The town of Minca drew me in almost instantly with its laid-back backpacker vibes, vibrant coffee culture, and cooler weather. It reminded me of the small Andean towns in central Colombia like Salento and Filandia, albeit with a northern twist.
And, that’s what I love about it!
It feels like an escape from the Caribbean chaos of the coastal cities, even though it’s only a short drive from Santa Marta. That’s why I think that’s why it’s an essential stop on most Colombia travel itineraries.
I ended up here twice during my trip. The first time to explore the wild waterfalls, trek through a bit of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, and visit a finca or two. The second is to simply relax and enjoy the food scene.
This article will cover what I did on those two visits.
Here is my detailed guide to Minca, where I’ll share some of the town’s top highlights, where to stay around town, what waterfalls to visit, and hiking routes for those in need of a little adventure. I also give some restaurant recommendations, including a few wonderful vegan options.
These are my favorite things to do in Minca, Colombia.
Visit A Finca For Sunset
You wouldn’t know it if you’re relaxing in the middle of town in the evening, but Minca has some spectacular sunsets. You’ll just have to make your way up the roads leading through the tree-covered hills to see them.
Luckily, those roads lead to some wonderful fincas where you can grab a cup of hot chocolate and watch it all unfold. Keep in mind, the hikes up to these take some time (and energy), so plan accordingly. Alternatively, you could hire a motorbike taxi to take you up.
Here are some finca recommendations near Minca:
Finca La Candelaria | A historic finca at the end of a trail in the neighboring hills, and a place I’m glad I visited for sunset. They have nice hot chocolate, a good vantage point of the rolling hills, and spectacular views of the horizon. Some beautiful tropical birds also hang out in the trees below the property. I’ll go into more detail about it in the next section. It takes about an hour to hike up to the property.
Finca San Rafael | It’s easier to get to than the other finca and offers some beautiful mountain views at sunset. They also have hot chocolate and coffee to go along with a small pool. The coffee tours can be hit or miss here. It’s a 40-minute walk from town.
La torre del sol | Okay, so this isn’t a coffee farm. However, it’s a wonderful little observation deck slash drink spot that has coffee, juices, and the like. You’ll find the views to be similar to the other two I mentioned, along with great birdwatching. It only takes 20 minutes or so to walk up to.
Hot Chocolate and Coffee Around Town
Colombia is known as a bit of a coffee and chocolate-producing powerhouse around the world.
While a lot of that product gets sent abroad, there are hundreds of independent farms and shops that have popped up to share the country’s products at home. Minca isn’t quite as popular as the highland towns near Medellin, like Salento and Filandia, are, but it’s easily one of the best places to visit fincas along the Caribbean coast.
So, if you’re looking to gain some knowledge into the country’s cacao scene, it’s a great place to be.
These are some chocolate/coffee things to look into around Minca:
- Museo del Cacao de Minca | More shop than museum, but it has a dedicated owner who enjoys talking about the chocolate-making process. There are natural products here, and a few “artifacts” spread around the store. It’s not always open.
- Fincas | I went into detail about some of the closer fincas to visit in the first section of this post. Visiting a finca is my personal recommendation if you want to have a cup of hot chocolate or a coffee with a view.
- Finca La Victoria | Not mentioned in my finca section, but mostly because the other places have better sunset views. At Finca La Victoria, you can join a tour that involves the coffee-making process, a tasting, and a rundown of the automated coffee-making process. Tours are around 30,000 COP, and they also have craft beer.
- Casa Jocolate Minca | They specialize in cacao tours and workshops. You can expect a basic overview of the cacao-making process plus some included tastings. Tours are around 25,000 COP.
- La Miga Panadería | A pastry shop that does wonderful chocolate bread, bakery items, and has good coffee. I go into detail about it in the section below.
New places are popping up constantly, so feel free to ask around town to see if there are any more places worth seeing.
MINCA COFFEE & CHOCOLATE TOURS
A few tours are worth looking into for those who like planning in advance.
Tour 1 | Artisanal Cocoa Workshop at Casa Jocolate.
Tour 2 | Trekking, History, and Indigenous Heritage in Minca + Cocoa & Coffee + Waterfall
Tour 3 | Coffee, Cocoa, and Waterfall Tour
Try Something From La Miga Panaderia
If your dream breakfast is a pastry with a coffee, or you just miss the taste of freshly-baked bread, then look no further than La Miga Panaderia. As you could probably gather from my brief explanation in the section above, this was one of my favorite places in Minca.
I never thought I’d come across a French bakery in a small tropical mountain town in South America, but I guess that’s the magic of Minca. I came here at least half a dozen times during my trip, and I still think of the pain au chocolat to this day.
