palomino, co
Palomino is the undisputed king (or queen) of beach backpacking towns in Colombia. It’s really the only true backpacking beach town in the country. A country that is primarily dominated by mountain activities and places to go. Its located far north along the coast and is about 6 hours or so to travel to from Cartagena. I think it’s a very well worth it stop for any backpacker making their way through the country, especially if you are ocean minded. When you stroll or ride into Palomino you will immediately know what I mean. You can feel the backpacker and traveler vibes as you pass by artisan jewelry shops, international little restaurants in wooden trendy looking structures, hostels and beachy bars littered along the small dirt road streets. People will be walking around in baggy fitting clothing, no shoes and just bikinis or board shorts. It’s a really nice vibe here in Palomino. It felt right for someone who loves the beach and had been deprived of it for a while in traveling Colombia. But something is a bit off with Palomino. It’s hard to put your finger on it, but for me I think that it’s become such a party town that the vibes have gotten, in a way a bit seedy. Not overwhelmingly so, but that seediness is there. The place has expanded at an unbelievably rapid pace. Going back in time on google maps is like looking at pictures of an entirely different place. I think this is also a reason for the sometimes odd vibe going on here. A few people I knew there were referring to it as the vortex. A 7 night a week party town with a constantly changing landscape of backpackers looking for beach and party that sucks you in and doesn’t really want you to leave. That was the case for a lot of people. Stuck there for weeks or longer. Not an uncommon story to hear. I will go into some more detail about the nightlife here but apart from that you have beaches here. The beaches aren’t all that nice but they are beaches and in Colombia beaches with hostels on them is hard to find. Additionally, there’s surfing here. Probably the only place in Colombia that people come to surf. I found the waves to be awful and I don’t think they ever get good, but more on that later. Palomino for me was a great 3 day stop. I didn’t need any more and most of the people I know who stayed longer than that thought they had stayed to long. It’s worth going, but be wary of getting stuck in the vortex.
Palomino is located in the far north of the northern coast of Colombia. Probably the farthest north that most any backpackers will make it unless they decide to head out to the dune of La Guajira. It is kind of far from major population centers like Santa Marta and Cartagena but its not very difficult to get to. It’s one of the most popular beach destinations not only for backpackers but for Colombians as well. That being said, there are busses that will easily and directly relatively take you here.
BY BUS – To get here by bus you can pick one up from Santa Marta. You can grab the bus at the Public Market which is where all the busses from Santa Marta that you would be interested in as a traveler will leave from. The trip will take about 1 hour and 50 minutes and cost you like 12k COP or $3. You’ll get dropped off on the main road in Palomino and will have to simply walk down the beach road to get to wherever you are staying. If you want to catch a bus direct from from Cartagena, that is also really easy to do. Its about 6 hours and costs $15. You can book that here.
BY CAR - Its super simple from Cartagena or Santa Marta, just take the coast route up.
HOSTELS, CAMPING, AND HOTELS (IF ANY)
There are a seemingly endless amount of places to sleep throughout Palomino. I remember being really overwhelmed with the number of hostels and the options that existed. I am only going to list a few here that were popular with people here when I was here or the ones that I stayed at.
They vary in terms of chill to party and some of them are certainly very party so just know what you are looking for before you book.
Nothing is really that expensive here in Palomino so dont pay more than $15 for a dorm bed unless you are going to splurge.
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This is the only option that I will recommend that is located right on the beach. It is a really cheap spot right on the water with a bar and free breakfast. But the downside is that it's an absolutely wild party hostel. There are loud beach parties here until 4 in the morning most nights of the week. If this is what you are looking for then perfect, you have found it, but I know a lot of people who stayed here because of the location and the price and left unhappy early because they couldn't sleep.
Another party hostel that's a little more inland. Its got a pool and is pretty nice. I know a lot of people who worked here for a month and they were all really cool people so its going to be a place that attracts cool people. You can probably tell by the name through that things will get a little wild.
This is one of the more upscale options if not the most upscale option on the list. Its really close to the beach, practically next door to Beach Life but there won't be any crazy late night parties here. They have a great pool and its really relaxing but you'll be paying for it.
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A cool little spot in town thats worth taking a look at and putting down on your list of options to stay at.
One of the most popular bars at night is also this hostel. A lot of people I know stayed here and its got really cool like reggae vibes. But like a lot of the other options, just know this is a pretty popular bar so you might be unable to scape the party.
Small and beautiful little option. You'll be able to avoid the party here while you're on the property here. So it's a great place to stay if you want to have a mellow place to come back to. Not the cheapest option in town though.
