Sol almost all year round and one of the destinations that has most attracted the attention of Brazilians. Want to know what to do in San Andrés, Colombia This post is for you!
Known as the land of the Sea of Sete Cores, San Andrés has a main island, with a 26 km long, which you can walk in 30 minutes by car at most. In addition to the island of San Andrés, the islands of Providência and Santa Catalina are part of the archipelago.
There are those who say that Christopher Columbus was the first to see the archipelago, in 1502, but there is no way to prove this story. Strategically positioned, it was a refuge point for pirates who smuggled into the Caribbean Seas.
Geographically, the island of San Andrés is closer to Nicaragua than to mainland Colombia, which has generated a discussion between the two countries about who, in fact, is responsible for the territory. So much mix is possible to see in the residents of the island and even in the language spoken there. Although the official language is Spanish, it is quite common to listen to the natives talking in “creole”, a language that mixes archaic English and words of African origin.
With about 80,000 inhabitants, the city is not very beautiful, but the Caribbean Sea makes up everything else – and with plenty. Ideal place for those who like diving, the sea is wonderful and has unique shades of blue.
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How to get to San Andrés
There are no direct flights there from Brazil, most likely you will have to make a connection in Bogota.
Another option is to double the Cartagena / San Andrés, on a flight of 1h30. This route is the favorite of people, because you can know two amazing destinations in one shot.
Want to know more about the darling of Colombia? This article here will help you schedule your trip to Cartagena from Indias.
Getting around San Andrés
As the island is small, there are few bus schedules and you will need to organize in advance.
For those who like to combine practicality with a little fun, can use a “chiva”“chiva”, which is an open bus, or the train. Both transports run along the island in the hop-on hop-off style, on a 4h-long tour.
They cost approximately 50,000 Colombian pesos and have daily departures. The only thing you need to be aware of is: if you want to get to know San Andrés with them, you will need to be fast, because the stops are very short.
In my opinion, the best option to get to know the island is renting a means of transport, be it scooter, mule or the famous golf carts. Prices vary according to the chosen medium.
The cheapest, of course, is the scooter, which is ideal if you are traveling as a family. The mule is a big buggy. It is the safest and most modern option, so the most expensive as well. It leaves around 260,000 Colombian pesos in the daily rate, for two people.
Want to book a mule? Have a look here.
For those who like to do the tours in a more traditional way, the request is to rent a golf cart and enjoy every corner of the island.
The values vary from 230,000 pesos in a car with 2 places, up to 380,000 in a vehicle for 6 people.
What is worth keeping an eye out for is this is not the fastest means of transportation, but it is certainly one of the most fun. To book a golf cart, just enter this link.
Required documents to enter San Andrés
All international travelers must register the online application, which can be accessed through the Colombian government website Check-Mig, from 72 hours before the flight.
It is also necessary to present the international proof of the yellow fever vaccine, the proof of payment of the “tourism tip” and the passage of round trip.
What is the Tour to San Andrés?
The Colombian government has restrictions with the number of residents and tourists in San Andrés. To control access, there is a tourist tart, which is a fee that you still pay at the airport, before boarding to the island, in the amount of COP 105,000. For those who want to advance, you can make the request directly on the government website.
Children under 7 do not need the document or who is less than 24 hours there.
IMPORTANT: Colombia does not offer a public health system, therefore, it is recommended to hire health insurance during the country, regardless of the reason for the trip.
On the website of the Brazilian Embassy in Colombia you can also find all this information.
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Is travel insurance mandatory in San Andrés?
Although it is not mandatory to enter San Andrés, it is always recommended to have travel insurance.
After all, Colombia does not have a public health service, so if you need any medical care, it is always good to have insurance at hand. Not to mention that good travel insurance also includes coverage for travel problems, such as flight cancellations or loss of luggage.
Do not risk your trip to San Andrés without insurance. Get yours right now through this link or the offers below and travel with the peace of mind of knowing that you are protected!
