Plan on about 3 h 57 min of driving for the 189-mile (304 km) trip from Cartagena to Palomino, before any stops.
Read the full advisory before you go: Colombia. Advisory issued: Colombia March 31, 2026; checked October 10, 2026.
On the roads, the State Department says:
- Colombia: “Highways may not have lights or signs showing destinations.”
| Total distance | 189 mi (304 km) |
|---|---|
| Time at the wheel, no stops | 3 h 57 min |
| Departments on the route | Bolívar, Atlántico, Magdalena, La Guajira |
| Fuel estimate (car at 25 mpg) | about 7.5 gal; actual use varies by vehicle and traffic |
| Stops listed below | 6 |
On the road from Cartagena to Palomino
It runs through 4 departments: Bolívar, Atlántico, Magdalena, La Guajira. Of the 6 stops listed below, 2 are within a mile of the road.
The route from Cartagena to Palomino, road by road
| Road | Route miles (from–to) | Length, mi | Department |
|---|---|---|---|
| local roads | 0–189 | 189 | Bolívar, Atlántico, Magdalena |
- Mile 28 of this route: Bolívar → Atlántico (department line)
- Mile 85 of this route: Atlántico → Magdalena (department line)
- Mile 189 of this route: Magdalena → La Guajira (department line)
Breaking up the drive: stops between Cartagena and Palomino
- Right off the route (under 1 mile): Salamanca Island Road Park (mile 101), Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino (mile 142)
- Nature and outdoors: Salamanca Island Road Park (mile 101), Tayrona National Natural Park (mile 157)
- Museums and history: Queen Mary Cathedral, Barranquilla (mile 83), Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum (mile 139), Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino (mile 142)
- With kids: Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum (mile 139)
Queen Mary Cathedral, Barranquilla
Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Queen Mary Cathedral (Metropolitan Cathedral of Queen Mary) stands in central Barranquilla on the western side of Plaza de la Paz, the city's zero point.
Salamanca Island Road Park
On the western outskirts of Ciénaga in Magdalena, Salamanca Island Road Park is a protected area where fresh water from the Magdalena River meets the salt water of the Caribbean, supporting abundant plants and wildlife.
Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum
Opened in 1965 by Captain Francisco Ospina Navia, the Rodadero Sea Aquarium and Museum is a public aquarium and maritime museum in Inca Inca Cove off Rodadero beach in Santa Marta.
Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino
Built in 1608, the Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino in Mamatoco, Santa Marta, is the hacienda where Simón Bolívar died on December 17, 1830.
Piedra de Donama
Piedra de Donama is a rock about 4 meters across and 3 meters high in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, carved with zoomorphic and abstract petroglyphs.
Tayrona National Natural Park
About 34 km from central Santa Marta, Tayrona National Natural Park protects Caribbean coast and Sierra Nevada terrain rising from sea level to 900 meters.
More drives to Palomino
- Barranquilla to Palomino
- Sabanalarga to Palomino
- Santa Cruz de Mompós to Palomino
- Magangué to Palomino
- Sincelejo to Palomino
- Montería to Palomino
From Cartagena to other places in Colombia
- Cartagena to Cúcuta
- Cartagena to Manizales
- Cartagena to Quibdó
- Cartagena to Tunja
- Cartagena to Santa Marta
- Cartagena to Guachaca
Continue Your Adventure
Frequently asked questions
How long is the drive from Cartagena to Palomino?
About 3 h 57 min of driving without stops, over 189 miles.
How far is Palomino from Cartagena by car?
About 189 miles (304 km) on the Wayro route. Other map services may show a few miles more or less, depending on where they start and end in each city.
Is it safe to drive from Cartagena to Palomino?
The U.S. State Department rates Colombia Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Read the full advisory before you go.
What are good stops between Cartagena and Palomino?
Closest to the road: Salamanca Island Road Park (park, mile 101, 0.4 mi from the route); Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino (museum, mile 142, 0.5 mi from the route); Tayrona National Natural Park (national park, mile 157, 2 mi from the route). All stops are described above.
How we put this guide together
Wayro calculates the route from OpenStreetMap road data; mile numbers are positions along this route, not highway markers, and "from the route" distances are straight-line, so the real detour depends on access roads. Stops are chosen from parks, natural sites, museums, historic sites and attractions close to the route: at least one strong stop for each stretch of the drive, then the best-known places nearest the road, up to nine in all. Places that are closed, private or not open to visitors are removed. Place descriptions are written by the Wayro team from official park, museum, tourism and government websites and other published sources. Safety levels and entry rules were checked against the U.S. Department of State on October 10, 2026. Conditions change, so check the linked sources before you travel.
Route data © OpenStreetMap contributors.