Palomino is a charming beach town found on the precipice of Colombia's Mad -esque La Guajira peninsula. Once an off-the-beaten-path destination, Palomino has evolved into a backpacker haven.

Life in Palomino is slow-paced. Most activities require no effort whatsoever. Don't let that put you off. The change of pace will be welcome. Particularly if you've just finished a stint of roaming the stifling jungle of the Sierra Nevada. Palomino is the perfect place to transition from adventure mode to vacation mode.

Palomino's obvious charm is its beaches, but there's more to it. Lounging at your hostel with a couple of drinks and making new friends is a great way to spend a few days. There are also several attractions nearby. Most alluringly, Palomino is the ideal jumping-off point to visit the crown jewel of Colombia's Caribbean Coast – Parque Tayrona.

Visiting Tayrona national par is a staple of any Colombian itinerary. The national park covers over 150 square kilometers and is home to the best beaches in mainland Colombia.

Disclaimer: This article may contain affiliate links, and we may earn a small commission should you use them, for which we are incredibly grateful. However, the recommendations are still our own and intended to advise on the very best experiences Palomino has to offer.

Visit Tayrona National Park

People keep making the same mistakes when visiting Parque Tayrona. Information on Colombia's most famous destination is weirdly scarce. Namely how to get there, what to do once there, and details about accommodation.

Many book a day tour to remove the stress of traveling to Tayrona independently, but this is the greatest mistake you can make with Tayrona. Day trips aren't good value for money, and backpackers are often bewildered by the excessive cost.

Day tours leave you shorthanded by the amount of time you get at the park and restrict what you can do.

Backpackers also underestimate just how popular Parque Tayrona is. Loved in equal measure by Colombians and travelers, the park becomes packed on weekends and public holidays. Overcrowding is a serious issue during the peak months of December and January, when the charm of the national park can get lost in the noise. Try to plan your trip for a weekday while avoiding public holidays.

You'll likely encounter mixed messages about whether the park is open at certain times of the year. Nobody wants to make their way to Tayrona's entrance – eager to wonder its pristine shores – only to discover it's closed. Over the last few years, at the request of indigenous tribes who call Tayrona home, the park has been closed in late January and throughout February.

These measures allow the environment to recover from the influx of tourism during the peak months. In 2020 though, planned park closures changed. Instead of remaining shut to the public immediately after the peak tourism months, Tayrona closes on January 1st-15th, June 1st-15th, and October 19th - November 2nd. Whether this new timetable continues in the future remains to be seen. Either way, check the official Parque Tayrona website when planning your trip.

Hit The Beach In Palomino

Flanked by the estuary of two rivers, Palomino's beach stretches out over two and a half miles with a backdrop of the Sierra Nevada. The shores of Palomino could be called perfectly flawed. It's underdeveloped and kind of rough around the edges. One might imagine that Palomino is how the world's most popular beaches looked before mass tourism and developers came crashing in. Like the rest of town, that imperfection is part of the charm.

Amenities are limited to a few beach shack bars and the odd surf school, and the beach is eerily quiet further along. Though you'll be advised against swimming due to strong currents, paddling in the shallows looking inland provides a breathtaking view of the shore and snow-capped mountains beyond.

Despite the current, Palomino is a great place for surfing. If you get fed up with lounging around, and if surfing seems your kind of thing, learn how.

With bars around Palomino closing between 11 PM-1 AM, it's not uncommon for people to head down to the beach after dark with a speaker and build a bonfire. It's a far cry from the famous full-moon parties of South-East Asia, but a great way to keep the party going. Don't leave any litter.

River Tubing

River tubing is the most popular activity in Palomino. Placidly drifting down a river in an inner tire tube, with a couple of chilled beers to hand, is as exciting as things get in this beautiful little beach town.

You can usually book river tubing via your hostel for no more than 40,000 COP. We recommend doing a whip around at the hospital to see if anyone else is game, rather than going alone.

Fortune favors the early riser when booking river tubing. By going earlier, you'll encounter fewer tourists, meaning there's no one to judge you for cracking a can mid-morning. You'll also see a wider variety of wildlife as you gently bob down the river.

