Two Caribbeans in one trip
Palomino is beach, river and the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada on the horizon. The Darién (Capurganá and Sapzurro) is jungle running down to the sea, villages without cars and Panama half an hour away on foot.
Step by step
The route, from the river to the jungle.
The suggested route (12 to 14 days)
Palomino 3 to 4 nights, with a day in Tayrona National Park. Cartagena 2 nights (optional). One night in Necoclí. Capurganá 3 to 4 nights. Sapzurro 2 to 3 nights. Keep a spare day: the boats depend on the sea.
Palomino: what to do
Float down the Palomino river on a tube to the sea (about 3 hours in total), walk a long wild beach and visit Tayrona Park, about an hour away by bus. The sea often has strong currents: ask where it is safe to swim.
Where to stay in Palomino
Hilltop Palomino is the quiet hostel in town: garden, pool and hammocks, 900 m from the beach. Calle 2 #8-40, behind the school.
From Palomino to Santa Marta
Buses run along the main road all day. Allow an hour and a half to two hours to Santa Marta.
From Santa Marta to Necoclí
Bus or shuttle to Cartagena, then a long bus day to Necoclí on the Gulf of Urabá. Leave early and sleep in Necoclí: the boats leave in the morning.
The fast option
Fly to Medellín, then take a small plane to the Capurganá airstrip (very limited luggage). Or the night bus from Medellín to Necoclí or Turbo.
The boat to Capurganá
Boats leave from Necoclí or Turbo. It is open sea: a dry bag for your luggage, a ticket bought the day before and a spare day in case the sea is too rough.
Capurganá
El Cielo waterfall, the natural pools of La Coquerita and beaches you can only reach by boat. Hilltop Capurganá is on the seafront in the Plan Parejo neighbourhood, 12 minutes from town by mototaxi.
Sapzurro and Panama
You reach Sapzurro by boat or along the hill trail. Hilltop Sapzurro is on the bay, with a private beach and a pool. From there, La Miel (Panama) is a 30-minute walk: bring your passport.
A free day next door
If you stay at one of the two Hilltops in the Darién, you get a free day at the other (pool and beach). Overnight stays there are paid separately.
Before you go
Bring enough cash: you can't pay by card everywhere in the Darién. Electricity depends on the power company, not the hostels, and there can be cuts: head torch, power bank, offline maps and music.
Shall we plan your route?
Send us your dates: we help with the buses, the boats and your nights in Palomino, Capurganá and Sapzurro.