Palomino is in fashion. This heavenly destination is located between Santa Marta and Riohacha. It offers white sand beaches, abundant vegetation, a warm environment, exotic jungle and the perfect, calm waters for learning to surf. It is the ideal destination for reconnecting with nature, finding harmony and getting plenty of rest and relaxation.
Located 2 meters above sea level, Palomino has a humid, tropical climate with an average temperature around 28 ºC. In addition to hiking shoes and a bathing suit, you should bring a light raincoat. This hip beach town is bathed by the Palomino river and the San Salvador river. The Palomino river is a fun spot for tubing where you can see the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, the highest coastal mountain in the world.
Another reason why you should visit Palomino is to meet the indigenous communities of Seydukwa. The only way to do this is by booking a walk guided by an Arhuaco indigenous person. Once there, you will be able to learn about the traditions and stories of the legendary indigenous people. You’ll also have an opportunity to visit the stone walls and learn about how they were constructed and their ancestral value.
You can also visit the archaeological treasures that Tayronaka has, a center dedicated to ecological and cultural tourism. Located 20 minutes by bus from Palomino, visiting this place takes visitors back in time to learn the secrets of the Tayrona people.
In Tayronaka there is a small museum where you can find clay objects, musical instruments and tools used to perform ancient rituals. While at the reserve, you can also explore stone paths that lead to terraces where the indigenous people built their homes. It is said that this area was inhabited by various indigenous tribes, including the Tayrona. Therefore, it is considered a sacred territory.
The easiest and cheapest way to get to Palomino is from Santa Marta. If you are in this city, you just have to go to the Public Market and take a bus towards Palomino. They are the same ones that go to the Tayrona National Natural Park.
It is important to ask the driver to drop you off at the Palomino gas station, from this point you will see several signs indicating the route to get to the beaches and accommodation sites. You can walk (approximately 15 minutes) or take a motorcycle from the road that will take you to the beaches or the place of your lodging.
You may be intersted in: How to get to Palomino from Santa Marta?
Tubing down the Palomino River is synonymous with fun and tranquility. Yes, they are two very different emotions, but this happens because the plan consists of getting on a tire and letting yourself be carried away by the current of the river through the jungle until it flows into the Caribbean Sea.
If you don't know how to surf, but want to try it, Palomino is definitely the ideal place to take your first lessons. Palomino's swell is generally calm, but keep in mind that this can be affected by the weather. So if you dare to tame your first waves, you should always be accompanied by an expert and check which areas are the safest for swimming and surfing.
The growing accommodations in Palomino mean you can find different options for all budgets including camping, private and shared rooms. With its seaside location, Palomino is a great place to camp with an ocean view. We recommend a place called La Casa de Rosa. The cost is $12,000 COP per person per night. Nearby hostels include Faro Hostel Palomino, Casa del Pavo Boutique Hostel, Tiki Hut Hostel, Casa Chapolin and Makao.
Most accommodations offer food service, but if you want to try authentic regional favorites, we recommend the egg arepas, carimañolas, “bollo limpio” and fish with patacón, coconut rice and salad.
Armed with your new-found knowledge of Palomino, it’s important to remember that you are an agent of change and with your behavior you can contribute to the development of the communities you visit. We encourage you to respect the natural environment, minimize waste and put any garbage, even organic waste such as shells or food scraps, in proper trash receptacles as these can generate pests and diseases in the flora and fauna.
Surf
Day trips
Visit to indigenous communities
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