxi. The region is beautiful and is best explored on foot, by motorcycle or 4×4 vehicles, because some roads are not paved and are not in such good condition, especially during the rainy season.
Discover the coffee and cocoa crops
The crops of the Hacienda La Victoria are a popular attraction in Minca. Machines dating back to the 1800s and a self-sustainable coffee production process (using water that originates from the mountain to feed the power generators) make this an impressive sustainability process.
The scenery during the harvest season is spectacular, and the coffee is even better. La Candelaria is another popular coffee farm, the walk takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes from the center of Minca or about 20 minutes if you take a motorcycle ride.
Coffee and cacao tours are very meaningful experiences where organic coffee and chocolate are great souvenirs to take back with you from this charming region of Colombia.
Visit the Marinka Waterfalls
The Marinka waterfalls are beautiful cascades of crystalline water that descend from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and form a natural pool where tourists can swim and refresh themselves.
The ecological trails leading to the Marinka waterfalls are dense forests and mountainous terrain, giving visitors the opportunity to admire the diversity of flora and fauna.
Enjoy the river in Pozo Azul
Pozo Azul is a group of several pools and waterfalls of crystalline water where you can swim and refresh yourself. On sunny days, a blue hue can be seen in the water, hence its name. To get there, you can take a 30-minute ride from downtown or take a 10-minute motorcycle ride to the entrance, and then walk about 30 minutes from there to Pozo Azul.
The trail is full of beautiful natural scenery and is surrounded by lots of nature, it gets very crowded on weekends and in high season, so plan your trip during the week to have the place less crowded. The first waterfall is usually the most crowded, so consider walking a little further to avoid the crowds.
Other places near Minca that you can visit
Los Pinos Viewpoint
Located about 11 km from Minca and an altitude of 1500 meters above sea level, Los Pinos is one of the most famous viewpoints in Minca for sunsets and sunrises. The incredible scenery from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta to the coast, makes it a perfect setting for photographers and visitors who love nature tourism.
La Tagua
La Tagua in Minca is a destination not to be missed if you want to live a unique experience in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. It is a magical place that combines nature, coffee and indigenous culture.
La Tagua is a small town located at 1,600 meters above sea level, at the foot of the majestic Cerro Kennedy that offers impressive views of the snow-capped peaks on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other side. The trip to La Tagua in Minca is incredible, it has a completely paved road and is totally surrounded by imposing jungles and majestic ecological landscapes.
Cerro Kennedy
Cerro Kennedy is a mountainous formation located at an altitude of 3,100 meters above sea level. It is a forest covered by fog and inhabited by hundreds of endemic, common and migratory birds, making it an ideal place for bird watching.
Cerro Kennedy also offers one of the best panoramic views and is one of the most famous spots to see the sunrise in the country, with views of the snow-capped peaks of Bolivar and Colon in the background. Experienced hikers are advised that at least one day is needed to hike up.
San Lorenzo
San Lorenzo, also known as Cuchilla de San Lorenzo is one of the peaks of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, which is the highest coastal mountain in the world by the sea. This destination is not only a haven of serenity, but also an extraordinary experience for nature lovers and birdwatchers.
Its panoramic views leave you speechless; the imposing Picos Colon and Bolivar rise to the horizon, while, when you turn your eyes, the city of Santa Marta, the vast Caribbean Sea and the extensive Ciénaga Grande de Santa Marta are revealed before your eyes.
Outstanding experiences
Location of the destination on the map
