The short answer: the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta offers one- and two-day plans: Minca for waterfalls, coffee and cacao; the Don Diego River for tubing and archaeology; the Gotsezhy refuge to meet the Wiwa community; and Cerro Kennedy to sleep facing the snowy peaks. It is the world’s highest coastal mountain range, one or two hours from Santa Marta.
This article is part of our Santa Marta guide.
Minca
Minca is a small mountain town above Santa Marta, with lush forest, mountain views and several waterfalls. On the Minca day trip you hike to Cascada Perdida, swim in its water, visit a coffee farm, have lunch in a bamboo cabin and learn the cacao process until you make your own chocolate bar. It leaves at 8:00 am and returns at 5:00 pm.
Don Diego River and Taironaka
Don Diego is a small village near the river mouth, with an Indigenous reserve and Tayrona terraces. Five minutes by boat away is Taironaka, an archaeological park on an old Tayrona city. On the tubing and Taironaka tour you float down the river past howler monkeys and jungle, visit the ruins and finish by kayak where the river meets the sea. If you prefer something at night, artisanal fishing at the river mouth includes a grilled-fish dinner by a bonfire.
Gotsezhy, the Wiwa community
The Gotsezhy refuge belongs to the Wiwa community, one of four living in the Sierra Nevada. With Indigenous guides, a talk with the Mamo, a crafts display and a swim at the ancestral Matuna waterfall, it is a 1 or 2-day visit where ecotourism and ethnotourism meet.
Cerro Kennedy
On the Cerro Kennedy trek you drive up through Minca and the San Lorenzo ridge to close to 3,000 meters, walk to the Panku waterfall (a drop of over 30 meters), sleep at an ecotourism farm and wake up facing the Bolívar and Colón peaks with a cup of organic coffee.
How many days to give it
| Days | Suggested plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Minca (waterfall, coffee and cacao) |
| 2 | Cerro Kennedy, or Gotsezhy with a night at the refuge |
| 3 | Add the Don Diego River and Taironaka |
| 4 to 6 | The Lost City trek |
For the beaches, read the Tayrona Park guide.
Tips
- Bring comfortable shoes, water shoes, repellent, sunscreen, a swimsuit and a jacket for the altitude.
- Respect the communities: do not take photos without permission and follow your guide.
- Carry cash for tips and crafts. Tell us your dates and we will send you a personal quote.
Frequently asked questions
How long do I need for Minca?
One full day covers the waterfall, the coffee farm and the cacao workshop. If you want to go up Cerro Kennedy you need two days.
Is it cold in the Sierra Nevada?
Minca is cooler than the coast; at Cerro Kennedy, close to 3,000 meters, it is cold and a jacket is useful. At the Wiwa community refuges nights drop to about 15 °C.
What is the difference between Minca and the Don Diego River?
Minca is mountain: waterfalls, coffee and cacao. Don Diego is river: tubing, kayak and the Taironaka archaeological park.
Can I visit the Indigenous communities?
Yes, respectfully: at the Gotsezhy refuge the Wiwa community welcomes 1 or 2-day visitors with Indigenous guides. Ask permission before taking photos.
What is the best season?
December to March is the driest. The rest of the year brings more rain and everything is greener.
Want help planning this trip?
Tell us your dates and interests and we will send you a personal quote.
Registered tour operator · RNT 74577
