Colombia Complete Travel Guide
The Santa Marta region has a few highlights to see in the area: Tayrona National Park with its beautiful beaches, the relaxed vibe in Palomino, and Minca in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Even though Minca is so close to Santa Marta, it’s a completely different landscape, environment and temperature. Instead of hot coastal weather, expect more rainfall and cooling off in the evening.
What to do one full day in Minca?
Start the day early, in summer there is a big chance of potential rain showers in the afternoon. I wanted to make the most of the day and blue skies and was ready to go at 8 AM to Cascadas de Marinka. I arrived at Marinka exactly at opening time and had the falls all to myself. Great for that picture-perfect moment before the crowds come in. Marinka has 2 waterfalls, the lower fall with an actual pool and the upper fall to let the water splash on you.
Marinka lower waterfall
Marinka upper waterfall
After Marinka I visited the viewpoint Los Pinos, with a wide view of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Santa Marta and the Ocean. Although I have to admit the viewpoint is quite a bit further and therefore could easily be skipped.
Los pinos viewpoint
In the afternoon it was time to relax for a few hours at my hotel and take a refreshing dip in the pool.
Relaxing at the pool with a gorgeous view of the surrounding mountains
At 2 PM I was up and ready again to visit the cacao farm at La Candeleria. The tour is 30.000 COP and takes about one hour. The guide explains about the cacao plants, the harvest, and the production. Of course it included cacao tasting at various stages of the process. And a cacao face mask! My skin felt so soft afterwards 🙂
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How to get around in Minca?
The moto-taxi was my absolute favorite form of transportation in Minca. I looked up renting my own motorbike, the cost would be 160.000 COP for the day. In the morning, the moto-taxi took me around the entire loop of the hotel, Marinka Falls, Los Pinos and back to the hotel for 80.000 COP. In the afternoon the moto-taxi took me to the cacao farm for a 50.000 COP return trip. It was for sure the most economic form of transportation.
But not only that! Even though I love my own set of wheels, and I’m pretty confident driving anywhere in the world. But the roads around Minca were not only steep, they were extremely muddy at certain areas too! The moto-taxi drivers were wearing wellington boots and often had to hold the bike steady while stepping in the muck. I was so glad I was on the back! I saw a few other tourists on the motorbike struggling on the road.
Hiking? If you really love walking in the mud for hours? Or going up the steep climb to the cacao farm? Sure, go for it! I much prefer the comfort and professional driving of the moto-taxi.
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Riding at the back of the moto-taxi and posing at the upper Marinka fall
How many days in Minca?
I spent 2 nights in Minca, one afternoon relaxing at my hotel, and a full day exploring the area. For me that was the perfect amount of time.
How to get to Minca?
At the public market in Santa Marta is also the transfer to Minca. Coming from Palomino I first had to go back to Santa Marta, where I hopped onto the minivan to Minca. The ride takes 45 minutes and costs 10.000 COP. In Minca some of the nice hotels with mountain views are a bit outside of town. A moto-taxi took me to my hotel La Veranda for 5.000 COP.
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Wat een bijzondere ervaring op de motor taxi om de omgeving te ontdekken.