When we first started planning our Colombia itinerary, Palomino wasn’t supposed to be a major stop.
Like most travellers, we originally saw it as somewhere to spend a few days between Santa Marta and the Guajira region. A place to relax, enjoy the beach and then move on.
Instead, we ended up staying for an entire month.
After months of moving every few days through Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica and Panama, we wanted somewhere slower. Somewhere the kids could settle, we could establish a routine, and life could feel a little more normal again.
Palomino seemed like the perfect choice.
What we found was one of the most interesting places we visited in Colombia.
Not because there were endless attractions or famous landmarks, but because we finally got to experience what everyday life felt like on Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
Some parts we loved.
Some parts were much harder than expected.
And after a month living there, we saw a very different side of Palomino than most travellers who only stay for a weekend.
Don’t have time to read? Start here:
Would we recommend Palomino?
✅ Yes, especially for families, slow travellers and anyone wanting a more relaxed side of Colombia.
How long should you stay?
3–5 days is enough for most travellers.
If you’re travelling long term, Palomino is one of the few places in Colombia where staying a month actually makes sense.
Best experience?
Walking along the beach to the river and tubing back through the jungle.
👉 Check prices for a Palomino river tubing tour
Where did we stay first?
For our first three nights we stayed at Hotel Chiniu, a peaceful eco-style hotel near the beach that gave us time to settle in before moving into our Airbnb.
👉 Check prices for Hotel Chiniu
Would we return?
Absolutely.
Why We Chose Palomino
By the time we arrived in Colombia we had already spent months travelling as a family.
The constant moving was incredible, but it can also become exhausting.
Every few days meant:
- Finding accommodation
- Learning a new area
- Working out where to buy groceries
- Figuring out transport
- Helping the kids adjust
Eventually you start craving routine.
Palomino felt like the ideal place to slow down.
It had beaches.
It had nature.
It had enough restaurants and cafes to keep things interesting.
And it was considerably cheaper than staying somewhere like Cartagena for an extended period.
The plan was simple:
Work.
Relax.
Enjoy the beach.
Live normally for a while.
First Impressions Of Palomino
The first thing we noticed was how different Palomino felt compared to Cartagena.
Cartagena is energetic, colourful and constantly buzzing with activity. Palomino, on the other hand, feels sleepy and laid-back. The roads are mostly dusty, motorbikes weave through town and the jungle seems to be slowly reclaiming parts of the village.
There are no giant shopping centres, no major tourist attractions and no pressure to constantly be doing something. Life moves at a completely different pace here. Much slower. And honestly, after months of travelling, that felt pretty good.
The second thing we noticed was the heat.
We thought Cartagena was hot, but Palomino somehow felt even hotter. The humidity was relentless, and even short walks could leave you drenched in sweat. For the first few days, we found ourselves planning almost everything around the temperature. Early mornings and late afternoons quickly became our favourite times of day.
Staying at Hotel Chiniu
Before moving into our Airbnb, we spent our first three nights at Hotel Chiniu.
Looking back, it was probably the perfect way to arrive in Palomino. The property has a relaxed jungle feel that immediately puts you into holiday mode. After buses, flights and months of travel, it was nice to spend a few days somewhere comfortable before settling back into everyday life.
The kids loved exploring the grounds, while we enjoyed being close enough to the beach but still having somewhere peaceful to retreat to at the end of the day. If you’re only visiting Palomino for a few days, this is the sort of accommodation we’d happily recommend.
👉 Check prices for Hotel Chiniu
The Two Different Palominos
One of the most interesting things about spending a month in Palomino is that you begin to realise there are really two different versions of the town.
Most visitors only experience one of them.
Tourist Palomino
This is the Palomino you’ll often see on Instagram. Boutique hotels sit alongside trendy cafés, yoga classes, digital nomads, surf culture and international restaurants.
Much of this scene centres around Plaza Numen, which quickly became one of our favourite places to spend time. Families gathered there, travellers met for coffee and children played while adults chatted. It felt like the social heart of the town, with a relaxed, friendly atmosphere that was surprisingly family-oriented.
Local Palomino
A short walk away, however, you start seeing a very different side of Palomino.
This is where local families live, where everyday life happens and where prices are noticeably lower. It’s also where the tourism bubble begins to fade away.
Neither side is better than the other. In fact, seeing both is what made our month in Palomino so interesting. Spending longer there allowed us to move beyond the tourist experience and get a glimpse of what life actually feels like in the town, which is something most visitors simply don’t have time to do.
Our Airbnb Surprise
After leaving Hotel Chiniu, we moved into the Airbnb we’d booked for the next month.
One surprise was that the host lived on the property. Not in the house itself, but in an outbuilding on the land.
At first, we weren’t quite sure what to expect. When you’re staying somewhere for a month, privacy matters. Thankfully, it turned out to be a complete non-issue. He was friendly, helpful and largely left us to ourselves.
Within a few days it simply felt normal. In many ways, it actually added to the experience because we occasionally gained little insights into local life that we probably wouldn’t have had otherwise.
Don’t Forget The Boring Stuff
Whether you’re renting a car, whale watching in Uvita, exploring national parks, or travelling between destinations, things don’t always go to plan.
We’ve used SafetyWing throughout our travels because it gives us flexible coverage while travelling long-term as a family.
What Daily Life In Palomino Actually Looked Like
One of the reasons we enjoyed Palomino so much was because we stopped trying to be tourists.
Instead of chasing attractions every day, we settled into a routine.
Mornings often started with work, school activities for the kids, or a walk into town for breakfast.
