Where are we?
Minca is located just 45 minutes from the city of Santa Marta on the north coast of Colombia.
We are just an hour away from pristine Caribbean white-sand beaches but have the benefit of living in the stunning Sierra Nevada mountains complete with cool climate, great walks and wildlife, two rivers, waterfalls and swimming spots.
1. The easy and cheap way:
In Santa Marta go to "La Estacion de Minca" at "Calle 11 con Carrera 12" in "El Mercado."
From here you can take a collective taxi for 6,000 COP per person. It will wait until there are four passengers and then depart. Journey time is around 45 minutes.
2. The luxury way
You can take a private taxi direct from Santa Marta for around 30,000-35,000 COP.
3. The adventurer's way
Another option is to take the bus marked "Yucal" from the centre of Santa Marta and get off just after the train tracks at the start of the barrio “Yucal.” From here you can take a motorbike taxi for 6000 COP.
Or, you could catch a motorbike direct from the city centre for a slightly higher fare. They may ask for around 8000 / 9000 COP to go to Minca.
If you are traveling by motorbike, it is best to bring only a small backpack and leave your larger one in Santa Marta.
To Casa Loma Minca
Once you are in Minca, head 30 seconds to the church ("La Iglesia").
You find us by walking up the church path and towards the church as if you are going to enter the church, but take the stairs to the back and left of the church, continuing past the school and sports court.
You will see our entrance at the back of the sports court between two other hostels, "Casa Vieja" and "Hostal Colonial 2."
Follow the hand rails and stone path all the way up to the top, around 10 minutes.
Stop to breathe and take in the views while imagining what will await you at the top.
If you would like us to meet you in town on arrival, just call us and we are happy to do this.
Take the bus back towards Santa Marta.
Ask to get get out at "La bomba en la entrada a Minca." This is a large petrol station at the entrance to Minca.
From here take a motorcycle for 6000 COP or a private taxi for around 20,000-25,000 COP.
Take the bus to Santa Marta bus station and use one of the methods above to reach Minca.
Please note that if you go to "La Estacion de Minca" from the bus station you will be travelling away from Minca in order to travel back towards us, so this increases journey time.
It is more direct to take a taxi / motorbike to "La linea de tren en Yucal" and from here arrange transport to Minca.
A Note About Money
There is one ATM at La Bomba (a large petrol station at the entrance to Minca) and one at the bus station.
Otherwise, you will need to go to "La Buena Vista en Mamatoco." This is a large shopping mall on the edge of Santa Marta close to the entrance to Minca where there are a number of ATMs.
If you are in Santa Marta there are a number of ATMs around Plaza San Francisco at Calle 14 and Carrera 4.