Most people visit Palomino for a few days.
We ended up staying in Palomino for a month.
That gave us time to experience more than just the typical tourist activities. We settled into a routine, found favourite cafés, discovered the best places to watch sunrise and spent enough time there to experience what everyday life in Palomino actually feels like.
Palomino isn’t packed with attractions.
There are no theme parks, famous landmarks or endless sightseeing opportunities.
Instead, the appeal is much simpler.
Beaches.
Rivers.
Jungle.
Wildlife.
And a slower pace of life that many families quickly fall in love with.
If you’re wondering whether Palomino is worth visiting with kids, we’d say absolutely. Here are some of our favourite things to do after spending a month living on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. There are plenty of familyfriendly activities in Colombia that will keep everyone entertained. From exploring the vibrant streets of Cartagena to relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Santa Marta, you’re bound to find something for every age. Additionally, visiting the lush coffee regions can offer fun tours and unique experiences for the whole family.
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Our favourite things to do in Palomino with kids were:
River tubing on the Palomino River
Watching sunrise over the Sierra Nevada mountains
Visiting the Desembocadura del Río Palomino
Exploring the quieter Desembocadura Río San Salvador
Relaxing at Plaza Numen
Taking karate classes at Tabata Gym
Wildlife spotting around town
Visiting Dog Shelter Café
Learning to surf
Taking day trips to nearby towns such as Dibulla
If we only had two days in Palomino, we’d choose river tubing, sunrise on the beach and plenty of time exploring the rivers and town itself.
Our favourite was this river tubing tour we did here
1. Go River Tubing On The Palomino River
If Palomino is famous for one activity, it’s river tubing.
And unlike some tourist attractions that fail to live up to expectations, this one genuinely deserves its reputation.
The experience starts with a moto-taxi ride into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains. From there, you’ll grab a tube and slowly float back towards the Caribbean Sea surrounded by jungle, mountains and birdsong.
The scenery is incredible.
The pace is relaxing.
And it feels completely different from the beaches that most visitors associate with the Caribbean coast.
Our kids loved it, and so did we.
It’s one of those activities that’s adventurous enough to feel memorable while still being relaxing enough for the whole family to enjoy.
If you’re only planning one organised activity during your stay, we’d make it this one.
👉 Read our full Palomino River Tubing Guide
2. Watch Sunrise Over The Sierra Nevada Mountains
Most visitors talk about the sunsets.
Not enough people talk about sunrise.
Some of our favourite mornings in Palomino involved waking up early and walking down to the beach before the town had fully come to life. At that time of day, the beach feels almost empty and the mountains slowly emerge from the morning haze as the sun begins to rise.
It’s peaceful.
It’s beautiful.
And it’s completely free.
After a few weeks in Palomino, these sunrise walks became part of our routine. Looking back, they’re some of the moments we remember most.
3. Visit The Desembocadura Del Río Palomino
One of the most popular walks in Palomino is the route to the Desembocadura del Río Palomino, where the river meets the Caribbean Sea.
The walk itself is easy and family-friendly, following the beach before eventually reaching the meeting point between river and ocean.
It’s a surprisingly beautiful spot.
Depending on conditions, you’ll often find families swimming, locals fishing and travellers relaxing beside the water.
We visited several times during our stay and never got tired of it.
The combination of river, sea, mountains and beach creates one of the most scenic locations in the area.
4. Visit The Desembocadura Río San Salvador
While most visitors make their way to the Palomino river mouth, far fewer venture to the Desembocadura Río San Salvador.
That’s a shame because it’s one of the most peaceful places we discovered during our month in town.
The atmosphere feels quieter and more local, with fewer tourists and plenty of natural beauty. If you’re looking for somewhere to escape the busier parts of Palomino for a few hours, it’s well worth visiting.
For families who enjoy exploring beyond the obvious attractions, this was one of our favourite discoveries.
5. Relax At Plaza Numen
If Palomino has a social heart, it’s probably Plaza Numen.
We spent plenty of time here throughout the month, usually with a coffee in hand while taking a break from the heat.
The area combines cafés, restaurants and open communal spaces that create a relaxed atmosphere throughout the day. It became one of those places we naturally found ourselves returning to again and again.
Sometimes travel memories come from major attractions.
Other times they come from simple routines.
For us, Plaza Numen became part of our everyday life 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.
6. Take A Karate Class At Tabata Gym
One of the most unexpected highlights of our month in Palomino had nothing to do with beaches or rivers.
It was karate.
Our kids joined classes at Tabata Gym, giving them the chance to do something completely different from sightseeing while also meeting local children. After weeks of moving from place to place, it was nice for them to have an activity that felt a little more like everyday life.
