Palomino and Flamingos Sanctuary
Between two river deltas, the Sierra Nevada, and the Caribbean SeaWhat so see and do in Palomino
Palomino is an absolute must see from the Caribbean Coast in which you can spend a few days to relax, enjoy beautiful sunsets, swim and even surf: Palomino. This small town is located at the border between the La Guajira and Magdalena, between two rivers deltas and the ocean. However, on the way to Palomino, there is a National Park that is worth a short visit for watching interesting animal in its natural habitat: the National Flamingos Sanctuary.
Palomino is a small beach town has some of the best hostels and eco-hotels offers of the entire Caribbean coast in Colombia and with its amazing rivers and nice beachfront can offer you a very nice and relaxing holiday for a few days. We think that thanks to the big offer of the small town (going from French and Italian food to chillout bars and discotheques) you can spend a whole week here before being bored. An additional plus for this town is that since most of the business owners are European or “internationally influenced Colombians”, you will have no problem with finding English speakers, or European standards for food and accommodation.
Flamingos Sanctuary
The best place to reach the Flamingos Sanctuary is the small town Camaron. Here, you will find locals who can offer you a canoe ride to see the Flamingos. Before you decide to go for this detour, we must warn you about a couple of things. First, the Flamingos are not there all the time since they are migratory birds that only land in La Guajira to rest and eat on their route between Venezuela and the Caribbean (the best time to see them is between October and May).
Second, the entire Sanctuary is not prepared for professional tourism: the streets to the town are very bad, there is poor demarcation and information about the activity, nobody in the entire town speaks English, and the canoes are artisanal and can give you the impression of sinking (no need to fear here, the depth of the water is no more than 1 meter which is the same reason why the Flamingos can stand and rest here).
If those two warmings do not discourage you, then you will probably enjoy this 2-3 hour stop for bird-watching and will likely get to make some awesome pictures with the pink Flamingos. After the Flamingos stop (or an alternative stop by the salt production areas on the way which “present” an interesting pink ocean in the right season) you should continue driving along the coastal line to reach Palomino.
Dining and drinking
We think that because of the large amounts of foreigners that go to Palomino every year, it has one of the most varied food and drink offers of the region, excluding Santa Marta itself of course.
The food options go from French pastry to Italian food, passing by all sorts of colombian food. In terms of cocktails and drinks, you can try all famous ones and their colombian versions in one of the many chillout bars, restaurants, or night clubs in town.
You can spend a whole week in Palomino before being bored. An additional plus for this town is that since most of the business owners are European or “internationally influenced Colombians”, you will have no problem with finding English speakers, or European standards for food and accommodation. Another plus: unlike nearby beaches and rest places like Buritaca which were built with a “balneario” style, most of the town was built with an eco-friendly architecture and makes a good effort to keep street vendors away from you, allowing you to enjoy a walk on the beach without many disruptions.
Tubing Down the Palomino River and relaxin on the beach
One of the most popular activities in Palomino is tubing down the serene Palomino River. You will start with a scenic hike through the jungle to reach the starting point, then hop on an inner tube and float leisurely downstream. As you drift along, you’ll be surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature, including exotic birds. The journey ends where the river meets the Caribbean Sea, providing a refreshing dip in the ocean. Most hostels and tour operators in Palomino offer tubing packages, including transportation to the river’s starting point.
AFter tubing, you can enjoy Palomino’s main draw: its long stretch of sandy beach, where you can unwind and soak up the sun. The beach here is less crowded than others along the coast, offering a tranquil setting to relax. The waters can be a bit rough for swimming, but it’s perfect for those who enjoy sunbathing, beachcombing, or watching the surfers ride the waves.
Exploring the Sierra Nevada Foothills
For those who enjoy nature and hiking, the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains offer beautiful trails and opportunities for birdwatching. You can take a guided tour to explore these beautiful surroundings, learning about the local flora and fauna as you go. Some tours also include visits to indigenous communities, where you can gain insight into the traditional way of life and the culture of the Kogi and Arhuaco people.
Because of the humidity and heat, the hikes can be quite demanding, so we recommend you to hire a local guide and ask about the difficulty in advance. Alternatively, you can rent a motorcycle and explore the surroundings on it.
