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Voykit pocket guide · Colombia
Palomino
Spend 2 days for river tubing, beach walk and a quick visit to the Sierra Nevada view; skip longer stays unless you’re into extended surf or jungle treks.
Palomino is a small coastal town in Colombia’s Costa Norte region, known for river tubing, surf spots and views of the snow‑capped Sierra Nevada. The town’s tourism infrastructure is modest but growing, with several hostels close to the beach. A short stay (1‑2 days) covers the main activities; longer trips require extra travel to nearby parks or towns.
- Country
- Colombia
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Avoid
- Jun–Sep (rainy season)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- COP
- Money
- Currency is the Colombian peso (COP, $). Cards work in hotels, malls and many restaurants; cash is needed for small shops, markets and rural areas.
- Daily spend
- Budget COP 50,000–80,000 excl. bed · Mid COP 80,000–120,000 excl. bed · High COP 120,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Claro (best coverage), Movistar and Tigo SIMs in malls and at airports; passport required and IMEI registration may apply for longer stays — check.
- Emergency
- Police / Ambulance / Fire 123
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 110–120 V · 60 Hz · US-style plugs.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% propina voluntaria offered on the bill.; Guides: COP 20,000–50,000 per person per day.; Taxis: Round up.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in Bogotá and Medellín; drink bottled on the coast and in rural areas.
- Toilets
- Put paper in the bin in most places; bring tissues for bus stations.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee | COP 2,000–3,000 |
| Empanada | COP 1,000–2,000 |
| Salchipapa | COP 7,000 |
| Tube ride (guided) | COP 15,000–20,000 |
| Mototaxi (short hop) | COP 10,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- SMR · Simón Bolívar International (Santa Marta)
- ≈1 h bus to Palomino
Typical fares
- Santa Marta → Palomino bus
- about COP 20,000, 1 h 45 min (check)
- Mototaxi short ride
- about COP 10,000, 5–10 min
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk along the main road (Carrera 6‑8) for beaches and town centre. Mototaxi rides cost about COP 10,000 for short trips; no ATMs in town, bring cash.
See and do
Known for
- River tubing
- Surfing and bodyboarding
- Views of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
- Indigenous community visits
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Riohacha | Bus from Palomino terminal, ≈2 h | ≈2 h 30 min |
| Tayrona National Park | Bus to Santa Marta then shuttle, ≈3 h total | ≈4 h |
| Minca | Bus to Santa Marta then local minibus, ≈3 h | ≈3 h 30 min |
Sleep
- The Dreamer Hostel
- Beachfront, pool, cabins; book ahead in high season
- Tiki Hut Hostal
- Cabanas opposite Dreamer, basic amenities
- La Sirena Eco Hotel & Yoga
- Eco‑friendly rooms a short walk from beach
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedis-KOOL-peh |
| Thank you | GraciasGRAH-syahs |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAHN-toh KWEHS-tah |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?DON-deh es-TAH el BAH-nyo |
| I need a taxi | Necesito un taxineh-seh-SEE-toh oon TAH-ksi |
| Can I pay by card? | ¿Puedo pagar con tarjeta?PWEH-doh pah-GAR kon tar-HEH-tah |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake, cheek kiss between women and mixed pairs; avoid: Launching into requests without a greeting
- Politeness: 'Con gusto', 'a la orden'; avoid: Blunt commands
- Topics: Coffee, football, food; avoid: Escobar jokes, drug talk
- Showing valuables: Keep phones away; avoid: 'Dar papaya'
Scams and watch-outs
- No ATMs (Feb 2021); cash needed for transport and food
- Strong river currents at the river‑sea mouth; use a guide for tubing
- High‑season crowds (Christmas/New Year) may fill hostels quickly
Palomino is generally safe for tourists; keep an eye on personal belongings on beaches and use licensed mototaxi drivers.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Palomino yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- River tubing
- Surfing and bodyboarding
- Views of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta
- Indigenous community visits
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Palomino, revision 5211051 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5211051
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Palomino
A esta dirección, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / Ambulance / Fire123
US consulate in Barranquilla (check address); other embassies in Bogotá.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/palomino). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.