Before setting out, there are a couple of things to remember. Firstly, you'll get wet; don't take any electricals that won't take kindly to a dunking in the river. Secondly, ensure you've got sunscreen and a hat to hand. The sun can get pretty harsh.

To get to the tubing starting point, you'll hitch a ride on a mototaxi, precariously balancing your tire tube from the back. After getting off the mototaxi, you'll spend half an hour walking through the jungle until you reach a suitable river bank to depart. Expect to spend 90 minutes to 2 hours floating along the river before exiting at one of the two estuaries on Palomino beach. Ensure you hop off early to avoid the nasty riptides found where the river meets the sea.

Palomino Animal Soul

Life for man's best friend is different in Latin America. Far fewer have an owner or home to depend on, and it's not uncommon to see pups wandering the streets searching for scraps and somewhere sheltered to nap.

Palomino Animal Soul is a charitable organization raising awareness about the welfare of animals within the local community. They also provide shelter, medicine, and, most importantly, love to over a dozen stray pups and cats.

Project owners Karina and Alejandro need financial support to continue their excellent work. For a minimum donation of 20,000 COP – though if you can spare more, please do – you'll be able to take the shelter's residents for a walk along the beach accompanied by a picnic.

For animal lovers, it's a fun and worthwhile way to spend a couple of hours. Though it's also incredibly sobering to hear Karina and Alejandro discuss the animals they couldn't save.

Quebrada Valencia

Halfway between Palomino and Parque Tayrona, Quebrada Valencia is a three-tier waterfall and swimming hole deep in the jungle. It offers a welcome respite from the relentless heat of the Caribbean.

You'll need to catch a bus from Palomino heading towards Santa Marta to get there. This costs about 10,000 COP, and the journey lasts roughly half an hour.

Getting off the bus, the final leg of the journey is a 20-minute walk along a well-marked forest trail. The walk is easy enough. Humidity will be your only discomfort, and with the promise of a swim at the waterfall's base, it's a bearable one.

Before taking a dip in the waters of Quebrada Valencia, you'll need to pay the entrance fee, a meager 3,000 COP. The site has toilets and a small stall selling snacks and refreshments.

The attraction is open between 8 AM and 5 PM. However, it can get busy in the afternoon. If you intend to visit the waterfall, we recommend getting there bright and early.

Quebrada Valencia is a secluded slice of nature that is well worth the endeavor for those willing to tear themselves away from rest and relaxation in Palomino.

La Guajira Peninsula

Sitting in the far northeast of Colombia is the La Guajira peninsula. Dubbed by locals as 'the end of the world,' it is an arid landscape that could draw comparisons with a set from Mad Max. Such is the desolate nature of your surroundings.

South America's most northerly point is beautiful, though sparsely populated and poorly connected.

Visiting the region's highlights, including Cabo de la Vela, Puntas Gallinas, and Macuira national park, is difficult to recommend currently. The reason is that La Guajira is a stone's throw from neighboring Venezuela.

Venezuela is engulfed in a dire, complex socio-economic and political crisis. Even before Venezuela's economy imploded, relations along the border had been fractured. Today, armed militants roam the border, with kidnappings and carjacking a genuine threat.

To keep Venezuela at arm's length and still enjoy the stunning landscapes of La Guajira, head to the Los Flamencos nature sanctuary, located 35 miles from Palomino. The best way of reaching the nature reserve is via taxi. The journey should take around an hour, costing no more than 60,000 COP.

Los Flamencos' landscapes are similar to those found throughout the rest of La Guajira, consisting of marshlands, lagoons, dry forests, and sandy shores. Once there, you'll choose between hiking the 7,000-hectare reserve independently or with a guide from one of the local indigenous communities. If you go it alone, stick to the established hiking trails and heed the advice of park officials.

There are other activities at Los Flamencos aside from hiking. If the name wasn't enough of a giveaway, the nature reserve is home to a flamboyance of flamingos. You can go kayaking on the Laguna Grande. And, providing you have permission, you can camp out in the nature reserve for the night. All this gives you a chance to experience the otherworldly landscapes of La Guajira while keeping a safe distance from the border. Just remember to pack plenty of sunscreen and water.

