8 Awesome Things To Do In Palomino, Colombia

1. Quebrada Valencia

If you’d like to get a little taste of the tropical rainforest, together with the refreshing water of a mountain spring, you should definitely head to Quedraba Valencia. This beautiful, though secluded place gives you an opportunity to relax, spend time in the fresh air and have fun, swimming in crystal clear water, among stunning waterfalls. Take pictures, have a picnic, or go for a hike, the place has numerous of options for spending a fun day outside.

The hike to the pool takes about 20 minutes and the grade is moderate. If a 20-minute hike is not enough for you, continue the hike past the pool, to get to another waterfall. It’s about a 30-minute drive from Palomino, to the trailhead.

Quebrada Valencia

Address: Avenida Troncal Del Caribe, Santa Marta 470005, Colombia

2. Go tubing on the Palomino River

People say you don’t know Columbia if you’ve never been tubing. To see if they’re right, the only thing you can do is to go and actually try it. It’s not only an amazing adventure, full of fun and adrenaline, it’s a way to spend a day in the sun, discovering the Sierra Nevada Mountains, nature, wildlife, and relaxation.

If you’re not really sure or are a little afraid and need someone to show you how and where, you can get a guided tour. Or, if you feel adventurous you can just ask in any decent hostel about tube rental and get your own. The activity is also unbelievably cheap - a guided trip will cost you about 10 USD and you can rent your own tube for less than 2 USD. Also, the beautiful jungle walk to the river makes the trip even more lovely and interesting.

Tubing on the Palomino River

Website: Tips on tubing in Palomino

3. Gerson's Massage

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Do you have a sore back? Or maybe you just want to lie down, relax and have a professional work their massage magic? Gerson combines different kinds of massage, including Thai, shiatsu and osteo-manipulation. It’s not only a physical experience but a spiritual voyage. People say the massage here has everything that a real massage should be - it’s strong and intense, but relaxing and given in a peaceful environment. The place is also not a commercial massage studio, Gerson has very warm and individual approach to every client.

Gerson's Massage

Address: Finca Escondida, Palomino, Dibulla, La Guajira, Columbia

Facebook: Gerson’s Massage

4. Visit Playa Palomino

Delicate white sand, the blue water of the Caribbean Sea, hot sun, and all of this hidden from huge groups of tourists. Sounds perfect? You can walk along the seashore, looking for magnificent shells and coral. You can swim in the water here, lie down, listen to music or get a suntan.

Or, you can be more active and go for a run, or do some yoga on the sand. Check out what the Columbian merchants have to offer, talk with the locals, or try some of the interesting food at the many food carts found here. Or you can just watch the sunset on the pier. There are so many different opportunities for a perfect vacation day.

Playa Palomino

Address: Km 72 Via Santa Marta - Riohacha, Palomino, La Guajira, La Guajira, Kolumbia

5. La Sierrita Ecotours

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you’re a bird lover, take a three-day bird watching tour in Ciudad Antigua, to see the amazing and colorful species, living in the jungle. If you prefer other kinds of animals, like monkeys or water wildlife, check out the Tayrona Park Hike. And, if you ever wanted to be an explorer, find treasures and lost villages, take the Lost City 4-6 day tour, rated as one of the best treks in South America.

Or, you can take a tour on Mochila’s Trails and discover many different and interesting Columbian cultures, see what their day-to-day life looks like, what they eat, and what they believe in. La Sierrita Ecotours offers lifetime adventures, for everyone.

La Sierrita Ecotours

Address: Av. Troncal del Caribe, Palomino- La Guajira, Colombia

Website: La Sierrita Ecotours

6. Sua Palomino

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Are you looking for a nice restaurant, with a Columbian atmosphere and food made with fresh and healthy ingredients? Then, Sua Palamino is your place. Perfect for birthdays, family dinners or a casual meal with friends, it’s one of the few restaurants in Palomino that aren’t associated with a hotel. Prices in the restaurant vary from 4 USD to 10 USD, per meal. And, you definitely have to try their specials, for example, the lionfish, in coconut.

It’s poorly signed and can be hard to find - look for it across the street from the Ayatawacoop gas station. The restaurant is open from noon to 9 pm, from Wednesday to Sunday.

Sua Palomino

Address: Palomino, Dibulla, La Guajira, Kolumbia

7. Paint the town red

Palomino town is a mere 10-minute walk from the beach. It doesn’t look like much; you’ll find a few bars and restaurants that have sprouted up and sprawled alongside the main Santa Marta–Riohacha highway. There are also convenience stores where you can stock up on what you need. Most of the action happens on the beach but this is where the locals hang out to chill and when you want a change of pace or scenery Palomino town is a sensible destination. The vibe here is definitely laid back and informal, perhaps one that is more characteristic of the backpacking culture. So don’t expect to find any five-star accommodation. What you will be able to find are little roadside shacks where you can sit down, enjoy a mojito and some snacks and perhaps get lost in conversation with a local.

Palomino Town

Address: Palomino, Colombia

8. Hop on a bike and tour the coast

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

If you’re the sort who needs to scoot around and explore, then a motorcycle tour around the coast will be a desirable activity for you. There are a couple of companies that organize these all-inclusive motorcycle tours of Colombia’s north coast. A couple of these tours may require you to take an introductory course on off-road motorcycle riding. Stops at key places and attractions are offered, including Palomino beach and Palomino River, so it’s not a grinding run where all you will see is the road. You can take a break and go tubing down the river and have a hearty meal at Prima Luna restaurant in Palomino, where they serve some very excellent pizza. Then you can continue on to other places of interest such as the Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona in neighboring Santa Marta, where there is a secret beach.

Palomino Motorcycle Tour

Address: Palomino, Colombia

Little paradise

No matter if you’re looking for some relaxation on the beach, a massage or some good food, or maybe even some adrenaline, exploring and fun - Palomino is a little piece of paradise and has something for everyone.