That, along with tasty breads, focaccia, muffins, and a nice coffee, makes for the perfect morning stop before heading out into the Colombian nature.
And the prices? Very reasonable.
You’ll want to get here as early as possible, though, as they tend to sell out. For those who are expecting a Michelin-rated bakery, I’d temper expectations. But, for a backpacker town in the middle of the jungle, I’d consider it a must-try.
Eat And Relax In Minca
Despite being a relatively small town, Minca has a massive variety of food. Most of the people who start a restaurant here are expats and former travelers, so Colombian cooking isn’t as widespread, but in its place, you can find almost every kind of cuisine.
After traveling for almost 6 months in Central and South America, this was a welcome sight. This region of the world is known for its heavier meat and potatoes-style dishes, so the variety allowed me to get back to some favorites, like baguettes and salads.
I was also traveling with someone vegan, so I have a few options for those of you with food allergies. Colombia as a whole was great for vegan and vegetarian dishes, but Minca was probably the most health-conscious.
Besides the aforementioned La Miga Panaderia, my food recommendations around town include:
Duni Cafe | One of my favorites on my Colombia travels. They serve a sort of Colombian fusion, with satisfying arepas and outstanding breakfast dishes. The pressed juices and lemonades are also a must-try.
Waira Ice Cream & Specialty Coffee | Drinks and sweets are what this cafe is all about. They have nice ice creams with a half dozen or so vegan options, pour a solid cup of coffee, and have decent smoothies, too.
Amora Cocina Saludable | A wonderful breakfast and lunch place with fresh, delicious meals. They have an assortment of açaí bowls and other seasonal fruit and veggie bowls and salads. The pancakes are tasty if you have a sweet tooth, and the sourdough baguette sandwiches are exceptional.
The Lazy Cat | With a relaxing back patio and nice happy hour, the Lazy Cat is a great place to stop after a day in nature. They have an extensive menu, but the burgers stand out. The portions are big, and there’s a high chance you’ll see an iguana or two chilling in the tree tops near the seating area.
Arabesca | Excellent Mediterranean/Syrian/Middle Eastern food. I had a really nice shawarma plate with delicious, spiced meat, passable falafel, and a really nice hummus. The Syrian dishes were the best I had had since my trip to Egypt.
The Vegan Store Minca | It can be very hit-or-miss when it comes to the sit-down meals, but they have a cool shop. The handmade ice pops are pretty good, the bakery items were tasty, and the lady working there was really friendly. It’s a toss-up if it’ll be open or not, so take that into account when going.
MORE OPTIONS
- Nonni Pizzeria | For the pizza
- Cattleya Fast Food & Souvenir | For the Venezuelan arepa
- Panadería Muju | For the empanadas
- La Casa de la Pasta | For the pasta
Cool Down at Pozo Azul
Pozo Azul is Minca’s busiest, most popular waterfall, and it’s easy to see why. It’s close to the town, has several swimmable areas, and the falls themselves are gorgeous.
However, due to all the above things, Pozo Azul is often overcrowded with locals and tourists alike who are looking to escape the heat. This is doubly true on the weekends, but if you manage to come during lesser-visited times, it’s a spectacular setting. You’ll also find fewer people the further upstream you head.
The tiered falls are mostly shaded and have varying water depths. You can climb all around the rocks and trails that surround them, and a few spots are decent for cliff jumping. To be safe, pay attention to where the other people are hopping in at.
Getting There | Follow Calle 1a to the east for about 20 minutes until you come to the Pozo Azul trail start. From there, it’s just a few minutes along a path until you reach the water.
Opening Time | 9 am – 4 pm
Cost | 6,000 COP
Hike To Marinka Waterfall
The second of Minca’s popular cascades.
Marinka Waterfall is one of those places that will either blow your mind or feel a bit overwhelming. It just depends on how many people happen to go there on the day you do.
That shouldn’t put you off, though. The series of waterfalls is stunning, with multiple levels to dip your feet in, well-built facilities, and plenty of spots to relax.
The lower level has a well-sized, swimmable pool and is well-maintained. A restaurant overlooks it and has giant, flat netted hammocks that you can lounge in. The food is okay, but quite pricey for Minca standards. I recommend eating beforehand in the town and just grabbing a drink here.
The upper level of the falls feels almost hidden. It sort of appears between the trees up a steep hill, and is no more than knee deep. However, the path is well-marked, and there’s always a handful of people sitting underneath it and snapping photos.
If you plan to hike up to the Los Pinos Viewpoint, Marinka Falls are a great pitstop on the way back down. They sit close to the halfway point and give you a chance to cool off after a hard hike up.
