Welcome to Palomino Colombia
Palomino Colombia is a beautiful small beach town on the Caribbean coast in Northern Colombia. Enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty and laid-back vibes. From the stunning Playa Palomino to the lush greenery of the jungle, there are plenty of things to do in Palomino. It’s a unique and unforgettable experience.
I’d heard mixed reviews about this little town before I arrived but I could easily have stayed much longer than I did. It’s easy to get to, less than two hours drive from the main town in the region, Santa Marta.
Palomino Colombia is not as developed as places such as Cancun, but it reminded me of a smaller version of Isla Holbox in Mexico. Just a little more hippy and raw.
There are no paved roads here once you step off the main Santa Marta Highway 90. There is essentially one main street (Carrera 6a) running all the way through to the beach that has all restaurants, bars and hostels.
Note there are no ATMs in town which I find a little crazy as this is a popular destination for foreign travellers as well as Colombians. So make sure you bring enough cash with you to last the duration of your stay here.
You might fall in Love with Palomino
For such a small place, it punches above its weight in terms of dining and accommodation options. There are some fantastic places to eat either local or international cuisine.
As you walk down the dusty streets, you’ll see local vendors selling handmade jewellery, and arts and crafts. Palomino is a fantastic Colombian beach town
I visited Palomino during Semana Santa (Easter) which is a very popular vacation time for Colombians. Each night the bars were very lively and inevitably the parties would always end on the beach. I’d love to know if this happens all the time but it definitely does during Semana Santa.
As the evening goes on, people flock to the beach to continue partying. There is always a bonfire on the beach and sometimes some entertainers, it’s a real party vibe.
Read this Palomino Colombia guide to find out what to do, how to get there, where to stay and the best day trips.
Where is Palomino
Palomino is on the Caribbean coast in northern Colombia in the Guajira district. It’s just off the main Santa Marta Highway 90, halfway between Santa Marta and Riohacha. Santa Marta is the main hub in the area and also
has the nearest airport to Palomino. Santa Marta to Palomino is only 80km.
Palomino lies only 2 metres above sea level and on a clear day, you can see the ice atop the nearby Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Weather in Palomino
Palomino has a tropical climate, meaning it is guaranteed to be hot all year. The Peak season is from December to March when there is little rainfall. September to November has the most rainfall and is best avoided.
Where to stay in Palomino Colombia
You have two decisions to make when choosing your accommodation in Palomino. Firstly, do you want to be right on the beach or in the “town”? Secondly, is a swimming pool important to you?
Location isn’t really that important as the place is so small but having a pool can be advantageous as it’s not recommended to swim in the sea as it can be quite rough with rips.
I stayed at Freesoul Hostel in town and really enjoyed my stay there. In part because I was with a couple of friends and we drank together and made the most of the ping pong tables they have. They run a competition on Fridays with free drinks for the winner.
I was feeling quite good about myself as I progressed to the final of the competition only to be destroyed by some semi-pro hustler (I presume he was anyway!).
The dorm room was quite small but each bed has a privacy curtain and the rooms are the back of the property and quiet, allowing plenty of good sleep.
Another good option is The Dreamer Hostel, which is right on the beach and has a swimming pool. If I ever returned I would choose a place with a pool as it just adds another location to relax and chill apart from the beach.
Things to do in Palomino Colombia
Palomino is the perfect place to come and relax and recuperate for a few days. However, there are a few things to do in Palomino, and even the number one thing to do is relaxing (almost)!
Palomino River Tubing
Without a doubt, the number one thing to do in Palomino is River Tubing. This is a great activity to fill up an afternoon.
Many tour agencies are selling this tour in town and the cost is 45,000 COP. Included in this price is a motorbike ride to the starting point, the rubber ring and a guide.
Palomino Tubing – How it works
You will get picked up from the centre of town on the back of a motorbike. After a few minutes, you will stop at their depot to collect your giant rubber ring, this is when the fun really begins!
When you pick up your rubber ring this is the last opportunity to pick up a 6-pack of beer (from a local shop), which is highly recommended for the tubing (bring a waterproof bag too if you have one).
After you collect the tubing ring it’s another 20-25 minute journey on the back of a dirt bike whilst holding your rubber ring, beers and anything else you have with you. The road is not really a road, it’s a dirt track, quite steep at times, and very rocky.
I was holding on for dear life at times, and my driver proved to be an expert driver thankfully. A friend of mine had to get off the bike and walk a few metres as they didn’t feel comfortable on the bike. If you get concerned, ask the driver to slow down (In Spanish – más despacio, por favor).
Once the bike has gone as far as it can, the final stretch is a 30-minute walk to the river.
If you want to book your Palomino Tubing to ensure a time and date that suits you this company has fantastic reviews and pick you up directly from your accommodation
Tubing down the Palomino River
Finally the main event of the famous Palomino tubing. After the hour or so journey to get here, it‘s time to get on the river. We were three people and we had our own guide to help us down the river.
The water is generally calm the whole way, you slowly and gently float down the river, beer in hand. At a few corners, the guide helps put you back on track, and at other times helps push you along in one or two very shallow spots.
