All about Minca in Colombia: what to do and tips

Travel Guide Minca

Home 9 Author archive for J ( Page 26 )

About Minca, Colombia

Minca is located in the Sierra Nevada, 15 kilometers from Santa Marta. The mountain village is surrounded by tropical rainforest, waterfalls, coffee and cocoa plantations. Due to its great biodiversity, Minca has been named a biosphere reserve by UNESCO and the village is also called the “ecological capital” of Colombia. There are many fun things to do and no shortage of cozy hotels . The village itself is small, but geared to the tourist with restaurants for every taste. In short: a relaxing place to spend a few nights during a tour of the Caribbean coast  for example after a trip to Tayrona or Ciudad Perdida.

in this guide, you can find all you want to know about Minca. Tips for what to do, transportation in Minca, the best areas to stay, the tastiest restaurants and practical information about Minca, Colombia

All about Minca

How to get to Minca / transportation
Fun things to do
Hotels and hostels
Practical information
Restaurants

Related articles

No Results Found

The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.

Gold Museum Bogotá

Travel Guide Bogotá

Gold Museum Bogotá

Home 9 Author archive for J ( Page 26 )

The Gold Museum (Museo del Oro) is Bogotá’s most popular museum and one of the most famous museums in South America. The museum in the heart of the city, has the largest collection of gold in the world from the period before the Spanish rule.

Exhibits
The collection–with objects of silver, iron, copper, textiles and pottery in addition to gold–is spread over 3 floors, with descriptions in English and Spanish. There are over 55,000 objects, including 35,000 gold objects; each with its own significance in the rituals of Native American communities. The People & Gold exhibition is divided into the specific cultures/regions of Colombia. Other themes: Working of Metals and Offering room.

Poporo Quimbaya
In 1934, the Banco de la República began collecting Precolumbian artifacts to protect Colombia’s archaeological heritage. The first object in the collection was the 1,800-year-old Poporo Quimbaya, which was used in the chewing of coca leaves, a sacred ritual for the Indian community. Along with la Balsa Muisca, this object is one of the major attractions of the museum.

Entrance fee (2025)

  • COP 5,000. Children up to 11 years and 60+ free
  • Free admission every Sunday
  • You can only pay cash with COP (there are several ATM’s within walking distance from the museum in La Candelaria
  • Audio guide: COP8000; English or Spanish

Guided tour (free with ticket purchase)
Tour lasts 1.5 hours
Tour English at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. (Tues-Sat)

 

Opening hours
Tuesday to Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday and holidays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed: on Mondays (even if Monday falls on a holiday), Good Friday, May 1, 24, 25 and 31 December, January 1 and election days

Quietest time?
Early on weekdays, starting at 9 a.m. Due to free admission, it is very busy on Sundays.

How long to stay?
Minimum 2 hours, you can then do a guided tour or look around on your own, go to the souvenir store, have a coffee in the café or a bite to eat in the restaurant.

Facilities
Free wifi (ask at the information desk how to log in)
Safe deposit boxes
Wheelchair accessible

Check out here for updates and more information.

 

#ColombiaMyWay Tips
(updated July 2025)

#1 Take a taxi
The Gold Museum is easily accessible by taxi. If you want to return to the hotel after your visit, the staff at the information desk can call a taxi for you. If you travel by Transmilenio, head toward Las Aguas and get off at Museo del Oro station.

#2 Visit historic La Candelaria
After your museum visit, it’s fun to take a stroll around Bogotá’s historic district. Be careful with your belongings though, as this touristy part of Bogotá attracts thieves in addition to tourists. It is safer not to walk the streets here after sunset.

#3 Check our complete Bogotá guide here

Check out cultural tours in Bogotá here

Transportation in Cali, Colombia

Travel Guide Cali

Transportation in Cali

Metro, Taxi, Apps

MIO bus system

Getting around Cali is easy. There is an ov-network with separate lanes the so-called MIO, similar to the Transmilenio in Bogotá; the blue buses, which allow you to go through most of the city. You can change buses as often as you want at the bus stations. Once you leave the bus zone you check out with an ov card with chip, so very modern. There is 1 line that connects with the cable car that goes from Canaveralejo to the poorer barrios.

You need a MIO card, which you can buy for about a euro at the main stations. For each ride you pay COP3500 /$0.90. (rate 2025)

Tip: If you can, travel outside the morning and evening rush hour, as it can get very crowded. It is also easier then for pickpockets to go about their business unseen.

