Menu
Traveling to Minca soon? Then you have probably read that there are many waterfalls in the area that you can visit! One of these popular waterfalls is called Pozo Azul and you can find these waterfalls at about an hour’s walk from the center of Minca. In this post, I will tell you everything you need to know about Pozo Azul, including where the waterfalls are located, how to get there, opening hours and which facilities you can expect. Here we go!
views of the Sierra Nevada mountains in Minca, Colombia
Minca is a small mountain town located in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains in the north of Colombia near the Carrebean Coast. It is known for its lush landscapes, rich biodiversity, and coffee and cacao cultivation, making it a wonderful destination for eco-tourists and nature enthusiasts.
If you are coming from Palomino or Dibulla and are looking for a cooler climate, then Minca is your best bet. Minca is located about 600 meters above sea level, so it’s much cooler here than in the nearby coastal areas, and, even though it’s still warm in Minca, it is a nice retreat from the sweltering tropical heat.
The village and its surroundings are a haven for birdwatchers and you can see over 300 species of birds here making these lush mountains their home. If you are a hiking enthusiast be sure to make an overnight trip to Cerro Kennedy.
The dense forest is also home to a much broader array of wildlife, including howler monkeys but I have to be honest here and say that I didn’t see or even hear any. I found Colombia in general a bit poor regarding wildlife. But it’s good for them if they are hiding somewhere far away from humans in the woods!
Minca is also a paradise for waterfall lovers. You can find many beautiful cascading waterfalls in Minca, such as Pozo Azul and the Marinka Waterfalls.
In addition to its natural attractions, Minca also offers an impressive range of accommodations that range from rustic hostels to eco-lodges!
Pozo Azul is one of Minca’s most beloved natural attractions. It’s a picturesque waterfall and swimming hole tucked away in the lush landscapes of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains.
If you plan to visit both Pozo Azul and the Marinka waterfalls, prepare yourself for a completely different vibe. While the Marinka Waterfalls are a beautifully curated complex with three waterfalls, restaurants, showers and toilets, Pozo Azul provides a more rustic and untouched setting.
Just a short hike from the village, it offers a tranquil escape into nature, where you can immerse yourself in the refreshing waters of the small but enchanting waterfalls. Once you leave the main road from Minca, the walk to Pozo Azul is also very enchanting, with paths winding through bamboo forests and an occasional snack stall on the road.
Pozo Azul is located in a lush green landscape near the center of Minca. It’s about an hour’s walk to get there, and colectivos also ply the route to the waterfalls.
To find the exact location of the waterfalls and how to walk there, it’s best to use Maps.me as the location on Google Maps isn’t that accurate. If you do use Google Maps, type in Sendero de Pozo Azul instead of just Pozo Azul. This will lead you to the start of the trail down to the waterfalls.
From the center of Minca, when you are standing at the yellow bridge, don’t take the main road back to Santa Marta but start walking the main road (Via Minca/Calle 1a) in the opposite direction.
After about two kilometers, you will see a sign on your left to Pozo Azul. Snacks are sold at the start of the trail and a lady there is selling a huge assortment of fruit (she tries to overcharge though).
First, you will need to make your way from Santa Marta to Minca. Then, from Minca, there are various ways to reach Pozo Azul. Note that, while the main road can be hilly and isn’t very scenic, it does provide enough shade to have a pleasant walk to the waterfall.
In my opinion, it’s not necessary to take a motorbike or bus to get to Pozo Azul, except when your health doesn’t allow you to walk/hike a bit.
Most people choose to walk to Pozo Azul. It’s a relatively easy hike from Minca, taking about an hour, depending on your pace and where in Minca you’re starting from.
The trail is well-trodden and, after you get off the main road and on the trail to the waterfall, it takes you through beautiful natural landscapes.
There’s also a great coffee shack on the road to Pozo Azul that I can highly recommend. It is owned by a Polish-Colombian family and they ask only 2000 COP for a delicious organic black coffee (normally you would get Tinto for this price!).
It is called El Arca Minca and they also serve cakes and breakfast. From the terrace, you have gorgeous views over the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.
If you are looking for a quicker way to reach Pozo Azul or to avoid the walk, moto-taxis are available in Minca. You can find them hanging out near the yellow bridge at Motomink.
It’s a good option if you’re short on time or prefer not to hike. The ride offers a bit of adventure and the chance to experience the local way of traveling through the mountains.
You can also opt to rent a motorbike if you dare to ride the steep and often uneven roads around Minca.
Once you arrive at the entrance of Pozo Azul there is a small space to park your motorbike. It costs 2000 COP to park a motorbike and 1000 COP to park a bicycle.
Multiple tours visit Pozo Azul and also minivans can take you to Pozo Azul if you want. Ask for information at the Cootransminca office near the yellow bridge or inquire at your hotel or guesthouse about tours covering Pozo Azul.
Tours may also include additional stops at coffee plantations or other natural attractions in the area.
→ Also read: How to Get From Minca to Palomino
The best time to visit Minca and Pozo Azul is during the dry season which runs from December to April and from July to August.
Regardless of the season, I can highly recommend to visit Pozo Azul early in the morning to avoid the crowds and enjoy the tranquility of the natural pools and waterfalls. Early mornings also ensure you have a cooler temperature to make the hike.
