Bus from Riohacha to Palomino
Minibus · ~1h 30m · $4–$10 USD · Frequent (every 30–60 min)
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After the heat and dust of La Guajira, the short westbound bus from Riohacha to Palomino delivers you to one of the Caribbean coast's most relaxed beach towns. The ninety-minute ride on the Troncal del Caribe reverses the transition into the desert, as cactus and scrub give way to the lush riverbanks and jungle that frame Palomino. Minibuses and coaches heading toward Santa Marta run this route constantly, so leaving Riohacha is straightforward.
Just remember that Palomino is a roadside drop, not a terminal: the bus leaves you on the highway at the edge of town, about a kilometer from the beach. From there a moto-taxi covers the last stretch down the dirt track to the hostels and sand. Arriving in daylight makes that final hop easier, and it gives you time to settle into Palomino's laid-back rhythm of river tubing, hammocks, and long Caribbean sunsets.
Route details: Riohacha to Palomino
Travel time
1 h 30 min
Distance
95 km
Typical fare
$4 – $10 USD per person
Frequency
Frequent (every 30–60 min)
First departure
Approx. 5:00 AM
Last departure
Approx. 6:30 PM
Operators on this route
Cootragua (minibus) · Expreso Brasilia
Pickup at Riohacha
Riohacha's Terminal de Transportes near the center, boarding westbound minibuses toward Santa Marta
Drop-off at Palomino
Palomino main-road drop on the Troncal del Caribe, then a moto-taxi down the track to the beach
About the journey
Riohacha to Palomino runs the Troncal del Caribe westward, carrying travelers from the edge of La Guajira's desert back into the greener foothills of the Sierra Nevada. The 95-kilometer trip takes around an hour and a half, and any westbound minibus or coach toward Santa Marta passes through Palomino. You board at Riohacha's central terminal and watch the dry scrubland slowly give way to rivers and rainforest as you approach the beach town. There is no station in Palomino, so vehicles drop you on the highway at the entrance to town, where a moto-taxi finishes the short run down to the beach. With frequent departures from early morning into the evening, this is a quick and inexpensive leg for travelers leaving La Guajira behind in favor of Palomino's hammocks and river tubing.
Travel tips for Riohacha → Palomino
- Take any Santa Marta-bound vehicle. Westbound minibuses and coaches from Riohacha pass through Palomino, so board the next one and tell the conductor your stop.
- Confirm the Palomino drop. Tell the conductor you are getting off at Palomino; the stop is a roadside drop on the highway, not an obvious station.
- Budget for the moto-taxi. From the highway, a moto-taxi to the beach costs a couple of dollars and saves a hot walk down the sandy track with luggage.
- Carry small bills in pesos. Fares are paid in cash to the conductor, and exact-ish change keeps things smooth at both the bus and the moto stand.
- Use up your Guajira cash beforehand. Palomino is a small town, so withdraw or carry enough pesos in Riohacha before heading west.
- Travel in daylight. Arriving before dark makes the highway drop and the moto-taxi to the beach far easier to navigate with bags.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the bus from Riohacha to Palomino take?
Plan on about an hour and a half for the 95-kilometer westbound trip on the Troncal del Caribe, with timing affected by roadside stops along the way.
How much does the bus from Riohacha to Palomino cost?
Fares are usually $4 to $10 USD, paid in pesos to the conductor. Minibuses are the cheapest way to cover this short coastal leg.
What time do buses run from Riohacha to Palomino?
Westbound service is frequent from around 5:00 AM until about 6:30 PM, with departures every 30 to 60 minutes, so you can usually just turn up at the terminal.
Does the bus drop me at Palomino beach?
No. Buses stop on the highway at the entrance to town, about a kilometer from the beach. Take a quick moto-taxi down the dirt track to reach the hostels and sand.
Which bus do I take from Riohacha?
Board any westbound minibus or coach heading toward Santa Marta; all of them pass through Palomino. Simply confirm your stop with the conductor as you board.
Going the other direction?