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What to do in San Andrés, Colombia
Visiting the Caribbean paradise takes time to enjoy the attractions, money and plenty of sunscreen!
- Johnny Cay is the most sought-after tour on the island. When I went, I did a tour that stopped on that islet, spent part of the morning, scheduled lunch and then went to the Aquarium in the early afternoon. There, you will find a good structure with drinks, restaurants, chairs on the beach and a stunning look, in addition to facing iguanas and the blue lizard, the most famous residents of the islet. The alert is: in addition to the price of the tour, you need to pay a fee of 8,000 COPs to stay in it.
- Rocky Cay – is the most famous beach on the largest island in the archepergue. If you have stayed on the north side, it is good that you have a means of transport to get there and not depend on taxi. It is an ideal place for those who want to relax and spend a day at the beach. It is a closer experience than we are used to here in Brazil, with kiosks and the possibility of staying all day on the beach, drinking and eating. There are sun loungers at the beach kiosks.
- Aquarium island – no, it’s not a stop at an aquarium. In fact, it is a large natural aquarium where you will find fish, corals and natural pools. The island is very small, which ends up generating a large traffic of boats and even overcrowding. There is the possibility of renting cabinets to store the belongings and kiosks to eat and drink a cold beer. You can book a tour just there or hire a tour that takes you to Johnny Cay in the morning and the afternoon at the Aquarium.
More tours in San Andrés
- La Piscinita – it is one of those attractions that we do not give myth to her, but that will surprise you. When you have to tour the island, stop for a while. It is a great place for those looking for diving, be it snorkeling or a cylinder. Great opportunity to see colorful fish.
- Scuba diving – known as “Aquonauta” this is a good option for those who can not do the cylinder diving, but want to have a taste of the experience. The bar is that diver helmet, which allows you to breathe at a greater depth. On this tour, in addition to being able to contact the marine life, you can take the famous photo with the statue of Poseidon, which is at a depth of 8 meters, in Cove Bay.
- Hit and return to Providência – do you have a few days left on schedule? How about this island which is 72 km from San Andrés? Declared by UNESCO as the Biosphere Nature Reserve, this island is less trendy but no less beautiful. Thinking of putting it on the roadmap? So be sure to visit Cayo Cangrejo, Almond Bay, Mazanillo and, if you do, do a cylinder dive. For those who go by sea, the trip lasts on average 3h30 with price from $220,000 COPs. Whoever wants can buy the ferry tickets here. If you prefer, you have regular flights between the two islands, lasting 35 minutes.
- Cylinder diving – always had the will, but never was there any money to do the baptism in the dive? San Andrés is a great option, besides one of the most beautiful and cheapest to have the first experience. There are several points of margulho on the island and some do not even need a large boat trip.
- Parasailing – tour you go in a paraglider, 100 meters high and being pulled by a boat. The tour costs around 155,000 COPs. The flight takes about 15 minutes and you can see the various shades of blue of the Colombian Caribbean from above. The ride depends on the weather, winds and other climatic factors.
- Nightlife – in addition to restaurants, drinks bars such as Banzai and Big Mamma, you can have dinner on a pirate boat and enjoy a ballad to the sound of a lot of reggaeton, so you can enjoy the Colombian nightlife in some of the main nightclubs of the island: the Coco Loco or Extasy, which is in the hotel Sol Caribe.
Want other tips from destinations in Colombia? Travel itineraries in Colombia: tips for 7, 15 and 20 days
Restaurants in San Andrés
I am a person who WORK BEACH, but I am not very much a fan of seafood and I have already told this story here on the blog. So every time I have to face a beach town is a saga to know what to eat and in San Andrés it was no different.
Because it is an island and being far away from the mainland, the local cuisine is well derived from what the sea has to offer. There are many restaurants exalting what the sea has to offer and few options for those who do not like the idea very much.
