After spending time exploring Santa Marta, many travellers continue east along Colombia’s Caribbean coast to Palomino.
Known for its laid-back atmosphere, long sandy beach, jungle-covered mountains and famous river tubing, Palomino has become one of Colombia’s most popular backpacker and family destinations.
We spent a month living in Palomino during our travels through Colombia and made this journey ourselves. Fortunately, getting there is easy, affordable and doesn’t require much planning.
In this guide, we’ll explain the different transport options, how much they cost, how long the journey takes and which one we’d recommend.
Don’t have time to read? Start here:
Here’s the quick answer:
- ✅ The public bus is the best option for most travellers.
- 🕒 Journey time: 1.5–2 hours.
- 💰 Bus fares usually cost 20,000–25,000 COP ($5–7 USD).
- 🚍 We use Busbud to book all our bus journeys.
- 🚖 Taxis and private transfers are also available if you prefer door-to-door service.
- ⭐ We travelled this route ourselves and found it simple and straightforward.
Santa Marta to Palomino at a Glance
| Option | Time | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Bus | 1.5–2 hrs | $ | Best value |
| Shared Shuttle | 2 hrs | $$ | Convenience |
| Taxi | 1.5 hrs | $$$ | Families & groups |
| Rental Car | 1.5 hrs | $$$ | Flexibility |
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What's the Best Way to Get From Santa Marta to Palomino?
For almost everyone, we’d recommend taking the public bus.
It’s inexpensive, runs frequently throughout the day and drops you directly on the main road through Palomino. From there, it’s only a short walk or moto-taxi ride to most hotels and hostels.
Unless you’re travelling with lots of luggage or young children and want the convenience of a private transfer, the bus offers the best balance of price and simplicity.
Taking the Bus From Santa Marta to Palomino
The bus is by far the most popular way to travel between Santa Marta and Palomino.
Rather than departing from the main long-distance bus terminal, most buses leave from the Mercado Público area in Santa Marta. You’ll find several companies running services towards Riohacha, and almost all of them stop in Palomino.
Buses depart regularly throughout the day, so there’s usually no need to book in advance.
The journey takes around 1 hour 45 minutes, although traffic around Santa Marta can occasionally make it a little longer.
Expect to pay around 20,000–25,000 COP per person.
Although these aren’t luxury coaches, they’re perfectly comfortable for such a short journey and are used daily by both locals and tourists.
Our Experience
We made this journey after finishing our time in Santa Marta and were surprised by how easy it was.
Within a couple of hours, the city had disappeared behind us and the scenery became noticeably greener. As the Sierra Nevada mountains came into view, it became obvious why so many people fall in love with this part of Colombia.
After arriving in Palomino, it was only a short walk to our accommodation, where we’d end up spending an entire month.
Looking back, it became one of our favourite stops anywhere in Colombia.
Shared Shuttle
If you’d rather avoid finding the local buses, shared tourist shuttles are another option.
Most collect passengers directly from hotels in Santa Marta before dropping everyone off at their accommodation in Palomino.
They’re more expensive than the public bus but are a good choice if you’re travelling with large backpacks or simply want a more straightforward experience.
Taxi or Private Transfer
Private taxis can also be arranged.
While considerably more expensive than the bus, they become much better value if you’re travelling as a family or small group.
The journey takes around 90 minutes depending on traffic.
Alternative you can check prices to rent a car here
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.
Is the Journey Safe?
Yes.
This is one of the safest and most frequently travelled tourist routes on Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
We travelled it ourselves without any issues and saw plenty of other travellers making the same journey.
As always, keep valuables with you and avoid placing important items in luggage stored away from your seat.
Arriving in Palomino
Unlike many destinations, buses don’t arrive at a traditional bus station.
Instead, they’re dropped off on the main road that runs through Palomino.
Most hotels, hostels and restaurants are within a 5–15 minute walk, although moto-taxis are available if your accommodation is further away.
What to Do in Palomino
If you’re wondering whether Palomino is worth visiting, we’d definitely say yes.
Some of our favourite experiences included:
- River tubing on the Palomino River
- Walking to the Desembocadura del Río Palomino
- Visiting the Desembocadura Río San Salvador
- Relaxing on the beach
- Coffee at Plaza Numen
- Watching the Sierra Nevada mountains at sunrise
- Wildlife spotting around town
- Taking yoga classes
- Surfing
- Visiting the Dog Shelter Café
We originally planned to stay for just a few days but ended up spending an entire month here.
Where to Stay in Palomino
Accommodation ranges from backpacker hostels to boutique eco-lodges and beachfront hotels.
If it’s your first visit, we’d recommend staying close to the main street so you can easily walk to restaurants, the beach and the river.
👉 Read our guide: Living in Palomino for a Month
FAQs
How long is the bus from Santa Marta to Palomino?
Around 1 hour 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
Can you book the bus online?
Most people simply buy tickets on the day, although some operators and booking platforms allow advance reservations.
Is Palomino worth visiting?
Absolutely. We originally planned a short stay but ended up spending a month there. It’s one of our favourite destinations on Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
Is there a direct bus?
Yes. Buses travelling towards Riohacha stop directly in Palomino.
Final Thoughts
Getting from Santa Marta to Palomino couldn’t be much easier.
The journey is short, inexpensive and runs frequently throughout the day, making it one of the simplest transport routes in Colombia.
For us, the public bus was the obvious choice. It was affordable, comfortable enough for the journey and gave us our first glimpse of the incredible landscapes that make this stretch of Colombia’s Caribbean coast so special.
Also check out other routes
