Minca
A cool mountain village above Santa Marta, known for coffee farms, waterfalls and birdwatching in the Sierra Nevada.
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Minca is a village in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, in Colombia's Magdalena department, set in the hills above Santa Marta on the Caribbean coast. The road climbs from the lowlands into forest, and the air at the top is noticeably cooler than on the beach. Most of the village is guesthouses, cafés and coffee farms on the slopes, and moto taxis are the usual way to reach the sights.
People go for the coffee farms, the waterfalls a short walk or moto ride away, and the forest trails. The area is also a birdwatching destination. Minca suits a slow trip of a few nights: hiking, farm visits and early mornings. January to April is the drier season and the easiest time to walk the trails. Plan two or three nights, more if you want to hike between farms.
Minca in five
- Carry Colombian pesos in cashLodges and jeep drivers may not take cards, so withdraw pesos in Santa Marta before the ride up.Money and costs
- Take a shared jeep from Santa MartaShared jeeps run from Santa Marta to Minca on a rough, bumpy road. Hold on, keep bags on your lap, and agree the fare before you get in.Getting around
- Wear grippy shoes for the river walksTrails to the waterfalls cross wet rock and river stones, which are slippery after rain. Shoes with grip matter more than sandals, even on short paths.
- Get a SIM or eSIM before the hillsSignal drops in the forest and at higher lodges, so load data before you leave Santa Marta and save offline maps.Phones and eSIM
- Set up travel insurance that covers rural evacuationCheck that your policy covers jeep and road transport and evacuation from rural areas, since the village has limited medical care.Travel insurance
Need to know
- Currency
- Colombian peso (COP)
- Entry
- Entry rules depend on your passport; check Migración Colombia before you fly Read more
- Emergency
- 123 police, fire and ambulance; 112 also works from mobiles
- Tipping
- 10% in restaurants if no service is added to the bill
- Time
- UTC-5, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDry, cooler nights
- FebruaryDry, clear trails
- MarchDry, warm
- AprilDry, hot
- MayRains begin
- JuneWet, green
- JulyWet, full rivers
- AugustShowers, mixed
- SeptemberWet, full rivers
- OctoberRainy, green
- NovemberHeaviest rain
- DecemberRains ease
Right now in Minca
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 31°
- Humidity
- 77%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 77%
Minca
03:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today28°23°77%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 77%.
- Tue30°24°100%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed28°23°100%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu27°23°100%Thursday: Rain. High 27°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Fri27°23°100%Friday: Rain. High 27°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sat28°22°100%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sun28°22°68%Sunday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 68%.
Updated 11:26 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 3,192 COP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- Feb–MarBarranquilla's CarnivalBarranquilla, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Santa Martaabout 1 hour by shared jeepThe coastal city where the jeeps leave from, with markets, the old town and the sea.
- Tayrona National Natural Parkby car or tour from Santa MartaBeaches and forest trails inside a national park, with day tours running from Santa Marta.
- Ciudad Perdidaa 4 to 6 day trek from Santa MartaA multi-day hike into the Sierra Nevada to the Lost City ruins, booked through guides from Santa Marta.
Before you go to Minca
Rules for Minca, checked
- Check the entry rules for your passport on Migración Colombia before you fly.Source
- Carry identification when you travel and on walks; police can ask to see it.
- Much of the Sierra Nevada is protected land, so stay on marked trails and take your rubbish back down.
Plan around Minca
Village and hillside stays, by price and distance from the river
Read the guideGetting aroundShared jeeps from Santa Marta and local rides
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices on the trip
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules and what to check before you fly
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData and signal in the hills and forest
Read the guideAll of ColombiaCities, coast and regions beyond Minca
Read the guideMinca FAQ
Is Minca worth visiting?
Yes, for two or three nights if you want coffee farms, river walks and cooler air than Santa Marta. It is a weak choice for a beach trip, since the sea is at Santa Marta, not in the village.
Can you visit Minca as a day trip from Santa Marta?
Yes, but it is a long day with a bumpy jeep ride each way. Staying a night or two gives you time for the waterfalls and a coffee tour without rushing the return.
Do you need a car in Minca?
No. Shared jeeps link Santa Marta and Minca, and most lodges and walks start from the village. The tracks are steep and unpaved, so a rental car is not needed.
What is the best time to visit Minca?
January to April, the drier season, has the clearest trails and most reliable walks. May to November brings more rain, and the waterfalls run fullest after heavy rain.
How many days do you need in Minca?
Two or three nights covers the waterfalls, a coffee farm visit and a slow morning by the river. Add a night in Santa Marta if you want the beaches or the old town.
Is Minca safe to visit?
Ask your lodge about trail conditions before a walk, and keep to paths your host knows. Carry a copy of your passport on walks and leave the original in the lodge safe.