Minca is a magical place, and in my opinion a must-see if you’re in Santa Marta. It’s not uncommon to book a night and stay much longer. That was at least the case for me. You’ll feel instant relief from the humidity in Santa Marta. Let the Fresh air of the Sierra Nevada mountains fill your lungs and flow through your hair while zipping through the forrest on the back of a motor taxi. Or better yet, wear a helmet 🙂
How To Get There:
From Santa Marta:
45 minutes to an hour by colectivo (a shared van). You’ll hear them yelling “MINCA” at the Mercado Publica (corner of carrera 9 and called 12). It’s very affordable, just a few dollars.
They will drop you off in town where a moto taxis are waiting. I believe there are small buggies that can take you if you have more people and/or luggage. If going by motorcycle – Ask for a helmet (casco in spanish). It’s not always possible but it can’t hurt to ask.
Where To Stay:
Accommodation in Minca is everything. Most accommodations are positioned a bit far from town in exchange for incredible views overlooking the jungle. Many of the hostels have meal times where everyone eats at set times. It’s just not feasible to leave the hostel for every meal. This fosters a really nice social environment. At least in my experience, after dinner every night, the guests would head to the bar and everyone would drink and socialize until they were off to bed. It was by no means a wild party, but I did win a hula hoop contest for free beer, humble brag.
Maybe partly because the experience in Minca is so dependent on your accommodation, people tend to love it or hate where they stay. I feel like everyone had a hands down favorite hostel that they swear by, and likely will remain loyal to, therefore having little experience trying somewhere new. For me, it’s Casa Viejo by Masaya. The food was unreal, the sunset view couldn’t be beat, and they offered plenty of daily tours/activities. I’ve also included some other highly recommended hotels and hostels below:
- Casa Viejo by Masaya
- Sol de Minca
- Reserva Natural Tierra Adentro
- Casa Loma
- Sweet Harmony: A bit more luxurious
- Minca Ecohabs: A lot more luxurious
What To Do:
- Watch a Sunset – a hostel/hotel with a view is essential for this afternoon ritual
- Hike: there are multiple hikes to exolore in Minca, many of which lend opportunities to take a dip in a water fall. Pozo Azul or the less toursity Marinka Falls are two examples
- Tour a Coffee Plantation: If you’re staying at casa viejo, you’ll pass right through Finca La Victoria upon arrival
- Chocolate Tour: Finca La Candelaria
- Bird Watching: there are tours galore for bird watching, I personally just enjoyed watching them on the property of the hostel. They are truly remarkable, though I don’t have much patients for an organized tour
- Chill: do yoga, take a dip in the pool, enjoy a drink
- Relax in a Hammock: Hammocks and canopies are very much a thing in Minca. You can go to Sierra Minca for a bit too curated of an instagramable experience or just enjoy from your hostels as most have some sort of hammock/net set up
- The broke backpacker recommends fototrails for hiking and cultural day trips. If you’re not sold by your hostel’s recommendations/tours, then maybe check them out
- Restaurants: Cafe Duni and Lazy Cat if you’re near town
OF NOTE: if you’re going to do la ciudad perdida/the lost city trek, I recommend Minca as a good destination to go to after as you may want a few days to essentially do nothing. And this is a good place to do that
What To Bring:
- Layers: It can get chilly up in the mountains, especially if you’re enjoying a late night drink at the hostel/hotel bar
- Clothing/backpack essentials: Bathing suit, towel (can be rented), flip flops, sneakers, hiking clothes, lounge clothes/pajamas, charger, toiletries & medications
- Bug Spray: You’re in a mountain jungle paradise … home to many creatures
- Activities: A book, journal, yoga mat, headphones, deck of cards, pick your poison to enjoy solo time or make some friends
- Rain jacket and backpack cover if you’re going during wet season. It will most likely rain every single day and you don’t want to be stuck on the back of a motorcycle while you and all of your belonging are being drenched
- Cash: there are no ATMs in Minca. You will for sure need cash for moto taxis and colectivos. Some hostels may take credit card but wifi/connection can be spotty and they may charge a credit card fee. Save yourself some stress and take out pesos in Santa Marta
- Water: Most hostels should provide filtered water so bring your reusable bottle. I do not advise drinking any non filtered water
What not to bring:
- Your whole backpack/luggage if possible. I left my big backpack in Santa Marta and just brought a small backpack. You for sure won’t need to dress up in Minca. Some hostels in Santa Marta may charge a very small fee to keep your luggage, but it’s very much worth it
