What to see in Minca? Taste the Sierra Nevada… D17-D18

You want to go to Minca and you are wondering: How to go from Santa Marta to Minca? What to see in Minca? Where to sleep in Minca? Here is my experience ...

How to go from Santa Marta to Minca?

To get from Santa Marta in Minca, you can take the bus to the market for 9000 COP (estación in El Mercado, in front of El Emporio).

After almost an hour's journey to go from Santa Marta in Minca, we discover a charming little village nestled in the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta. We have the impression of having changed region and of being hundreds of km from the Caribbean coast… we are now in a beautiful and lush tropical forest.

1st good surprise: temperatures cooler than on the coast! Phew, we finally breathe ...

What to do in Minca?

What to do in Minca - El Pozo Azul

The most famous activity is surely the walk to the waterfalls ofEl Pozo Azul. You just have to follow the main road when you are in the village and continue the path by a walk of about 1 hour.

What to do in Minca - Marinca waterfalls

Other waterfalls (less frequented) are accessible after 1 hour of walking: The site of Marina. Located on the other side of the village (immediately to the right when leaving our access path to Minca Glamping), I really liked the site. One small downside: the parade of motorcycle taxis which spoil this precious silence that nature offers us ...

Practical information: Entrance costs 4 COP, there are toilets and a restaurant at the 000st waterfall.

We preferred to eat somewhere quieter than we found on the way. La Fuentes (Bed and Breakfast) prepared us for 12 COP (000 €) a great fish and chips.

What to do in Minca - Visit a coffee finca

It is also a classic from Minca. You have the choice between going to the Finca Victoria (a little above Pozo Azul) or at the Finca La Candelaria, a slightly smaller but equally interesting coffee and cocoa finca.

We visited both.

At La Candelaria, we only did the “Cacao” visit at 20 COP which ends with a cocoa mask being placed on the face. We met a mascot there: Tuki, the toucan. He lives in freedom but he approaches and poses as if he were waiting to be photographed!

Finca la Candelaria in Minca and its toukan

Where to sleep in Minca? Minca Glamping our favorite

This was our second good surprise when we arrived at the heart of this wild and deep nature: our unusual accommodation at Minca Glamping !

I loved this quiet place lost in nature. Without the noise of cars, you can only access it by a small path.

Maxime (the owner) and an employee come to welcome us and carry your luggage to climb the small path for about 600m.

We liked everything, the fact that the bungalow is while mosquito net (without wall) gave us the impression of sleeping under the stars… We could hear everything and enjoy (in our bed) this wonderful forest (sunrise and sunset, birdsong…).

Staying in this bungalow is a real experience of communion with nature!

The decor is perfect. The breakfasts were delicious, we counted about ten fresh fruits in our large bowl! and what about Arepa… and the kindness of Maxime…

It is with regret that we left this magical place, hoping to have the chance to return one day!    See this hotel on Booking

MINCA GLAMPING

MINCA breakfast at Minca GLAMPING

Come and discover the rest of our tour and our stay at CARTAGENA !

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5 thoughts on “What to see in Minca? Taste the Sierra Nevada… D17-D18”

  1. Hello,
    I stumbled upon your blog by chance, and what a great surprise !!
    We are going to Colombia this summer with my boyfriend and have more or less planned the same itinerary. We wonder if we should book the hotels in advance? Because for example we would very much like to be able to spend a night in this "glamping" but are afraid that by reserving at the last minute there will be no more room… did you have to book in advance?

    And another question concerning the Salento-Medellin trip, we were planning to do it by plane but your blog dissuaded us a little… I wanted to know how were the roads? is it mountainous? do we go through "dangerous" places in terms of road (ravines ...).

    Your blog is really great and we will be sure to inspire us for our trip!

    1. Hello Johana,
      Regarding hotels, you can very well book on site. There are enough hotels in the main tourist sites not to spend the night outside… On the other hand, the cheapest and best placed hotels are often full. This is why I had booked all the hotels and guesthouses in advance. In addition, it saves time on site and it is better to be able to enjoy when arriving rather than looking for a hotel.
      Regarding the Salento-Medellin route that we did by car, I can assure you that it is not dangerous unlike the Tatacoa Desert - Armenia route. The road from the coffee region to Medellin is good and pleasant. On the other hand, you have to leave as early as possible to avoid traffic jams on arrival in Medellin. We did it in one go in a little over 7 hours it seems to me, so we were able to enjoy part of the afternoon in Medellin.
      Don't hesitate if you have any further questions!

    2. Thanks a lot for all these informations ! I think we will therefore try to book in advance, we will be more peaceful. And for the journeys between each city, you had seen on the spot or also in advance?

    3. I had booked everything in advance. For long-distance transport, I went through a local agency which made private drivers available to me. It was Pierre Verger who combined everything for us.
      Pierre VERGER www .colombiainfinita.com (57) 3208125670 Mail: pierreverger@colombiainfinita.com
      It was only for the Medellin Santa Marta route that we took a flight.

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