Getting There | Walking there will take between 45 minutes and an hour each way. Head up Cerro Kennedy Oriente road until you reach the trailway that leads to Marinka Waterfall. From there, it’s just a few minutes’ walk until the entrance.
Opening Time | 9 am – dark
Cost | 22,000 COP
Travel Tip | Come early in the mornings and avoid weekends to avoid the crowds.
Check Out Minca's Other Waterfalls
While Pozo Azul and Marinka get most of the hype in Minca, there are a few more waterfalls I think are worth a visit. Especially for those of you looking for the lesser-visited places, as the two I’ve already mentioned can get quite busy.
These are all accessible on foot from Minca, so you shouldn’t have a problem getting to them. You can reach them by motorbike taxi if you don’t want to trek.
Here are the two I recommend:
Cascada Escondida | Also known as Cascada Perdida, it’s just a short way off the road to Pozo Azul. To reach it, you’ll take a short, beautiful hike through nature, then cross a river to get there. It’s a picturesque place with a small pool and a nearby restaurant to grab a bite at. It takes around half an hour to walk there from the town center.
Cost | 10,000 COP
They recently started charging a 5,000 COP fee if you cross through the Veranda Hotel. There’s another access point near the Police Station.
Cascada Oido del Mundo “Ear of the World” | Sitting at around the halfway point between Minca and Marinka Waterfall, the Ear of the World is the perfect place to stop for a quick cool down. It’s a small waterfall with a shallow pool surrounded by trees and rocks. It’s directly off the main road and has signs directing you towards it.
Cost | 10,000 COP
This was free until recently, when they started charging an obligatory entry/insurance fee. Considering the lack of facilities, this is a steep price. If you can manage getting there by skipping the fee, I’d recommend it.
Day Trip To Santa Marta
The vast majority of people heading to Minca will be stopping in Santa Marta to do so. I can’t blame you if you’re trying to avoid staying in the big coastal city in order to give yourself more time in Minca; however, it’s still worth seeing on a full-day trip.
Some great historical sights are worth a visit, and the old town is filled with gorgeous colonial architecture. Here are some things worth doing on a day trip to Santa Marta:
- Wander the Malecon de Bastidas and feel the buzzing energy. To cool off, take a dip in the water at Bahia de Santa Marta.
- Head over to the shaded Parque de los Novios before finding a nice spot to eat in the courtyard or along Calle 19. You can’t go wrong at Ouzo Santa Marta or Ikaro Cafe, two restaurants beloved by travelers.
- Stop by Museo del Oro Tayrona (Casa de la Aduana) on the Plaza de Bolivar. It’s a free, bilingual museum that showcases art, history, and artifacts from the region’s indigenous groups.
- Explore the Colonial Old Town and stop by some of the popular sights like the Catedral Basílica de Santa Marta and the public market.
- Dive into Santa Marta’s history at the Simon Bolivar Museum. The Hacienda was the final home of Simón Bolívar and also houses a botanical garden and a contemporary art museum.
Getting There | Head to the Cootransminca stand in the center of Minca and catch one of the minivans heading to Santa Marta. They cost 9,000 COP each way and leave often.
For a more detailed look at Santa Marta, you can have a look at my ‘Santa Marta Guide.’
Tayrona National Park
Since Minca is so close to Santa Marta, there’s almost no way I can mention it without also bringing up Tayrona National Park. And, for some of you who want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the city, visiting the park from here is definitely an option.
I’ll keep this section brief as I’ve gone into more details in other Colombia articles. You can check those out in the Santa Marta guide I linked above. Otherwise, here is a basic overview.
TAYRONA NATIONAL PARK BEACHES
Playa Arenilla | Sand Beach
Playa Del Cabo | Cape Beach
Playa La Piscina | ‘The Pool’ Beach
Playa Castilletes | Castle Beach
Playa Arrecifes | Reef Beach
Playa Nudista | Nudist Beach
Playa Cañaveral | Reedbed Beach
Playa Brava | Brave Beach
NEED TO KNOWS FOR TAYRONA NATIONAL PARK
Entrance Fees 2025
92,000 COP/high season
77,500 COP/low season
Where To Camp
Playa Brava
Playa del Cabo
Arrecifes
Castilletes
Getting There From Minca
From Minca, you can take the public minivan to the station on Carrera 9 in the Mercado Público de Santa Marta. When you arrive, head next door to the Bus Parque Tayrona. This bus heads towards Riohacha and stops at the two main entrances of El Zaino and Calabazo.
Tour Options From Santa Marta
Alternatively, you can head to Santa Marta and join a tour going to Tayrona National Park. This gives you another option besides hiking, which is a day trip via boat tour.
