Rio Elemento

"Rio Elemento is located in the town of Minca, just a short distance from the center where you'll find shops and restaurants. I consider it a great place to spend your first night. Even though it's in town, it gives you a sense of being in nature thanks to its large green space and, as the name suggests, the river. There are various types of accommodations, from cabins and camping areas to hammocks, dorms, and single-person cabins near the river. Due to its large space, there are several shared bathrooms, making it comfortable and clean. The creativity of this place is incredible, and it has a long-standing reputation. This results in a mix of both locals and foreigners. There are plenty of hammocks, fabric areas, and spots to hang out. However, there can be live music at night in the common area, which makes it a good place to socialize and meet other travelers. Personally, I prefer quieter places. My favorite thing about Rio Elemento is its secret spot. It's so special that visiting here is a must, and you might miss it if you don't know about it. Following the river path and the signs will lead you to the secret spot, which requires a sense of adventure as parts of the path are unstable, and you need to get wet and immerse yourself in nature to reach one of the most special places I've ever seen. It's a freshwater swimming area with crystal clear green water, simply magical. Staying at Rio Elemento allows you to walk to waterfalls like El Oido del Mundo, visit coffee farms, and sample the local cuisine Minca has to offer, with Arabesca, the Arabic restaurant, being my favorite. For this reason, I find it practical and a great place to start your journey (and it's worth it), but I wouldn't recommend making it your entire Minca experience. For many travelers, it's convenient not to have to pay for moto taxis to get away from the central area, but you shouldn't miss out on the full Minca experience, which includes watching a sunset deep in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. If you stay here, I recommend not forgetting insect repellent or long pants to protect yourself from mosquitoes, especially near the river."