Minca – discover Colombia’s hidden gem

In a country exploding in tourism, Minca is a hidden gem. It is still only visited by a small portion of tourists visiting Colombia every year. Tucked away in the mountains in the north of the country about an hour from Santa Marta, Minca is easily accessible and beginning to gain international recognition as a beautiful place to visit in Colombia. My advice? Get here before this becomes a regular on people’s vacation itineraries! Minca is a beautiful, peaceful town set nestled in the mountains in northern Colombia. Minca is still relatively new to the backpacker trail so if you want to get off the beaten track, you can do it here before the masses find out.

Nestled into the Colombian mountains, Minca is a great place to visit if you like hiking, waterfalls, stunning scenery and relaxing in nature. So, if you’ve been on the move for a while, this is the perfect place to rest for a few days (or longer!) to recharge your batteries. All the attractions are within walking distance, so in a day or two you can easily explore all the beautiful nature here.

Top things to do in Minca

Go chasing waterfalls!

There are 2 different waterfalls in the area around Minca, and you can visit both in a day if you’re pushed for time and they are both on the same 25 kilometer circuit, but I definitely recommend taking a little more time so you can really enjoy these beautiful places.

Pozo Azul
This is the closest to the town. It’s an easy 15 minute walk and by virtue of being so close, is the busiest attraction in the area. If it’s a sunny day, you will definitely be sharing the space with other people. And it’s worth noting that it can get busy on the weekends with local tourists coming here for respite from the heat.

Marinka Waterfalls
About 4kms out of Minca and in the opposite direction to Pozo Azul. For us, this was our last stop before town when we walked the circuit and a very much anticipated chance to cool off! You can stop for a meal and a drink here if you need it. And there are always people waiting around offering to drive you back into town if you decide you’re too tired to keep walking.

Enjoy a beer with a view at Casa Elemento

The perfect spot for a selfie with a spectacular background! Casa Elemento has a huge “hammock” (really a net), suspending you above the earth with a spectacular view of the mountains behind. However, it is also a great point in the circuit to take a break and enjoy a beer with a view. You pay to visit (COP10,000 or ~USD$3), but with a free beer, an incredible view and a pool to cool off in, I definitely think it’s worth it. We were walking the circuit, so only stayed about an hour, but it really was a perfect break. Actually I think I could be a great place to stay for a night, but a little more of a party vibe, so I was happy to stay at Colores de la Sierra instead.

Eat at the Lazy Cat

This place is right in town and nothing short of delicious! They have great veggie options, delicious burgers, stirfries, salads, traditional Colombian meals and some pretty great looking anti-pasta plates. So whether you’re after lunch, dinner or something in between I reckon you could find something here to fill the spot. I could have eaten there everyday – so good!

Visit the Nevada Cervezeria at Finca La Victoria

Run by a young German guy in the remains of an old church, the Nevada Cervezeria is just a few years old but is already making a name for itself. With beer distributed across most of Colombia and plans to export soon, it is exciting to see this brewery before it hits the big time. We were lucky and were able to visit after hours as we met a German couple who knew the owner. As a result, we were able to see him in action and taste a couple of the beers straight from the aging barrels – really cool! While not everyone can do that, I definitely recommend coming along anyway. Finca La Victoria runs coffee tours on the property which finishes in their café. Once you’ve had enough coffee, you can move on to beer with a view of this fantastically tiny brewery in the background – perfect!

Do you need to pay for a tour?

The short answer is no, you don’t. Many people pay for tours in 4xwheel drives, but personally I think it’s unnecessary. Save your money and explore on your own. The roads here are treacherous so best not to attempt in a small car on your own, but you can walk! All the highlights are in a 25 kilometre circuit, so you can hike them all in 1 day if you like. Or, split them over a couple of days getting moto-taxis part way to give your feet a break.

The benefits of walking? Firstly, the walk itself is beautiful. The hiking is not too strenuous and the nature is lovely. For me, this was one of the joys of being in this area. Secondly, you have the opportunity to enjoy the breathtaking views at your own pace. Each place explodes with visitors for about half an hour as they pile in. And just as quickly, they disappear again, leaving you in peace to enjoy the serenity.

If you’re worried about the distance, you needn’t be. Just take your time and do different sections day by day if you need to rest your feet. Honestly, we probably should have done that more. After hiking the Camino in Spain last year and Cerro Cherripo in Costa Rica recently, I’m not sure if my feet have forgiven me yet! More on those coming soon…

Where to stay?

There are many small hostels and family run hotels in Minca, and more popping up as tourists slowly discover this beautiful little town. But if you like a beautiful sunset, kind people and somewhere hidden in the mountains just a few kilometers out of town, then Colores de la Sierra is for you. This place was truly a slice of heaven after the hustle and bustle of Cartagena, and the perfect base to explore all the natural beauty here. Colores de la Sierra is owned and run by people who clearly love this place and nothing is too much trouble for them. We shared an evening drinking the infamous local spirit “Aguadiente” and it is clear they love meeting the travellers that come to stay with them; sharing drinks and life stories..just be prepared for a headache the next day if you participate!

How to get there

From Santa Marta, it is easy to get a bus to Minca from the smaller station in town. However, if you are coming from elsewhere and not planning to stay in Santa Marta, you will find yourself at the larger bus terminal. From here, you will either need to get a taxi to the other bus station, or taxi directly to Minca. It should cost about COP40,000 (about USD$12) or for a moto-taxi COP20,000 per person (about USD$6). Note – if you do decide to stay at Colores de la Sierra and have big bags, then you might want to consider having them pick you up. You can arrange a lift either from Santa Marta or from the centre of town in Minca. This is more expensive of course, but avoids the journey on treacherous roads on moto-taxis or in taxis that might not make it all the way.