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Backpacker’s Guide to Palomino: Colombia’s Hipster Beach Town

Last Updated: October 20, 2021 · Colombia, South America, Travel Blog

A backpacking trip up the Caribbean coast in Colombia is not complete without a pit-stop at Palomino. Lots of travelers have mixed feelings about Palomino — is it really Colombia’s secret slice of paradise? Find out in my brief guide to Palomino, Colombia below.

I was certainly feeling a bit of relief to be leaving the scorching desert in the north of La Guajira, and looking forward to chilling in Palomino on the beach. But I barely ended up spending twenty minutes at the beach. Here’s why:

Palomino doesn’t offer up miles of clear sandy beach with pristine Caribbean water as you might expect. Nevertheless, the hipster, laid-back beachy vibes and interesting people definitely make up for it! Palomino is an adorable, coastal town that offers backpackers a cheap place to stay.

There’s plenty of like-minded travelers here to strike up a chat with or to have an improv’ guitar and singing session with.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links that may earn me a small commission should you decide to click through and make a valid purchase (at no extra cost to you). Thanks so much for your support!

So whether you want to chill by the beach with a tall glass of coconut lemonade, or strap up your hiking shoes (or sandals if you’re like me) to explore the Sierra Nevada mountains, Palomino is the place to be. Here’s a quick visitor’s guide to the town of Palomino, Colombia.

Table of Contents show
Getting to Palomino
Where to Stay in Palomino
What to Do in Palomino, Colombia
Shop at local stores
Eat arepas & pizza
Check out the white/black sand beach
Go tubing down the Palomino river
Hike to a waterfall

Getting to Palomino

If you’re coming from Cabo de la Vela, take the bus from Riohacha to Palomino. The way there is simple and costs only around 20k pesos. You need only to ask the local bus driver. The bus dropped us off right in the center, where the dirt street filled with artisan shops and painted walls lead all the way to the beach. This is where you begin your adventure in Palomino!

Palomino is the last town in the Guajira region before you enter into Magdalena. Santa Marta is only 40 miles or so (70 km) from Palomino. Its unique location on the Caribbean coast highly attracts travelers and backpackers making the trip from Cartagena or Santa Madra up to Cabo or Punta Gallinas.

Once you arrive in Palomino, you’ll be faced with a number of street shops. Locals will most likely approach you with rafting tours or quad bike tours, but a friendly “no, gracias” will do. To walk from the main road to the beach takes about 15-20 minutes on foot. 

Guide to Palomino, Colombia

Where to Stay in Palomino

Palomino’s not very big, but in between the main road and the beach are dozens of local eateries, shops, and hostels (ranging from budget-friendly hammocks to full-on comfy beds with pool access, etc). If you don’t book in advance, you can always just take a stroll down the road to see who has availability. That’s what we did!

Book your hostel or ecolodge in Palomino here!

The first night I stayed at a higher-end dorm with a pool, but I felt silly spending three times as much money when I was already on a strict budget. So instead I went to the Paloa Hostel where hammocks were only 10,000 pesos. They had a kitten roaming around the garden, so I knew it was a sign! 😉

Guide to Palomino, Colombia

Traveler’s Tip: If you need to take out money from an ATM, try to do so before arriving in Palomino. Otherwise, you might end up with a similar story like mine below:

My bank in the US blocked my card while in Riohacha, so I wasn’t able to take out money before arriving. I was (wrongly) led to believe there was an ATM available in Palomino, but actually, it was 6km outside of the town and the only way to get there was by private motorcycle. After a super scary-yet-exciting moto ride at 100mph down the Colombian countryside, the ATM in the neighboring town was out of order (no luck!) Oh yeah, then the moto men tried to rip us off because we were foreigners and wanted us to pay double. But in the end, we didn’t have to, and it worked out okay! 🙂

What to Do in Palomino, Colombia

There aren’t so many things to do in Palomino, Colombia. Relax at your hostel in a hammock, hit the beach, eat out, support local vendors, or go hiking… That sort of thing. Palomino is a hippy beach town, after all, so expect a laid-back atmosphere!

Shop at local stores

Definitely relax and take advantage of your time to just stroll around and visit the local shops. There are some very talented artisans who make handcrafted jewelry. Not to mention the indigenous Wayuu collection of mochila bags, which are becoming very popular. Make sure to speak with the local or store owner to ask about the product, where it’s sourced, and who your purchase is going to benefit, etc.

Guide to Palomino, Colombia

It’s very important to shop responsibly and ethically so that the men and women behind the scenes creating the product are actually benefiting from the sale. It’s the perfect way to practice your Spanish, too. 🙂

Traveler’s Tip: As a general rule of thumb, try to avoid any shop that looks blatantly touristy – as these are stores that will most often have little touristy trinkets, bracelets, jewelry, and bags which are likely mass-produced. Buying locally benefits the locals, but do so wisely! I recommend visiting several shops to browse before buying.