The gym itself became a regular part of our routine.
It wasn’t a tourist attraction.
It was simply a local place where people trained, exercised and spent time together.
Those experiences often end up being some of the most memorable parts of long-term travel.
7. Try A Yoga Class
Palomino has a strong wellness scene, and yoga is a big part of that.
Throughout town you’ll find classes ranging from beginner-friendly sessions to more advanced practices, often taking place in beautiful outdoor settings surrounded by nature.
Even if you’ve never tried yoga before, Palomino feels like the sort of place where it’s worth giving it a go.
The slower pace of life naturally encourages you to slow down, breathe a little deeper and spend more time focusing on wellbeing.
For many travellers, that’s part of the reason they end up staying longer than planned.
8. Visit Dog Shelter Café
One of the more unique places we discovered was Dog Shelter Café.
At first glance it looks like a typical café.
But spend a little time there and you’ll quickly realise it’s something much more meaningful.
The café helps support local rescue dogs while providing visitors with a relaxed place to grab a coffee or bite to eat. For animal-loving families, it’s an easy place to spend an hour or two while supporting a good cause.
Our kids loved meeting the dogs.
And as parents, we appreciated finding somewhere that combined good coffee with something genuinely positive for the local community.
9. Go Wildlife Spotting
One thing we didn’t fully appreciate before arriving was just how much wildlife exists around Palomino.
Because the town sits between the Caribbean coast and the Sierra Nevada mountains, nature is never far away.
During our stay we regularly spotted:
Iguanas
Lizards
Tropical birds
Butterflies
Colourful insects
And in the surrounding areas, it’s also possible to spot monkeys and other wildlife.
Some of our favourite sightings happened completely by accident while simply walking through town or heading to the beach.
For children, that often makes wildlife encounters even more exciting.
10. Learn To Surf
Palomino’s beaches attract surfers from around the world.
While conditions aren’t always ideal for beginners, there are several surf schools offering lessons for both adults and older children.
Even if you’re not planning to become a surfer, taking a lesson can be a fun way to experience the Caribbean coast from a different perspective.
It’s also one of the more active things to do in Palomino if you’ve spent several days relaxing by the beach.
11. Take A Day Trip To Dibulla
Most travellers never leave Palomino.
But if you’re staying for more than a few days, it’s worth exploring some of the nearby towns.
One of our favourite options is Dibulla.
Located a short distance along the coast, it offers a more local feel and a glimpse into everyday life away from Palomino’s tourism scene. The beaches are quieter, the pace is slower and it provides an interesting contrast to Palomino itself.
It’s not a destination packed with attractions.
But that’s part of the appeal.
Why Palomino Works So Well For Families
The biggest thing we loved about Palomino wasn’t any specific attraction. It wasn’t the river tubing, the beaches or even the wildlife. It was the overall experience and sense of community that made our trip special. We discovered that there are plenty of familyfriendly activities in Medellín, which made us eager to explore more of Colombia. From interactive museums to vibrant parks, the city offers something for everyone.
It was the lifestyle.
Life felt noticeably slower there than anywhere else we visited in Colombia. The kids spent more time outdoors, we spent less time looking at screens and simple activities often became the highlights of the day.
A walk to the beach.
An early morning sunrise.
A coffee at Plaza Numen while the town slowly came to life.
An afternoon beside the river with nowhere in particular to be.
Palomino isn’t a destination that overwhelms you with attractions or packed itineraries. Instead, it encourages you to slow down, spend time outside and enjoy the things that are already there.
For many families, that’s exactly what makes it special.
Final Thoughts
After spending a month in Palomino, we came to realise that its biggest attraction isn’t actually an attraction at all.
It’s the atmosphere.
The combination of beach, jungle, rivers and mountains creates a place where life feels refreshingly simple. Yes, river tubing is fantastic. Yes, the beaches are beautiful. And yes, there are plenty of activities to keep families busy.
But some of our favourite memories came from the quieter moments.
Watching sunrise over the Sierra Nevada.
Walking to the river mouth.
Seeing wildlife around town.
Sitting with a coffee while the kids played nearby.
That’s what we remember most.
And that’s why Palomino ended up becoming one of our favourite stops in Colombia.
Quick Family Verdict
Would we recommend Palomino with kids?
✅ Absolutely
Best activity?
River tubing on the Palomino River
Best free activity?
Walking to the Desembocadura del Río Palomino
Best place to relax?
Plaza Numen
Most underrated experience?
Watching sunrise over the Sierra Nevada mountains
How long should you stay?
3–5 days for most families, longer if you enjoy slow travel
Would we return?
Without hesitation
⭐ Our family rating: 8.5/10
