We decided to escape the bustling town of Santa Marta, for a few days relaxing beside the Carribean Ocean. With only a handful of hostels and restaurants, a surf shack or two and a palm tree lined beach, Palamino offered that chilled out Carribbean charm and all the natural beachside beauty we were seeking...
Although it seems only to be occupied by gringos (South American term for tourists) it in no way felt over-crowded, unlike some of the UK´s beaches in the height of summer you aren't having to share the beach with everyone! [TIP: It is currently low season - high season is December through to April = more gringos].
We jumped on a bus in Santa Marta, from the corner of Carrera 11 & Calle 11, asked for Palamino and off we went. We had some difficulty finding the bus stop at first but after some help from a couple of locals we made it. The bus cost us 8,000 Columbian Pesos each and took approximately 2-3 hours. The bus dropped us off at the top of the beach road, a quick stop at the corner shop for some water and lunch supplies and then a 15-20 minute walk down the beach road took us to the hostels.[TIP: Although a fairly short walk, it is extremely warm and not all in the shade so do remember to take sun cream with you].
We soon found accommodation directly on the beach, at Finca Escondida, they charged 20,000 Pesos per person for a hammock (with mosquito net and ceiling fan). Then we made our way to meet some friends at the Dreamers Hostel, a slightly more expensive hostel but boasting sizeable swimming pool, so if you are on a budget you can always do the cheeky thing as we did and use their pool and bar before heading back to your own accommodation.
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| Palamino Beach, Colombia |
Although it seems only to be occupied by gringos (South American term for tourists) it in no way felt over-crowded, unlike some of the UK´s beaches in the height of summer you aren't having to share the beach with everyone! [TIP: It is currently low season - high season is December through to April = more gringos].
We jumped on a bus in Santa Marta, from the corner of Carrera 11 & Calle 11, asked for Palamino and off we went. We had some difficulty finding the bus stop at first but after some help from a couple of locals we made it. The bus cost us 8,000 Columbian Pesos each and took approximately 2-3 hours. The bus dropped us off at the top of the beach road, a quick stop at the corner shop for some water and lunch supplies and then a 15-20 minute walk down the beach road took us to the hostels.[TIP: Although a fairly short walk, it is extremely warm and not all in the shade so do remember to take sun cream with you].
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| Finca Escondida hammocks - Sleeping it Carribean style! |
After a lazy afternoon besides the pool at the Dreamers hostel, we headed for the beach and our first swim in the Carribean Ocean! A more challenging experience - less of a swim and more of a ´survival´ training session as we battled the strong currents and beastly waves, but fun nonetheless.
I write this post from my hammock after our relaxing day and an evening of good food, several games of Asshole (card game) and a few happy hour cocktails! As I lie here I anxiously anticipate my rather ´swingy´, banana-shaped sleep ahead.
Our hostel provides both cabanas and hammocks and in our section we have approximately 10 hammocks inside a sort of open barn type structure...there are ceiling fans, a luxury I hadn't expected and mosquito nets for each hammock. I am all set with my insect repellent, long sleeve shirt, water at reaching distance just below me (that will be exciting) and now all that is left to do is find the optimum sleeping position and sleep. Here we go...
I write this post from my hammock after our relaxing day and an evening of good food, several games of Asshole (card game) and a few happy hour cocktails! As I lie here I anxiously anticipate my rather ´swingy´, banana-shaped sleep ahead.
Our hostel provides both cabanas and hammocks and in our section we have approximately 10 hammocks inside a sort of open barn type structure...there are ceiling fans, a luxury I hadn't expected and mosquito nets for each hammock. I am all set with my insect repellent, long sleeve shirt, water at reaching distance just below me (that will be exciting) and now all that is left to do is find the optimum sleeping position and sleep. Here we go...
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Good Morning!
So...sleeping in a hammock...actually overall not too bad, quite comfortable in fact.
It was surprisingly comfortable, and even allowed me to sleep on my side, mind you, I wouldn't permanently swap my soft, flat, more spacious bed at home with one.The fan was brilliant, kept us cool all night, I was even chilly at one point, having forgotton what being cold was like, a welcomed experience, but with a light blanket and a turn down of the fan made it a rather decent sleep.
All niggles aside, waking up in a hammock with the light sea breeze, dappled sunshine and palm trees swaying close by was an expeirence not to be missed, simply the perfect way accompaniment to a visit to the Carribean coast and undeniably one of the best ways to start a day.
So...sleeping in a hammock...actually overall not too bad, quite comfortable in fact.
It was surprisingly comfortable, and even allowed me to sleep on my side, mind you, I wouldn't permanently swap my soft, flat, more spacious bed at home with one.The fan was brilliant, kept us cool all night, I was even chilly at one point, having forgotton what being cold was like, a welcomed experience, but with a light blanket and a turn down of the fan made it a rather decent sleep.
All niggles aside, waking up in a hammock with the light sea breeze, dappled sunshine and palm trees swaying close by was an expeirence not to be missed, simply the perfect way accompaniment to a visit to the Carribean coast and undeniably one of the best ways to start a day.
Key Information:
It is quieter in low season (May through to November). High season is December through to April = more gringos].
Bus - 2-3 hours from Santa Marta & approximately 8,000 pesos per person. Get bus from the corner of Carrera 11 & Calle 11 and ask for Palamino.
Save money and buy water/lunch/snacks etc. from corner shop before 15-20 walk to beach.
DO NOT forget your sun cream!! (FYI it is NOT cool to look like a lobster)
Book ahead if you do not fancy a hostel search when you arrive...or a hammock (although I do reccommend trying it at least once in your life!)
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