Palomino Colombia: Jungle Meets Ocean Paradise
The Andes’ magnificence. The tropical jungle of the Amazon region. The calm beaches of the green Pacific or the white Caribbean. These are the most sought-after locations for any traveler exploring Colombia’s geographical diversity.
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Oftentimes, a tourist will have to choose which region in Colombia to visit. And then they ask themselves: should I enjoy the particular weather or the localized cuisine? Or should I go for the amazing sights? (Those that can only be seen in those specific places at very specific times).
One choice, of course, will always mean missing out on the others. Such is the nature of traveling; you cannot experience all things at once.
But, what if you did not have to choose? Such a delightful place exists, and this point of magnificent convergence is Palomino.
Palomino: The Small Town in Paradise
Named after the river that borders its small town, Palomino is a popular place among tourists. And the reason is that Palomino offers the necessary comfort to its visitors. All without sacrificing its true appeal: a connection with nature.
When visiting Palomino, you will find many means of transportation there. Buses and taxis, they all work. And there is a diversity of hostels, hotels, glamping, and even camping spaces too. Thus, travelers can find lodging that fits perfectly the experience they want to have.
Since Palomino is so close to the Sierra Nevada and La Guajira, it is common to find cultural influences from the indigenous people who live there. Some of them are the Kogis and the Wayuus. The abundance of nature and the presence of ancestral cultures provide a nice experience too. It is a space where you can practice conscious ecotourism. The idea of coming to Palomino is to be one with nature, not to abuse it, though.
What to do in Palomino
With a cool river and a warm ocean with changing waves, there are two aquatic activities that become a must for fans of adventure: Tubing and Surfing.
For tubing, there is a bit of hiking involved. One must walk upriver for about an hour in comfortable shoes and a sensible layer of sunscreen. But once you go to the proper place, you can rent your own floating device for tubing. Then, you will have two of the most delicious hours of nature gazing. All this while you get massaged by the gentle waves and the tropical breeze.
For those more active travelers, surfing is available. You can easily find some locals who will offer classes for a fair price.
As the day progresses and the sun bids us farewell, one can always sit by the beach and contemplate the colors of a unique sunset. What about lighting up a fire? Pull out the old guitar and entertain your friends as the meats cook and the vegetables get roasted for dinner.
Remember to keep your insect repellent around, you might need it. And if night time comes, and you still feel like making the most of Palomino, the town has bars and clubs where other travelers and backpackers gather to make new friends. Enjoy the fresher air and dance the night away!
A good thing to consider, though, is that Palomino is mostly a place of peace and encounter with nature, so there is a regulation to shut down most parties by 11 p.m.
Speaking of peace and nature, if one is in Palomino, it is worth it to book a tour into the jungle of the Sierra Nevada. Being mostly Kogi territory, and declared a Natural Reserve, this is a space where different arrangements of flora and fauna grow freely without any human intervention, as it is the ancestral philosophy of the indigenous peoples.
Once you are deep in the jungle, guided by one of the elders (members of the Kogi group) they will take you to one of their ancestral settlements. There, you will get to witness how they live as a society and how they have developed a mode of existence that enriches nature instead of destroying it. It is such a beautiful and even spiritual experience if you are open to it.
Best Time to Visit Palomino
As it happens with most places of the Colombian Caribbean, Palomino is mostly tropical and warm. However, October, all the way through December, can feature a lot of rain, ruining the ideal experience for most travelers. It is not always the case, but it is fair to mention it. So, anytime from January to September is optimal.
Some Recommendations for Travelers Heading to Palomino
Withdrawing a sensible amount of cash is a good idea since there are no ATM machines in Palomino. As mentioned before, comfortable shoes, sunscreen, and some insect repellent always come in handy. It is also useful to plan ahead, from the two-hour trip from Santa Marta to the place you will stay in.