Palomino is arguably the hippest small town on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. Popular with backpackers, there are lots of hostels and cool beach bars. However, there are also a lot of nicer hotels in Palomino for those looking for something more comfortable. Learn about the best Palomino hotels here!
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Best Palomino Hotels Introduction
Palomino is an interesting little town. It reminds me a lot of what Taganga was back around 2011. A small, fishing village that has a decent Beach and became a popular spot for backpackers then had a bunch of trendy, cool restaurants, hotels, and hostels open up.
In more recent years, Palomino has definitely overtaken Taganga as the hip small beach town on Colombia’s Caribbean. There are lots of hostels, some cool bars and restaurants, and a fun nightlife scene with sort of a hippy vibe.
I will say to be honest though, that the beaches in Palomino are not that impressive in my opinion. They are fine, but there are nice beaches in Colombia’s Caribbean.
The beach at Tayrona and the Cartagena beaches like the Rosario Islands all make for much better beach destinations. Even the lesser known nearby Costeño Beach has a nicer beach in my opinion.
Still, Palomino can be a good stop if you are trekking up the Caribbean coast.
I’d say the highlights are the relaxed vibes and restaurants. You can also go tubing down the river, which is a fun way to spend a day and do something a little different.
But to me, the main reason to come to Palomino is to spend a couple days relaxing.
It makes for an excellent stop between visiting Cabo de la Vela and Punta Gallinas in the far desert north of the Guajira Peninsula (in fact, our first visit here was a stop on the way back from there) and Tayrona or the mountain town of Minca outside Santa Marta.
So, if you are visiting multiple destinations on the Caribbean coast, and want to include a stay in Palomino, here I’ll share my picks for the best Palomino hotels, so you can make the most of that stay somewhere nice!
11 Best Hotels in Palomino, Colombia
Palomino is probably more well known on the backpacker scene, and there are lots of hostels here.
However, it’s become very popular with mainstream Colombia tourists and increasingly so with foreign travelers as well. Here, I’m going to be sharing mostly places for that latter group (although don’t worry backpackers, I’ve got a few picks you might like too!).
As the nicest hotels in Palomino, Colombia, most of these are on the higher end, but I’ve included some good value picks too.
I’ve included mostly hotels located along the beachfront or close to it, as they offer a nicer, more exclusive experience, however I’ve chosen some places that are a happy medium, close to the beach, while offering easy access to town (and for the beach bums, I have some places on the more secluded end of the beach too!).
This is a top 11 because, well, everyone does top 10s, 11 has a special significance for Cartagena (this is a site dedicated mostly to Cartagena after all) since it declared its independence on November 11, 1811 (11/11/11), and I think you deserve just a bit more.
Ok, so, without further ado, let’s get to this list of the best Palomino, Colombia hotels!
1. Makao Beach Hotel – Best Beachfront Palomino Hotel
Makao Beach Hotel is definitely my choice for the best Palomino hotel.
It’s located just down the beach from the main entrance off the road from town, which means it’s a lot closer to all the restaurants and bars in town than some of the other beachfront Palomino hotels.
There’s a great little private beach front area, perfect for relaxing and enjoying a drink or three from the bar. This Palomino hotel also has a good restaurant.
The rooms are among the nicest you’ll find in Palomino as well. They are comfortably furnished and have a rustic but elegant look. Some also have great views of the beach too.
In short, this is an easy choice for the nicest hotel in Palomino, Colombia and would make a great place to stay for any sort of traveler.
2. Aite Eco Resort – Beachfront Palomino Hotel with a Pool
Aite Eco Resort is an easy second choice.
In fact, I’d say really, these top two Palomino, Colombia hotels are sort of in a tier of their own (although number 3 below is super nice and offers a very unique experience).
Aite is located a bit further up the beach than Makao. That means it’s a tad further to walk in to town, but you’ll also have a less crowded beach. It’s still not too far from town though, so it’s a good happy medium (don’t worry beach bums, there are a few places even further down the beach and more secluded below).
And the beach area here is really terrific, with a bit more beach than closer to town. There’s also a small pool here. Rooms aren’t extravagant by any means, but they are plenty comfortable, and the hotel’s restaurant is highly regarded.
This is really a great choice for where to stay in Palomino for those looking for some rest and relaxation. For an especially romantic stay, book one of the private bungalows!
3. ONE Santuario Natural- Unique and Secluded Lodge
The ONE Santuario Natural is located south of Palomino in the hills along the Palomino River. Surrounded by jungle with amazing views, it’s perfect for those that want an escape immersed in nature.