As you float down the Palomino Rover it’s all about taking in the views of the jungle on each side. Keep a look out for birds and monkeys, although we didn’t see any, unfortunately.
There are a couple of little beaches you can stop at, and one that has a little wooden hut selling beers and food if you need to restock.
Depending on how long you stop the ride will take about two hours or so. You finish at the mouth of the river as it joins the Caribbean Sea. Once you’ve finished, you can walk along the beach back to the main streets of Palomino.
Enjoying Palomino Beach
Apart from the river tubing, the other main thing to do in Palomino is to enjoy the beach life. Follow the dusty main road, Carrera 6a, all the way to the beach. The Beach stretches long and far in each direction.
The beach is busiest between the main street entrance and the confluent with the Palomino River. On this stretch of sand, there are many wooden shacks built right on the sand. As the tide comes in, the chairs are actually in the water. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen restaurants literally in the water, but here you will.
If you need a break from the sun, take a seat at a restaurant and order some fresh fish and maybe a cocktail. There’s a surprising amount of choice, and at good prices too.
Can you swim at Palomino Beach?
It’s not recommended to swim at Palomino beach as there are often strong rip tides. You will see people in the water but take care if you do venture in. You can certainly go shallow to cool off without a problem.
A solution is to head left when you hit the beach until you come to the mouth of the Palomino River. The river flow here isn’t very strong and this is a better option if you want a little swim. This junction is one of the busiest areas on the beach with many families enjoying the water and vendors selling food and drink.
Can you surf at Palomino Beach?
Palomino Beach may not be the best for swimming, but it is good for surfing. There are a few surf rental huts on the beach and some surf schools in town so if you want to try here is the place. I don’t recommend this place for beginners as the waves are quite rough but if you know what you’re doing, it should be fine.
Sunset and Sunrise on Palomino Beach
Palomino Beach enjoys some epic sunsets and even better sunrises. Sunset can often be ruined by afternoon clouds but sunset is usually gorgeous. Get up early and enjoy the Palomino sunrise at least once on your trip, you won’t
regret it. You also have the beach to yourself, just the noise of the waves, I love the quietness at this time of day.
Other things to do in Palomino
What else is there to do in Palomino? Apart from these two main activities, there are a few other activities you can do.
Day Trip to Tayrona National Park
If you are visiting the Caribbean coast of Colombia, you must have heard of Tayrona National Park, and this may be the main reason you are here.
Tayrona is only an hour away on the bus from Palomino so can easily be visited as a day trip.
Tayrona has some beautiful scenery and hiking trails to enjoy. You can’t swim at all the beaches as the tides are strong, similar to Palomino Beach but there are a few beautiful ones to enjoy.
It is possible to spend a night in Tayrona National Park, you can sleep in a hammock on the beach. I didn’t do this but can imagine it would be a great experience to wake up in the morning and have the place to yourself (well apart from the hundreds of other people in hammocks of course!).
Arrive early at Tayrona National Park
Plan to arrive at the park as early as possible (opening time is 8 am and the queues can get long, especially at weekends) to enjoy the whole day here. Be aware that you need to buy travel insurance as well as an entry ticket.
This is an odd concept to me and at first, I thought it might be a bit of a scam as the insurance is not bought from the ticket office. There’s a group of women sitting next to the queue taking payment in exchange for a wristband. You can’t enter the park without insurance, and this is required in case you need to be rescued for any reason.
The cost of entry is 57,500 ($13) and an additional 5,000 for the insurance. Bring your passport with you or a photo of it as it’s required for entry.
From the ticket office, there is quite a walk to the park entrance, so for another 5,000 COP, you can get a minivan to the entrance.
Visit Quebrada Valencia Waterfalls
If you want a break from the beach the waterfalls and pool of Quebrada Valencia can be reached in about an hour. Head to the main street and take the bus towards Santa Marta and ask the driver to stop at Quebrada Valencia. Once you get off the bus you need to walk about 3 minutes through the forest to reach the opening.
This is a great activity to spend an afternoon and you can swim in the refreshing water. Bring food and drink with you and plan to return to Palomino before it gets dark.
Enjoy the best trip from Palomino to the relaxing Valencia Waterfalls. Experience a hike in the jungle followed by beautiful natural pools and the Valencia waterfall.
Eating and Drinking in Palomino Colombia
As I mentioned earlier, for a small town Palomino has a lot of good options to eat and drink. As you walk down Carrera 6a you will have multiple choices of food including pizza, Thai, Colombian etc.
There is more than one good-looking pizza joint in town but after I went to Casa Nostra I daren’t go anywhere else in case it didn’t live up to it.
I stayed at Freesoul Hostel and if you walk a few metres past the hostel on your right you will see a little wooden hut called The Paradise Fruit Juice. They make the best smoothies ever! Visiting here turned into a daily habit, I recommend the Guanabana smoothie, it’s delicious.
There are also plenty of bakeries selling fresh pastries every day. Just walk along the main street and take your pick.
