MINCA
The mountains of Minca are just an hour from Santa Marta and hide Coffee & Cocoa plantations. You'll find a laid back backpacker vibe, a slightly cooler climate and ninja level mosquitos.
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getting there
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From Santa Marta | You can get a collectivo from the Mercado Central which leaves when they are full. This is the same place you will get off the bus if you are coming from Palomino, Buritaca or Tayrona and you won't have to wait too long, we were only waiting for 15 minutes. Tickets cost 9,000Cop (£1.60) and the journey takes around 45 minutes depending on traffic or slightly longer if your collectivo breaks down like ours did.
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You can also hop in a taxi from Santa Marta and these should cost around 70,000Cop (£12.40).
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Top Tip: There's no ATM in Minca and most of the businesses are cash only. Make sure you have enough cash before departing Santa Marta.
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To Stay
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Rio Elemento | Just 5 minutes out of town this hostel might as well be in the sticks. It's sprawling gardens and huge pool are a welcome get away from the bustling main street. The hostel run activities include morning yoga, sunset walks and coffee grounding (you know where you exfoliate with the beans). There's a hidden pool along the river to cool off in, an outdoor gym of sorts and giant hammocks where you can nomad to you hearts content. A bed in a dorm (check out the photos online - not your standard bunk set up) will cost you £11 and a private double is £50, a breakfast of pancakes or eggs are included. All day coffee and water refills are a one of extra payment of £0.50
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Masaya Casa Viejas | At £18 for a dorm bed Casa Viejas is pricey and you get little extra. Its 30 minutes from town by moto taxi too. If its a quiet upmarket get away you're after, set in lush jungle, with its own coffee plantation and tours, this is the one. The bird watching isn't bad either.
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To do
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La Candelaria | The coffee and cacao plantation at La Candelaria crosses the the valley and climbs up over the horizon. It's a steep 30 minute walk from the town but is well signposted. You can get a Moto with Moto Mink for 20,000Cop (£3.50). Just turn up, tours begin after 9am and require 2 people as a minimum. Their product is sold only locally and the place has a traditional feel to it. A family run enterprise, a tour (of either) will cost you 30,000Cop (£5.30) It lasts around 2 hours and includes a tour of the farm and a tasting/information session. You'll roast, grind and taste traditional hot chocolate, and truffles as well as learn just how bad industrialised practises and products are. You're sent off with a cacao face mask. An excellent tour we thought, highly recommended. Be aware they use their neighbours Finca Carpe Diem's website.
Find a Waterfall | Pozo Azul is the most popular but if you chose this one go early, and not at the weekend. We joined over 100 others at 9am Sunday morning. Its free to get in and 12,000Cop (£2.10) for a Moto. There's lifeguards on duty and if you hike up the far side the crowds get less but we can't recommend it. It's just too busy. Marinka Falls is also easy to get to and would be our choice for one close by. The 10,000Cop (£1.80) entrance fee keeps the numbers lower and there's hammocks on site. A Moto should be 10,000Cop too. You won't be alone but it won't be too crowded either. If you're looking for a solitary spot try Oido Del Mundo (The Ear of the World), its out of the way, though accessible by track.
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To Eat & Drink
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The Lazy Cat | You can expect the Lazy Cat to be busy for dinner, though there's a couch to await a table, if the couch is taken there's a road side hatch where you can order take out or sip a craft beer while you wait. Prices for a main hover around 30,000Cop (£5.30). Between 5 - 7pm it's 16,000Cop (£2.80) for select burger and fries. We ordered the ribs and pad thai and were not disappointed. Like most Colombian restaurants you can expect the server to ask for your order as soon as your bum touches the seat, and to completely disappear when you want to pay and leave.
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Duni Cafe | Small, busy and super tasty. We loved Duni. Go for lunch, try their Arepas and Chocolate Bread.
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CafiCosta | Coffee Lab anyone? CafiCosta's an Independent. Brewing home roasted beans grown just up the road. There's a Starbucks feel to the place but an authentic taste. A Cappuccino will cost you 5,000Cop (£0.90). Strangely it comes in a paper cup whether you're siting in or taking out (Para llevar).
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Terreza Cafe Minca | Super friendly ladies run this place. Try their Canchanchara Cocktail for 12,000Cop (£2.12) a mixture of honey, rum, aguadiente, and lemon juice. It's a revelation.
NEXT STOP
The gateway to the Lost City, and probably the first beach town you will find on the Caribbean coast. It is a good base for a day trip to Tayrona National Park and its hiking, diving and beaches. Step off and hop the coastline to Buritaca, Palomino - as far as Venezuela.