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Town · Santa Marta, Magdalena
Minca
Settlement in the Sierra Nevada, at about 650 meters elevation and 20 km from Santa Marta, with forest, cafés and cocoa, waterfalls for swimming, viewpoints and birdwatching, in a climate cooler than the coast.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Minca
Minca lies on the slopes of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, at about 650 meters elevation and 20 km from the center, up a road that climbs through the forest. The village is small, with a church, a commercial street, guesthouses, cafés and restaurants, and the climate is cooler and more humid than on the coast. The region was colonized by coffee farms, and some still operate and receive visitors.
Around the village there are trails through the forest to waterfalls and swimming holes, like Pozo Azul and the Marinka waterfalls, and longer paths to viewpoints over the mountain range and the sea. Coffee and cacao farms offer guided visits, showing the bean process and tastings.
Minca is one of Colombia's top birdwatching spots: the Sierra Nevada has species found only there, and local guides run dawn outings along the dirt tracks that climb the range. Hummingbirds, toucans and araçaris even appear in the gardens of the guesthouses.
The village is a break from Santa Marta's heat and can be visited on a day trip or as a one- or two-night stay.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
A full day; one or two nights for the trails and birdwatching.
Best time
In the morning, for the birds and the trails, before the afternoon rains that are common in the mountains. It usually rains less from December to April.
How to get there
From Santa Marta, shared vans and taxis depart from the center near the market and take about 45 minutes. By car it's roughly 20 km on a mountain road. Mototaxis take you from the village to the waterfalls and farms.
Tip
Visit a coffee or cacao farm and take a swim in Pozo Azul. If you like birds, hire a local guide for a dawn outing. Bring insect repellent and a rain poncho.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Minca
Is Minca cooler than Santa Marta?
Yes. The village sits at about 650 meters of altitude in the mountains, and is cooler and more humid than the coast.
What is there to do in Minca?
Hikes to waterfalls such as Pozo Azul and Marinka, visits to coffee and cacao farms, viewpoints and birdwatching.
Can you go to Minca on a day trip?
Yes: it's about a 45-minute van or taxi ride from Santa Marta. One night lets you do the hikes and go birdwatching early in the morning.