Seviaka Indigenous People and Tubing Tour in Palomino
About this activity
Highlights
- Engage with Seviaka Indigenous community
- Experience thrilling tubing on Palomino River
- Enjoy scenic views of Sierra Nevada mountains
- Learn about indigenous traditions and culture
- Relax on Palomino's pristine beaches
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Guided tour of Seviaka Indigenous community
- Tubing adventure on Palomino River
- Round-trip transportation from Santa Marta
- Meals and personal expenses
Itinerary
If you are coming from Santa Marta, the guide will meet you at the bus stop and you’ll continue with the regular itinerary.
La Guajira area is the perfect place to find all kind of wild and adventurous experiences. And, at the same time, is home to several ethnics that work to protect their territory and their legacy. So what better plan than combining adventure and culture! In this tour a guide will pick you up in a motorbike, which will be your transport for a part of the tour. Then, you will do a 3-hour hike across the surrounding forest of Palomino. Then you will get the Seviaka indigenous territory. Here, you will be able to talk, interact and listen to the mamo (the indigenous leader) about their customs. He will teach you the importance of medicinal plants, the meaning behind their beliefs, and the way they live. After the experience, you will go to Palomino River to start the aquatic part of the tour. The guides will provide with the life jackets and floating tires. And you will be dragged downstream. Part of this will be in calm waters and another part will be down the river rapids.
If the tour starts from Santa Marta, the return is at 3:30 p.m. from the bus stop, so you’ll have some time to explore Palomino on your own or enjoy the beach.
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- This tour is conducted in Spanish; English-speaking guides may not be available.
- Availability may vary; check the latest schedule before booking.
- Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult during the tubing activity.
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable clothing and swimwear suitable for water activities.
- Bring a waterproof bag for personal belongings during tubing.
- Carry cash for optional purchases or tips, as card facilities may be limited.
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Good to know
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Bring comfortable shoes and water. Keep hydrating constantly and use sunscreen
- Be aware this tour is part walking and with the floating tires
- Be aware that transport of this tour will be by motorbike
- The Tour Guide will contact you the day before in case you have any questions or assist you with any requirements
- The tour from Santa Marta operates with shared transportation. Please keep in mind that you must arrive on your own at the meeting point located in Hotel Playa Blanca - Rodadero CRA 3 # 9-70 at 7:15am
Traveler reviews
Outstanding Trip & Guide
Face to face look at indigenous village. Very enjoyable & real. Hike was thru beautiful jungle …up & down hiking. Be ready to walk. The tubing was relaxing & an extreme contrast to the village. Our guide was fantastic, helpful & accommodating to our needs.
Must-do experience
We had an absolute blast tubing in Palomino! Our guide, Snider, was the best! Super fun, easy to talk to, and incredibly knowledgeable. He taught us so much about the area and the local Indigenous communities, which made the whole experience feel really special and meaningful, not just adventurous. The motorcycle ride to get there was exhilarating, and the hike was about an hour. Some of the uphill parts were a little challenging, but overall it was very manageable and totally worth it once you get to the river. Highly recommend doing this tour!
A unique experience
It was a unique experience. The walk through the jungle, the sharing with the indigenous community and closing with the gomon ride through the middle of nature is something I never imagined doing. The landscapes are amazing and our guide Day Jose a divine. For those who like to experience nature 100%, this is an excursion for it.
Super Mario with his super chanclas
Mario was awesome and taught me a lot. The hike was super easy and i had an amazing time. Thank you so much for taking care of me
Once in a Lifetime
While taking part of this day adventure, I kept thinking to myself wow I’m really doing this? I’m from California used to the city life in the Bay Area and this experience so out of my norm but worth every moment. You get picked up in Palomino (note be sure to know that your driver and guide will pick you up in the city of Palomino, if you’re staying outside of the city be sure to make arrangements to get to Palomino). I hopped on the back of his motorbike and rode off to the beginning of the mountain (honestly a really smooth ride no need to worry). And then you hike into the mountain for 1-1.5 hours until you reach the Seviaka indigenous people and learn about their customs, culture, and language. Be sure to bring little snacks and treats for the kids ands watch their face light up. You’ll also have the opportunity to buy some handcrafted items with pesos if you choose. And then afterwards you float down the palomino river via tubes. The floating is pretty gentle with a couple bumps in the current but never did I feel like I was going to flip in the water and my guide did a great job of steering us both. The views, the experience, were all breath taking honestly. I wish I brought more cash to purchase more from the indigenous and that I didn’t have to drive back to Santa Marta right afterwards to really soak in the experience that took place. Make sure to pack good water for the hike because while it’s not brutal, you will be sweating. I’m glad that I did this!