Palomino

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Palomino used to be a peaceful little seaside spot with a few hostels. Today, and I can’t explain why it has become a very busy destination that has lost a lot of its charm.

The place is perfect if you want to meet other travelers and stay in nice hostels or hotels, but for the rest, it’s not really the ideal place.

In fact, apart from a bit of tubing, there is not much to do in Palomino. The beach is not really heavenly, you can’t swim far because the sea is often rough because of strong currents. It is crowded and you won’t find the village atmosphere. There is a possibility to party a little on the weekends, but not during the week.

If you are looking for a small fishing village typical of this part of the Caribbean coast, I strongly recommend you to add Dibulla to your Colombian itinerary. It is a hidden paradise, little known to tourists, that we visited during one of our last expeditions on the Caribbean coast. A real crush for the atmosphere that reigns there.

Articles about Palomino you must read before coming:

Where to travel after Palomino:

    Getting to Palomino? (+)

    There is only one road to get to Palomino. It’s the same road as Tayrona or Riohacha.

    From Cartagena to Palomino:

    • Door to door shuttle | Marsol | 6 – 7 hours

    From Santa Marta to Palomino:

    • Take the bus at the Mercado Publico “Public Market” Calle 11 Carrera 11″. The last bus leaves around 6 pm. | 1h30 à 2h

    From Tayrona to Palomino:

    • Wait for a bus on the side of road | 1 hour

    From Riohacha to Palomino:

    • Many buses leave from the terminal | 1h30

    Table of Contents

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    Where to stay in Palomino

    There is one long street that leads travelers from the bus station to the beach. It's there you will find most of the hotels in Palomino. You can take a moto-taxi if you don't want to walk the 2 km.

    • Coco SanKala

      Hostel - $

      Coco SanKala

      10 min away from the beach. Bamboo construction. Peaceful. Great money for value.
      Get the best price
    • Villa Eden

      Hotel - $$

      Villa Eden

      15 min walk from the beach. Perfect for couples. Sleek design and a small pool for refreshment.
      Get the best price
    • Casa Chapolin

      Hotel - $$

      Casa Chapolin

      Cheap option, 2 min away from the beach. Delicious food. Quiet place. Lovely garden
      Get the best price
    • Casa de Guadua

      Hostel - $$

      Casa de Guadua

      Small hotel in bamboo located a little out of the way. Perfect for resting. Pleasant garden with hammocks.
      Get the best prices
    • Finca Escondida

      Hotel - $$

      Finca Escondida

      Superb beachfront facilities that blend in with the decor. Swimming pool. Delicious restaurant. Staff +.
      Get the best prices
    • Makao

      Boutique - $$$

      Makao

      Private beach. Clean, comfortable and modern rooms. Personalized service. Tasty foods.
      Get the best price
    • Aite

      Boutique - $$$$

      Aite

      Cut off from the hustle and bustle of Palomino (15 min walk). Beautiful beachfront property, well-laid out. Pool.
      Get the best prices

    Things to do in Palomino

    There is not much to do in Palomino except going down the river on an inner tube and chill at the -nonexistent - beach. Therefore, pick your accommodation thoroughly.

    • Surf

      2 - 3 hours | $$

      Surf

      Small waves, perfect for beginners. Rent a surfboard and take some classes.
      Contact
    • Tubing

      4 - 5 hours | $

      Tubing

      Go down the river on an inner-tube. You have to take a moto-taxi first then walk 30 min.
      Learn more
    • Aruhaco Stay

      2 days | $$

      Aruhaco Stay

      Live for 2 days in an Aruhaco community. Learn about their culture and ideology.
      We recommend
    • Tayrona

      2 - 3 days

      Tayrona

      Don't book a tour. It's useless. Start from Calabazo and explore Tayrona like nobody else. Read our travel guide.
    • Punta Gallinas

      3 - 4 days

      Punta Gallinas

      Go to the northernmost point of South America and admire the beauty of the La Guajira desert. Read our travel guide!
    • The lost city

      4 days | $$$

      The lost city

      4-day trek through lush vegetation to admire the remnants of an old civilization.
      Get the best price

    Our articles about Palomino

    We spent 1 week in Palomino and we wrote about our travel experiences

    Where to eat & drink?

    For us, good restaurants and exciting nightlife are important when traveling. We gathered our favorite picks on an interactive Map. Download the APP "Mapstr" and look for "Colombia Insider"!

    Download it for free <3

    More places on the East Coast

    Find out all our other favorite places on the Eastern Caribbean Coast

    Eastern Caribbean Coast

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