Minca

is a popular swimming hole with two small waterfalls. You can jump from the top of the second waterfall into the refreshing water below. Reached by walking for about 45 minutes from Minca town: if you're coming from the church, walk to the junction, then turn right and follow the signs. There is no entry fee. With mototaxi it's around COP$8,000 one-way (Sep 2021).

From Minca it's around 45 minutes hiking. You can walk through the flowing river or relax on the big rocks. The entry was for free, but now (2026) they charge 10k for entrance. From here you can continue to the Marinka waterfall and Los Pinos.

A beautiful waterfall with a natural pool for swimming down below. You can walk there in around 1:30h or take a moto taxi for approx COP$6,000 (June 2016). The entry is COP$5,000 (Jan 2021).

From Los Pinos you have an amazing view all over the mountains of Minca and all the way to the coast and Santa Marta. It takes 2½ hours from town to walk there or you can make a trip of it by visiting the Marinka waterfall, sleeping in a hostel up there and then walking the last bit the following morning, or just pay a mototaxi to take you up there. There are two roads leading to the spot: one is the main road and the other is off-track, taking small paths leading you through coffee-plantations. Ask your hostel for information. On the way to Los Pinos are the Marinka waterfall and the Oido del Mundo.

The end of this hike is the viewpoint of Los Nevados. From here you can almost see the entire Sierra Nevada and the sea. If the weather is good the two highest mountain Pico Cristóbal Colón and Pico Simón Bolívar are also visible. The difference in elevation between Minca and the mountain top is 2,200 meters. To make the most of the experience, it is recommended to stay at one of the two hostels about 3-4 km from the top. Both offer cheap rooms and dorms as well as food. From there you can hike up to catch the sunset and sunrise. There is a military base at the top of the mountain; it is prohibited and certainly not recommended to walk past it. There are many places from to watch the sunrise and sunset between the hostels and the base, no need to hike all the way to the top. To get there from the bridge in Minca, take a moto-taxi (COP$30,000 in Feb 2024) or a bus (06:00, 09:30, 11:00, 13:00; COP$10,000 I Feb 2024) to "La Y" and walk about 14 km to the top. The way is a rough 4x4 trail that is easy to walk on, steadily climbing but never too steep. Alternatively you can hire a moto-taxi to take you all the way.

Continue up past the police station, and after a few hundred meters you will see the first sign; the whole way is signposted, but some signs can be missed or misinterpreted, so pay attention. The hike takes around 6 hours, and as you get closer to Paso del Mango, you can swim in the beautiful mountain rivers and waterfalls. You can also do this hike from the bus station in Bonda. From there it's just 2 hours hiking.

As of September 2021 it's closed and might be open again in 2022. A wonderful place to learn about the history of coffee, indigenous people, civil wars and political conflicts in Minca.

Offers interesting chocolate and coffee tours. You can also stay overnight and buy organic coffee and cocoa. Included is a pet toucan ("Tuci"), which was rescued as a baby and now inhabits the house. Reached by a one hour hike, with good views, or take a moto taxi (COP$12,000-15,000) to the entrance path and walk the remaining 10–15 min.