Minca, a quaint little town in the mountains above Santa Marta, is one of the best eco-tourist destinations along Colombia’s Caribbean coast, or in all of Colombia for that matter. Besides the lovely waterfalls and jungle covered mountains, there are some great places to stay in Minca too. See my picks for the best Minca hostels and the nicest hotels in Minca, Colombia here!
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Best Hotels in Minca, Colombia – Introduction
Minca is one of my favorite spots on Colombia’s Caribbean coasts (that’s not Cartagena, of course!)
It’s a tiny little town in the mountains above Santa Marta surrounded by jungle. It’s still lush and tropical but with a bit cooler climate than the rest of the borderline oppressive heat of the coast.
There are also some great waterfalls to cool off in, some nice hiking, terrific birdwatching, and coffee and cacao farms to visit, all set amongst the lovely scenery of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains.
There are also a handful of neat little restaurants and cafes in town, and there is even a local craft beer!
In short, it’s a great spot to do some hiking and get a break from the mostly beach centric destinations along the coast.
There are also a ton of nice places to stay in Minca, from boutique style hotels, cool Minca hostels, and some great nature lodges, many of which offer pretty good value.
By the way, you can learn more about all there is to do in my complete guide to Minca here.
It makes for an especially good spot to chill out before or after the Lost City Trek, after roughing it in Tayrona National Park, doing a bit of partying in Palomino, or chilling on the beach at Costeño Beach.
Can I Just Do a Day Trip from Santa Marta?
So, you might be asking yourself if you can just do a day trip out of Santa Marta to visit Minca.
The answer to that is yes, it is totally possible to come up to Minca for the day and hike to a waterfall or two, visit one of the coffee or cacao farms, or just do some hiking and/or bird watching.
Honestly, though, I’d recommend the opposite.
Stay in Minca and go check out Santa Marta for a day. There’s better nightlife in Cartagena than Santa Marta, and you can see the historic center and waterfront easily on a day trip into the city with no need to stay the night.
If you do want to just do a day trip though, consider booking this one with our partners BnB Colombia that takes you to a coffee farm, a cacao farm, and the waterfalls (get a discount with the code ExploreColombia10). You could also do this day tour via GetYourGuide that offers a similar experience.
FYI, BnB Colombia also offers private transportation to Minca from Santa Marta and vice versa as well as a 4 day package that includes Santa Marta, Minca, and Tayrona (don’t forget that discount code).
How Many Nights in Minca?
But, I just told you not to do a day trip, so if you take that advice, how many nights should you stay at a hotel in Minca?
I’d say staying 2-3 nights is just about right for most people, especially if you are staying in one of the Minca hotels in town.
You could get by on one night if you give yourself say an afternoon and the morning the next day to see the highlights, but I think you’ll wish you had at least another night.
If you are staying at a hotel in Minca outside of town, higher in the mountains or want to do one of longer hikes, maybe 3-4 nights is better to take full advantage of having some time to relax too.
Beyond 4 nights, you might get a bit bored, but I also wouldn’t throw any shade your way for wanting some more time to relax in the cooler mountain air and enjoy the views if you have the time and are doing more of a slow travel style trip through Colombia.
Staying in a Hotel in Minca vs in the Surrounding Mountains
I think the answer to this question depends a bit on the time you have and also on what you want. If you are only doing 1 or 2 nights, I’d stay at a hotel in Minca proper or very close to town.
If you have 3 or more nights and want to have some time to just relax and enjoy the mountains, then staying at one of the lodges or hostels further would be a great choice.
I’ve included hotels in Minca, hotels and hostels near Minca in the surrounding mountains, and even some that offer a bit of a nice happy medium on this list so you can choose which is best Minca hostel or hotel for you.
11 Best Minca Hotels and Hostels
Ok, so without further ado, let’s get into this list of the best hotels in Minca, Colombia.
You might be wondering why this is a top 11. I like to do top 11s because, well, everyone does top 10s, 11 has a special significance for Cartagena (this is a Cartagena centric site, after all) since it declared its independence on November 11, 1811 (11/11/11), and I think you deserve just a bit more.
