Minca

Tours

This experience invites you to discover the secrets of artisanal coffee and cocoa in the middle of nature. During the day we will take gentle and moderate walks along rural trails, cross streams and enjoy a swim in crystal clear waters. We will visit a local space dedicated to artisanal coffee production, where you will learn about the stages of cultivation and enjoy a delicious cup of freshly brewed coffee. We will also participate in a cocoa workshop, with tastings and sensory activities around the local chocolate, which you can enjoy in 6 presentations, including cup and chocolate mask and also make your own chocolate bar. This experience is accompanied by a homemade lunch (with vegetarian and vegan option) and time to relax in a natural and relaxing environment. Departure times x sectors of the city in low season: - Bello Horizonte or Pozos colorados sector between 7:40 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. - El Rodadero sector between 8:00 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. - Historic Center Sector between 8:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. - Mamatoco checkpoint between 9:10 a.m. and 9:20 a.m. - Minca Bridge 9:40 a.m. Note: the route may be modified at any time by the guide, according to weather or natural, physical, cognitive, health, public order conditions.

We will begin with a look at Minca's pre-Hispanic and historical past, before diving into the importance of its ecosystem and rivers, reflecting the daily life and beliefs of its inhabitants. We will discover the crucial role of coffee in local history and venture on a short walk to meet endemic birds, flora and vegetation. Finally, we will cool off in a beautiful waterfall, providing a complete and unforgettable experience in Minca. Join us to discover the treasures of this mountain town! Minca Free Tour: Discover the Soul of the Sierra Nevada ✨ Minca Main Park ⛪The central hub of community life, where residents and visitors gather to share, enjoy activities, and foster togetherness in a natural and relaxed setting. Capilla Virgen del Perpetuo Socorro A historic temple that reflects the deep-rooted beliefs of the community and its spiritual connection to the Sierra Nevada. Biodiversity Museum A space dedicated to Minca’s natural wealth, where we explore endemic and migratory species of flora and fauna and discuss the importance of their conservation. Minca’s Main Street A vibrant artery filled with colorful shops, handicrafts, restaurants, and cafés that showcase the local culture and the sustainable tourism growth in the area. Local Bakery & Tasting ☕Discover Minca’s baking tradition while tasting local products and learning how the town’s economy has evolved with the rise of tourism and new businesses. Minca Cemetery ⚰️A place rich in history, where we share stories of local figures and reflect on how funeral rituals have changed from indigenous traditions to modern-day practices. River or Waterfall A meeting with water, the vital element of the Sierra. Here, we will learn about Minca’s hydrography and discuss the importance of the ecosystem and its environmental conservation. Trail to the Viewpoint A hike through the tropical rainforest ecosystem, with insights into the flora, fauna, and conservation efforts that protect this unique environment. Santa Marta Viewpoint We conclude our experience with a breathtaking view of Santa Marta and the Caribbean Coast, exploring the geography and geology of the Sierra Nevada and its impact on the region. The tour is based on tips (we recommend that it be between 10 to 15 dollars) Don't miss exploring the vibrant life of Minca, from its streets to its waterfalls. An unforgettable experience that will take you to the nature and culture of this charming Colombian town. See you soon! (We suggest a tip of 10 - 15 dollars to person)

• Departure from your hotel Santa Marta: After a one-hour drive, we will arrive at the charming town of Minca, where our guide will be waiting to start our hiking route. • We will walk for an hour through lush nature until we reach a small coffee plantation, where we will recharge with a delicious cup of coffee. Our guide will share everything about its preparation, origin, and derivatives. A flavorful and informative experience! • Water pools of the Minca River: Immerse yourself in a magical spot where crystal-clear water flows directly from the river, forming natural pools perfect for a refreshing swim. Relax and enjoy this hidden gem in the heart of the Sierra Nevada. • We will continue with a 45-minute walk to a cozy bamboo restaurant nestled in the mountains, where we will enjoy a delicious meal with spectacular views of the town of Minca. • After lunch, our guide will teach you all about the cocoa-making process, and you’ll have the chance to prepare your own chocolate bar to taste as much as you like. A true treat for your taste buds! • After an amazing day, we will return to Santa Marta, concluding this unique experience.

