Palomino was one of my most favorite places to be and I feel so fortunate to have stayed as long as I did. It has not been struck my tourists yet and is a must see if you want something tranquilo (relaxed)!
Living for three weeks in Palomino was one of the best experiences I have had so far travelling. Despite the hundreds of bug bites and sand flea bites (he-hen) I had a great time working for the Dreamer on the Beach Hostel.
I love to get to know a place really well and feel like you have a home and family to come back to. I know that this will definitely be a place that I will be coming back to in my life.
The city itself is 3,000 people in the town (30 percent being children) and is located on the foothills of the Sierra Nevada’s. You could see them from this hostel they are the worlds highest coastal peak reaching about 5,775 meters above sea level. It is about 70 km to Santa Marta, a large city and just in the Northern region of the Caribbean coast. They even have a disco tech that is open just once a week on Saturdays.
I was able to get to know many locals and build some really great relationships there. I even painted a boat in front of one of the local businesses on the beach.
The energy here is very laid back. I am staying and eating for free at the Dreamer Hostel which is a Little touristy but nothing too bad. I have met some wonderful people and as always, practicing my spanish!
This week I am hitting 8 weeks and feeling like I have only been here for a month. Time flies when you travel so right now I am just trying to enjoy every moment. I am also working on making some jewelry as well.
To get to Palomino from Sant Marta, take a bus from the bus terminal for about $10,000 COP ($5 USD). The bus will drop you off in the town of Palomino, who ironically does not even look like a town. Find the only gas station on look across the road at a telephone pol next to a blue and yellow mural. To down this paved road for 15 minutes. You will pass signs for The Finca Escondida, and the Dreamer hostel, just keep going straight. Trust me the road does lead to the beach. The walk is beautiful and about 15 minutes long. Or you can take a moto taxi which is $3,000 COP ($1.5 USD). I recommend the walk as it takes you though the whole town.
From there you will run into a beach. Get a juice at the juice stand, Zapote con leche is the best one, and only $3,000 COP ($1.5 USD). Check out the beautiful painted boat that says “San Sebastian” which I painted!
Places to stay are cheap. If you have a tent take a left after the boat and camp for free on the beach. There are nightly Bon fires around that spot as well. Or take a right at the boat and stay at Don Aires place for $25,000 COP ($13 USD) a night in a hammock on the beach or La Finca Escondida is $25,000 COP ($13 USD) a night for a hammock or tent. Also there is the new Dreamer hostel which is $29,000-110,000 COP ($15-55 USD) for a night with beds in a house.
Another highlight was that palomino is close to the Sierra Nevada of Santa Marta mountain range so the indigenous tribes are everywhere. They so sell churro a liquor the indigenous make for $3,000 COP ($1.5 USD) in town. Insane cheap and strong!