15 BEST Things to Do in Palomino Colombia: Travel Guide

A complete travel guide featuring 15 fun things to do in Palomino, the sleepy beachside town on the northern Caribbean Coast of Colombia.

Palomino is a quiet, laid-back seaside village located just a short hop from Santa Marta on Colombia’s northern coast.

From quaint cafes down dusty roads to rustic jungle huts on the shores of the Caribbean, this town has all the ingredients necessary to form a bustling tourist hub. However, the great thing is that if you visit now, you’ll get to experience an authentic beach town before the boom. Think Bali’s Canguu in the 1980s!

I spent a few weeks exploring the beautiful town of Palomino and have created this travel guide to the best things to do in Palomino to help you explore this slice of the Colombian Caribbean.

2. See Snow-capped Mountains From the Beach

What really makes this region unique is that you can actually spot snow-covered mountain peaks from the beach!

What you're seeing is the Sierra Nevada mountains, which is the tallest coastal mountain range in the world. The highest peak, Pico Cristóbal Colón (Gonawindua), reaches a whopping 5,775 meters (18,880 feet) above sea level.

This really blew me away the first time I saw it, especially seeing it from the humid shores of the Caribbean!

Tip: The Sierra Nevada range is usually covered in clouds during the day. The best time to see a clear view of the mountains is in the early morning.

3. Stay at Dreamer Hostel

Looking for the best places to stay in town? You're not alone. In fact, many people visit Palomino simply because it has some of the best hostels in the country!

One of the top picks is staying at Dreamer Hostel, which is an experience in itself.

Here, you'll discover an excellent vibe attracting like-minded travelers from all over the world.! There's also an awesome outdoor swimming pool where you can chill out or even play pool volleyball!

There are a few Dreamer Hostels in Colombia, and they're always rated as some of the best in each travel destination! I would highly recommend it.

4. Catch a Famous Palomino Sunrise or Sunset

Palomino is known for its stunning sunrises and sunsets. For some reason, the sky always seems to put on a show here!

Head down to the playa Make sure to catch at least one while you're in town. We recommend heading to the beach early in the morning or late in the evening to watch the show.

5. Take a Trip to See the Flamingos

If you wander the streets of Palomino, you'll undoubtedly see tour signs for the "flamenco" attraction.

While there really isn't much information about this online, heading out on a day trip to the "Santuario de Fauna y Flora Los Flamencos" is actually one of the funnest experiences from Palomino, Colombia– especially if you're interested in unique wildlife.

This reserve is located approximately one hour away near the town of Camarones and offers a special opportunity to spot flocks of wild flamingos.

The tour that I took involved a short sail on a traditional boat with a local guide. We sailed out into the reserve and were able to get quite close to a huge flock!

My guide's name was Jose Rosado, and he is a very skilled sailor and wildlife spotter. Contact him on Whatsapp at +57 313 701 6088 to book your tour.

Read More: Where to See Wild Flamingos in Colombia

6. Palomino Beach (Playa Palomino)

Perhaps the biggest attraction in this seaside village is Palomino Beach or Playa Palomino. This windswept stretch of palm tree-lined sand is beautiful, and a great place to spend your day.

While some sources mention you can't swim here, you certainly can! However, just like many of the beaches in nearby Tayrona National Park, you can expect strong currents and large waves here. So, you'll definitely need to be a confident swimmer.

7. Eat Delicious International Food on the Main Road

I bet you wouldn't expect to find delicious wood-fired pizza or Instanbul-quality shwarma in a tiny Colombian village!

However, due to the largely foreign tourist scene, Palomino offers some excellent international cuisine options that are actually some of the best I've had in Colombia. Most of these restaurants are located on the main tourist road leading to the beach of Palomino (Carerra 6a).