The Dreamer Hostel

Just 200 meters from the beach, the Dreamer Hostel has been a stalwart for backpackers since opening in 2012.

Those visiting are stunned at its value, offering a quality of facilities and service akin to a boutique hotel.

With rooms hosted in chic cabins, The Dreamer offers a good mix of private rooms and dorms. There is also a restaurant-come-bar, a communal garden, a pool, hammocks, and other seating areas. 

Other amenities at the hostel include WiFi, unlimited tea and coffee, security lockers, and a book exchange. The hostel also hosts several activities, from salsa classes and coffee sampling to exotic fruit tasting and morning yoga.

The bar runs a daily happy hour which, inevitably, is hugely popular – though by no means is this a party hostel.

The restaurant is well priced for those on a budget. An all-you-can-eat breakfast costs 10,000 COP, while lunch and dinner are available for around 20,000 COP. Meals consist of Colombian Caribbean staples, such as fish/meat, rice, and plantains.

Off-site, The Dreamer facilitates visits to the region's most popular attractions. There is a regular shuttle service heading to Parque Tayrona. Palomino's popular pastime of river tubing can also be booked. You can even head out on tour to Colombia's most northern points, Punta Gallinas and Cabo de la Vela. 

8-bed dorm beds are available for 45,000-55,000 COP. Dorm rooms will share a bathroom and a terrace overlooking the pool.

Private double-bed rooms are available from 300,000-320,000 COP. They feature their own personal en-suite and private terrace.

The hostel is popular, so you'll need to book ahead.

Selina Palomino

Part of the popular Selina chain dotted around the globe. Selina Palomino is the ultimate beachside retreat for backpackers looking to unwind after their adventures in Colombia's Caribbean.

Located mere meters from Palomino's sandy shores, Selina is perfectly positioned to spend lazy days near the hostel. All while staying close to the rest of this sleepy little town. The hostel also makes a perfect base to explore Tayrona National Park and the La Guajira Peninsula.

With the beach on your doorstep, a backpacker mecca a short walk away, and some of the Caribbean coast's best attractions in touching distance, Selina is perfectly positioned.

The hostel is perfect for kicking back and relaxing. With a swimming pool, bar, and self-catering kitchen in the seafront's eye line, you may find it hard to tear yourself away.

But that's just the start of what Selina has to offer. There's also an on-site restaurant, free WiFi, laundry facilities, and a BBQ area.

Selina also organizes and runs various on-site and off-site activities for residents.

On-site, guests can enjoy yoga lessons, live music, morning meditation sessions, CrossFit sessions on the beach, DJ sets, surf classes, spa treatments, and circus performances.

Off-site, Selina organizes activities such as river tubing, visits to a Kogui community in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and flamingo sightings via canoe towards La Guajira. There are also traditional wellness activities such as Reiki Arcano, Ayurvedic Massages, and ancient Temazcal ceremonies.

8-bed Dorms

Priced at 77,000 COP, the eight-bed dormitory room is the most wallet-friendly option for backpackers at Selina Palomino. These bright and airy rooms feature twin-size bunk beds, security lockers, privacy curtains, charging points, and access to a shared bathroom.

If you're looking to meet like-minded travelers in Palomino, staying in Selina's eight-bed dorm is the way to go. Oh, and breakfast is included in the price of your stay!

4-Bed Dorms

Like the eight-bed dorm, only a little less intense and a little more expensive, Selina Palomino's four-bed dorms are priced at 88,500 COP per night. The four-bed dorms come with all the bells and whistles of the eight-bed dorm. That means a twin-size bunk bed, security lockers, privacy curtains, charging points, access to a shared bathroom, and breakfast included in your stay.

The Micro Private

The cheapest of Selina's private rooms – or at least semi-private. The micro rooms are about the size of a ship cabin and are kitted out with a double bed.

You'll share a bathroom with four other Micro room residents in these rooms. But if that's not a dealbreaker, the Micro room is a great way of saving some pesos while maintaining some semblance of privacy during your stay at Selina Palomino.

The micro room is priced at 251,000 COP per night, with breakfast included in the price of your stay.