Afternoons were usually spent at the beach, exploring, or simply escaping the heat.
Evenings were slow.
A walk through town.
Ice cream.
Watching the sunset.
Finding somewhere to eat.
Then doing it all again the next day.
It sounds simple, but after months of travelling it was exactly what we needed.
The Beach Was Better Than We Expected
Palomino’s beach surprised us.
Not because it’s perfect.
It isn’t.
The sea can be rough.
The currents can be strong.
And it isn’t the calm turquoise Caribbean water many people imagine.
But what it does have is space.
Lots of it.
You can walk for ages without seeing many people.
The beach feels wild rather than developed.
Natural rather than polished.
For families, that became part of the appeal.
The kids could run around, explore and play without feeling crowded.
And every sunset seemed to put on a show.
The Walk To The River Was One Of Our Favourite Days
If you’re visiting Palomino and only do one activity, make it this.
Most people know about the famous river tubing experience.
You hike upstream before floating back down through the jungle towards the sea.
It’s one of the most popular activities in the area.
👉 Book a Palomino river tubing tour
But what many people don’t mention is how beautiful the area is around the river itself.
One day we walked along the beach towards the river mouth rather than tubing immediately.
The further we walked, the quieter everything became.
Hotels disappeared.
Tourists disappeared.
Eventually it felt like we’d stumbled onto a tropical island.
The beach seemed endless.
The jungle met the sea.
And for long stretches it felt like we had the entire coastline to ourselves.
Honestly, that walk became one of our favourite memories from Colombia.
Not because it was famous.
Because it felt untouched.
Read: Palomino River Tubing
Plaza Numen Became Our Social Hub
If there was one place that defined daily life in Palomino for us, it was Plaza Numen.
This was where we met people.
Where we grabbed drinks.
Where the kids played.
Where we’d often end up without even planning to.
What we found interesting was the community that seemed to form around it.
Travellers staying for months.
Expats living locally.
Remote workers.
Families.
Everyone seemed to cross paths there eventually.
It had a relaxed atmosphere that suited Palomino perfectly.
If you’re staying more than a few days, chances are you’ll find yourself spending time there too.
The Part Nobody Talks About: The Expat Bubble
One thing we noticed during our month in Palomino was that parts of the town almost felt like two separate worlds.
On one side were local Colombian families and businesses going about their daily lives. On the other were tourists, digital nomads and longer-term foreign residents who had come looking for sunshine, surfing and a slower pace of life. Colombia offers a wealth of familyfriendly activities in Colombia that cater to visitors and locals alike. From exploring vibrant markets to taking part in traditional festivals, there are countless opportunities for bonding and enjoyment. Families can also enjoy nature walks in lush national parks, where the stunning scenery provides a perfect backdrop for memorable adventures. Packing tips for Colombian beaches can significantly enhance your travel experience. Lightweight clothing, sun protection, and ample water are essentials to pack for a comfortable day by the shore. Additionally, bringing a waterproof bag can help keep your belongings safe while you enjoy the vibrant coastal activities.
Sometimes those worlds mixed naturally. Sometimes they didn’t.
There were moments when it felt like some visitors barely interacted with local life at all. They stayed in boutique accommodation, worked from trendy cafés and spent most of their time within the tourist-focused areas.
There’s nothing wrong with that. Everyone travels differently.
But spending a full month in Palomino gave us a different perspective. We enjoyed moving between both sides of the town and seeing what everyday life looked like beyond the tourist bubble. For us, that ended up being one of the most rewarding parts of the experience.
Would We Live in Palomino Again?
This is probably the question many long-term travellers really want answered.
The honest answer is: maybe.
We loved the slower pace of life, the beach and the strong sense of community. We also loved giving the kids a chance to settle somewhere for a while rather than constantly moving from place to place.
At the same time, we realised that a month was probably the perfect amount of time for us.
Palomino works brilliantly as a reset. It’s the kind of place where you can slow down, reconnect with nature and take a break from the noise and busyness of larger cities.
For us, however, it wasn’t somewhere we’d want to stay indefinitely. Eventually, we found ourselves missing some of the conveniences that come with bigger destinations, along with a wider choice of activities and, if we’re being honest, slightly cooler weather.
Also Read: Things To Do In Palomino with kids
Final Thoughts
Palomino ended up being one of the most memorable parts of our time in Colombia.
Not because it had the most attractions. Not because it was the most beautiful place we visited. And certainly not because it was perfect.
It was memorable because we actually lived there.
For a month, Palomino stopped feeling like a destination and started feeling like home. The kids made friends, we developed routines and we found our favourite cafés, walks and sunset spots.
That’s something you rarely get from a short trip.
If you’re travelling through Colombia with kids and looking for somewhere to slow down, Palomino absolutely deserves a place on your itinerary. It offers a very different experience from places like Cartagena or Medellín, and that’s exactly what makes it special.
Maybe not forever.
But long enough to understand why so many travellers arrive for a few days and end up staying much longer.
Quick Family Verdict
Would we recommend Palomino with kids?
✅ Absolutely
How long should you stay?
3–5 days for most families, 2–4 weeks for slow travellers.
Best activity?
River tubing and the walk to the river mouth.
Best area to spend time?
Around Plaza Numen and the beach.
Biggest challenge?
The heat and mosquitoes.
Would we return?
Yes, without hesitation.
Where would we stay?
👉 Hotel Chiniu for short stays
👉 A family Airbnb for longer stays
Our overall rating:
⭐ 8.5/10 for families travelling Colombia.
