Palomino, La Guajira: beaches, river and how to get there by bus

Q: How to get to Palomino by bus?

Marsol has daily buses from Cartagena (about 7 h) and Barranquilla (about 4 h 30 min) to Palomino, on the Troncal del Caribe.

Q: What to do in Palomino?

Tubing on the river, beach days, hikes in the Sierra Nevada and sunsets at the river mouth.

Q: Can you swim in the sea in Palomino?

The sea usually has strong waves and currents. Swim with caution and follow local advice; the river is a calmer alternative.

Q: How long does tubing in Palomino last?

It depends on the starting point and the river flow, usually between one and two hours. Do it with a guide and a life jacket.

Q: Where to stay in Palomino?

There are hostels, cabins and boutique hotels near the beach and the river; it's advisable to book in high season.

Q: Is Palomino in La Guajira or Magdalena?

Palomino belongs to the municipality of Dibulla, in La Guajira, very close to the border with Magdalena.

Palomino is a peaceful village in La Guajira where the river descending from the Sierra Nevada meets the Caribbean Sea. It's famous for river tubing, its wild beaches, and its relaxed atmosphere. Marsol has a stop in Palomino, on the Troncal del Caribe.

Palomino in summary

The essentials for planning your bus trip with Marsol to Palomino.

$105,000

Ticket from Barranquilla (COP)

4 h 30 min

By bus from Barranquilla

4

Daily departures from Marsol to this destination

View schedules and tickets

Why travel with Marsol

Official tickets

Direct purchase on the Marsol site, no intermediaries.

Multiple departures a day

Check the schedules of each route and choose the one that suits you best.

Marsol offices in each city

Departures and arrivals for these routes are at Transportes Marsol offices.

Book online

Choose your departure and book in a few steps from any device.

How to get to Palomino by bus

Daily buses from Transportes Marsol. Schedules and prices may change; confirm them when booking.

From	Departures a day	Duration	Price from
Barranquilla	2	4 h 30 min	$105.000
Cartagena	2	7 h	$150.000

Arrival and how to get around

Where the Marsol bus drops you off and how to continue your journey.

Arrival by bus: Palomino

Marsol stop in Palomino
Troncal del Caribe, Palomino, Dibulla, La Guajira

Open in Google Maps

How to get around in Palomino

The bus stops on the Troncal del Caribe. From there, you can walk or take a mototaxi to the beach and accommodations, just a few minutes away.

View Palomino on Google Maps

What to do in Palomino

Tubing on the Palomino River: float down the river on a tyre through the jungle to the sea
Beaches: long and almost untouched, with views of the Sierra Nevada on clear days
River mouth: the point where fresh water meets the Caribbean
Sierra Nevada: hikes and visits to communities with local guides
Buritaca and Tayrona Park: other destinations on the Troncal del Caribe, on the way to Santa Marta

Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Palomino River and Caribbean Sea: CristhianVarela (CC BY-SA 4.0); Palomino River: Hernan Hernandez (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Palomino Beach

Wide and peaceful beaches with dark sand, with the Sierra Nevada in the background.

Desembocadura del río Palomino en el mar Caribe

Palomino River and Caribbean Sea

The river descends from the Sierra Nevada and flows into the sea next to the village.

Palomino River

The river flows clean through the jungle of the Sierra Nevada; tubing is one of the most popular activities.

Frequently Asked Questions about Palomino

Answers to the most common questions before travelling.

How to get to Palomino by bus?

Marsol has daily buses from Cartagena (about 7 hours) and Barranquilla (about 4 hours 30 minutes) to Palomino, on the Troncal del Caribe.

What to do in Palomino?

Can you swim in the sea in Palomino?

How long does tubing in Palomino last?

Where to stay in Palomino?

Is Palomino in La Guajira or Magdalena?

Travel to Palomino with Marsol

Official tickets, purchased online, from $105,000 COP. Seats are limited in high season: book in advance.

Buy tickets

Palomino, La Guajira: beaches, river and how to get there by bus