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If there is one place along the Caribbean coast where you can find ultimate relaxation, it is in the village of Palomino in Colombia. Daily life is at a low ebb here. Everything and everyone is relaxed. Travel here if you want to spend a few days enjoying Caribbean atmospheres, beach days and evenings filled with live music. Palomino is a small and cute village. Although there is not much to do, you can make the most of your stay with these 5 great tips for Palomino!
What to do in Palomino? 5 tips!
Except for a few fun hot spots and cozy hotels, Palomino doesn't have much more to offer than lovely beach days and a little adventure on the river. Still, the laid-back atmosphere here is the reason many travelers flock to Palomino. What can you do there? Here are 5 fun tips.
1. Enjoy a relaxing day at the beach
Playa Palomino is the main beach of Palomino and a nice place to spend a day. You will find a number of cozy beach clubs where you can rent a lounger or have a nice lunch. Spots to remember are Playa Mojito and Makao. One of our favorite times to be on the beach is during golden hour, an hour before sunset when the glow of the sun is beautifully warm. Of course, sunset is also a great time to be on the beach. The colors in the sky are breathtaking.
2. Tubing across Rio Palomino
A fun activity you can book on any street corner in Palomino is tubing. Palomino is enclosed between two rivers, Rio Palomino and Rio San Salvador. The river from which you can float on a rubber band toward the sea is Rio Palomino. You leave from Palomino with a tube on the back of the scooter into the jungle. Before you reach the river you have to hike a little bit, so it is wise not to wear flip-flops. Once at the river you get a small explanation and then it's time to go tubing. You can choose to tub separately or together with your group. A guide always accompanies you.
Tubing is a relaxing activity where you can enjoy the pristine nature around you. In some parts of the river there is a small acceleration, but this is just fun and not scary at all. Along the way, you will make another stop at a beach where you can buy drinks and snacks. A handy tip, take a drybag with you where you can put your valuables. Last but not least, take a bottle of water and sunburn along!
We paid 60,000 COP per person in 2019 and booked Villa Eden through our accommodation.
3. Experience an atmospheric evening at Maria Mulata
One very cozy place to be at night in Palomino is at Maria Mulata. This is a cozy and atmospheric joint where they serve tasty burgers. Every night there is live music. One of the reasons we recommend this hot spot in Palomino is because the locals love coming here too, and that's saying a lot!
4. Go to a karaoke and pub quiz night at Dreamer Hostel
Most backpackers stay at the Dreamer hostel in Palomino and this place is known for organizing fun activities. Even if you don't stay here, you are still more than welcome to join the activities. The karaoke and pub quiz nights are particularly popular. Note: it is important to register in time!
5. Book a stay at Villa Eden
Palomino is a small coastal village, so you won't find any big hotel chains. All the buildings here are low-rise and the hotels that are there tend to be small and cozy as well. We stayed at the cute Villa Eden in Palomino. This hotel has attractively decorated rooms, a pool, bar, a restaurant and relaxation area with a lounger and hammocks. When we stayed here in 2019, the hotel had just opened. Villa Eden is right in the center of Palomino and from here you can walk to the beach in 10 minutes.
If you find it cozier to sleep in a hostel, we can offer you in Palomino the Dreamer hostel more than recommend!
What is the best travel time to visit Palomino?
The dry season, between December and March, is the most attractive time to travel to Palomino because of the nice weather. But keep in mind that there is little rainfall this period, so the water may be lower and tubing is not possible. Also, this period is high season on the Caribbean coast, so prices are higher.
Therefore, travel to Palomino in April or May (beginning of rainy season) or in October or November (end of rainy season). The chance of rain is higher, but it is also less crowded and cheaper to visit Palomino.
How to travel to and from the coastal town of Palomino?
You can only get to Palomino by bus or cab. One main road runs along the coast to Palomino where you can stop and board local buses. You then get off at the Palomino bus station where motorcycle cabs and tuktuks are waiting to take you to your hotel.
Most travelers travel from Santa Marta to Palomino. A bus runs between the two cities and takes about 2 hours. The bus in Santa Marta leaves from Terminal de Transportes de Santa Marta.
If you travel on to Cartagena after your time in Palomino, keep in mind that you will be about 6 hours away. You can book a bus trip from Palomino to Cartagena at the Dreamer hostel. Then at least you are assured of a seat on the bus. If you travel from Cartagena to Palomino you can take the bus from Cartagena Transportation Terminal.
Lois Weeterings
A dreamer and adventure seeker, always on the lookout for new experiences. But also a hard worker with a thousand ideas racing through my mind. As a personal travel consultant and travel blogger, I share my passion for faraway destinations, thrilling adventures, and winter sports. With deep knowledge of places like Namibia, Colombia, the ABC Islands, and the Middle East, I’m here to help you craft a trip you’ll never forget. Through my personal stories and expert tips, I aim to inspire you to explore the world your way. Always with my camera in hand, I’m determined to capture every magical moment and share it with you.
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