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What to do in Palomino ⭐ The Colombian paradise
Palomino is a destination that combines beach, nature, tranquility and good atmosphere. A small coastal town that has become a popular place for both locals and travelers looking escape the hustle and bustle of coastal cities like Santa Marta or Cartagena to experience the beautiful and wild Colombian coast. A place still with unpaved streets full of flowers, mango trees, the occasional fluttering toucan or parrot and many coconut trees.
In this article we tell you how to get to Palomino independently and what to do once there to immerse yourself in its good vibes and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. carColombian ibe.
HOW TO ARRIVE TO PALOMINO
Palomino is about 2 hours by car from Santa Marta and another 2 hours from Riohacha, the two main nearby cities. If you come From other cities like Cartagena de Indias it is best to travel first to Santa Marta and once there take a bus to Palomino.
The best way to get there from Santa Marta is with the buses that leave every 15 minutes from the Santa Marta Public Market (carrera 9 with 11th Street). They are quite old buses, not very big and without air conditioning, but with the windows open you don't get hot.
If you come to visit the Alta Guajira and you want to go from Riohacha to Palomino The buses leave from the Transport Terminal and the price is about 22 thousand COP (€5).
So much buses like buses leave you at the gas station of the only carThe road that crosses the town; from there you can walk or use the motorbikes to reach your accommodation.carroses waiting for the arrival of the minibuses.
BEST TIME TO GO TO PALOMINO
Along the Colombian Caribbean coast, the climate is warm all year round, but it must be taken into account that there is a rainy season which extends from September to December, being most intense in October.
However, this doesn't necessarily mean you have to leave Palomino out of your itinerary if you're traveling to Colombia during those months, because the rains, although frequent, are usually of cartropical character, that is, intense but not very prolonged.
I also recommend that if possible avoid holidays and weekends because as I told you, Palomino is very popular among local tourists. So your peace of mind is disturbed, and accommodation prices tend to increase considerably during these dates.
TIPS TO TRAVEL TO PALOMINO
Ready to see what to do in Palomino? Well, here are some last tips before getting into the matter.
- Dinero – Years ago there was no ATM in Palomino, now they have installed one. But since there is only one I recommend you Bring cash enough in case it doesn't work or you run out of money (something common)
- Repellent – There are many sandflies, sandflies or whatever they are called. Don't forget the repellent or you will come out full of bites.
- Coverage – The signal is good with Claro (the company we were using), the WiFi doesn't work very well in some places, but it's better in restaurants and cafes carThere is good internet. Although sometimes the whole town experiences power outages.
- Security – Palomino is a very safe town, with very low crime rates. You can walk everywhere without seeing unpleasant images unlike other places on the coast.
- Ocean currents – Be careful when bathing, don't go too far from the shore because the currents are strong and drag you in.
WHAT TO DO IN PALOMINO, COLOMBIA
As I already mentioned, Palomino offers experiences for all types of tourists, ywhether you are looking for tranquility, a more lively or adventurous atmosphere. What it does offer in common is a good atmosphere and vibes somewhat hippies.
In this article we tell you the best things to do in Palomino, from active tourism to very quiet plans to forget about the world among coconut trees.
Tubing on the Palomino River
This is one of the best-known activities in Palomino and you could hire it once there in almost any accommodation or in tourist agency stands. Consists in descend the Palomino River until you reach the beach Up on a float while you enjoy the jungle environment that surrounds the river.
To get to the starting point, you will be taken by motorcycle or truck to a road where you will travel through a stretch of jungle for half an hour. Once you reach the river you get on the float and begin to descend slowly following the course of the waterDon't expect rapids or high speeds; the river flows gently down to the beach. The descent takes a couple of hours and is a great way to cool off.carsHey, enjoy a jungle landscape in a very different way.
If you want it to be a lively activity, you can bring a drink and book the activity with a good group of friends or travelers. If you prefer to enjoy a relaxed descent, try to book the excursion with a small group or let the rest of the group begin the descent and jump into the water a little later, so it will seem like you are alone.
You can leave your things in the truck, but if you want to carry something with you I recommend one waterproof bag, which will also be useful for other occasions in Colombia.
walk on the beach
Palomino is proud of its miles of golden sand beaches surrounded by the stunning backdrop of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. These beaches are ideal for relaxing in the sun or in the shade of a coconut tree.. The warm Caribbean waters here are quite wild so you have to be careful if you want to swim because there are many currents.
During our visit we noticed that the beach is increasingly narrower as the sea is gaining ground and there was almost no sand between some hotels and the water. Nevertheless I recommend walking along the beach to the right, towards the mouth of the San Salvador River.
Little by little you will move away from the hotel zone and you will be able to enjoy a much wilder and wider beach where coconut trees abound. Although it is a very touristy town, most visitors do not go far from the center so tAfter a few minutes walking along the beach you will begin to find fewer and fewer people until you are completely alone and have it all to yourself. Without a doubt that was the area we enjoyed the most.
