Santa Marta and Minca

I imagine I'll get little sympathy on this one, but I finally got some serious heat when I landed in Santa Marta. It was 32 when I walked out of Simón Bolívar International Airport at about 2:30 in the afternoon of February 17. The wall of heat and humidity hit me as I left the air-conditioned confines of the exit lounge, and I couldn't help but smile...ahhh...the heat.

As is my usual CAB habit, I walked to my hotel about 2 km from the airport. A weird place in the middle of nowhere in what I think will eventually be a built-up area, but at this point, it was bizarrely barron. No restaurants or tiendas within a kilometre. Like WTF?

There was another reason to keep walking everywhere, especially in warmer weather, I was building up to Ciudad Perdida trek shape that was a few days away, and this is why I was in Santa Marta, the gateway to the Lost City. It certainly wasn't for any nostalgic reasons as my last time here, 9 years ago, devolved into a strange and sketchy couple of days that had left me wondering if I might have dodged a bullet, thanking the travel gods that I don't really believe in but thank nonetheless.

I didn't think the hills of Cali and the heat of Santa Marta alone were going to get me into shape, so before the big trek, my next stop was the small mountain town of Minca. Like the Ciudad Perdida, Minca is also nestled deep within the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range in northern Colombia.

There seem to be countless hikes, waterfalls, rivers, and opportunities for adventure in the Sierra Nevada and Minca is where many stay for a few days to experience the fun or relaxation, depending on what you're after. There are many hostels and small hotels in town and within a kilometre or two of Minca, some with stunning views, especially at sunset.

I hiked to two waterfalls/natural swimming pools, Pozo Azul and Marinka, and one mirador, all on uphill winding dirt roads or paths through the mountains and always with the soundtrack of birds all around. An unanticipated mini hike was the many steps up to the Casa Loma Minca - a rustic eco-hostel located on a hill overlooking Minca and Santa Marta. It's definitely the spot in town to see the beautiful sunset, have a drink and listen to listen to a DJ spin some tunes (mixed bag there).

Here are some pics of tings...Read more