How to Get from Bogotá to Minca

The distance between Bogotá to Minca, a small town in Colombia's Coffee Country, is 601 miles (968 km). To get to Minca, the first thing you have to do is get to Santa Marta, which has the closest airport. A direct flight to Santa Marta takes about one hour and thirty minutes. From there, take a private transfer or taxi the remaining 40 minutes to Minca.

You can technically go the whole way by road, though it requires many hours of driving on poorly maintained mountain roads. Driving . yourself is not recommended, and private transfers are expensive at this distance. Going by bus is also an option—the route takes significantly longer, usually over 20 hours on the road from Bogotá to Santa Marta. 

While planning your trip, consider this 11-day itinerary. Highlights include exploring the Caribbean coast and surrounding islands. You’ll then head inland to explore the coffee farms of Minca before visiting the colonial city of Cartagena.

By Plane & Private Transfer

Duration: 3 hours

Several non-stop domestic direct flights leave from El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Bogotá to Simón Bolívar International Airport (SMR), located 10 miles (16 km) south of downtown Santa Marta. The flight takes about 90 minutes.

From the airport in Santa Marta, you can arrange for a private transfer to pick you up for the remaining 40-minute drive to Minca. Alternatively, taxis are readily available for hire in the ground transportation area of the airport. There are no meters, so negotiate a fare with the driver before starting your journey.

By Bus

Duration: 17 to 22 hours to Santa Marta

To take a bus from Bogotá to Minca, you’ll have to get to Santa Marta first. The main bus station in Bogota is called Terminal de transporte de Bogotá Salitre. This bus station is about 6 miles (10 km) northwest of the Candelaria neighborhood.

Buses usually arrive in Santa Marta anywhere from 17 to 22 hours, depending on road conditions. For your onward journey to Minca from Santa Marta you have a few options; a private taxi, a moto-taxi, or a colectivo depending on your preference and budget.