Cross to Los Cocos beach
In the opposite direction from the mouth of the San Salvador River, the beach is limited by the Palomino River, where the cold water of the Sierra Nevada mixes with the Caribbean, so bathing there and noticing the difference in temperatures is a curious experience, be careful with the current.
Whether swimming or wading through the water, when the tide is out, you can cross to the other side of the Palomino River to go to Los Cocos Beach, which even on holidays is a haven of peace that practically no one comes to.
Eating fresh fish on Palomino Beach
At the end of the beach, right where you cross Coco Beach, there are some places where they plant tables in the sand and make fresh fish barbecue accompanied by patacones. At sunset, while we were taking a last swim, these restaurants were filled with Colombians, and there is no better indicator than that to determine if you are eating well, right?
Learn to surf in Palomino
The Caribbean Sea in this area is wild and Palomino in a perfect place to catch your first waves. Although they are not very big, they are constant, so it is a good opportunity to learn. The best time to surf in Palomino is between January and March.
Near the beach you will find several surf schools that offer courses of different durations in which you can find the one that best suits you or if you already know how to surf they also offer boards for rent.
Visit indigenous villages in Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
This activity can generate controversy because some agencies that offer it take advantage, especially of the Kogi people giving them only a little food in exchange for taking groups of tourists every day. This causes an alteration in the lifestyle of these indigenous ethnic groups who experience invasions of tourists in their towns but obtain almost no benefits.
Not to mention that the guides are not local and in many cases they do not even bother to learn their traditions and history, just four comics with which to satisfy tourists.
For these reasons It is important to contract this type of activities from proven agencies or preferably directly with indigenous communities. Since you will save intermediaries, your visit will benefit them and they will give you a much closer treatment.
The Kogis are the most abundant ethnic group and can be seen in their traditional clothing even on the streets of Palomino when they come down from the mountains to buy food and sell some of their products or crafts.
Enjoy the nightlife
One of the reasons why Palomino also attracts many backpackers is because of the parties that are organized in several hotels along the beach. You can find live music of different types and DJs so you will have a variety to choose from where to spend the night.
We're not much of a party people, but we saw carTVs were advertising concerts and we heard a lot of music in the streets of the town.
Furthermore, henight atmosphere in the town is very pleasant, full of craft stalls and restaurants with cute terraces.
Get away from the main street
Just as it happens on the beaches, it is best to stay away from the main entrance, and the same with the town. It is a very safe area so I recommend taking a good walk through its unpaved streets full of flowers, mango trees and the occasional fluttering toucan and parrot.
On our way back from Alta Guajira we stayed far from the centre, and on the way to the accommodation we really enjoyed the scenes of everyday life on the streets where the locals live and there are hardly any hotels anymore, although... What a heat in the sun!
Spend the day in Tayrona National Park
If you haven't done so yet, visiting the Tayrona National Park is a perfect excursion from Palomino. Is about one of the most biodiverse natural parks in the country and is home to many species of wildlife and fauna.
If you are more of a beach person than a wildlife person, Tayrona also has some of the best beaches in Colombia. Although many of them are crowded, walking through the Park you will find more solitary corners to relax.
Getting there from Palomino is very simple, since it is located halfway between Santa Marta and Palomino, so the buses are very frequent. They cost 8,000 COP (€1,80) and they leave you at the main entrance of the Park, where you pay the entrance fee.
If you have more time, too You can spend the night inside the Park and return the next day to Palomino, as you are going to walk a lot it is better not to do it with all your luggage.
WHERE TO STAY, RECOMMENDED HOTELS IN PALOMINO
Having become a star tourist destination on the coast carIn Spain, the range of accommodation options has multiplied in recent years. Currently There is a wide list of options depending on your budget, being more carThe accommodations that are beachfront are skyrocketing in price on holidays.
At the beginning of January we had a lot of problems finding a cheap room, so if you go on specific dates we recommend you book in advance.
$ Hostel Casa Guiwa
Budget hostel located 10 minutes walk from the beach, with good breakfast included. The rooms are basic, spacious and clean. The quality/price ratio of this accommodation is really good.
$ $ $ Chiniu Hotel
In a beautiful setting, right in front of the beach with rooms surrounded by palm trees and a pool with sea views. Additionally, inside the hotel there is one of the best restaurants in Palomino. Everything you need for a few days of disconnection.
I hope this guide on what to do in Palomino has helped you organize your visit. Remember that we have many others articles of Colombia that could be interesting if you are going on a trip or looking for inspiration. And for any questions you can contact us and we will try to help you in any way possible.
Very interesting.
Can you please tell mecar Do I need to know the publication date to determine if the information is still current?
Thank you very much
Hello Tomas, it is published in 2024. Greetings