Go into the heart of Minca and learn about the legacy of the indigenous peoples descended from the Tayrona. This trek offers an approach to the history and culture of the Kogui, Wiwa, Arhuacos and Kankuamos, communities that have maintained their link with nature and their ancestral knowledge over time. The tour takes place in a diverse natural environment, where the native vegetation and the variety of species show the ecological richness of the region. As we advance, we observe the interaction between the ecosystem and the traditional practices of those who have inhabited this territory for centuries. Our destination is a cocoa and coffee farm managed by an Arhuaca family, where we will learn about their way of life and the relationship they have built with the land. They will explain the processes of cultivation and transformation of these products, as well as their uses within the indigenous cosmovision. We will also discuss the permanence of their traditions and the way they have faced the socio-cultural changes in their territory. More than a walk, this experience seeks to connect visitors with local communities and their projects, providing an authentic perspective on the evolution of Minca. To close the tour, there will be a resting space at a natural waterfall, an environment that symbolizes the connection between the landscape and the identity of the place. (We may encounter a waterfall along the way, so get your bathing suit ready).

Join to the secret ancient cocoa/CACAO experience. Here you will see the Cacao process (from the tree to your mouth), bird watching and songs, bird nests, nature exploration, fruit tasting and some other things. During the tour you will enjoy the priviledge to taste original Cacao from La Sierra. We will have chocolate to drink and eat in different presentations. We will walk in Tayrona indigenous territory. Enjoy the jungle landscape and take a bath in the waterfall with clay experience and pictures.

Live an authentic experience in Minca, where community-based tourism and sustainability come together to offer you an educational and enriching tour. You will visit a local farm where farmers from the Sierra Nevada share their knowledge about coffee and cocoa, two products that have marked the history of this region. You will learn about their cultivation, harvesting and transformation process, understanding how these practices have evolved from traditional methods to more sustainable agroecological techniques. This tour not only brings you closer to the flavors and aromas of coffee and cocoa, but also takes you through the biodiverse landscapes of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Thanks to its multiple thermal floors, this region is home to an impressive variety of flora and fauna, as well as fertile soils that have allowed communities to develop a diverse and resilient agriculture. We will walk along trails through tropical forests, discovering native plants, ancient trees and crystalline rivers that nourish the life of this ecosystem. During the tour, you will also learn about the relationship between local communities and the land, exploring how coffee and cocoa have influenced the economy, culture and identity of Minca. In addition, the trek will take us to different strategic points from where you can admire the contrasts of the landscape: mist-covered mountains, the vibrant green of the jungle and, in the distance, the immensity of the Caribbean Sea. This is a trip that goes beyond conventional tourism: it is an opportunity to learn, connect with nature and value the work of those who cultivate the land with respect and dedication. Join us on this journey and discover Minca from its purest essence.

Our journey begins by diving into Minca’s fascinating past, uncovering its rich cultural heritage that blends indigenous traditions and local legends. From its origins as an indigenous settlement to becoming a vibrant cultural hub, you’ll explore how this corner of the Sierra Nevada evolved into the heart of local heritage. Next, we’ll venture into Minca’s magical forests and jungles, where the diverse flora and fauna surround you at every turn. Among towering trees and the chorus of birds, you’ll witness firsthand the incredible biodiversity that makes Minca a true natural paradise. As we continue, we’ll take you through hidden trails and cross some of Minca’s most iconic waterfalls, including the secret “Cascada Valhalla” and the stunning Pozo Azul. These paths offer an alternative perspective of Minca, showcasing the beauty of this region from a lesser-known angle. Along the way, we’ll pass by the Vista Verde Hostel, a well-known spot in Minca, and stop to learn about the local school that has been managed by the community, highlighting their commitment to education and sustainability. We’ll then explore the history behind the region’s first coffee and cocoa crops, which revolutionized the local economy. You’ll also learn about sacred plants used by indigenous people for centuries, creating a profound connection between body, spirit, and earth. The tour culminates with a refreshing stop at a hidden, crystal-clear waterfall, a secluded natural oasis where you can unwind and embrace the pure energy of the land. This unforgettable experience will leave you with a deeper appreciation for Minca’s natural and cultural treasures. Itinerary: Meeting at Minca Park Indigenous and local trails Bird watching Cascada Valhalla and Pozo Azul Visit to Vista Verde Hostel Visit to community-managed school Explanation of cacao and coffee crops Prepare for an adventure that will introduce you to the best of Minca! Altitude: 600 to 700 m above sea level Difficulty: Medium-High Distance: Approx. 8 km