I actually even included a few honorable mentions for Minca, Colombia hotels to give you even a bit more value (and since I had a hard time narrowing it down!).
1. Minca Glamping – Best Blend of Value and Location
We stayed at Minca Glamping and absolutely loved it. It’s run by a couple and had only recently opened when we stayed several years back. They just have a few little casitas or bungalows, which are immersed in nature.
The property is only about a 10-15 minute walk from town, but it feels like a world apart. So, this offers a really nice happy medium of being out in nature a bit but also still within easy access to the restaurants and stuff in town.
The food here was great too by the way. A terrific breakfast was included and we also had a nice dinner here one night. I also felt like the price was a pretty good value, especially since the little bungalow was very cute.
In short, I really can’t recommend it enough, and it was an easy choice to lead this list of the best hotels in Minca! There are nicer, more luxurious Minca hotels as well as cheaper places, but I think it’s be best overall combination of value, quality, and location.
2. Masaya Casas Viejas – Lovely Lodge Style Hostel and Hotel
The Masaya Casas Viejas are located on the La Victoria Coffee Plantation (which I highly recommend a visit to whether you stay here or not).
Masaya has a chain of properties around Colombia that offer sort of a boutique style hostel experience that tend to be good values and have private rooms as well as dorms and the social atmosphere of a hostel.
The property here is lovely. It is a roughly 90 minute walk out of town, so keep that in mind (you can also get mototaxis). But, there is a a pool here, a good restaurant, and there is even a brewery!
Plus, of course, there’s plenty of great coffee on site too!
So, this is an easy second choice, and offers something for everyone, whether it be those looking for a dorm and cheaper Minca hostel or those looking for a nicer room, and it’s located up in the nature but not too awfully far from town.
3. Hostal Sierra Minca – Awesome Views at this Mountain Hostel
If you’ve seen pretty photos on Instagram in Minca, you’ve probably seen photos at Hostal Sierra Minca. They have a great property located in the mountains above town, and they have two pretty neat photo ops with giant hands and a swing with wings overlooking the mountains (those are probably the photos you’ve seen on Insta).
There’s also a nice little pool here. There are dorms as well as private little bungalows with sweet mountain views. They all look comfortable. I think it would be a good choice for younger couples, traveling friends, as well as solo travelers.
So, if you want a place outside of town that has great views and a neat atmosphere, this makes for a great choice. Plus, you’ll get some great photos for your Insta feed. Just keep in mind it is quite far from town so is best for those that have multiple nights.
4. Sierra Alta Finca Boutique – Great Luxury Mountain Lodge
If you’re looking for something a bit more luxurious, Sierra Alta Fina Boutique might be the best Minca hotel choice for you.
It’s located on a lovely property outside of town with gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains. The rooms are lovingly furnished and strike a great balance between comfort and rustic charm.
It also has a family, home away from home style atmosphere. For those looking to be immersed in nature in a place a bit nicer and quieter than the hostel atmospheres at the previous two places, this makes a great choice for where to stay in Minca.
5. Trekker Glamping – Even More Luxurious Glamping Domes
For those really looking to be immersed in nature while also enjoying some luxury, Trekker Glamping would make a good choice for a Minca hotel.
They have the type of neat looking glamping domes that are becoming more and more common around Colombia and eslwhere. They are super nice looking, with really nice furnishings. All of the domes are set apart a bit with great views, and there is a nice pool area too.
While a bit on the pricey side, this really makes for a very unique stay and would be a very memorable Minca hotel. I think it’d be perfect for a romantic getaway, and the family room would also be a good choice for a small family with kids.
6. Hotel Minca La Casona – Best “Downtown” Minca Hotel
There aren’t too many hotels in Minca itself, but Hotel Minca La Casona is definitely the best of them. It’s definitely the best choice for those that want to be close to the restaurants in town and not have to worry about walking back to their hotel through the dark outside of town.
There’s still a great view over the mountains here by the nice little pool. Rooms are simply but nicely and comfortably furnished. The setting in an old monastery also gives it a neat and charming vibe.
So, if you prefer to stay in town, this makes for a fine choice!
