Top 10 things to do in Minca Colombia
Minca is by far one of our favourite places in South America.
Commonly loved by backpackers, bird lovers and hippy wanderers, this destination is ideal if you’re looking to enjoy a good book and endless natural scenery.
Here is our ten favourite attractions, activities and chill spots for you to enjoy. * in no particular order
1) Breakfast in the El Mirador Room
Waking up to a fresh breakfast in this treehouse styled room was the perfect way to start our day in Minca. The El Mirador’s private balcony has lush views all the way through to Santa Marta in the far distance.
2) Cascada de Marinka
From Minca town you can either take the 1 hour walk or hop on a scooter taxi for 10 000 COP to the Marinka Waterfall (entrance is 5000 COP).
Knowing it was peak season we got there just before 8am (when it opens) and were able to enjoy it all to ourselves.
There is a small Cafe overlooking the waterfall that offers hammocks instead of tables.
It was a real life day dream !!
3) Cacao Tour at La Candelaria Coffee Farm
We caught a crazy fast scrambler taxi for 15 000 COP straight up to the famous Coffee and Chocolate Farm. You can hike it for 1.5 hours but it’s all up hill and on a dirt road – so we wouldn’t say the scenery matches the effort ;).
The scrambler drops you at the top from where you walk up a narrow path through the lush jungle for about 15 minutes (SO stunning).
The farm is run by a really friendly married couple who have had the farm for countless generations. We decided to do the Chocolate Tour option as we had just done a coffee tour in Salento.
The chocolate tour (20 000 COP) was so fun! We learnt about traditional Colombian cacao farming, harvesting and even tips how to bake with raw cacao at home. We chewed on cacao nibs (super foodof note), drank warm cacao and even had our faces treated to a full chocolate mask.
They also have a B&B: El Paraiso de Tuki B&B Cafe y Cacao Farm
4) Lunch at the Lazy Cat
We have no photos of the food, a testament to how much we loved it!! We may have also loved the wifi if we’re being honest. We recommend the mexican burger, veggie quesadillas and fresh lime juice!
5) Casa Luna Accommodation
Our highlight of Colombian Accommodation !!
Tucked away from the hostel – surrounded by all the greenery – is this private bungalow suite. Its name ‘Casa Luna’, inspired by its uninterrupted view of the moon and sky at night.
The double bed was surprisingly comfortable and so clean for an “outdoor hut”, surrounded by a very efficient mozzie net. We slept better here than anywhere else! And there is nothing like waking up to singing toucans and views of the entire Sierra Nevada mountain range!
The outdoor shower was our favourite feature !! Being completely secluded from anyone else, we were able to shower in the jungle, completely free 😉 !!
Book Casa Loma here:
6) The Bar Hammock
Half way up the narrow path leading Minca town to Casa Loma Hostel is this “Bar”. You can’t miss it. Now we only saw the bar open once or twice, but just lying on the hammocks enjoying the view is worth the walk.
Just
chilling…
7) Bird Watching
The birding in Colombia is a huge attraction!! Especially to us :).
The best time to bird in Minca is super early in the morning. You are most likely to see birds near a river or water source that is not near a bustling tourist attraction or restaurant.
We really wanted to see a toucan and we were lucky enough to spot two in our hut at Casa Luna as well as another slightly “tamer” one at the Cacao Farm called Tuki (their previously injured and no now local resident in the nearby trees).
Apparently the El Dorado birding lodge and reserve is a great spot just outside Minca to view birds. Otherwise there is plenty tour guides in Minca town that offer birding walks to all their secret spots.
8) Sunset Dinner at Casa Loma
Casa Loma Hostel serves an impressive dinner every night. It’s a set 2 to 3 course meal prepared by amazing chefs and served at 8pm sharp. They are 100% vegetarian and happily cater for vegans too.
Casa Loma has one of the best sunsets in Minca, with a great sunset deck bar to enjoy it from (another reason to go up for dinner one evening).
9) Hiking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains that surround Minca are breathtaking and almost magical. Whether you’re a hiker or not. You have to go wander around at least once.
The highest point to hike to is called “Los Pinos” viewpoint. It’s about a three hour hike from Minca town one way, or a 30 minute hike from Casa Elemento. We didn’t get there – it was too hot and Jen was dying 😉 !!
We can recommend two hikes/walks that we really enjoyed (heat and all). The first one was just a walk down from the Cacao Farm to the Pozo Azul swimming hole. It was 1.5 hours of dense forest and an occasional local village, rewarded with a refreshing swim.
Just some casual
Tarzan and Janing…
10) Casa Elemento Hammocks
The Casa Elemento Hostel is the most well known spot in Minca (especially on insta), because of this giant hammock. We were actually going to book here but had recently read some really bad reviews.
We decided to hike up this famous hostel from the Marinka Waterfall. It was a 2.5 hour hike straight up and straight through the jungle and over a few rivers. It was tough on the calves but beyond scenic !!
Entrance to Casa Elemento was 10 000 COP per person which included a beer and a towel. The pool bar was absolute magic after our humid hike!! This seemed like the perfect spot if you’re looking for a social vibe.
There is quite a crowd on the giant hammock so we didn’t even attempt to take a “proper” shot for insta. Instead we just chilled and spoke to a few fellow travellers and enjoyed the view.
The second hammock is a walk away down in the jungle area. As soon as we saw it our eyes lit up and we climbed up the ladder and flopped straight on. Although slightly dodgy, it was our favourite place in Colombia to chill!!
Minca Travel Guide Tips
How to get to Minca
We caught a bus from Cartagena to Santa Marta, but you may also be coming from Tayrona or somewhere else too. Our recommendation: stay clear of the busy, dirty and slightly scary Santa Marta and head straight on to Minca.
From the bus station take a quick taxi to Calle 11 con Carrera 12. From there you take a 30 minute Jeep/shuttle (leaving as soon as its relatively full). This costs between 8 000 and 10 000 COP. If you arrive in Santa Marta late this shuttle service may not be running. You can take a private taxi or motorbike taxi for 15 000 COP + which is the fasted way to Minca.
Minca and Money
There is one ATM in Minca town…. we drew out enough money before we got there to be safe.
Minca and Mozzies
To our surprise, we arrived in Minca in the coffee harvesting season (aka the flee season – Dec\Jan).
Each time we wore our cozzies at the waterfalls or rivers we would compare bites with fellow travellers. The evening and morning mozzie and flee situation was quite hectic to be honest. Pack all the DEET spray and try wear long pants tucked in to socks at night time. We saw a few travelers that had bites that had gotten infected – so try avoid walking around without spray!!
Do not let this put you off. We were there in the most hectic mozzie/flee time – so we can say that with confidence. It’s just about preparation – always have mozzie spray on you so that if you take a dip you can re-apply – and tuck you pants into your socks in the evenings to avoid any bites. Then you’re sorted !!