Eat arepas & pizza

A surprising highlight of our trip to Palomino was the pizza. But first, definitely get a couple of the locally-made Colombian arepas to taste Colombian cuisine (if you hadn’t before) and then go grab an Italian pizza at La Frontera Pizzeria. Their pizza is so light and flaky and their lemonades and fresh juices are so darn good. Eating the local Colombian cuisine will definitely save you some dollars, but it won’t hurt to splurge just this once!

Check out the white/black sand beach

The beach at the end of the dirt road isn’t as picturesque as you might hope, but it’s still gorgeous. Unfortunately, the coastline is receding and the current is quite strong, so swimming is not recommended (though people still do). It’s fun to walk along the beach for a while and squish your toes in the white/charcoal-colored sand!

Guide to Palomino, Colombia

Go tubing down the Palomino river

Tubing down the Palomino River is quite the attraction here. But this one we didn’t get the chance to try, so I can’t tell you if it was worth it or not! I’d say if you’re in Palomino for at least a week then you should try it! Just ask around for tour prices first, so you don’t get scammed.

Hike to a waterfall

There’s also the Quebrada Valencia hike to a small waterfall about 30 minutes drive outside Palomino. It’s quite the popular attraction it seems, but this might make it crowded and rather unpleasant.

So what do you think of a trip to Palomino?

Many people say it’s not worth it but I would definitely say go. It’s a quaint little Colombian village that you’re sure not to forget anytime soon. Plus, the location and laid-back atmosphere make it the perfect pit-stop for weary travelers visiting from Cartagena or Cabo de la Vela.

Which Colombian coastal town or city is your favorite? What’s your best tip? 

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By: Bri · In: Colombia, South America, Travel Blog

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Comments

  1. Clay says

    January 18, 2022 at 11:16 am

    What is the town 6km away with an ATM?

    Reply
    • Bri says

      January 19, 2022 at 2:48 am

      I don’t remember, sadly!! The only “cajero” / ATM I can find now on G Maps is in Migueo 20 minutes/19km east of Palomino.

      Reply

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Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨ 💻 WORKIN Tips from a long-time nomad ⬇️✨

💻 WORKING ONLINE
While not all nomads/remote workers have online-specific jobs, it’s the easiest way to sustain an income for full-time or long-term travel. Here are some jobs you can do as a digital nomad!

• Blogging (This is what I do full-time!)
• Content Creation / Brand Sponsorship
• Virtual Assisting
• Social Media Management
• YouTube or Podcasting
• Graphic / Web Design
• Coding / Development
• Photography / Videography
• Freelance Writing (How I started)
• Marketing / Amazon FBA / Ecommerce

📍PICKING YOUR DIGITAL NOMAD DESTINATION
There are many countries out there offering digital nomad visas, but you don’t even need one to just travel as a tourist and stay in-country for 30, 60, 90, or 180 days. Nomads go everywhere as long as there’s a Wi-Fi connection, some countries you may consider are Portugal, Mexico, Costa Rica, Thailand, Vietnam, Croatia, Canada, Colombia, Indonesia, Brazil, and beyond! Even lesser-known places such as Namibia are starting to offer nomad visas to entice long-term travelers to visit.

🏡 FINDING HOUSING ABROAD
Read my blog post for the full guide on this, but basically, check local Facebook groups for renting local housing for extended stays and then use Airbnbs for shorter stays or to negotiate longer contracts with the owner. There are even more “nomad rental websites” these days to make finding accommodation even easier. Don’t overlook co-living/working spaces too like Selina where the digital nomad community tends to congregate.

💛 EXPLORING LOCALLY/RESPONSIBLY
As always, be mindful and respectful when you visit these communities. Many small towns are struggling with rapid growth and overdevelopment so be mindful of your choices of where you stay, how you spend your money, and who you support.

My best advice + detailed guides are all on the blog, free for you to use! Let me know if you have any questions about digital nomad life! 

Lastly, don’t overthink it. Moving countries isn’t as intimidating as you may think! It’s become second nature for us now after several years! 🐈‍⬛💃🌎✨
I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover t I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to discover this incredible country beyond the resorts and beaches, having lived temporarily in 5 out of the 32 Mexican states (Nayarit, Quintana Roo, Chiapas, Oaxaca, and now Baja California Sur) as a digital nomad who’s been slow traveling/living in and out of Mexico since 2018. 

There is so, so much cultural and natural beauty in Mexico — I wish more people could experience this country for themselves and not through the eyes of the media.

***Please visit Mexico as a digital nomad (or tourist in general) responsibly and mindfully. Stay local, eat local, drink local, shop local, support local. Leave No Trace and be conscious of your choices and impact!*** 

Here are the cities/towns we’ve slow traveled/lived in for extended stays.

