Palomino River Tubing

Palomino is a laid-back beach village east of Tayrona, on the road toward La Guajira, where a river from the Sierra Nevada meets the sea. The classic activity here is tubing: you sit in a large inner tube and drift slowly down the Palomino River through forest, under bamboo and past small farms until the water opens onto a wide sand beach. It is a gentle, scenic way to spend a couple of hours, with enough current to carry you but not enough to be a thrill ride. Palomino itself is much quieter than Santa Marta, with a long beach, palm trees and a handful of hostels and restaurants, and day visitors often combine tubing with a walk to the shore. This product pairs the tubing with a nature trail hike, so you get both the water and a look at the forest edge. The tour transports you from Santa Marta by road, which takes around ninety minutes in each direction, and you will usually meet a local guide who supplies the tube, a life jacket and basic instructions. The river runs at a gentle pace, and the whole float takes roughly an hour or a little more, depending on the water level.

Conditions vary with the season. After heavy rain the river runs higher and faster, and sections of the route can be closed, while in drier months the current is mellow and the pools are clear. Your guide will make the call on whether the river is safe, and it is wise to accept that decision without argument. Wear a swimsuit and a pair of sandals that stay on, apply sunscreen before the float and keep your phone in a waterproof pouch or leave it behind.

The beach at Palomino is wild and beautiful, but it is not a swimming beach. Strong currents and a steep drop make the sea dangerous, and locals will tell you to stay out beyond your knees. Walk the sand, enjoy the lookout and take photos, and save your swimming for the calm river pools. After the float, a lunch of grilled fish or fried plantains at a beachside restaurant is the natural way to end the day.

Palomino has become a favorite of travelers who like a quieter pace than Santa Marta, and it is easy to extend the day into an overnight stay. Hammocks, small eco-lodges and yoga studios line the road behind the beach, and the village has a growing food scene. It also sits close to the border of La Guajira, which makes it a convenient place to begin a longer trip toward the desert.

If you want a relaxed, water-based day without much planning, tubing at Palomino is one of the best low-effort options in the region, and it works well for families and for groups of friends with mixed fitness.

Keep the rest of the day simple. After the float, rinse off, change into dry clothes and give yourself time for a slow lunch and a walk along the beach before the drive back. Late afternoon light on the sand and the river mouth is particularly photogenic, and the village is a pleasant place to wait out the heat. If you enjoy the atmosphere, consider returning for a night, because the quiet evenings and starry skies are a different experience from the daytime crowds.