7. Hostal Casa Loma – Great Views Right Next to Town
I remember once following a sign for coffee with a view when I was visiting Minca on my own. It led me up a path behind the schoolhouse and up a steep path up a forest covered hill to Hostal Casa Loma.
While I probably would not have walked up there had I known it was as high up as it was, the view here is absolutely lovely (and the coffee was solid too!). On a clear day, you can see all the way to the Caribbean.
It’d be a lovely view to wake up to in the morning without a doubt, and the sunset is also amazing. It is definitely a bit of a tough uphill hike to get up here, but it’s actually not very far away from town at all. So if you want a stunning view while not being a long hike away, it’s a good choice.
There are still dorms here, but there are also some pretty cool looking little huts for singles too plus private double rooms, group rooms, and even a neat looking larger bungalow.
8. Rio Elemento – Lovely Spot on the River Just Outside Town
For those looking for a fun vibe and happy medium between vicinity to town and feeling immersed in nature, Rio Elemento is a very good choice. It’s located within walking distance to town, very close to the Minca River.
There is a great pool here, and it’s surrounded by forest with some hiking trails down to the river. There is a cool little bar area, a yoga area by the river, and the restaurant has good reviews.
There are dorms in cool bungalows here, tents, private rooms, and even a larger, private bungalow. That means there is something for everyone at this hotel and hostel in Minca!
9. Costeño River – Another Great Minca Hotel on the River
Located on the river a bit further from town, Costeño River is next on this list of the best hotels and hostels in Minca, Colombia.
It’s a lovely property set among the trees of the jungle with great views of the surrounding mountains. There are some really cool looking little bungalows here, some with their own private giant hammocks and amazing views.
There is also a pool here, a good bar, and a guests love the social atmosphere. It’s also still within easy walking distance from town.
There is one dorm here as well as several private rooms, so it would make a great place for solo travelers, friends traveling together, or couples.
10. Reserva Natural Tierra Adentro – Lovely Lodge
The Reserva Natural Tierra Adentro is a gorgeous property!
It is located a pretty decent distance from town, but is only a short walk from Marinka Waterfall, the best waterfall and in my opinion the one absolutely can’t miss thing in Minca.
So, even if you only have a couple nights, this makes a good choice for where to stay in Minca if you want to also get some relaxation and be in more of a nature, mountain lodge type of property, since it’s so close to the waterfall.
The views are absolutely amazing here with a lovely deck overlooking the tree covered mountains and valleys below. Rooms are lovingly furnished with a rustic but luxurious look. This Minca hotel also has a great family atmosphere.
It would make an especially good choice for where to stay in Minca for families or couples, or those just looking for some peace and tranquility.
11. Minca Ecohabs – Lovely Cabins Close to Town
The Minca Ecohabs would also make a lovely place to stay in Minca. Part of a chain of eco-lodges around the Caribbean coast, they are highly regarded for offering a nice mix of luxury and nature.
The rooms, most of which are set in bungalows, are terrifically furnished and with very neat decor built largely out of bamboo.
It’s also just a short walk away from town and has some great views of its own.
I think it would make an especially good choice for where to stay in Minca for couples or solo travelers who want a bit more privacy than they would get at the Minca hostel/hotel combos.
Bonus: Honorable Mentions
Narrowing this down to 11 hotels in Minca was tough. Here are 3 more I strongly considered for the list as an added bonus:
- Finca San Rafael – A great little coffee and cacao finca located above town. Great views, nice rooms, and a nice pool. Plus full time access to coffee and chocolate!
- Mundo Nuevo Ecolodge – Very cool spot located higher up in the mountains with some amazing views, a small pool of its own, and some nice looking rooms and spaces.
- Hotel Minca Express Relax – Right in the heart of town, this would be my pick for the best cheap hotel in Minca.
Ready to book your hotel in Minca, Colombia?
Whichever of these hotels or hostels in Minca you choose, you’re sure to be satisfied.
I really can’t recommend a stop for a few nights in Minca enough on a trip up or down Colombia’s Caribbean coast, and if you do decide to stop here, I really hope this post was helpful for you planning your trip.
But more importantly, I hope you have a great time! Be sure to also check out my complete guide to Minca to help you get the most out of your visit.
Cheers and Happy Exploring!
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