From Santa Marta, embark on a 45-minute drive through the foothills of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta to find the small town of Minca. In the company of a local guide, take a 2.5-hour nature walk passing waterfalls, natural swimming pools, and scenic views of the surrounding mountains.  The walk ends at a coffee farm, where you will learn about the coffee production process and it’s importance to Colombia’s culture. Enter a bamboo house where you will enjoy a gourmet lunch before learning about cocoa, its production, and derivatives.   At the end of the tour, return transfers will be provided to your hotel in Santa Marta.

Here you will find a nature walk to a Coffee and Cacao farm founded in 1960. (39 minutes away from the town). We will see a really good view point to Santa Marta and if nature allows some birds like Tucans or Oropendulas. At the Coffee and Cacao farm we will have a tour and explanation of 3 Coffee types and 3 Cacao types. We will taste Organic Coffee and Cacao raw and Hot Chocolate. We will have a natural skin exfoliation with Cacao extract. In the AM schedule you can enjoy a typical local lunch for $25.000COP Chicken, meat, fish or vegetarian. Then we will make the walking back to town.

This is not for a simple tourist, it is for conscious and real explorers! This experience is for travelers who don’t just want to see a place—they want to understand it. As an Anti Tour, it breaks away from the typical narrative, offering a raw, real, and deeply local perspective on Minca. This is not a postcard version of the town. This is the Minca where people live, work the land, grow coffee and cacao, and navigate the complex changes brought by tourism. It's a chance to connect with the land, with traditions rooted in agriculture, and with a community that has chosen environmental consciousness as a path forward. Minca today is a place of contrasts—natural beauty and social challenges, booming tourism and fragile ecosystems. This tour invites you into that reality, encouraging reflection, dialogue, and participation. At the center of the experience is a sustainable family-run farm that is more than a place of production—it’s a living example of resistance, adaptation, and regenerative practices. Here, you'll learn how agroecology, local wisdom, and environmental commitment come together. You'll walk scenic trails with meaning. Meet the people behind the fields. Listen to the stories that aren’t in travel blogs. And learn how tourism, when done responsibly, can become part of the solution—not the problem. This is not just a tour. It’s an invitation to slow down, listen, and be part of something real. Experience Itinerary Meeting Point – Minca’s Main Square Welcome and introduction to the Anti Tour concept: tourism with purpose and perspective. Reality Trek – Nature, Land & Local Stories Hike through trails while exploring the real context: biodiversity, deforestation, land use, and the social impact of tourism. Visit to a Community Coffee & Cacao Farm Learn how local families are reclaiming sustainability through tradition and agroecology. Hands-On Coffee & Cacao Session Harvest, taste, and understand the life cycles of the land and the people who care for it. Riverside Reflection – Environmental Dialogue by Water Visit a local river or waterfall and hold an open talk on environmental challenges, water conservation, and Minca’s role as Colombia’s ecological capital. Community Dialogue & Local Tasting Share coffee and stories. Discuss the struggles, changes, and hopes of Minca’s people. Return & Reflection Circle Close with a group conversation: what does it mean to be a responsible traveler today? By joining the Anti Tour, you're not just visiting—you’re participating in a local movement that defends culture, protects nature, and reimagines tourism from the ground up.