Palomino

River tubing, beach horseback riding, and tons of bird watching opportunities are just a few of the things that make the small town of Palomino a must-stop on your Colombia itinerary. Although it’s seen an uptick in visitors in recent years, it still maintains an off-grid vibe with twisty turns in the quiet, sandy roads and plenty of sandy coastline to venture off onto. Now is the time to go, as it remains less tourist developed than many other resort-inclined areas in the Caribbean. Hopping on a tube and lazily gliding down the Palomino River with a beer in hand is a formidable way to spend an afternoon here, especially on a clear day when you can see the Sierra Nevada peaks in the distance. In my experience, there weren’t many organized tours for this. It was more like some enterprising gentlemen with a gaggle of tubes waiting for your business. Find them in the town’s center and main street, which remains unnamed.