    Cab

    Cab rides in Cali are relatively cheap.For a short ride, you’ll pay around COP12,000/$3. Longer trips, such as a 10-kilometer journey, would cost approximately COP 20,500 (about $5). A 10% surcharge applies between 8.00 am and 5.00 pm and on weekends.

    Never stop a cab on the street. Ask your hotel to call a licensed yellow cab or use one of the taxi apps. Then you know the ride is safe, legal and registered. Want to have a taxi to yourself? Ask a yellow taxi for its daily fare. We once hired a driver for a whole day for only COP50,000/$12.50.

    Apps

    In addition to the Uber app, there are other cab apps in Colombia, such as InDriver, Didi and Easy Tappsi These apps work like Uber, where you can track the driver. This makes it a safe, alternative way of ordering a cab. The starting fare is around COP5000/$1.25.

    These are the typical rates in 2025 for an Uber ride:
    3 km: COP 5.000 – 6.000 $1.25 – $1.50
    5 km: COP 7.000 – 8.000 $1.75 – $2.00
    10 km: COP 12.000 – 14.000 $3.00 – $3.50

    Uber is known among locals as the more expensive app. We ourselves have had good experiences with InDriver. The app is easy to use and both during the day and at night, we never had to wait longer than 5 minutes for a cab.

    How does InDriver work?
    Unlike the other apps, you, the customer, offer a price for the ride. The drivers can accept your price or make a counter-offer. There are often more than one driver willing to do a ride, so you can make your choice and even view reviews about the driver if you want.

     

    Car rental

    Want to have the flexibility of your own wheels in Cali? There are several car rental companies at the airport and in Cali itself. Because Cali is so big and the areas around Cali are so beautiful, renting a car can be very convenient. You will spend around COP 120,000 / $30 per day for this, including insurance. Avoid driving in the evening hours for safety reasons.

    The best restaurants in Cali, Colombia

    Travel Guide Cali

    The best restaurants in Cali

    Here you will find the best restaurants in Cali Colombia, for every taste and budget. On the culinary front, you won’t have to bore yourself in Cali. The selection of international restaurants is not as large as in Bogotá and Medellín, but there are good restaurants and bars for every taste and budget. Since San Antonio is the most popular neighborhood with travelers and many locals, most of the restaurants and bars can be found here. The neighborhood of Granada, is considered a foodie neighborhood, due to its many good restaurants and also in Ciudad Jardín you will find a wide choice of (more expensive) restaurants. Want to dance after dinner in one of the many salsa clubs and bars? Check here the best salsa clubs of Cali.

     

    Our tips

    ZAHAVI GOURMET

    San Antonio

    Considered by many to be the best bakery in Cali. Its specialty is the Pandebono. Also a popular place for brunch.

    ZEA MAIZ

    San Antonio

    For Cali’s best arepas, which you eat in a colorful setting. Also gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options. From 4000COP/$1 for a small arepa.

    MACONDO CAFÉ

    San Antonio

    Macondo café, named after the fantasy village from Gabriel García Marquéz’s novel “100 Years of Solitude,” has long been a favorite in Cali. Not only for the good coffee and delicious desserts, but also for the free movies shown every day. Each month there is a particular movie theme.

    EL BUEN ALIMENTO

    San Antonio

    A vegetarian/vegan restaurant, which has been serving up the most delicious dishes for over 10 years. You can choose from a very wide menu, from falafel, to lasagna and Colombian specialties like Ajiaco soup.

    TIERRADENTRO

    San Antonio

    A nice terrace in a beautiful green setting for a nice cup of coffee or a good glass of wine

    LA COLINA TIENDA TERTULIADERO

    San Antonio

    The oldest bar in San Antonio and you can feel it in the atmosphere when you enter. In 2022, the bar already celebrated its 80th anniversary. A good place to have a good beer with a tasty snack, while enjoying old salsa music.

    RINGLETE

    Granada

    An icon in Cali! Here typical dishes from the Valle de Cauca, are prepared in a culinary way and presented in an original way. The building in a bright pink color is not to be missed.

    EL TEATRO MÁGICO DEL SABOR

    San Antonio

    Not a regular restaurant, but a live cooking show, where chef Michael explains the menu and prepares the food à la minute. Best described as a combination of food and stand-up comedy. The restaurant is set up like a “theater,” with tables overlooking the kitchen. This is fun to do if you want something different. Expect about 3 hours for the entire experience. Check out here for more info.

