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Minca

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A peaceful, quiet, little and the unique church of a far away town in Colombia named Minca.

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Overview

Perched almost 1000ft (600m) high up in the Sierra Nevada above Santa Marta, Minca is a small mountain village famous for its organic coffee, incredibly varied birdlife and – perhaps more importantly – much cooler temperatures than on the hot coast below. The town, which until a few years ago could only be reached via a dirt road, is delightful, surrounded by thick cloud forest and soaring mountain peaks. Despite being recognized by Unesco as a biosphere reserve since 1980, it's only in the last few years that Minca has grown as a traveler destination, with a slew of new hostels and hotels.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Finca La Victoria

    Finca La Victoria

    Minca

    Founded in the late 19th century, this family-run coffee plantation offers interesting 40-minute tours (usually available in English) in which the coffee…

  • Pozo Azul

    Pozo Azul

    Minca

    This fun natural pool and small waterfall is a popular sight for locals and tourists alike, though it can get very full on weekends and during high season…

  • Cascada de Marinka

    Cascada de Marinka

    Minca

    This lovely spot is a 1½ hour walk from Minca – or a 10-minute moto-taxi ride (COP$9000) – and is a surprisingly impressive set of two waterfalls, with…

  • Finca La Candelaria

    Finca La Candelaria

    Minca

    This small coffee, cacao and fruit farm is a family-run, organic business that visitors are welcome to tour to see the various stages of growth, harvest…

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