Here are a few choices worth looking into:
Bird Watching in Minca
With hundreds of unique bird species, many of which can only be found in this area of Colombia, bird watching is one of the best things to do in Minca.
While you’ll certainly see your fair share around town, especially if you’re an avid observer or an early morning person, the best way to bird spot is by guided tour. This is mostly because a knowledgeable local guide will be able to point out some of the harder-to-find birds. Plus, you’ll be able to get a better overview of the endemic and critically-endangered species native to the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
Here are a few companies I came across during my trip:
- Jungle Joe’s Bird Watching Adventures
- Birdwatching Nuwabirdlife
- Sendaria Travel
Birding Tours | Most bird watching tours from Minca start in the early morning, around sunrise. Expect multilingual guides, binoculars for viewing, a bit of a trek through the jungle, and lots of birds! That includes some familiar favorites like macaws, hummingbirds, and toucans.
Tours tend to be group-based. So, if you’re traveling on your own or are running on a tight schedule, it’s worth checking with companies beforehand. A few decent ones you can find online are this sunrise tour with Jungle Joe’s and this “Path of Song” tour by Sendaria Travel.
Hiking In Minca
Minca makes a wonderful base for those of you looking to explore the nearby mountains and hike through a lush jungle landscape. There are dozens of trails leading from the town center to its outskirts, and even more if you’re willing to mototaxi to some further off destinations.
I did quite a few day hikes on my trip, and a buddy of mine did some more of the more daunting trails I list below.
Nearby trails include:
Waterfall Hikes | I go into detail about most of the waterfalls around town earlier in the post, but each is accessible by hiking. It’s normally a nice trek through the jungle to each one, especially Marinka Waterfall, which follows a river through the wilderness. For a full-day adventure, you could hire a guide and make the trek to Jaguar Falls near La Tagua.
Cerro Kennedy Hike | This is a multi-day summit hike that takes you through a cloud forest in El Dorado Nature Reserve. Most backpackers stay at either Hostal Donde Moncho or Hostal El Ramo and make the journey to the peak for sunrise. To get to the trailhead, you’ll need to hire a motorbike taxi or hop on a shuttle from the Cootranminca office in Minca.
Los Pinos Viewpoint | An hour or so walk past Marinka Falls is Mirador Los Pinos. It’s a moderate hike that ends with a nice view of the jungle valleys. If the weather permits it, you’ll see as far as Santa Marta.
Hiking to Fincas | Most fincas are uphill from the town, so you can expect a bit of exercise getting to them. Some are as far as a half-day hike away, like Finca Carpe Diem, but unless you plan on spending the night, I’d stick to the ones nearby. I mention a handful of these in the ‘finca section,’ and they offer a place to rest, sip on coffee, and get a nice view of the surrounding mountains.
Ciudad Perdida | The ‘Lost City Trek’, as it’s known, is a multiday guided jungle hike to an ancient abandoned city. Tours usually start from Santa Marta, and everyone I know who went on it said it was the coolest thing they did in Colombia. I mention it a bit more in the Santa Marta article I linked above.
GETTING AROUND MINCA
Getting around Mica is quite easy, as the whole town revolves around just a few streets. However, some fincas and a few of the waterfalls are quite a long hike away. If you’re not up for the trek, you can hire dirtbike taxis to take you there and back. I’d start by asking your accommodation about these, and if they can’t help, you can ask around by the bridge at the beginning of town.
As far as getting to/from Minca, there is only one public transport option:
Minca Cootransminca Station (maps) | This is the station to which all minivans to and from Minca leave. It’s at the beginning of town, just before the bridge. Buses will end at Carrera 9 in the Mercado Público de Santa Marta. You purchase tickets from the open-air stall next to where the minivans stay. The sign above the station says Transportadora Sierra Mar.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi between Santa Marta and Minca. You’ll have to negotiate a price beforehand, but if you’re in a group and not afraid to barter, it’s an option.
WHERE TO STAY IN MINCA
Minca is sort of a mountain retreat from Santa Marta. Expect mostly family-run properties, backpacker hostels, boutique hotels, and mountainside finca stays. Unless you want the more secluded feel of a coffee plantation stay, I suggest staying around the few blocks that make up the town. Here are some great options:
El Refugio Minca & Casa Chill Out | Two more budget-friendly options in close proximity to the town.
Finca Carpe Diem Ecolodge | A mixture between a finca, hostel, and ecolodge far outside of town. It’s a great option for people looking to escape crowds and relax with a small but social crowd.
Sol de Minca Eco Lodge | Another peaceful retreat in the form of an ecolodge in the hills. If you want a typical Minca experience, it’s a great option in the mid to upper price range.
Trekker Glamping | A luxury glamping option in the hills of Minca.
For more options, check here.
