Tubing in Palomino: The Complete Local Guide (2026)
- Aloha Palomino
- Jul 25
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 27
Tubing is the most popular thing to do in Palomino — and for good reason. You float down a jungle river on an inner tube, surrounded by trees and birds, all the way to where the river meets the Caribbean Sea. I'm Paola, and this is exactly how it works.
What is tubing in Palomino?
Tubing in Palomino means floating down the Palomino River on a large inflated inner tube, from the foothills of the Sierra Nevada all the way to the sea. It's calm, beautiful and suitable for most people — you're not rafting rapids, you're drifting through jungle.
How tubing in Palomino works, step by step
Pickup at your accommodation: The tour starts with a motorbike ride from your hotel up toward the mountain — about 10 minutes.
The hike: From there, you walk up through the mountain. The first stretch takes about 20 minutes, and there are two options if you want to go further: a 40-minute hike, or a longer route of about an hour and a half.
The Kogui community (longest route only). If you take the longest option, you reach a Kogui indigenous community. This is an observation visit only — you're seeing how the community lives, respectfully and from a distance.
Floating down the river. Then you get in your tube and float down. The whole descent takes about two to three hours, ending where the river meets the sea.
What you'll see
This is the part people don't expect. The river is lined with beautiful trees and full of birdlife. If you go in the morning, you might be lucky enough to float down with the Sierra Nevada mountains in view — one of the most beautiful sights on this coast. The trip ends at the river mouth, where fresh water meets the Caribbean.
Local tips
Wear sneakers or trainers. You'll be hiking up the mountain before you float down, so proper closed shoes make the walk much easier and safer than sandals.
Everything will get wet — plan for it. You're floating down a river, so assume anything you bring will get soaked. The agency lends you a waterproof bag for your phone, but be careful and keep it sealed.
Go in the morning. The sun is gentler, the wildlife is more active, and you'll have the best chance of clear views of the Sierra Nevada. Plus, you finish around midday — perfect timing to have lunch at the river mouth and spend the rest of the afternoon on the beach.
Bring sunscreen. You'll be on the water for two to three hours with little shade.
Bring cash for lunch at the river mouth.
Tubing in Palomino price and booking
There are three route options, depending on how far up the mountain you want to hike before floating down:
Short route — COP $60,000. About a 20-minute hike, then the float down to the sea.
Medium route — COP $70,000. A 40-minute hike for a longer, more scenic descent.
Long route — COP $130,000. About an hour and a half of hiking, reaching a Kogui indigenous community (observation only), then the full float down. This is the most complete experience.
All three end at the river mouth, where the river meets the Caribbean.
Tubing in Palomino is operated by a local company Jumar Tubing.
We can arrange it for you — just message us on Whatsapp
Where to stay in Palomino
Tubing tours pick you up right at your accommodation, so staying central makes it easy. At Casa Aloha you're minutes from everything — a private room with a desk, Starlink 200 Mbps with solar backup, and a garden to come back to after a morning on the river.
Only 3 rooms, 6 guests max. Not a hostel.
→ Book direct on WhatsApp or check room availability.
Frequently asked questions about tubing in Palomino
How long does tubing in Palomino take?
The float down the river takes about two to three hours. Adding the motorbike ride and the hike up, plan for most of the morning.
Is tubing in Palomino safe?
Yes — the Palomino River is calm, not whitewater rafting. You float gently downstream. Tours are run by local operators who know the river.
How much does tubing in Palomino cost?
There are three options: COP $60,000 for the short route (20-minute hike), COP $90,000 for the medium route (40-minute hike), and COP $140,000 for the long route (1.5-hour hike reaching a Kogui community). All include pickup at your accommodation and the float down to the sea.
Do you need to know how to swim?
It helps, but the river is shallow and calm for most of the route. Tell your guide if you're not a confident swimmer.
What's the best time of day to go tubing?
The morning. The sun is gentler, wildlife is more active, and you may see the Sierra Nevada mountains as you float down. You'll finish around midday, in time for lunch at the beach.
What should I bring for tubing?
Sunscreen, a hat, cash for lunch, and a waterproof bag for your phone. Wear swimwear and something you don't mind getting wet.
Where does the tubing route end?
At the river mouth, where the Palomino River meets the Caribbean Sea. You can have lunch there and spend the afternoon on the beach.
