1. Mundo Nuevo Eco Lodge 4* – Eco Friendly Lodges Minca

Offering views of the Sierra, Mundo Nuevo Eco Lodge ( 2.2 km uphill Minca) is set in a sustainable farm with a restaurant. There is a terrace and guests can make use of free WiFi and free private parking (for Motos and 4X4).

You can play billiards at the inn, and the area is popular for hiking. Other activities in the area include bird watching, bee tours and horse riding. Guests can visit indigenous villages nearby and participate in tours about chocolate and coffee.

Organic fruit and vegetables are grown on this sustainable farm. Guests can enjoy vegetarian dishes in the restaurant,made with organic products produced on site and meat on request.

On a mountainside in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park and offering views of the Caribbean Sea, this rustic, informal lodge is on a former coffee plantation amid jungle. It’s 33 km from Simón Bolívar International Airport.

Down-to-earth dorms, some open air, feature hammocks, mosquito nets and valley views; bathrooms are shared. Private rooms are available; upgraded rooms have en suite facilities. A house with a kitchen sleeps up to 15.

There’s a vegetarian restaurant and an organic farm, as well as a bar/lounge with a billiards table, a terrace and mountain views. Wi-Fi is offered. Activities include birdwatching and beekeeping tours.

2.  Minca Ecohabs 3* – Eco Friendly Hotels Minca

Located in the hills outside Santa Marta, Minca Ecohabs Hotel offers on-site nature walking, beautiful tropical gardens. Free WiFi and free breakfast are included.

The rooms here feature a wardrobe, a desk and a small seating area with a sofa. Guests also enjoy a minibar and a private bathroom with a shower and toilet.

Set in a hilltop, forested locale, this tranquil hotel is a 10-minute walk from the Mirador de Minca lookout. Highway 90 is 14 km away.

Featuring palm-thatched roofs, the quirky huts offer free Wi-Fi, minifridges and sofas, along with coffeemakers and room service. Upgraded huts have balconies, hammocks and canopy beds.

Breakfast and parking are free. Other amenities include a spa and a restaurant.

Set in the hills of Santa Marta, surrounded by tropical gardens, the Minca Ecohabs is 15 km from the center and 1 hour drive from Simon Bolivar International Airport. It offers spa and free Wi-Fi. The rooms have a fridge, sofa and desk, as well as coffee and a private bathroom. The breakfast is included and the restaurant offers à la carte regional and international cuisine. Is there room service.

Facilities include free estacionamento, 24 hour reception and tour desk, which helps in hiring touring around the area. Tayrona National Park is 35 km away.

A simple eco-lodge that gives you the opportunity to experience the beauty of this part of Colombia.

The rooms are basic but clean with incredible views above the canopy. You are well looked after by the staff who will organise amazing walking tours and are well-informed about the area and its history.

The Minca Ecohabs are set above the town, with stunning panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada and Santa Marta and the Caribbean in the distance.

The main reception area boasts a stunning balcony, with great bird-watching at dawn and dusk: toucans are a particular thrill!
The ecohabs are spacious, with nice views and comfy beds.

AMAZING! The lodges are beautifully crafted and positioned on the side of a mountain with lush flora and curious fauna. You really feel like you are living in a treehouse in the middle of a forest – the views are breathtakingly spectacular.

The manager is really helpful (can’t remember his name, but he’s French and lives onsite) and will talk you through a map of the local attractions. You can photograph the map, no print-outs, this is a eco living after all.

No air-con but a fan is provided. WIFI access in the public area is intermittent and not to be relied on. This is probably down to the location as the local cafe WIFI access was as unreliable.

To get here you can either get a collective or cab from Santa Marta – journey’s about 40 mins.

A hearty breakfast and decent coffee is included.

Dinner and lunch can be provided on request. I only had breakfast and enjoyed and lunch and dinner in Minca town which is an easy 10 minute walk.

3. Sweet Harmony by Xarm Hotels 3* – Eco Hotels Minca Colombia

Located in Minca, 15 km from Santa Marta, Sweet Harmony by Xarm Hotels boasts a terrace and views of the mountain. Guests can enjoy the on-site bar.

All rooms at Sweet Harmony by Xarm Hotels have a private bathroom with a shower and a hairdryer. Free toiletries are included. A balcony or patio are featured in certain rooms. A flat-screen TV with satellite channels is offered.

There is a 24-hour front desk and gift shop at the property.

We stayed here for 2 nights, and soon realized we wanted to stay longer in Minca. We had a suite with river and mountains view and 2 amcas, but the standard rooms were pretty nice as well.

Super friendly staff who gave a lot of recommendations and directions, the eco/boutique hotel stands out in Minca offering that is mostly backpackers oriented. Excellent for relaxing and enjoying Minca surroundings.

Stunning place, beautifully done, all rooms beautiful, great views, good bathrooms. Showers are amazing – great pressure and hot ! The separate cabins with flat net hammocks outside look incredible, glass on 2 sides, and ac.

The rooms with one long shared balcony can get really hot as no ac, just fans and get the afternoon/evening sun so are super hot at night. We ended up leaving our balcony door open all night to get the cool air & breeze & hid under the mosquito net over the bed.

Very quiet at night being 10-15min walk from town so no motorbike noise or barking dogs !

But ideal location as you get the peace & quiet, but easy walk into town for food, provisions, tours etc.
Very friendly & helpful reception – give you a map and mark everything on and can book tours, thai massage, transfers etc.

Breakfast was nice – a piece of raisin bread & small roll to start, then choice of about 8 dishes, mostly egg based, or cereal or fruit salad – made to order. Tea/coffee/hot choc, and fresh juice. All lovely but quite a small portion.

They have 2 jacuzzis and a small pool which are filled with river water daily, and nice and refreshing !
Such a lovely place to just sit and watch the river/jungle/birds from.

Their hummingbird feeder near reception really attracts them and you can watch quite a few fighting over it!