It is quite removed from Palomino, so keep that in mind as coming here is really about spending some time away from it all. There is some neat hiking nearby and you can go into town and/or the beach for the day.
The retreat itself really is just gorgeous. It’s built in the architectural style of the Kogi indigenous people. There is a spa, and the rooms are lovely with a neat luxury but rustic style. It’s legitimately close to a 5 star hotel feel but in a jungle nature retreat.
So for those who really want to disconnect in luxury and are checking out the better beaches elsewhere, this makes for the perfect choice for a hotel near Palomino!
4. Coconuco Beach – Another Great Beachfront Option
Coconuco Beach is located just past Aite down the beach. So, a lot of what I said above about that Palomino hotel also applies to this Palomino beach hotel in regards to pros and cons of being further down the beach but a moderate walk from town.
Coconuco is set up as a giant beach house.
There is a gorgeous and pretty good sized pool here. Rooms are very nice and comfortably looking, and there are gorgeous gardens on site. There’s something special about being surrounded by palm trees and forest on one side and having a sweet pool and beach on the other!
In short, Coconuco makes for another terrific choice and undoubtedly belongs among the best hotels in Palomino on the beach.
5. Casa del Pavo Boutique – Great Spot Closer to Town
As I mentioned in the introductory sections above, for those visiting other beach destinations, staying in town to enjoy the great restaurants and nightlife vibes in Palomino makes for a great choice.
Casa del Pavo could be a good spot for that.
It’s located not in the heart of town but along the road between town and the beach. That means it’s a very short walk to town but also a bit quieter and more secluded (and also a shorter walk to the beach!).
Although it bills itself as a “boutique hostel” and there is a dorm room here, it’s much closer in style to a boutique hotel. There are private rooms as well as family rooms that would make a great choice for a group or family. There is even a private bungalow.
So, this makes it a great choice for just about any traveler.
There’s a lovely little pool on site and the grounds are in general very pretty. For those that don’t need to be right on the beach, it is my top choice for where to stay in Palomino.
6. Casa Chapolín – Beautiful Grounds and Rooms Just Off the Beach
Casa Chapolín is located a bit closer to the beach than Casa del Pavo. Similarly, it is located just off the road to the beach and has a nice mix of seclusion while also being close to the beach and town.
The grounds here are really pretty. They feel almost immersed in nature. Rooms are really pretty, and this hotel in Palomino has terrific reviews and comments up.
I also like that there are standard rooms, private bungalows, suites, and even a few beachfront bungalows (these would be awesome for couples!).
All the rooms also look lovely and with a nice mix of rustic vibes and comfort. I guess the only thing missing here compared to a few of the Palomino, Colombia hotels mentioned earlier is there is no pool, but there is a whole ocean just a short walk away!
7. Casa Coraje – Another Good Choice by the Beach
Casa Coraje is located a bit closer to the beach than Casa del Pavo and Casa Chapolín, but also not too far from town. In fact, it’s just off the beach and the pretty little pool here overlooks it.
Rooms here are nicely furnished with a bright, colorful, and vibrant look. There is a small private beach area with chairs and hammocks. There’s also a lovely little bungalow here that would be great spot for a romantic stay for a couple.
In sum, it makes for another nice choice for those looking to be by the beach but also able to walk in to town pretty easily.
8. Nubá Boutique Hostel – Gorgeous Place Just Outside Town
Nubá Boutique Hostel offers a similar experience to Casa del Pavo, with something closer in style to a rustic boutique hotel than a backpacker hostel. It’s also just a couple blocks from the main “downtown” area of Palomino where all the restaurants are.
In fact, it’s practically right in the middle of the distance between town and the beach, making it the best of both worlds.
There is a lovely pool here, and while close to the road into town, it also manages to feel secluded and private. That makes it a great choice for couples and families, or really any type of traveler. Rooms are pretty and brightly decorated.
But what really stands out are the two villas. They are gorgeous. The larger one can even sleep up to 6 people, so it’s perfect for a family or group!
9. Hotel Playa Mandala – Great Quiet Beachfront Choice
Hotel Playa Mandala is best for those looking for a relaxed, peaceful, beachfront get away.
It’s located the furthest down the beach of any place on this list of hotels in Palomino, Colombia so far. That means, it’s far away from the nightlife and party scene in town and perfect for some peace and quiet.