Last but not least, grab some beers from the supermarket and head to the beach
Hike in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Natural Park
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta National Park contains a stunning mountain range with many trails leading to waterfalls and breathtaking panoramic views.
This national park, located in the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, boasts a unique and diverse ecosystem that includes everything from pristine beaches to soaring mountain peaks. If you’re into your hiking this is a great trip to make from Palomino or Santa Marta.
The park is home to many bird species, archaeological ruins and indigenous villages.
The best way to experience the park is via a 2-3 day tour. La Expedicion Nativa offers an epic 3-day tour hiking through jungles and creeks. The tour involves lots of hiking and some amazing views. It’s not an easy hike but well worth the effort.
How Long to Spend in Palomino
How long should you spend in Palomino depends on how long you need to chill out. As you can see, there isn’t a bucketload of things to do in Palomino, the real joy is taking some time out to relax.
Short visit: If you’re just looking to get a taste of Palomino and enjoy the tubing and the beach, a two to three-day visit should be sufficient.
Relaxing holiday: If you’re looking for a more relaxed holiday and want to spend some time lounging on the beach, a five to seven-day visit should be ideal. During this time, you can take day trips to nearby attractions such Quebrada Valencia Waterfalls and Tayrona National Park.
Is Palomino Colombia Safe for Tourists
Palomino is a safe place in Colombia. The locals know they rely on tourists for business and as such, they help to maintain a level of safety for visitors. I found this to be the case in most small towns in Colombia. I walked around late at night by myself and never felt unsafe.
The biggest danger is probably the water, so take care if you do go swimming, and don’t do it after dark especially.
Is Palomino Colombia worth visiting?
If you want to relax for a few days then yes, Palomino should be added to your Colombia Backpacking itinerary for sure. Palomino is a unique destination with the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the backdrop.
On the negative side, the beach is not the best I’ve visited in Colombia. At high tide, there is very little beach left, but you can still enjoy the restaurants on the beach, and then the nightlife.
If you want more adventure and action this might not be the place for you. If you do come through, please do the river tubing, but it’s more fun if you do it in a group and with a few beers.
Is Palomino Colombia Expensive?
Palomino is a cheap place to visit with lots of hostels and cheap eateries. Sitting on the beach is free and the top activity of River Tubing is about $10. Add to this it’s inexpensive to travel here due to the location and all in all it’s a great cheap backpacker destination.
Of course, there are always things you can do to save money though.
Palomino Travel Tips – Travel Cheaply
Money saving Tip #1 There is a little bottle shop near to Freesoul Hostel with some wooden benches outside. They sell one-litre bottles of Poker or Aguila Beer for only 7,000 COP which is really cheap. It’s quite common to see locals and travellers sitting on the benches, chatting and people-watching.
This was my most common drinking spot in Palomino, as the streets are always busy it’s never boring.
Money saving Tip #2 Ensure you shop around for Palomino River Tubing as this is likely the most expensive activity in Palomino and we did see some variance in prices quoted. As mentioned we paid 45,000 COP each (for 3 of us). For a half-day activity with transport and a guide, I think this is a pretty good price. We also bought the guide a couple of beers too, and a chance to practise our Spanish.
Money saving Tip #3 There are many great restaurants in Palomino but they’re not particularly cheap by Colombian standards. Mix up some nice restaurant grub with a few empanadas and arepas from the local street food vendors. They are quite tasty and cheap as hell.
How to get to Palomino Colombia
Palomino is on the main highway running along the Caribbean coast so it’s very easy to travel to Palomino from most places.
Travel from Santa Marta to Palomino
A lot of people will likely be travelling from Santa Marta as this is the largest town in the area and on the way from Cartagena. There is also an airport in Santa Marta which is another way you may arrive to Palomino.
From the centre of Santa Marta, you need to make your way to the Terminal de Transporte Santa Marta, which is a little bit out of town on the main highway. It’s best to get a taxi to the bus station, and taxi’s are very cheap. Ask your accommodation how much a taxi should cost so you can haggle if required.
The bus from Santa Marta to Palomino cost 12,000 COP and will take about two hours.
Travel Santa Marta Airport to Palomino
Santa Marta is home to the Simon Bolivar International Airport. If you arrive at the airport you need to take a taxi or bus to the Terminal de Transport Santa Marta then follow the instructions above.
A taxi cost 15,000 and I’m not sure if there is a bus from the airport or not. As I was travelling with two other people it was just as cheap to get a taxi.
There are regular flights from other destinations in Colombia such as Cartagena, Medellin and Bogota.
Travel from Cartagena to Palomino
If you travel all the way from Cartagena to Palomino you will have a long bus journey, as long as 8-10 hours. The first bus will go from Cartagena to Santa Marta and then you need to change bus to Palomino. This is a really long journey so I recommend breaking it up by spending a night or two in Santa Marta.
Travel Minca to Palomino Bus
Minca can be visited on a day trip from Santa Marta or you can spend a few nights in Minca hiking various trails and fooling around in waterfalls. Either way, you’ll need to first get back to Santa Marta and then follow the directions above