• Oaxaca City — a colorful, historic open museum rich in indigenous culture and gastronomy 
• San Cristóbal de las Casas — an endearing pueblo mágico in the Chiapas Highlands
• La Paz — the capital city of BCS teeming with marine life, diving, fish tacos, and desert vibes
• San Pancho — an eco-conscious town in Nayarit famous for its sunsets and community
• Tulum — no introduction needed (and I wouldn’t go back here as a nomad due to overdevelopment)

Other great cities/towns/destinations for digital nomads are:

• Guadalajara (state of Jalisco)
• Santiago de Querétaro (state of Querétaro)
• San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato City (state of Guanajuato)
• Playa del Carmen (state of Quintana Roo)
• Valladolid or Mérida (state of Yucatán)
• México City/CDMX (state of México)
• Sayulita (state of Nayarit)
• Puerto Vallarta (state of Jalisco)
• Puerto Escondido (state of Oaxaca)

I’d love to know what you think about Mexico and where you’ve been in the comments! 🇲🇽💛

And for the detailed guide of 13 places to live/visit, read my blog @bucketlistbri .com (just type in “places to live mexico” in the quick search bar if you can’t find the post under my “Mexico” category).

#mexicomagico #digitalnomad #visitmexico #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #mexicotravel #mexicodestinations #nomadadigital #nomada #mexicomaravilloso #slowtravelling #mindfultravel
PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will f PSA: Your anxiety, problems or (bad) habits will follow you around the world until you face them no matter how much you travel or move countries 🙃 

I know I’m not the only one that feels restless at times and idolizes moving to a new region/country/continent to shake my feelings of anxiety or self-doubt or fear! (Also, I tend to think about moving to another country even when I just moved to a new one 😅)

I know because I have lived abroad for 8+ years. I used to try to drown out my icky feelings and past traumas with lots of alcohol but now I carry them with me like I do my mismatched socks — they add to the quirkiness and remind me I don’t have to be, and am not, perfect. 

And that life is more interesting that way, anyway. 

Anddd that most importantly, whenever I get lost, I can and will be found again — I just may look and think differently after new adventures but I am still loved and never lost forever 🧦 ✨💛 

In sum, whether you travel full-time or not, take care of yourself ✨💛

#nomadness #nomadlife #lifeofadventure #livingabroad #fulltimetravel #offbeattravel #remoteworklife #homeawayfromhome #slowtravelstories #mentalhealthawarness
The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri: 💛 P The 4 core ingredients to a recharged Bri:

💛 Paul
😻 Yoda
🌍 Traveling & adventuring
👩🏼‍💻 Blogging & writing

Among other things like nature, photography, reading, animals, journaling, art, playing Zelda/games, dancing/music, culture/languages, enjoying rly good food and drinks! 😋 

What about you? What recharges you?? 

#rechargemysoul #blogging #adventures #writing #soulfulliving #mindfulliving #mindfultravel #nomadcouple #creativeliving
1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨ 🌋 ARENA 1 WEEK COSTA RICA ITINERARY👇🦋✨

🌋 ARENAL // LA FORTUNA (2 days)
- Hike in the Arenal Volcano National Park
- Indulge in a local chocolate/coffee tour (s/o to @northfieldscafe)
- Go on a wildlife safari float (s/o to Raúl for pura vida vibes!)
- Lounge in natural hot springs (highly recommend the budget-friendly Relax Termalitas in Fortuna)
- Visit La Fortuna waterfall
- Check out the Butterfly Conservatory

🦥 QUEPOS // MANUEL ANTONIO (2-3 days)
- Take a guided or DIY tour of Manuel Antonio National Park
- Chill out on the Espadilla beach
- Explore the cute towns
- Watch for wildlife in the trees!

🌿 MONTEVERDE // SANTA ELENA (2 days)
- Visit/hike in the Monteverde Cloud Forest
- Go ziplining
- Birdwatching on a canopy tour
- Monteverde coffee tour
- Do a nature night walk

My sister and I surprised our mom with this bucket list trip on her birthday, and we had a blast! 🥹

Send this itinerary to someone you know who has always wanted to go to Costa Rica 🦋💛✨🌿🦜🐒

#costarica #bucketlisttrip #puravida #costaricaitinerary #lafortuna #manuelantonio #monteverde #ecotourism
Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a q Swimming with the biggest fish in the world is a quite a humbling experience, and one that’s been at the top of my bucket list for ages! 🥺

Right now is prime whale shark season in La Paz in Baja California Sur, Mexico, so Paul and I made sure to go before we jetted off to see family for the holidays! I’m still in awe of these gentle giants and the fact that we got to swim alongside them!

Read all about the best whale shake tours in La Paz + ethical whale shark tourism in my latest blog post! Link in bio 💛

Send this to a friend who loves whale sharks! 🐳🦈

#whalesharks #lapaz #bajacaliforniasur #ethicaltravel #responsibletravel #ecotourism #golapaz #mexicotravel #bucketlist #seaofcortez
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