The Standard private

The bog-standard private room in Selina Palomino. Affordable and comfortable, Selina Palomino's 'Standard' room is perfect for couples or travel buddies hoping to stay at the hostel without breaking the bank. The room offers a light, airy space, a double bed, a private bathroom, a seating area, and storage for your belongings.

The Standard private room is priced at 300,000 COP per night, with complimentary breakfast.

The Suite Private

The crème de la crème of private rooms at Selina Palomino. The suite is perfect for digital nomads looking for a quiet space to get some work done while offering all the social experiences of staying at a hostel.

The room has a king-size bed, a private bathroom, a balcony, a seating area, a desk, and air-conditioning. Finishings are really high quality here. You won't be disappointed if you can afford the 452,500 COP Price. Breakfast is also included.

The Suite (Ocean View) Private

The crème de la crème of private rooms at Selina Palomino, with a view!

The ocean view suite is equipped with everything found in the standard suite, plus a stunning view of the coastline.

The price of that incredible view? An additional 40,000 COP per night. The ocean view suite is priced at 491,000 COP, with breakfast included in the price of your stay.

The Family Room

Backpacking families and groups, this is the room for you. Accommodating up to six people, the family room has a bunk bed and two twin beds, or a bunk bed and one queen-size bed.

The choice here is yours. But whatever you opt for, the family rooms at Selina Palomino feature security lockers, privacy curtains, and a bathroom between you and your roomies. 

The family rooms are priced at 557,500 COP, with each guest enjoying a complimentary breakfast included in the price of their stay.

Rio Hostel Buritaca

Strictly speaking, the El Rio hostel isn't in Palomino. Instead, it's about halfway between Palomino and Parque Tayrona. Regardless, El Rio deserves your time – and money.

El Rio won big in the 2018 Hostelworld 'hoscars,' claiming the best hostel in Colombia. It also took a silver medal for Latin America as a whole. A towering achievement considering the hostel only opened in December 2016.

Located on the edge of the Buritaca river, El Rio offers on-site amenities and activities aplenty, helping you enjoy a WiFi-free disconnect from the rest of the world.

The hostel has a private beach, riverside bar, and sundeck on the river's edge. There is also a beer garden, bar, and restaurant on-site.

El Rio offers yoga classes, a weekly scavenger hunt, pub quizzes, river tubing, kayaking, or paddle-boarding to keep guests busy.

If you're a sucker for a sunrise/sunset, there are also daily hikes to the nearby El Mirador viewpoint at dusk and dawn. The hostel also runs several other walks throughout the area, including one heading to Quebrada Valencia. If you're a confident driver, there is even a motorbike tour.

If hiking doesn't float your boat, there are also excursions to some local beaches on foot or horseback.

Other activities include visits to the town of Buritaca for a tipsy game of Tejo or Friday sports with locals. The latter is part of the hostel's charitable El Rio Foundation.

El Rio even runs a shuttle service taking you to the entrance of Parque Tayrona, just 20 minutes away. They're more than happy to keep hold of your belongings if you're planning an overnight stop at the national park.

Existing in relative isolation, food options are in short supply. Thankfully, the on-site restaurant is up to catering to hungry guests with a menu dominated by locally sourced ingredients. Breakfast is available from 6,000-12,000 COP. Lunch is slightly more, priced between 14,000 and 20,000 COP. Finally, dinner costs anything from 18,000 to 30,000 COP. A barbecue also gets fired up twice a week to ensure you get your fix of grilled goodies.

El Rio takes great pride in the range of accommodation options available, catering to all traveler types and budgets.

Private Rooms

The Pig-Pen

The Pig-Pen is the best room in the house, priced at 220,000 COP. It features spacious living quarters, a queen-size bed, and a dressing room area. You'll also have your own open-air bathroom looking out towards the jungle. Not to mention a private terrace overlooking the Buritaca river.

Private Cabanas

Perfect for couples or travel buddies, El Rio hosts seven private cabanas. The cabanas cost 160,000 COP per night and can be set up with a single king-size bed or twin beds, depending on your preference. The cabanas have views of the El Rio gardens and the surrounding jungle. Meanwhile, the private rooms' shared bathroom is a stone's throw away.