Boil meat is an item not very present in the dishes, but it also does not mean that it is impossible to find a place with meat or chicken on the menu, for example. In the shopping center you will find restaurants, pizzerias and trailers of hamburger that can save the day!
One of the places we most liked to have lunch on our trip there was in the restaurant of COOPESBI, the Cooperativa de Pescadores Artesanais de San Andrés. Besides a restaurant with an incredible view of the beach, the food was tasty, the price was fair and well located, by the sea, near the airport.
Do you like Colombian cuisine? It connects to these 9 typical foods there.
Where to stay in San Andrés, Colombia
The most sought-after area is the so-called “North End”, which is on the side of the airport and facing Johnny Cay Island. This is where the main hotels, restaurants, nightlife and where the boat trips leave.
For those looking to escape a little of the bustle, the request is to go to the sides of San Luis, where one of the most beautiful beaches in the region, Rocky Cay is located. Try to avoid the most isolated regions with stone beaches, such as the case of the west and south coasts.
For more information, read our complete guide to where to stay in San Andrés.
Hotel in San Luis, San Andrés
POSADA ESTRELLA DE MAR SAN LUIS – Entire home 500 metres from San Luis Beach, sleeps up to 6 people. This accommodation that has sea views, has air conditioning, 2 bedrooms, living room, fully equipped kitchen with refrigerator and kettle, and 1 bathroom with shower. Daily from $56 the couple.
Hotel in North End, San Andrés
Azure Lofts & Pool – I stayed at this hotel near the airport (to see the runway) and the busiest area of the island. It has a small kitchen, a supermarket a few meters away and a pool facing the sea. It is worth taking a look. Daily rate from $110.
Dreamer Beach Club – 200 metres from Spratt Bight Beach. Accommodation with continental, American or vegetarian breakfast and restaurant serving Italian, Mediterranean and Peruvian cuisine. For entertainment, billiards, table tennis and darts. If you want comfort, you can rent bicycles and get to know the island quietly. Daily from $136.
All inclusive hotels in San Andrés
Hotel El Dorado – with swimming pool, restaurant, nightclub and breakfast, this accommodation is 300 meters from the beach and has as a high point night shows that are held regularly. It is important to know that the resorts in San Andrés are not in the Brazilian standard, being more modest and not so luxurious. Daily at $397 the couple.
Sol Caribe Campo All Inclusive – just a 15-minute drive from downtown San Andrés, the hotel has restorers with Italian dishes, drinks and snacks in all four bars. Daily from US$274 the couple.
Best and Cheap Hotels in San Andrés
In Di House of Reggae Boutique – 3,2 km from North End, this beachfront accommodation has breakfast, garden, terrace, restaurant and bar and is highly rated by guests. Daily rate from $116.
Hostal Marlyn – rated FANTASTIC, this accommodation is in Sarie Bay, a 15-minute walk from the city center and has a shower with hot water, which is a differential to be taken when looking for accommodation in San Andrés. $53 the couple.
What can’t you do in San Andrés?
The island’s flagship is the dive into the Caribbean waters. In addition to him, you can put there in your itinerary a visit to the cayos islands and the aquarium, a tour all over the island, in addition, of course, to spend a little time on the beach and in the little shops of the center.
How many days is it to stay in San Andrés?
At least 4 days. During this period you will be able to visit the main tourist attractions and still enjoy a day to rest. But if you want to make a hit and return to Providence and do things with more time, plan to stay there for 1 week.
When is the best time of year to go to San Andrés?
The island is visitable all year round, like much of the Caribbean, and is off the hurricane route. With average temperature in the 27oC all year round, there will be no shortage of heat there. Now, if you want to catch the period without rains, the tip is to go between January and April. The months between June and November are the ones with the highest rainfall, but that does not mean that it will rain all the time.
What to Know About San Andrés
Fresh water on the island is a luxury item. Because it does not have water springs, it is super valued by the residents, who save rainwater as they can. One way that tourism found to survive there was the desalination of seawater, which serves mainly to supply restaurants and hotels.
