Cost of Living in Palomino (2025 Digital Nomads Guide)
- Aloha Palomino
- 13 oct
- 4 Min. de lectura
Actualizado: 10 nov
We’ve called Palomino home for years, and we built Casa Aloha with remote workers in mind. Palomino has that relaxed Caribbean vibe—a small beach town with dirt streets, fruit stands on the corners, a lot of restaurants options and the river and sea just a short walk away. If you’re thinking about a long stay, here’s our on-the-ground look at real costs right now (2025): what you’ll spend on food, how to move around with transport, staying online with connectivity (Starlink at home + local SIMs), taking care of yourself with fitness & wellness, keeping things simple with laundry, and a touch of nightlife for easy evenings. No fluff—just the prices we see every week and the little tips locals share with friends.
Prices are indicative and can vary by season and availability.
Cost of living in palomino
There are two main local supermarkets on the Troncal del Caribe (the main road)—Autoservicio El Campesino Parrandero and Doña Marina—located next to each other. You’ll find plenty of fruits, vegetables, and meat options. Colombia has incredible variety: mango, passion fruit (maracuyá), pineapple, soursop (guanábana), and lulo (a fruit you’ll mostly find in Colombia). Also here you will find a lot of local restaurants with differents options.
Local lunch (menú del día): from ~COP 14,000 (soup + main + juice).
Veggie/vegan plates: most of the restaurants have veggie options, our favorite is gracias vida it's at plaza numen, you will find different vegan options here.
Cooking at home: Casa Aloha has a shared kitchen for all your favorite meals.
Other local go-to spots:
Tienda de Leopoldo: a big local shop where you can find almost anything.
Santa Bárbara (“Donde Cayito”): cold beer and music at night—lots of locals end the day here. You also find basic things. It is a local shop .
Los estancos: small liquor shops where you can buy beer, wine, and tobacco.
Transport, prices in Palomino and regional colectivos
In-town: mostly walking; short moto rides or tuk tuk. Now a moto is $5.000 and tuk tuk $10.000.
Airport legs: you can arrive via Santa Marta (SMR) or Riohacha (RCH) and finish with colectivo or private transfer.
Regional colectivos: frequent minibuses run about every 15 minutes from 5:30am to 6:00 pm between Palomino and Santa Marta during the day. You can hop off to visit nearby beach/riverside towns like Quebrada Valencia, Buritaca and Mendihuaca, or to access Tayrona National Natural Park. In the direction of Riohacha, a popular stop is Camarones for the Santuario de Fauna y Flora Los Flamencos (a national protected area and flamingo sanctuary).
Tip: for late arrivals or heavy luggage, ask us for a door-to-door private transfer (airport ↔ Casa Aloha).
Connectivity (SIM/eSIM + Wi-Fi)
At Casa Aloha: Starlink 200 Mbps + solar backup keeps calls stable during local power cuts.
Around town: get a local SIM/eSIM from Tigo, Claro, or Movistar. Sometimes the signal drops during regional outages. They sell it at Troncal del Caribe at Cafe artesanal nevada.
Nomad setup: room desk for deep work → garden pergola desk for fresh air → rotate a remote-friendly café when you need a change.
Fitness & wellness
Gyms: day passes and short packages are common (expect ~10–25k per visit, better prices week/month). Gym with machines and weight, open air Gym and clases at Tabata Gym.
Yoga classes: group sessions typically ~25–50k, places like @sacrapalomino do yoga classes and also rituals like cacao ceremony, sound healing and more.
Morning routine: beach walks or running to the river mouth (Calle Primera) are free and beautiful. It is the best trial to run on mornings.
Recovery: massage options exist; you’ll find several in town. Gerson Massage offers different treatments—great if your posture suffers after long hours at the computer. Ask for a neck–shoulder–back focus to release laptop tension..
Laundry & housekeeping
Daily housekeeping at Casa Aloha keeps your workspace tidy.
Laundry service: COP 12,000/kg (wash–dry–fold). Perfect for long stays and light packing.
Activities & weekend fun
After work in Palomino:
Surf lessons
Learn or practice in the morning or late afternoon when conditions are friendlier. Book classes and surf trips to hidden beaches with Palomino Surf Town—they handle boards, rashguards, and safety.
Dance classes
Makuti posts its schedule on Instagram: salsa, bachata, dancehall, and more. Great way to meet people after a day of calls.
Relax at the beach
If you want a spot with food and drinks, Playa La Ola and Playa Mojito are easy, relaxed choices.Prefer quiet? Walk a little left along the shore and you’ll find wide, sandy areas to unwind with the sound of the waves.
Night hotspots:
María Mulata — a popular bar in town; busy most nights with music and a friendly crowd.
Praba Hostel (beachfront) — weekend parties on the beach.
Tiki Hut Hostel — bar & restaurant with social nights and live music.
The Dreamer Hostel — bar/restaurant and occasional themed events.
FAQ (fast answers)
Are there vegetarian/vegan options near Casa Aloha?
Yes—several veggie/vegan-friendly places within walking distance, plus fruit stands everywhere.
How much is a simple local lunch? From ~ COP 14,000 (soup, main, juice) (5 USD). Mid-range dinners cost more but have great ambiance. Also street food like empanadas.
Do I need a SIM if the Wi-Fi is good? We recommend it for days out—Tigo/Claro/Movistar. At Casa Aloha, Starlink + solar keep the house online during local cuts.
Is Palomino walkable and safe at night? Yes you can walk by night, use standard beach-town common sense.
Can you help with transfers and tours? Yes—private transfers (airport ↔ Casa Aloha) and La Guajira tours with trusted local agencies.