Everything is really pretty, and while there are more standard style rooms, if you stay at this Palomino hotel, you really ought to reserve one of the bungalows. They are perfect for a romantic stay. The only thing I don’t know is if I would prefer one up the small hill with gorgeous views or one just off the beach!
Really, you can’t go wrong with either of those or any of the other rooms here, and it’s a great choice for those looking for a bit more of a secluded stay in Palomino.
10. Hukumeizi Hotel – Most Secluded Palomino Beach Hotel
For those looking for a truly secluded beach escape, Hukumeizi Hotel might just be your best choice of the Palomino, Colombia beach hotels.
It’s the hotel located furthest down the beach on this list, and it’s plenty nice.
There’s a great pool here, one of the biggest of any at a Palomino hotel. Rooms are pretty, comfortably furnished and have a cute decor. Located so far down, the beach area here is also very private and exclusive feeling.
So, if you want a true beach bum style vacation away from the hustle and bustle and aren’t really interested in the nightlife in Palomino, this would make a fine choice for a place to stay in Palomino.
11. Finca Escondida – Fun Beachfront Vibes
Finca Escondida makes for a great choice for those looking for a lively atmosphere while also being on the beach.
It’s probably slightly more geared to younger travelers and backpackers who prefer having more of a private hotel like place to stay, but it would still be a good choice for just about any traveler.
It’s got a terrific location, right off the beach not far from the main entrance.
There is a cool little beach area with a sweet little bar perfect for getting a piña colada and watching the sunset over the Caribbean. Plus there is a nice little pool.
The rooms are located behind the pool and beach, so it also offers some peace and quiet. This Palomino beach hotel also offers surfing lessons and surfboard rentals.
There is a mix of room styles here, ranging from dorms to basically furnished privates, to more fancy rooms. That means there is something for just about everyone here, and to be honest, they are all a pretty good value.
Bonus Pick 1: Dreamer Palomino – Best Beach Hostel in Palomino
Like I said in the intro, backpackers don’t worry, I’ve got you covered here too!
The Dreamer Palomino is probably the best and most popular hostel in Palomino. It’s located just before you get to the beach on the road from town, which means it offers easy access to the beach and nightlife in town.
There is a great pool here. The grounds are pretty, and there is a pool table and nice common areas to meet and hang with other travelers.
There are a couple dorms here, but there also are some private rooms for couples or those that just want to hostel social experience but a private room.
It’s definitely the best overall hostel in Palomino and a great choice for those looking for a hostel or slightly more budget friendly place than the other hotels in Palomino higher on the list.
Some other Hostels in Palomino:
For those looking specifically for hostels, there are lots of choices in Palomino, most located in town proper.
Keep in mind several of the places on this list besides Dreamer do offer dorms, so be sure to check them out, but here are a few more hostel picks:
- Primaluna Beach Hostel: Great spot located closer to town than Dreamer. Lovely pool and nice dorms and rooms.
- El Zoo Hostel: Located just past the main strip in town, there’s a nice little pool here, and it’s known for having a good, social vibe. Perfect for those that want to party it up in town.
- Coco Sankala: Great spot right by a lot of the best bars and restaurants. Nice dorms, and highly rated and reviewed.
- Palomino Hostel: Best budget hostel in Palomino. Located right off the main road in town near everything and good value.
Bonus Pick 2: Casa Colibrí – Best Budget Hotel in Palomino
For those on a budget looking for a decent place to stay that is not a hostel, Casa Colibrí is definitely the best choice.
While there is no pool here and rooms aren’t as nicely furnished as places listed above, this little hotel is really cute with a nice little garden and dining area.
Rooms look plenty clean comfortable. They are also more budget friendly priced than the places above.
This little hotel is also located in the heart of town, so for those looking more to enjoy the restaurants and/or nightlife than the beach, it actually could make a better choice than even some of the places listed above and for a better price.
Ready to book your stay at one of the best Palomino hotels?
There you have it, my picks for the 11 best hotels in Palomino, Colombia, plus some bonus picks for hostels and a nice budget hotel in Palomino.
See all the great value you get here!
If you are planning a trip to Palomino, I hope you found this helpful, and that regardless of where you stay you have a terrific time.
Don’t forget to check out my complete guide to Palomino to learn about things to do, what to pack, and other tips.
And of course, see all the other content on the site on Cartagena and other destinations on Colombia’s Caribbean coast and beyond!
Cheers and Happy Exploring!
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