Shared Accommodation

Beehive

Beehive is a six-bed dorm room – priced at 50,000 COP – featuring air conditioning, a shared bathroom, and a private garden.

Malapo

Malapo is another six-bed dorm priced at 50,000 COP. Like Beehive, Malapo features air conditioning and a shared bathroom. Unlike Beehive, Malapo has an open-air shared bathroom that looks out into the jungle.

Gorgona

Gorgona is another six-bed dorm, priced slightly cheaper at 45,000 COP. The dorm boasts ceiling fans and a shared en-suite bathroom facing the jungle.

Providencia

Significantly larger than Beehive and Malapo, Providencia is a 12-bed dorm featuring a shared bathroom at the foot of the garden. A stay at Providencia will cost 40,000 COP.

the Mothership

The Mothership is a large wooden hut sleeping 26 people in various arrangements. The cabin features 11 hammocks priced at 30,000 COP, 10 beds priced at 35,000 COP, and five dorm beds on the mezzanine floor priced at 40,000 COP. Regardless of your choice, you'll be provided with blankets, pillows, a secure locker for your belongings, a reading light, and an electrical outlet.

Most accommodations in Palomino serve their own meals at an on-site restaurant. However, not everyone will be content with that, instead opting to explore what the restaurants of Palomino have to tantalize their taste buds.

Los 7 Mares

On the precipice of the beach along Palomino's main strip is Los 7 Mares, which translates to 'The Seven Seas.'

Los 7 Mares' highlight is authentic and traditional seafood cooked with local organic ingredients. The ceviche, in particular, comes highly recommended. If you are craving the creature comforts of Western food, there will be items on the menu to satisfy you. Veggie and vegan dishes are also available, with the falafel burger being a firm favorite.

The design and layout are cozy and accommodating, and the staff genuinely cares about your dining experience. The restaurant owner, an Argentinean fellow named Thomas, is always keen to chat with travelers about their adventures and offer recommendations on what to do in the surrounding area.

Los 7 mares is a bit pricier than other restaurants in Palomino. Expect a meal to set you back by around 40,000 COP – but it truly is good value and a must-visit during your time in Palomino.

Check out the full menu for Los 7 Mares here.

La Frontera

Between the main road and the beach, you'll find La Frontera Restaurante. La Frontera is a friendly and popular restaurant with an Italian alfresco vibe.

Though the restaurant looks unassuming, the seating areas, both indoors and out the back, are tasteful and cozy. One may even go as far as to call it a little romantic.

Naturally, the culinary highlight of the Pizzeria is the pizza, which is served with a deliciously thin and crisp base. Pizzas start at around 15,000 COP, which is great value considering the pizzas are a whopping 16 inches. However, depending on which pizza you opt for, the price can double to 30,000 COP.

The pasta, particularly the carbonara, also comes highly recommended. There are several other mains available, including seafood and chicken.

Beyond food, the restaurant has a bar located amidst the outdoor seating. It features an extensive wine list and several well-priced cocktails to indulge in.

JUntos

Possibly the liveliest bar in Palomino aside from hostels. JUntos is located on one of Palomino's main roads leading to the beach.

The bar sticks out like a sore thumb, courtesy of an aesthetic that fits the coastal towns of South East Asia more than the Colombian Caribbean.

Drinks flow freely at JUntos, with low prices across the menu. Attendance is mandatory if your stay in Palomino coincides with JUntos' monthly 'Noche Azul' party.

Beyond accounting for a good deal of Palomino's nightlife, JUntos cooks up a storm with some delicious food.

You can expect a meal at JUntos to set you back by 25,000 COP. Culinary highlights include the beef cheeseburger, its vegetarian counterpart – the lentil burger, and the Pad Thai, which cost just 15,000 COP.

As is the case throughout the Caribbean coast, you can expect warm temperatures year-round, 26ºC being the average.

If you're looking to avoid rain and enjoy clear skies during your stop at this coastal gem, January to February and June to September is your best bet. However, the former is the touristic high season. If avoiding crowds is high on your priorities, planning your visit for somewhere between June and September will be your best bet.

On the other hand, visiting Palomino in January-February will be perfect if you enjoy socializing and meeting new friends.

Our Map Of Palomino