    TRILOGIA

    San Antonio

    A trilogy of wine, art and gastronomy. The restaurant describes its menu as “Euro-pacifico.” This colorful restaurant regularly hosts live performances and salsa shows.

    LA TRATTORINA

    Ciudad Jardín

    In Ciudad Jardín there are all kinds of trendy and expensive restaurants. So you can also have culinary experience here. You can eat out in the $$$$ category at La Trattorina; expensive by Colombian standards, but very affordable for North American and Northern European travelers.  

    ANTIGUA CONTEMPORANEA CAFÉ

    San Antonio

    This attractively decorated restaurant, feels like a piece of Bali in San Antonio. You can choose from a menu of international and local dishes. Also a favorite with locals, who like to come there to celebrate and take beautiful pictures.

     

    RESTAURANTE PLATILLOS VOLADORES

    Centenario

    This “upscale” restaurant in Cali, has branches near Centenario shopping center and Ciudad Jardín. The cuisine is Fusion, with Colombian and Asian dishes beautifully presented. Main courses cost between 30,000COP/$7.50 and 80,000COP/$20.

    Bonus Tip:

    Tip #1
    In Food Cali you can read more about the food and drink in Cali and Southwest Colombia: traditional dishes, snacks and street food.

    Tip #2
    Join a guided street food tour
    Try the best street food, while you learn about Cali’s food culture and get tips about the best places to eat in Cali.

    Tip #3
    Take a trip to Restaurante las Neblinas por lo alto
    The typical Colombian restaurant Las Neblinas is located on KM18 and – besides the beautiful view – is famous for the “patacón gigante,” the giant patacon. A kind of crispy “cookie” made of banana, which is served with various toppings, such as chicken, pico de gallo, beef and hogao, a tomato-onion sauce. The patacón is so big, you can share it with the whole family -:)

     

    ColombiaMyWay

    What to do in Cali, Colombia

    Travel Guide Cali

    What to do
    in Cali

    There is much to see in Cali and its surroundings. Be surprised by Colombia’s swinging city, which has so much more to offer besides its famous nightlife.

    ColombiaMyWay

    14 tips on fun things to do

    1. Go salsa dancing!

    Throw your hips into battle on the dance floor! Dance schools, salsa bars and hostels are happy to give you your first salsa lesson. With a salsa tour and workshop, you are immediately initiated into the secrets of salsa. Ready to start dancing in Cali’s salsa hotspots? Check here the best salsa clubs of Cali! If you really want to experience salsa then visiting the annual Feria de Cali in December is a must: the whole city is completely in salsa atmosphere with a parade of dancers and performances in the center. Bring earplugs because the sound is at >100 db. At the Museo De La Salsa in Barrio Obrero, you can learn all about the history of salsa in Cali and the world. It is the oldest salsa museum in the world. Read about our own experience with salsa dancing in Cali.

    2. Enjoy the atmosphere in the San Antonio neighborhood

    San Antonio is Cali’s oldest neighborhood, with colonial architecture and narrow streets. Parque San Antonio is hugely popular with tourists and locals. If you are lucky there are street musicians. There is also a little church on the hill here and you have a great view of the city. The park is especially a hot spot on weekends, when the Caleños come here to relax. The park is also famous for its “cuenteros,” storytellers who draw a large crowd. On Saturday mornings there is a small organic market, where you can also have breakfast and buy tasty juices. Tip: spend the night at Magic Garden house, across from the park.

    3. Take a guided tour!

    Dutchman Niels fell in love with Cali and set up a travel agency together with Colombian Vanessa in 2016. Their mission: showing travellers during their guided tours that Cali is more than just salsa! You can choose from the free walking tour in the city center (based on tipping) or the street food tour; a fun way to get to know the city and visit places you wouldn’t normally visit easily.

    4. Go to the Cristo Rey for a great view of the city

    Outside Cali on a mountain is the huge 31-meter-high statue Cristo Rey (statue of Christ just like the one in Brazil). Great for a day trip outside of Cali. Then you have a great view of the whole city. A cab will cost you approx. COP50,000/$12.50 round trip. You can also visit Cristo Rey with a city tour, where you also visit other attractions, such as Parque El Gato De Tejada. You can book the city tour here.

