River · a walk along the beach
San Salvador River
Palomino’s other river meets the sea at the eastern end of the beach, about 3 km from the hostel.
Free to do: nothing to book
River · half a day
Tubing down the Palomino River
Float down the river on an inner tube, from the forest to where fresh water meets the sea.
Destination photo A local river with the Sierra behind (illustrative landscape photo).
- Distance
- The river runs ~1 km west of the hostel
- Duration
- Half a day: a 20–40 min walk and 1–2 h on the river
- How it is booked
- With local operators or on your own · we can advise
What it is
It is Palomino’s best-known outing. You ride a motorbike taxi to the start of a trail, walk 20 to 40 minutes through the forest and let the Palomino River carry you for one or two hours, all the way to where it meets the Caribbean.
At the end, at the river mouth, fresh and salt water mix right in front of the beach.
Why you may love it
- Forest on both banks, birds and a lot of quiet
- It ends on the beach, at the river mouth
- You can do it on your own or with a guide
How to arrange it
- Tubes are rented in the village: several shops and operators offer the trip, some with a guide.
- People usually ride a motorbike taxi to the start of the trail.
- Go in the morning: the river rises fast when it rains in the mountains.
- Ask us the day before how the river is looking and we will point you in the right direction.
Sources consulted (October 2026)
More outings
Stream · 30–60 min by road
Quebrada Valencia
Natural pools and waterfalls on a stream coming down from the Sierra, on the way to Santa Marta.
With local operators or on your own · we can advise