Among the best restaurants in Palomino are:

• Barba Beach Arabic
• Prima Luna - the best pizza I've had in Colombia!
• Casa Cocotte

Tip: If you haven't already, make sure to try a Coco de Limondae in Colombia! Prima Luna makes one of the best ones I had after months of backpacking through this amazing South American country.

8. Unwind at One of the Little Beach Bars

If you've been busy hiking in Minca or beach hopping in Tayrona, then Palomino is a great place to relax and simply unwind.

The main street in Palomino is full of small bamboo bars leading all the way to the beach. Considering this village is still somewhat of a hidden gem (just), prices here are very affordable.

Most bars run a happy hour for most of the night, and you can pick up 2, or even 3 cocktails for as little as 15,000 COP!

9. Try Kite Surfing

Palomino is a great place to try kite surfing. The town is located in a windy area, making it perfect for the sport! While it's not among the most popular things to do in Palomino, there is one school that offers lessons.

You'll find it directly opposite the Barba Beach Arabic restaurant on the main strip leading to the beach!

10. Work Out at the Jungle Gym

Are all those cocktails and wood-fired pizzas getting to you? Looking for a place to work out in Palomino?

Make sure to check out what I call the "Jungle Gym". This is a bamboo-constructed gym located just on the outskirts of town. While you won't find luxury treadmills or spin bikes here, it's got everything you need to get a great workout. I visited this gym a few times and was the only one working out there.

Entry only costs 8,000 so there's no excuse not to check out this awesome gym!

11. Eat Fresh Bread from the French Bakery

Pizza, cocktails, now a French patisserie? No, this isn't a food blog, but maybe this town just hit home a little after a few months of eating mostly Colombian food. I promise this is the last food item in this Palomino travel guide, but I feel it has to be mentioned!

There is one famous bakery called the "Bikini French Bakery Bar", which again, is just down Carerra 6a. We would often head down to this bakery for a croissant on the way down to the beach.

However, there is also another "hidden gem" bakery that I think deserves a mention too. While I couldn't even find the name, it's on the corner of Carerra 6a and the side street leading to Palomino Hostel (just opposite Barber offo on Google Maps).

These guys make the best cinnamon scrolls in Colombia and do a lot for the local street dog population!

12. Walk to Coco Beach

If you're visiting in the high season between December and February, then Palomino Beach might be a little busy, especially on calm, sunny days.

If you're looking for a place to relax without any crowds, take the short walk over to Coco Beach (Playa Los Cocos). This is a small stretch of sand on the other side of the mouth of the Palomino River. Yes, you'll need to walk across the river mouth to get here, so it's best to do it on a calm day.

13. Learn to Surf

While Palomino Beach doesn't have the best surf break in the Caribbean, you'll still find a few board rentals and "learn to surf" schools. As you can see from the photos, the conditions were pretty rough during the few weeks I stayed in Palomino.

However, there were some days when although choppy, the conditions allowed for a decent session on the board!

If you want to learn to surf, head down to the beach and you'll find some local kids offering lessons and rentals.

14. Visit Tayrona National Park

If you haven't already, visiting Tayrona National Park is one of the must-do highlights in this part of Colombia. Parque Tayrona is one of the most biodiverse natural parks in the country and is home to a wide range of protected wildlife species including jaguars and the critically endangered cotton-top tamarin.

If beaches are more your thing, Tayrona also has some of the best in Colombia. In fact, hoards of tourists flock here precisely for this reason.

Luckily, it's really easy to visit this park directly from Palomino. You can take the green public transport bus for 8,000 Colombian pesos directly to the Zaino entrance (the main entrance to the park).

While it's possible to visit Tayrona on a day trip from Palomino, I highly recommend spending at least a night here.

Tip: Add in a trip to Tayrona between your Santa Marta and Palomino itinerary. Also, try to avoid public holidays and weekends if you can since is the most popular time to visit.

Where to Stay in Palomino

Where is Palomino Colombia?

Palomino is located within the department of La Guajira on the shores of Colombia's Caribbean Sea. This small town is wedged between two rivers, namely the Palomino River and the San Salvador River.