Around 10 A.M. huge amounts of tour vans start to arrive at the start of the sendero to the waterfall and the place gets packed with tourists.
Pozo Azul is a beautiful Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain location. It has two small waterfalls and pools where you can swim and enjoy the lush landscapes.
When you arrive at the first main waterfall and pool, you will see a pathway on the left of the pool. That path leads to the second pool and waterfall. At the time of my visit, however, it seemed prohibited to take the path. It had a sign saying “peligroso” (dangerous) and a pathway on the other side of the pool even had tape, making it forbidden to take the path.
Not seeing anyone else take the “peligroso” path that is supposed to go up to the second basin, I decided to stay put at the main waterfall and enjoy my time there. Having arrived at 8 A.M., there were only a few other people around so it was still quiet. The stalls selling drinks were not even open yet at this hour of the day.
At the main waterfall, you can find a local restaurant and a few ladies selling drinks and snacks. They also offer plastic chairs (there aren’t many places to comfortably sit near the pool except for a few rocks) but I’m not sure you need to pay for them.
Here are the websites I use when I travel to Colombia:
Booking.com: For the best guesthouses, homestays, or small hotels
Hostelworld: To find the best hostels located in the cities
Homestay: For a unique immersive homestay experience in the big cities or the countryside
Busbud and Redbus: The best transport websites for long-distance buses in Colombia. Note that 12Go also works in Colombia but the tickets they will buy for you are open-seat tickets and don’t guarantee a seat on the bus you book online.
Uber: Uber is a convenient and cheap ride-hailing app that can be used in the bigger cities of Colombia. Other apps are Cabify or Didi.
Skyscanner: For affordable flights to Bogota and intercity flights in the country.
Viator and Get Your Guide: book all kinds of activities from the Ciudad Perdida trek to a guided private tour of Comuna 13 in Medellin.
Citizens of many countries, including the United States, Canada, the European Union, Australia, and New Zealand, do not require a visa for short tourist stays (typically up to 90 days). However, this can vary, so it’s always best to check iVisa for the specific requirements for your nationality.
If you’re looking for travel insurance, the one with the best benefits online is undoubtedly Heymondo! It’s very easy to ask for a quote on the website and, if you book with this link you’ll get 5% off!
Access mobile data immediately when entering the country with a Colombian E-sim or a Latamlink E-sim when traveling through multiple countries. If you are already in Colombia, the best local prepaid sim card is Claro.
Minca Pozo Azul parking lot
The official opening hours of Pozo Azul are between 8 A.M. and 4 P.M. but I suppose you can arrive before or after these hours. I haven’t seen any gate that can be locked on the way. I suppose the opening hours mean that these are the hours that the snack stalls and the restaurant are open.
That said, the entrance to Pozo Azul is also 100% free!
As previously mentioned, yes, there is a local Colombian restaurant at Pozo Azul. I haven’t tried it personally and it looked a bit dusty but there is a possibility of having a full meal if that is something you would be interested in.
Aside from that, there are many snack stalls on the way from the main road to the entrance of Pozo Azul selling everything from fruit and coffee to sausages and cakes.
However, the best place to get a coffee or cake is at Arco Minca on the main road back to Minca!
One of the main reasons why hiking is the best options to visit Pozo Azul is because you pass by a lot of other waterfalls on the way. I haven’t visited them all but here is an overview of the waterfalls that you pass on the way from Minca to Pozo Azul.
On the sendero from the main road to Pozo Azul, you will pass by the gate in the photo above. This is the entrance to Cascada Amazilia and claims that this waterfall let’s you enjoy the river away from the crowds. It’s a private waterfall and you will need to pay 10.000 COP.
Secondly, on the main road not far from the start of the sendero to Pozo Azul, you will find stairs that lead down to Pozo Cristal. I was tempted to do this but the lady running the accommodation on the main road tried to charge us a higher price than what was indicated on the sign (2000 COP) so we decided to skip it.
You can find the stairs to Pozo Cristal near Hostal Montes De Beraka on the road from Minca to Pozo Azul.
A marvelous place we visited on the road back to Minca after visiting Pozo Azul waterfall was Cascada Escondida (also called Cascada Perdida). You can reach this waterfall by straying off the main road in the direction of La Veranda Hotel and Restaurant.
when you arrive there, you will see a pathway going down to your right. Follow it until you arrive at the river. You will need to cross the cross river and then walk on for another while to reach the waterfall itself. Entrance to the waterfall is 8000 COP.
There are a few very nice accommodations near Pozo Azul that are definitely worth checking out. They are also located a bit out of the center of Minca (which can be very busy during high season!) and thus provide a more serene escape in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
There you go! I hope you enjoyed this post about Pozo Azul in Minca. Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions or drop me a message through my contact page.
Also, don’t forget to check out my resources page with my favorite booking platforms and tips to start planning your trip. Additionally, have a look at my favorite travel gear if you want to pack more consciously!
ENJOY!
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links. If you click on them, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
Latest Posts
15 Best Things to Do in Nong Khiaw, Laos (2024)
Santa Rita, Salento: All You Need to Know
La Playa de Belen, Colombia: An Easy Travel guide!
Do you want to receive my latest finds on conscious and sustainable travel directly to your inbox? Subscribe here!
© COPYRIGHT TRAVELERS&DREAMERS, 2023.