Attraction
Pozo Azul
The waterfalls with swimming holes are among the most popular excursions from Minca. It gets busy from late morning; early mornings are quieter. Google Maps suggests the wrong route, search for 'Sendero a Pozo Azul'.
Colombia
Minca
City
Minca is a small mountain village in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, about 45 minutes from Santa Marta. You come for waterfalls to swim in, coffee farms, birdwatching, and hikes with views over the coast.
by Felix Gillen
Minca is a small mountain village in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, about 45 minutes from Santa Marta. You come for waterfalls to swim in, coffee farms, birdwatching, and hikes with views over the coast. The village has fewer than 1,000 inhabitants and today thrives mainly on hostels and lodges.
Sights in Minca
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Attraction
Marinka Waterfalls
You can reach the waterfalls on private land in about 1.5 hours on foot or 10 minutes by mototaxi from Minca. There's a small café; the 2024 entrance fee was around 10,000 COP. It's quieter early or after 4 PM.
Point of Interest
Finca La Victoria
Founded in 1892, the coffee farm still grows Arabica. A guided tour shows you the historic bean processing. The Nevada Cervecería brewery is also on site.
Attraction
Mirador Los Pinos
Full-day hike with approx. 900m ascent to a viewpoint with panoramic views. The hike is rated as moderately difficult.
Point of Interest
Cerro Kennedy
The summit, standing at approx. 3,100 meters, is the goal of a mountain tour from Minca. You can approach it as a two or three-day hike, or as a long day trip by 4x4 from early morning. You should take a guide for the tour.
Restaurants in Minca
Popular village restaurant with an all-day kitchen. Tables fill up quickly, it pays to come early.
Farm-to-Table café for breakfast and lunch with homemade bread, our own ice cream, and coffee.
Food & Drink in Minca
Das Bergdorf in den Ausläufern der Sierra Nevada ist von Kaffee- und Kakaofincas umgeben. Gegessen wird einfach, oft am Fluss.
Kaffee
Coffee is grown around Minca. The most famous finca is La Victoria, featuring historic machinery, about a two-hour walk from the village. On guided tours, you can taste the coffee directly.
Cocoa and Chocolate
Smaller fincas like San Rafael and La Candelaria offer cocoa and coffee tours with tasting. La Candelaria is also about a two-hour walk away; many go by mototaxi.
Sancocho
Eintopf aus Fleisch und Gemüse, den einfache Lokale am Wasser kochen. Er ist das typische Mittagessen nach einer Wanderung zu den Wasserfällen.
Coffee in the Sierra
The first settlers came from Ireland and Germany to cultivate coffee. Finca La Victoria is considered one of Colombia's largest and oldest coffee farms.On the Finca's premises, Nevada Cervecería brews its beer. Additionally, nearby fincas offer cocoa tours.
Getting There & Around
Colectivo: from Santa Marta market, approx. 21 kilometers and about 45 minutes, price from approx. 8,000 COP. Departure, once the vehicle is full.Last return trip: usually around 5 to 6 PM, inquire locally.On-site: to the waterfalls by foot or mototaxi, motorcycles can be rented daily.
Accommodations in Minca
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