The closest main city is Santa Marta, which is approximately 80 kilometers away (50 miles). Visiting Palomino is a popular option for those following Colombia's backpacker trail after exploring Tayrona National Park and the mountain village of Minca in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

Best Time to Visit Palomino, Colombia

The best time to visit Palomino is from December to March. This is the dry season, so you'll have sunny days and little to no rain. However, it's also the busiest time of year, so be sure to book your accommodation in advance.

If you're looking for a more relaxed vibe, consider visiting during the shoulder season (April-May or October-November). You'll still enjoy a great time, but there will be fewer crowds.

Palomino Travel Tips

Ready to visit Palomino Colombia? Here are a few more travel tips and important things to know.

• Electricity - blackouts are very frequent here (daily). However, there are currently works to improve electricity connectivity throughout the town.
• 4G, LTE, and cell signal - surprisingly, the wifi at most of the hotels and hostels in Palomino is quite good. I also had consistently stable 4G LTE with Claro
• Bugs and sandflies - just like in Minca, the sandflies here are ruthless. These guys leave really itchy bites for days. Remember your bug spray!
• ATMs - cash is king in Palomino. There is now one ATM in town but it may not be 100% reliable. So, it might be a good idea to get all your cash out at Santa Marta before you head here. Otherwise, there is a Bancocolombia ATM in nearby Mingueo (20 minutes away).
• Rough seas - if you are not a confident swimmer, don't swim at the beach here. Seas can get rough and the currents are notoriously strong.
• Chill vibes - this place is still very much a hippy town. Relax, unwind, and settle into the groove.
• Safe - unlike Santa Marta and its notorious beach towns, Palomino is very safe. There is very little crime here.
• Supermarkets & food - there are no large supermarkets in Palomino. However, travelers will find a few tiendas selling basic produce around the town. The largest is on the main road and is called Tienda pompi.
• Buses are frequent - Buses run from Palomino to Santa Marta and by Tayrona National Park every 30 minutes or so.
• Dirt roads - All of the streets in the village are unsealed. As a result, expect a lot of dust. While cars drive down these roads, it's best to just walk around town.

Palomino Packing List: Essential Things to Bring

Before you head out, here are some last-minute things you'll want to make sure you pack when traveling to Palomino!

• Bug repellent - as mentioned, this is crucial, and you'll pay a premium in town for it. I've stopped using deet and now swear by the natural alternative from Sallye Ander
• Bug cream - something to treat the inevitable bites. Again, the Sallye Ander cream helps reduce itching.
• Hat and sunscreen - I'm Aussie so I might be biased, but Blue Lizard makes the best natural sunscreen on earth.
• Grayl water purifier - No, you can't drink the tap water in Palomino. Except if you have this water-purifying bottle. I've used it all over the world (including tap water in India), and saved thousands of plastic bottles from landfill in the process.
• Camera or GoPro - this seaside village is beautiful and totally safe to have your camera out! Read my guide to camera gear for travel for suggestions.
• Travel quick-dry towel - a must-have travel essential
• Imodium - trust me, you might want to bring some
• Head lamp or flashlight - useful when the power goes out!

More Colombia Travel Guides

I hope you've enjoyed this comprehensive travel guide covering all the best things to do in Palomino, Colombia!

Where to next?

Planning your adventures around Colombia? I'm sure you'll find the below guides super useful. Otherwise, read my guide to Medellín and Guatapé as well!

• Medellín Travel Guide: Discover fun activities and top highlights in Medellín
• San Andrés Island: Guide to Colombia's best Caribbean Island
• Minca Travel Guide: Discover incredible hikes, beautiful fincas, epic jungle waterfalls, and all-around relaxing vibes.
• Things to do in Guatapé: Travel to Colombia's most scenic Antioquian town, known for its vibrant streets, traditional street art, and the famous Piedra del Peñol.