Minca – Santa Marta

As I told you in our article Tourism in Santa Marta, Minca is a small paradise that is hidden in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta, where only about 500 people live!

 

This gorgeous place is found 14 kilometers from the center of the city, and its fresh climate is perfect for hiking around the town without getting as sweaty as you would on the coast, thanks to it being the perfect blend of the heat of Santa Marta and the cold of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta.

 

Minca offers one of the best views of Santa Marta as well as spectacular sunrises and sunsets; the beauty and experience of being in Minca is indescribable and really should not be missed!

 

 

How to get to Minca from Santa Marta?

Before we say anything else, just keep in mind that Minca is at 650 meters about sea level, so if you are particularly sensitive to altitude, be sure to take precautions.

 
It’s quite easy to get to Minca. First, you should go to the public market (Mercado Público) of Santa Marta, from which you can take a bus to go to Tayrona Park (these buses will say “Santa Marta Parque Tayrona”). There, you will find the offices of Cootrasminca, a bus transportation company.

 

The bus ticket will cost you about 4 USD and they will bring you in a Jeep or a bus; the trip takes about 30 minutes, after which you’ll be enjoying this marvellous village.

 

You can see the route to get to Minca on our map.

 

 

 

What to do in Minca?

To truly enjoy Minca, you should spend at least one night there so that you can experience its tranquility. Here are some of the places that you can visit in Minca, Santa Marta.

 

 

Coffee Tours

Coffee experts agree that the coffee plantations of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta produce exquisite coffee with notes of chocolate and wood. This is why we really don’t advise you to come down from Minca before you’ve tried at least one delicious cup of coffee!

If you take a coffee tour, you’ll visit the main coffee farms of the town where you’ll be able to watch the entire process of coffee production from start to finish.

 

El Dorado Natural Bird Sanctuary

Minca is categorized as a bird-watching sanctuary – indeed, this secret gem is a priviledge to visit for birdwatchers and admirers due to its being a habitat for a great number of animal species and unique natural beauties.

In this beautiful reserve, you can see species such as the White-tipped quetzal (Quetzal dorado), the Santa Marta parakeet (Periquito de Santa Marta), the Emerald toucanet (Tucancito Esmeralda), the White-tailed Starfrontlet (Inca Coliblanco), the Santa Marta mountain tanager (Tangara Serrana), and many others. 35% of all the bird registered in Colombia can be found in El Dorado!
 

Blue Well

This is a beautiful well with crystal-clear, fresh waters that is embedded in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta. Bathing in the Blue Well is for sure one of the best things to do in Minca. The best thing about it is that you can get there by foot from the village since it is only 3 kilometers away.

Walking to the Well is totally recommended, since this way you Will get to breath the clean air and appreciate all the details that this pleasant stroll offers to those who walk it.

 

Extreme Sports

In Minca you can also take part in extreme sports like trekking, rappelling, torrentism (climbing up a stream or waterfall with a rope and harness), well-diving and “canopying”. Be careful though! If you want to experience these extreme sports, we recommend that you find a company or a person that is certified so that you can do it safely and avoid any accidents.

 

Enjoying the food

In Minca, Santa Marta, there is a variety of restaurants that cater to different tastes. You will find international restaurants, restaurants serving food from various parts of Colombia, but most of all you will find typical, regional dishes that are based on fish and seafood. So, don’t worry about finding delicious food!

 

Tour around Minca by motorcycle

You can geta round Minca by motorcycle, and there is even a company that rents out this service in the town called Asotransmotomink.

 

To find a tour, look in the area called “La Plaza” from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm
 

Best hostels of Minca, Santa Marta

If you would like to spend the night or several days, there are several places you can lay your head in Minca that are very famous; you can find these spots on our map. Here are some of these accommodation options:

 

Marymonte

This accommodation enjoys a priviledged view of the city of Santa Marta. You can find waterfall and coffee tours here.

You will pay 12 USD or more per person in a shared room and 25 USD per person in a private room.

 

Hummingbird House Hostel (Hostel Casa Colibrí)

The Hummingbird House Hostel consists of welcoming and comfortable cabins in a relaxed, jungle atmosphere, and is a little ways out of the town. They offer their guests 3 areas for yoga, Reading and games, as well as a shared kitchen and bar.

Prices here go from 10 USD a night in shared cabins to 45 USD a night for private cabins.

 

Element River (Río Elemento)

This hostel has an outdoor pool, a barbecue area, a bar and other characteristics that you may like very much, such as its proximity to the village and its river-side location. In addition, you can enjoy activities here like hiking. The prices are very similar to those of Marymonte.

 

 

Well, now you have a thousand reasons not to miss this spectacular village!

 

Are you feeling inspired to visit Minca?