Like the name implies, it's pretty much a bunch of thatch roof tiki looking buildings that make up the hostel. It's a pretty cool spot though. But it's going to be a little more expensive. Not the budget stuff you can find in some of the other options.
EATS
Not dissimilar from the copious housing options, there are plenty of amazing places to eat here in Palomino. The fare is going to be international and local so you will be able to find almost anything that you want. Its a proper travel town so you'll be happy with your food options here.
Restaurants
Certainly the most popular and most famous place to get food in Palomino amongst the traveler community is this place. They are some pretty amazing Argentinian empanadas that you will hear people talk about all over the country. A must.
Located in a place called Palomino Plaza which is home to a few small restaurants. There will be a few mentioned here. This place serves a variety of asian inspired food and its pretty good. Once you come into this little food court you have the option to order from any of the places within.
Small little spot in Palomino Plaza serving up Kebabs and things of this sort. I liked the food.
A burger place in another small food court here in town along the main road. The burgers are pretty damn good I must admit, I want to say, one of my favorites in Colombia.
A small little hippy bakery worth a shot.
Another burger spot in the same little food court, food stall place as La Picara.
Little cafe spot that has a cute outdoor area and good breads and such.
Great spot to come and get an arepa in town.
Cool little coffee shop that is certainly worth checking out.
Solid ariabic food in a nice, vibey setting.
This place also doubles as one of the most popular places in town to go out but they have good sandwiches and burgers as well.
Very delicious local spot that I would highly reccomend trying for lunch.
NIGHTLIFE
I've already alluded to this in the intro section for Palomino but the nightlife here is certainly established. It's a 7 day or 7 night a week town. You can easily find something to do, and find something to do extremely late every night of the week. The partying here is fun, its a reason why a lot of people get stuck here for weeks or months. The nightlife ranges from small cool traveler type bars to beach clubs that go late into the night. A lot of the nightlife will revolve around the hostel scene so if you're looking to really have your Palomino party experience it probably starts with where you stay.
As I was trying to pick places to recommend for going out I realized I didn't have that many, there are bars in town and the after party almost always happens at the beach. So there's not too many options really but the scene is vibrant nonetheless.
Bars and Clubs
This is a hostel on the beach with a bar. Its the spot that most nights a week they hay have huge beach parties with dj's. Its not every night of the week but certainly a few of them. Its going to be a place that if you are going out, you will end up at. If you want to fully immerse yourself you can stay here but it may get overwhelming.
A smaller little bar that will have a big crowd almost, if not every night, of the week. Its a solid little bar that I had a blast at plenty of times.
A lot of the hostels here are party hostels so you can just hop around those if youa re looking for a night out. El Zoo, Beachlife, Freesoul. Theres lots of them. Just get lost in it all and the nightlife will find you here in Palomino.
SIGHTS
Theres loads to do in Palomino, as well as the surroudning area. During the day I would say the best thing to do is just generally chill. The town is mellow outside of the nights and just hang out, walk around barefoot with all the other hippy travelers and relax. The beach here in my opinion is just ok, but its what you got. Theres plenty of places to see as you walk up and down the beach. Some other things in the general vicinity that you should do while you are here as well.
HANG/WALK ON THE BEACH
Like I said, I think the beach here is just okay compared to for example Tayrona or Central American beaches but its still a nice place to go hang out or walk up and down for the afternoon. Palomino is small and you can easily walk the whole beach in an hour or so.
TUBING
I had a blast tubing down the river that's near Palomino town. It's a great thing to do with a large group of people. Its beautiful, relaxing and just generally an excellent way to pass an afternoon. Theres a bunch of different tour groups you can go with. I thikn its like $10 or something. But its worth it.
Theres a dog shelter here which is pretty amazing considering you are in a small latin american town where stray dogs are typically considered second class citizens. If you want some cuddle partners after a long night out then this could be the way to put some serotonin back in your brain.
The food in Palomino is going to be one of the best things to explore here. Coming from some of the other small coastal towns in Colombia you are probably going to be ready for some variety. Palomino certainily has exactly that. Just go eat around town and then go out at night.
I would imagine if you have made it as far as Palomino then you are very well acquainted with Tayrona, but if not, here is another reminder to go there.
SURFING
For me, the waves in Palomino are just horrible. But its pretty much the only place in Colombia that you can find any waves at all. So if you have a hankering to get wet then you can do it here in Palomino. Its nothing more than a very average beach break but there are at least waves here.