Minca’s Best: Marinka Waterfalls & La Victoria Coffee Farm – A Review

Minca, you know, it’s this very cool little mountain town right near Santa Marta in Colombia, and it’s become, seemingly, quite the spot for travelers wanting to see a bit of nature without going too far off the beaten path. Two experiences that are, in some respects, brought up often when talking about Minca are the Marinka Waterfalls and La Victoria Coffee Farm. So, you could be asking, are they truly must-sees? We got to explore them and here is, pretty much, the lowdown.

Reaching Minca: Just A Quick Hop From Santa Marta

Alright, so first things first, you got to get to Minca, and you know, it’s actually surprisingly easy. Many start in Santa Marta, a bit of a bigger city on the coast. To get to Minca, you can, arguably, grab a taxi or a bus. Taxis will probably cost more, maybe about $20-$30 USD, depending on your bartering skills and where, that is, you start in Santa Marta. Buses, often, are a very, very cheaper option, perhaps around $2-3 USD, but they do tend to be more crowded and take a little more time. We grabbed a taxi for speed, and frankly, the comfort.

The drive itself is rather scenic, taking you up into the mountains. The climate begins to shift as you get higher, you know, it is escaping the coastal heat for a cooler, fresher feel. Once you reach Minca, it has, usually, a relaxed vibe with hostels, restaurants, and, still, that feeling that you are away from the intense pace of the city. Base done, let’s get to those key sites.

Marinka Waterfalls: A Refreshing Escape

Okay, so the Marinka Waterfalls, those, arguably, are one of Minca’s top attractions, and to be honest, they do give you, arguably, an inviting escape from the warmth. It’s actually quite a walk to get there from the center of Minca, possibly around 45 minutes to an hour, but you can also, very easily, take a mototaxi, which is pretty much a motorcycle taxi. These guys are everywhere and will ferry you up for, very probably, a small fee, maybe a few bucks. We chose to walk because we really did want to take in the scenery and feel that mountain air.

That walk, it has, pretty much, everything, it’s a bit steep in spots, but you’ll, most times, be passing colorful houses, coffee plants, and seeing some fantastic views of the surrounding mountains. It’s, still, good to have comfy shoes since you will be walking on dirt paths and some uneven terrain.

Once you get to Marinka, you will need to pay a small entrance fee, which usually, helps to keep the place maintained. The waterfalls, basically, have two main tiers. The first one is that, typically, bit more crowded, especially in the middle of the day, that, yet, the higher up you go, usually, the fewer people you encounter.

The water, let’s say, is very refreshing! Maybe, it is a bit chilly, but that can be welcomed on a hot day. People like your swimming in the pools at the bottom of the falls, and it’s really a fun place to take a dip and cool off. What we loved, as a matter of fact, was sitting under the falls themselves, getting a natural massage from the cascading water.

For the best photos, well, arguably, it would be recommended to visit earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon when the light is, arguably, softer. Middle of the day, typically, the sun can be very intense, and it may make getting good shots just a little tricky.

A tip: Bring insect repellent! The mosquitos can be out and about, mainly, in the more shaded areas, so come prepared.

La Victoria Coffee Farm: A Step Back In Time

Right, after Marinka, we chose to head over to La Victoria Coffee Farm. That, reportedly, is one of the oldest coffee farms in the area and it runs on hydro-power, that, pretty much, makes it even more unique. You can get there, actually, from Minca by mototaxi or a slightly longer walk. We took a mototaxi this time because, you know, we really did want to save some energy for the coffee tour.

The tour usually, lasts around an hour or so, and, in some respects, it takes you through the whole coffee-making process, beginning from the bean to the cup. The guides there are really informed and they make learning about coffee surprisingly very interesting. What makes La Victoria especially captivating is their, seemingly, old machinery, much of which is original from when the farm began operating. It’s, still, really awesome to see these historical machines chugging away, powered by the nearby river.

During the tour, we were told, often, about the different types of coffee beans they grow, how they roast them, and we actually got to taste some of their coffee. Let’s just say, it was extremely fresh and flavorful, miles ahead of that stuff we buy in the grocery store.

They do have a shop where they usually, sell their coffee, and we could be buying a bag or two (or three) to take home. It’s, that is, a very wonderful souvenir and a way to support the farm directly.

Tip: Inquire about the roasting process. It varies depending on the type of bean, and it can give a very deeper understanding of the coffee’s taste.

Combining Both Adventures: How To Make The Most of Your Day

Alright, so if you are thinking about doing both Marinka Waterfalls and La Victoria in one day, you might be thinking if that is possible. And the answer is, that, definitely yes, that could happen, but you will want to plan things just a bit.

First off, it would probably be wise to start early. Maybe heading to Marinka Waterfalls first thing in the morning. The lighting’s very better for pictures, there are fewer crowds, and, still, it gives you more of the day to play with.

After Marinka, you can flag down a mototaxi to get to La Victoria. They will mostly know where to go, simply say La Victoria Coffee Farm, that should be enough.

Consider having lunch either at the coffee farm—they do have, usually, a little café—or back in Minca. In Minca, you know, you’ll discover many restaurants with all sorts of options, from Colombian fare to international dishes. Take your pick depending on what sounds very good to you.

Keep in mind the tour times for La Victoria so that you could plan your visit accordingly. Sometimes they do, obviously, have a set schedule, or they might just start one whenever there is enough people. So, it’s, pretty much, always a stellar idea to check in advance.

The pace you move at is totally on you. It is really easy to spend an entire day just chilling at the waterfalls, swimming, taking pictures, and relaxing. Or you can, arguably, keep things moving and fit in both spots. Up to you!

Is It Worth It? Final Thoughts

To cap it off, you know, checking out Marinka Waterfalls and La Victoria Coffee Farm are worth it when visiting Minca. They show, often, what makes the town unique: the natural beauty and that local culture.

The waterfalls will provide a refreshing break, an awesome photo op, and a chance to get close with nature. It’s extremely easy to get lost in that simple pleasure of sitting under that cool water, the forest, as well as those sounds all around you.

La Victoria, very likely, gives you an insightful look into coffee production, very much a piece of Colombian identity. The history of that farm, combined with its old processes, definitely gives it character.

What we actually discovered when visiting is that there’s a charm to Minca which is, largely, made up of that mix of outdoors and cultural experiences, and hopefully this helped give you some idea of what that really entails.

• Must-Do Activities: The Marinka Waterfalls and La Victoria Coffee Farm offer unique insights into Minca’s culture and scenery.
• Easy to Reach: Only a short ride from Santa Marta.
• Combine Both: You can blend both places in just one day.