Minca

4.5 (509 reviews)

Tourist AttractionPoint of InterestEstablishment

Best time to visit

Leave early in the morning (before 8 a.m.) to enjoy the waterfalls without the crowds and see the most active birds. The dry season from December to March offers the best conditions for hiking.

Budget tips

Access to the waterfalls costs between 5,000 and 15,000 COP (1-4€) per site. Mototaxis from the Santa Marta bus station cost about 25,000 COP to go up, negotiate the price before getting on.

Recommended for

Ecotourism enthusiasts, Hikers, Nature photographers, Travelers seeking peace and quiet

Plan your visit

1-2 days

About

Quick facts: Perched at 600 meters above sea level in the Sierra Nevada, this former coffee-growing settlement has about 700 permanent residents. Its temperatures range between 20 and 28 degrees Celsius all year round, a refreshing contrast to the coastal heat of Santa Marta, which is only 45 minutes away.

Highlights: The 12 waterfalls accessible on foot from the central village offer natural pools where water flows directly from the Sierra Nevada glaciers at 16 degrees Celsius. A local ritual involves climbing to the Marinka waterfall before 8 a.m. to catch hummingbirds drinking in the spray, their wings beating 80 times per second.