Maicao to Minca is about 160 road miles (257 km): roughly 3 h 20 min at the wheel if you don't stop.
- Level 4: Do Not Travel in Colombia: Within 10 km (6 miles) of the Colombia-Venezuela border.
This route passes through or near an area the State Department rates Do Not Travel. Read the full advisory before you plan this drive: Colombia. Advisory issued: Colombia March 31, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Colombia: “The Colombia-Venezuela border is not clearly marked.”
| Distance | 160 mi (257 km) |
|---|---|
| Driving time, no stops | 3 h 20 min |
| Departments on the route | La Guajira, Magdalena |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 6.4 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 4 |
On the road from Maicao to Minca
It runs through 2 departments: La Guajira, Magdalena. Of the 4 stops listed below, 1 are within a mile of the road.
Roads you'll take from Maicao to Minca
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–160 | 160 | La Guajira, Magdalena |
- Mile 106 of this route: La Guajira → Magdalena (department line)
Where to stop on the way to Minca
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Our Lady of Remedies Cathedral, Riohacha (mile 48)
- Nature and outdoors: Tayrona National Natural Park (mile 138)
- Museums and history: Our Lady of Remedies Cathedral, Riohacha (mile 48), Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino (mile 152)
Our Lady of Remedies Cathedral, Riohacha
Consecrated to the Virgin of Remedies, Riohacha Cathedral is the Catholic cathedral and seat of the Diocese of Riohacha.
Tayrona National Natural Park
About 34 km from central Santa Marta, Tayrona National Natural Park protects Caribbean coast and Sierra Nevada terrain rising from sea level to 900 meters.
Piedra de Donama
Piedra de Donama is a rock about 4 meters across and 3 meters high in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, carved with zoomorphic and abstract petroglyphs.
Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino
Built in 1608, the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino in Mamatoco, Santa Marta, is the hacienda where Simón Bolívar died on December 17, 1830.
More drives to Minca
- Sabanalarga to Minca
- Cartagena to Minca
- Santa Cruz de Mompós to Minca
- Rincón del Mar to Minca
- Cúcuta to Minca
- Tunja to Minca
From Maicao to other places in Colombia
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to drive from Maicao to Minca?
About 3 h 20 min of driving without stops, over 160 miles.
How far is Minca from Maicao by car?
About 160 miles (257 km) on the Wayro route. Other map services may show a few miles more or less, depending on where they start and end in each city.
Is it safe to drive from Maicao to Minca?
The U.S. State Department rates Colombia Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Parts of this route are in or near areas rated Level 4: Do Not Travel (Colombia: Within 10 km (6 miles) of the Colombia-Venezuela border). Read the full advisory before you go.
What are good stops between Maicao and Minca?
Closest to the road: Our Lady of Remedies Cathedral, Riohacha (cathedral, mile 48, 0.6 mi from the route); Tayrona National Natural Park (national park, mile 138, 2 mi from the route); Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino (museum, mile 152, 2 mi from the route). All stops are described above.
How we put this guide together
Wayro calculates the route from OpenStreetMap road data; mile numbers are positions along this route, not highway markers, and "from the route" distances are straight-line, so the real detour depends on access roads. Stops are chosen from parks, natural sites, museums, historic sites and attractions close to the route: at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place descriptions are written by the Wayro team from official park, museum, tourism and government websites and other published sources. Safety levels and entry rules were checked against the U.S. Department of State on October 10, 2026. Conditions change, so check the linked sources before you travel.
Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors.