If you spend more than five minutes researching Palomino, you’ll probably come across river tubing.
It’s by far the town’s most popular activity and one of the main reasons many travellers add Palomino to their Colombia itinerary.
Naturally, we wanted to see what all the fuss was about.
After spending a month living in Palomino with our two children, we eventually joined a tubing trip ourselves. We’d heard plenty of people rave about it, but we also wondered whether it would be one of those activities that looks better on Instagram than it does in real life.
Thankfully, it wasn’t.
In fact, it ended up being one of our favourite experiences in Palomino.
If you’re wondering whether Palomino river tubing is worth the money, what to expect or whether it’s suitable for families, here’s our honest experience.
Don’t have time to read? Start here:
Yes, we think Palomino river tubing is worth it.
The experience combines jungle scenery, mountain views, wildlife and a relaxing float down the river towards the Caribbean Sea.
It’s not an adrenaline activity.
It’s not particularly challenging.
And that’s exactly why we enjoyed it.
For families, couples and anyone looking to experience a different side of Palomino, it’s one of the easiest activities in town to recommend.
⭐ Our rating: 9/10
We booked with this local tour and we really enjoyed this…by far one of the best things to do iin Palomino
What Is Palomino River Tubing?
The concept is incredibly simple.
You’ll travel up into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains, grab an inflatable tube and then float back down the Palomino River towards the Caribbean coast.
That’s it.
No engines.
No paddling.
No complicated instructions.
Just you, the river and some spectacular scenery.
Part of the appeal is how peaceful it feels.
Once you’re on the water, the sounds of the town quickly disappear. Instead, you’re surrounded by jungle-covered mountains, birdsong and the occasional splash as the river carries you downstream.
It’s one of those experiences that forces you to slow down.
And in Palomino, that feels entirely appropriate.
How The Experience Starts
Like most visitors, we booked through a local operator in town.
The process was straightforward.
After meeting at the designated location, we were loaded onto motorcycle taxis and driven into the hills above Palomino. The journey itself is part of the experience, offering fantastic views of the surrounding countryside as you gradually leave the coast behind.
Eventually, you arrive at the river entry point.
This is where you’ll collect your tube, receive a quick safety briefing and prepare to start floating.
Before getting in the water, it’s worth taking a moment to look around.
The scenery is beautiful.
The Sierra Nevada mountains rise in the distance, dense jungle surrounds the river and it already feels a world away from the beach.
What The River Is Actually Like
One thing we weren’t entirely sure about beforehand was how physical the experience would be.
The answer?
Not very.
Most of the journey is spent simply floating with the current. There are a few sections where the river moves a little faster and occasional moments where you’ll need to adjust your position, but for the most part it’s a relaxed ride.
That’s one of the reasons it works so well for families.
You don’t need any special skills.
You don’t need to be particularly fit.
And you don’t spend the entire time worrying about what comes next.
Instead, you can focus on enjoying the scenery.
Throughout the trip, we passed stretches of untouched jungle, rocky riverbanks and beautiful mountain views that simply aren’t visible from town.
The further downstream you travel, the more you appreciate how special the surrounding landscape really is.
Is Palomino River Tubing Good For Kids?
This was our biggest question before booking.
After all, travelling with children changes how you look at activities.
What sounds fun for adults isn’t always enjoyable for younger travellers.
Thankfully, tubing turned out to be very family-friendly.
Our children loved the novelty of floating down the river and quickly settled into the experience. Because the pace is slow and relaxed, it never felt intimidating or overwhelming.
Of course, every child is different and you’ll need to use your own judgement based on their age and confidence in the water.
For our family, however, it was one of the highlights of our month in Palomino.
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.
The Best Part: Finishing At The River Mouth
As enjoyable as the river itself is, the highlight for many people comes right at the end.
Eventually, the Palomino River reaches the Caribbean Sea at the Desembocadura del Río Palomino, creating one of the most scenic spots in the area.
The contrast is striking.
Behind you are the jungle-covered foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
In front of you is the Caribbean coastline.
After spending an hour or so floating downstream, arriving at the river mouth feels like a natural finish to the experience.
It’s also a great place to stop for photos.
Many people spend a little time relaxing here before making their way back into town.
For us, it was the perfect ending to the trip.
Wildlife And Scenery
One thing we hadn’t fully appreciated beforehand was just how beautiful the scenery would be.
Palomino is already surrounded by nature, but the river gives you access to parts of the landscape that you simply don’t see from town.
Throughout the float, we passed dense jungle, overhanging trees and stretches of riverbank that felt completely untouched.
We also spotted plenty of wildlife along the way.
Birds were the most common sighting, but part of the fun was constantly scanning the riverbanks to see what else we could spot.
Even when there wasn’t any wildlife around, the scenery alone was enough to keep us entertained.
Unlike some activities where you’re constantly waiting for the next thing to happen, river tubing is all about enjoying the journey itself.
Book the tour here it only costs $40 per person and you get to tube down the river and swim in the sea
What We Loved
The Scenery
This was easily the biggest highlight.
The combination of mountains, jungle and river views creates a landscape that feels very different from the beaches around Palomino.
It’s one of the most beautiful environments we experienced during our month there.
The Relaxed Pace
There was no pressure.
No schedule.
No rushing from one attraction to the next.
You simply float with the current and enjoy being surrounded by nature.
That perfectly matches the overall vibe of Palomino.
Family-Friendly Adventure
Some activities are great for adults but less enjoyable for children.
River tubing felt like something everyone could enjoy together.
It was adventurous enough to feel exciting while remaining relaxed enough for the whole family.
The River Mouth
Finishing at the Caribbean Sea was the perfect ending.
It gave the experience a clear destination and made it feel like more than simply floating down a river.
What We Didn't Love
There honestly wasn’t much to complain about.
If we were being picky, there were a few moments where the river moved quite slowly and required a little patience.
This isn’t white-water rafting.
It’s not designed to be an adrenaline activity.
If you’re expecting constant excitement, you may find parts of the journey more relaxing than thrilling.
For us, that wasn’t a negative.
It was actually part of the appeal.
The only other thing worth mentioning is that weather and river conditions can affect the experience. Depending on recent rainfall, the speed and depth of the river can vary.
What To Bring
You don’t need much.
In fact, travelling light will make the experience easier.
We’d recommend:
Swimwear
Water shoes or sandals
Sunscreen
A waterproof phone case
Drinking water
A small amount of cash
Anything valuable should either be left behind or properly protected.
You’ll spend most of the trip in the water, so it’s best to assume anything you bring could potentially get wet.
Is Palomino River Tubing Worth The Money?
Absolutely.
In fact, we’d go as far as saying it’s one of the best-value activities in Palomino.
The combination of beautiful scenery, family-friendly adventure and unique setting makes it feel like a genuine experience rather than a typical tourist attraction.
After spending a month in town, there aren’t many organised activities we’d recommend more highly.
If someone asked us what they should prioritise during a short stay in Palomino, river tubing would be near the top of the list of things to do in Palomino
Final Thoughts
Before booking, we weren’t entirely sure whether river tubing would live up to the hype.
After doing it ourselves, we completely understood why it’s become Palomino’s signature activity.
It’s simple.
It’s scenic.
And it captures everything that makes this part of Colombia special.
The mountains.
The jungle.
The slower pace of life.
The connection with nature.
For a couple of hours, you get to experience all of those things from a completely different perspective.
Would we do it again?
Without hesitation.
Quick Family Verdict
Would we recommend it?
✅ Absolutely
Good for kids?
✅ Yes, for most children comfortable around water
Worth the money?
✅ Definitely
Best part?
The scenery and finishing at the river mouth
How long does it take?
Approximately 2–3 hours including transport
Would we do it again?
✅ Yes
⭐ Our family rating: 9/10
