Visit Minca: Colombia's Mountainous Gem

AJ makes a friend at the Lazy Cat

The Caribbean Coast’s Quirky Getaway: Minca

Just 45-minutes south of the stifling coastal climate lies mountainy Minca, an oasis nestled alongside a small, lively river. With tons of birds and backpacker-friendly eateries, the little town boasts nearby coffee farms, swimming holes and waterfalls, and a pleasant respite from the heat.

Note: all of these destinations can be accessed by motorcycle taxi (available in the center of town) but if you have kids, you likely won’t want to choose this option since they don’t provide helmets.

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Top Five Things For Your Visit to Minca, Colombia

1. Enjoy a Great Meal

• The Lazy Cat: A Minca institution with a tranquil terrace and genuinely good food. This was one of the many restaurants where our server actually asked to hold AJ while we ate – and managed to get her to stop being fussy in a heartbeat!

• Duni: Another great spot for a delicious, healthy meal.

• La Miga: An excellent French bakery with delicious pastries and breads.

  
  

2. Visit Pozo Azul

Overview: One of Minca’s lovely waterfalls, featuring a gorgeous natural pool surrounded by thick forest.

• Getting There:

  • Hike: An easy 2-mile (3.25 km) walk from Minca.

  • Drive: A bumpy road leads to a designated parking area, followed by a 15-minute walk to the falls.

• What to Do:

  • Swim in the shallower lower basin (kid-friendly!) or cross the river and climb a rocky path for about 10 minutes to reach the deeper upper basin.

  • Continue another 15 minutes on the same path to find a more hidden pool. This one doesn’t have its own waterfall, but it’s usually far less crowded.

    
    

3. Las Cascadas de Marinka (Marinka Waterfalls)

Overview: A more adventurous waterfall experience a few kilometers north of Minca.

• Hike Details:

  • It’s about 2.5 miles (4 km) from the center of Minca, starting just east of the bridge.

  • Walk down Carrera 5a (passing Minca’s white church) until you reach the unpaved Cerro Kennedy Oriente road. Follow this for roughly 3.5 km.

  • At the fork with the big Marinka sign, head left and climb uphill briefly—you’re there!

• Facilities & Fees:

  • Admission is COP 10,000 per person, which includes access to bathrooms/locker rooms and hammocks.

  • There’s a lower pool and an upper pool to explore, plus an on-site restaurant.

  • Can get crowded in peak season, so arrive early!

    
    

4. Hacienda La Victoria

Overview: A picturesque coffee farm just outside Minca.

• Getting There:

  • Hike for about 2 hours or drive. Depending on the season, you might need to park before reaching the finca and walk the last stretch of rough road.

  • If it’s extremely muddy, you can book a 4x4 in town.

• What to Expect:

  • English-language coffee tours (COP 25,000) last about an hour and cover the entire coffee-making process.

  • Relax afterward with a coffee and snack at the on-site Victoria café.

    
    

5. Soak in the Local Atmosphere

• Craft Shops & Souvenirs: Minca’s little town center has a handful of craft shops where you can pick up souvenirs.

  
  

• Relax at Your Jungle Hostel: Sometimes the best part is simply hanging out at your hostel, enjoying the views and the laid-back vibe.

  
  

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Where to Stay in Minca

Sure, you could make this a day trip. But to truly take in the vibe and make the most of your visit to Minca, Colombia we recommend holing up for a night. Accommodations in Minca tend to be fairly rustic, popular among backpackers and outdoor enthusiasts. Also note that roads outside the main town can be quite rough—practically off-roading. We drove a mini-SUV (shoutout Renault Logan!) and managed fine on the muddy roads by taking it slow. Locals do it in small sedans, so it’s definitely doable, but be prepared.

You can also visit Minca on a day trip from Santa Marta. But if you’d like to stay overnight, here are a few options:

1. Chunuu Hostal y Glamping Minca

   • The photos make it look pretty crazy. A fun, quirky hostel with multi-bed rooms. In the off-season, it’s pretty quiet. That’s when we went. But in high season, this seems like an ideal place to connect with travelers and swap stories. Rooms are spread over a terraced hillside, just over a beautiful clear-water creek.

   • It’s a twisty, bumpy ride from Minca’s town center, so keep your map open and look out for the small Chunuu signs.

     
     

2. Rio Elemento Ecolodge

   • Simple and friendly, closer to the town center.

   • Has a pool—perfect for a hot day!

     
     

3. Masaya Casas Viejas

   • A stunning property offering tours and activities directly on-site.

   • Has a pool and modern-cozy rooms.

   • About 30 minutes from Minca by car and might be inaccessible by standard vehicle depending on the season. Contact them for road conditions. You may need to park in Minca and take a 4x4.

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WHERE TO NEXT?

Learn more about the weird and wonderful Caribbean Coast, or spend three great days in Cartagena!

Looking for more Colombian adventures? Check out our guides to Bogotá, Medellín, and beyond!

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Beating the Heat with a Mountain Retreat? Click below to check out some curated picks for making life easier when traveling with (and without) small children.

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