Why is Mundo Nuevo a hidden treasure?
Mundo Nuevo is a mountainside retreat/eco lodge amidst jungle, nestled in the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta mountain range. Mundo Nuevo is one of the most amazing places I have been to. Keep reading to find out why!
Their slogan: “A place where nature, animals and people come together.”
Mundo Nuevo offers spectacular views of the town Santa Marta and the Caribbean Sea in the distance. At night, you can see the lights of the city below, and if there’s clear skies, the bright stars above. We were fortunate to get a glimpse of a little bit of everything.
Mundo Nuevo is located in a department of Colombia (similar to a state) known as Magdalena.
“The capital of the Magdalena Department is Santa Marta and was named after the Magdalena River.” – Wikipedia
Getting to the Mundo Nuevo Eco-Lodge
Starting in Santa Marta, the journey to Mundo Nuevo begins with a 45-50 minute taxi or colectivo to the small town of Minca. A “colectivo” is a form of public transportation in Colombia, a cost effective way to get around, and typically a bus or van.
We hailed a taxi from a man parked on the street. They are abundant throughout the city and relatively easy to find. We paid $60,000 COP including tip, which is roughly $15-16 USD. Therefore, we recommend this convenient form of transportation.
Be sure your driver knows you’re heading to Mundo Nuevo. When you arrive, you’re immediately immersed in Colombian culture. The town is welcoming, with the locals unbothered by us backpackers. You should see signs at the bottom of a hill guiding you towards the trail. Next, the journey begins.
A 20 minute moto-taxi ride from Minca to Mundo Nuevo, was done by Evelyn and I on foot in roughly 75 minutes. It’s quoted to be 60 minutes uphill, but we stopped many times along the way to catch our breath and take in the surrounding landscape. Clearly, we didn’t know what was ahead.
Be prepared for a strenuous hike up, especially if you have more than just a backpack. Moto-taxis are available at the city center in Minca for about $20,000 COP (= $5.50 USD, not including tip) per person. A school aged kid asked us if we would like a moto-taxi, and I told him we were going to make the hike for exercise. He grinned and wished us good luck. After that, I knew we were in for it.
The Ascent
We began hiking up a muddy dirt road that is surrounded by lush green on either side. The hike itself wouldn’t have been too difficult if it wasn’t for our luggage we were hauling. I recommend the hike up because of the workout, but if you have more than just a backpack or you’re low on energy, it might be best to spend the $6+ for a moto-taxi. In other words, we were sweating!
Caterpillar Video – Warning, lots of legs!
It is asked that you support the community’s hard work on limiting waste by not bringing anything that might generate extra waste with you.
There are steep grades, small waterfalls, some creeks, and many large caterpillars on the path. You work up a sweat trekking up 2.4 km (1.5 miles). You’re rewarded with amazing views over the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta, and of the Caribbean Sea to the west. Above all, a well deserved treat.
The Hostel/Lodging
Fully sustainable, remote, and a community in itself in the Sierra Nevada, Mundo Nuevo is a sanctuary. You’re greeted by welcoming and friendly staff. Limited wifi is available, however being disconnected from the world and off the grid is a nice change of pace.
There are a variety of accommodations to choose from. Evelyn and I stayed in the Zehura ensuite, which was a small room with a queen size bed and a mosquito net!
We only stayed one night, but this room was great considering we were in the jungle. There’s an option for a cold shower, and toilets are a 1 minute walk from the room. The bathrooms have half a door, face the Caribbean, are totally private, and is by far the best view while sitting on the toilet!
The meals are vegetarian, made with fruits and vegetables grown on the farm. The freshness of farm to table is amazing. There is no other access to food, unless you make the trek back down to Minca. I recommend just opting in for the meals provided by the hostel. It’s $10,000 COP/day ($2.61) per person for healthy organic meals.
La Candelaria Coffee and Chocolate Farm
The next day we visited the La Candelaria farm, a short walk/hike from Mundo Nuevo. We arrived early and were greeted by Luis, whose family owns the farm. We were given fresh coffee and a seat with a view.
Luis was a great host and introduced us to Tuki, a toucan that visits the farm to eat papaya. Tuki is wild but has become somewhat domesticated. Evelyn and I each got the chance to hold Tuki on our arms. It was amazing and I still remember the vibrant colors of his beak. This was one of the highlights for us.
When more people got there, Tuki returned to the trees. This is when our cacao tour began. Tours are daily and no appointment is required. Luis shared his knowledge about coffee, cacao, and the ecosystems that were all around us. Check out our cacao facials!
Other Activities
There are many other activities and nearby attractions that we heard great things about, but just didn’t get the chance to try.
- Pozo Azul: natural pools
- Tour through Awindua: village built by indigenous friends
- Hikes:
- Mirador 360º – 45-60 minutes to a viewpoint
- Paso del Mango – village with an abundance of mango trees
- Massages: small massage area
- Yoga: every morning at 7am, when the teacher is there
Our experiences at Mundo Nuevo are irreplaceable. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if there are any questions we could answer for you about our journey.