    5. Insider tip! Grab a bite to eat at KM18

    KM 18 is a very popular neighborhood among Colombians to go out for lunch or dinner at night. It is located high on a mountain (1800m) and is full of hotels and restaurants with stunning views of Cali. Definitely highly recommended! You can get here by taxi (about 30 minutes), but the area around KM 18 is also beautiful to explore by rental car. The nearby rainforest is an important bird area with great biodiversity.

    6. Spot birds in hummingbird "paradise"

    If you go to KM18 and drive 10 minutes further, you can spot many hummingbirds and other birds in “El Paraíso de los Colibries” at Finca Alejandria. As many as 347 bird species are found here. Entrance to “El Paraíso de los Colibries” costs COP20,000/$5.

     

    7. Take a walk along the Bulevar del Río

    Along the river you will find plenty of choices for snacks and drinks, there is street art and you can see Cali’s main attractions such as El Parque de los Poetas, La iglesia de la Ermita and Parque de los Gatos, a park with statues of cats created by various Colombian artists. Especially nice in the afternoon, at night it can be a bit skechy. During Christmas, the Bulevar del Río is spectacularly lit up and you’ll find the finest Christmas atmosphere in all of Cali.

     

    8. Act like the locals and visit Alto Pance

    This is a beautiful green area and is known for the Pance River. Every week hundreds of Colombians come to the river to swim and picnic with the family. A lot of food is brought from home or they are barbecuing. It has a very special atmosphere and is beautiful to see. Highly recommended. Adventurous travelers can hike from Pance to the Pico de Loro in the Parque Nacional Natural Farallones de Cali. This is an intensive hike, so good fitness is required!

    There are minibuses going to Pance, for about COP2500. You can also stay overnight in one of the vacation rentals in Pance and surrounding areas.

    10. Visit the beautiful neighborhood of Ciudad Jardín

    Ciudad Jardín is a very nice neighborhood to see and is located in the south of Cali. It is a lot quieter than San Antonio and is surrounded by some beautiful parks (including Humedal La Babilla). Two well-known shopping centers, Unicentro and Centro Comercial Jardín Plaza, are also located near Ciudad Jardin. Moreover, if you drive towards the famous Pance River, you will undoubtedly pass through this neighborhood. Furthermore, you have all kinds of trendy restaurants in this neighborhood, that are in the higher price range.

    12. Take a day trip to Lago Calima

    A beautiful piece of nature with an (artificial) lake is Lago Calima. The lake is 70 km above Cali and as the crow flies next to Buga…the place with the basilica and many church stores. It is like Switzerland there, the mountains…the houses with their half-timbered facades. There is a modern swimming pool with slides and also some water sports. But the area is so special because of the idea that you are like you have arrived in the Swiss hills. This is a popular vacation spot with the locals, so there are many places to stay overnight in Lago Calima. Because of the winds that blow there all year round, Lago Calima is also a hot spot with kite and windsurfers.

    9. Shop in the impressive malls

    Jardín Plaza with all its brands is an upscale shopping mall. Other shopping malls include Unicentro Cali, Pacific mall, Cosmocentro and Centro Comercial Chipichape. Parque Artesanal Loma de la Cruz (across from Topa Tolandra) is one of the best local markets where you can buy artesanía from all over Colombia (besides the “made in China” souvenirs). Every Thursday around 7 p.m., people gather here to dance together.

    11. Visit the Cali Zoo

    The Cali Zoo is also very nice to see. Perhaps somewhat of a different class than Artis but good value for money. Admission costs COP35,000/$9 for adults and COP 24.000/$ for children (2025) Especially nice to get an idea of the animals found in Colombia and South America, but there are also animals from other parts of the world.

    13. Explore the jungle around San Cipriano

    The picturesque town of San Cipriano is located in the middle of the jungle and is a perfect base for activities like tubing, kayaking and hiking through the jungle. The easiest way to do these activities is as part of a tour, such as this day tour to San Cipriano.

    Bonus tip

    14. Spend a night in the rainforest

    Need to escape Cali’s hot climate for a while? Then book a few nights in a glamping or nature reserve outside the city, such as at Bosque de Niebla birding and nature, 18 km. from Cali. With a rainforest setting, here you can enjoy the cooler climate and spot various bird species.

    5-Star Tours (Highly Recommended)