What to do in Minca, Colombia
What to do in Minca? There are many fun things to do around the mountain village of Minca. If you love nature, this is definitely the place for you. Check here our tips for what to do in Minca, walking, with an organized tour or on the back of a mototaxi!
6 Must do’s
1. Relax in a mega hammock at hostal Sierra Minca (Casa Elemento)
You don’t have to stay at the hostal to relax in the mega hammocks of hostal Sierra Minca (formerly Casa Elemento), high in the mountains above Minca. With a day pass, you can stay as long as you want. You get there by mototaxi. A mototaxi is quite relaxing, because it is a tough 3-hour hike uphill.
Info
- Price mototaxi: around COP30.000/€7.50
- Day pass price: COP10,000/€2.50 or COP35,000/€8.75 including lunch and a drink (2022)
- Best time to go:
-Around 9 a.m., when it is still nice and quiet
-For the best views go around sunset - Tip: Book the moto cab for a half or full day and also stop at the other highlights in the area, such as Mirador los Pinos, waterfalls and coffee incas.
- Check out here for an example of such a day tour.
2. Hike to the Marinka waterfall
From Minka, hike to the Cascada de Marinka in about an hour. There are two waterfalls you can go to, a restaurant, restrooms and a viewpoint (mirador). There are also several mega-hangmats in which you can relax.
In late 2023, several works of art were installed, made of colorful caps. Therefore, the entrance cannot be missed!
Info
- Ticket price: COP10,000/€2.50 (Sept 2023)
- Prefer to take the mototaxi? The price is around COP15.000/€3.75
- Best time to go: early; around 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m. and off weekends
Insider’s Tip:
Stay overnight at Reserva Natural Tierra Adentro, then you can walk to Cascada Marinka in about 10 minutes.
3. Bird watching
Minca and its surroundings is one of the best places in Colombia for bird watching, including hummingbirds, parrots and toucans. True enthusiasts can spot birds accompanied by an experienced guide on a tour. In nature reserves such as Sol de Minca and Tierra Adentro (see photo) you can also spot birds, during a walk in the grounds, or even from the comfort of your lazy hammock. The best place in the village to see hummingbirds is Hotel Minca La Casona, where hummingbirds snack from trays of sugar water (especially a happening during breakfast). Hotspot among avid bird watchers is the exclusive ProAves bird sanctuary & ecolodge El Dorado, a 2-hour drive from Minca. This reserve has the highest number of bird species in all of Colombia.
4. Go chill in the pools of Pozo Azul
The pools and small waterfall of Pozo Azul, are popular with locals and tourists alike and are easier to reach than the waterfalls at Cascada Marinka. You can reach Pozo Azul in 30-45 min. walk from Minca.
Info
- Free access
- Prefer to take the mototaxi? The price is around COP12000/€3
- Best time to go: early or after 4 p.m. and outside weekends and vacation periods. Pozo Azul is on the route of tour buses coming from Santa Marta, so it can get quite crowded here.
5. Enjoy an ice-cold locally brewed beer
Most cafes in Minca, sell the beer from local brewery Cervecería Nevada, with names like the Happy Tucan and Happy Coca. Local ingredients are added to the beer, such as coffee and coca leaves. A unique feature of the beer: it is brewed with mineral water from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. The brewery is located next to coffee finca la Victoria, so you can also sample a beer at the finca’s restaurant, el Bistro de la Victoria.
6. Check out the tastiest restaurants
Time for snacks and drinks? Then check out our favorites here:
#1 Hotel Minca la Casona
Good Colombian food with a great view of the mountains and the many hummingbirds. (especially during breakfast)
#2 Lazy Cat
Favorite among travelers for its laid-back atmosphere and cozy happy hours with special prices on Mojitos and burgers.
Read more tips for the best restaurants and cafes in Minca.
Organized tours
Tours
There are several tour operators in Minca who can take you to do bird watching, hike to waterfalls or do a motorcycle or jeep tour. With this Best of Minca Motorbike tour you can ride a motorcycle yourself, or get on the back of an experienced driver if you have no experience.
You can also visit coffee and cocoa farms, with this full-day tour, where you will also go swimming in the river. With this coffee and cocoa tour, also includes a jungle trek.
DAY TOUR BY MOTORCYCLE CAB
The moto cab is a convenient and fun way to see the best sights around Minca in a day or half day, such as Cascada de Marinka, Pozo Azul, Koffiefinca la Victoria, Cacaofinca la Candelaria and the giant hammocks at hostal Sierra Minca. Curious about the tour? Then read here about our experience.
COFFEE TOUR FINCA LA VICTORIA
La Victoria is one of the oldest coffee incas in Colombia. During the tour (45min) you will see, among other things, the original equipment from the early 1900s. The tour can sometimes be done in English, but when we were there, we were the only non- Spanish-speaking tourists and the tour was in Spanish. After the tour, you can also have something to eat and drink at El Bistro de la Victoria. Tip: a coffee tour is great to combine with a visit to Pozo Azul, because you pass by it on your way to the finca.
Info
- Price coffee tour around COP15,000/€3.75
- Price mototaxi: around COP15000/€3.75
- If you want to walk, it is 1.5 hours uphill. Back is about 50 minutes
- Best time to go: The finca can be visited year-round, but between November-February there is the most action at the finca, due to the harvest time of the coffee beans.
Cacao tour finca La Candelaria
During the tour (40 min.) you will get to see the process of roasting the cacao beans, chocolate milk -from scratch- will be made for you and you will get a choco face mask. After the tour, you can have a cup of coffee or chocolate tea on the terrace and try the homemade chocolate cake.
Info
- The tour is done several times a day. Not always possible in English
- Price cocoa tour COP25,000/€6.25, minimum 2 people (2022)
- The entrance to the coffee and cacao finca is an hour’s walk from Minca.(15 min. by mototaxi) From the entrance, you have to walk for another fifteen minutes up coffee and cacao plantations.
- Price motor cab: around COP15000/€3.75.
#ToColombia Tips
Now that you’ve read about what to do in Minca, you may also find the following tips interesting, about transportation in Minca, the best restaurants in Minca, where to stay in Minca and practical information about Minca.
5-star tours
Day trips
ABOUT
“Wherever you go, go with all your heart” – Confucius – Colombia is our passion and our Dutch-Colombian team would like to share that passion with you.
Follow Us
Copyright © 2019 – 2022 NAARCOLOMBIA.COM. All Rights Reserved.