Taking a Break in Palomino, Palomino, Colombia

Palomino, Colombia, is a small town in the La Guajira region of Northern Colombia that has become a popular backpacker destination on the way to Tayrona National Park or Punta Gallinas.

I found the dirt road that serves as Palomino’s main drag immensely charming. Artisan shops line the streets, selling intricate beadwork, whimsical wizard hats, and magically imbued stones. People walk around with Coco Locos in their hands, and the smell of marijuana is ever-present in the air. We felt at ease. 

Palomino is situated between Colombia’s northern Caribbean coast and the Sierra Nevada Mountains off the Troncal del Caribe highway. Carrera 6a on the seaward side marks the strip of bars, hostels, and restaurants that have become a backpackers’ haven. 

I had been feeling overwhelmed on our arrival in Riohacha, the last city before reaching the Guajira desert. The drivers at the bus station had been aggressive, and the city had a sketchy vibe. I needed to gather the mental fortitude to take on the journey to the desert of Cabo de la Vela. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).