Most visitors who consider going to Colombia don’t even know about San Andres Island. In fact, I hadn’t even heard of it and only stumbled upon it while looking for a more off-the-beaten-path destination in Colombia.
I’m so glad that I found out about this tiny island as I would have missed out on A LOT by not going, it would even be a great place for a budget honeymoon!
Despite being a Colombian territory, the locals don’t look like Colombians, but rather like people from the Caribbean. The culture of the island is also more Caribbean than Colombian and there is plenty to do to make this little slice of paradise worthwhile.
Things to Know Before Traveling to San Andres Island in Colombia
- The tiny island is a diverse mix of African descendants who actually prefer to speak English, due to the island’s early history. It’s also inhabited by Colombian immigrants who have come here to work in the tourism industry and a very small group of indigenous people.
- The island is small and only takes around 1 hour to circle by buggy if you don’t make any stops.
- Apart from shopping, San Andres isn’t the cheapest place. For one thing, you need to pay an entry fee as the island is considered a national park.
- Accommodation on the island is way more expensive than anywhere on the mainland. But trust me – it’s worth the price!
Where is San Andres Island?
San Andres is a tiny island that belongs to Colombia, although geographically it’s closer to Nicaragua and Jamaica.
It’s located about 750 km (470 mi) northwest of Colombia in the Caribbean Sea and is just 26 km2.
Due to the fact that it’s a Colombian territory in Costa Rican and Nicaraguan waters, San Andres is a duty-free zone. What makes it great for shopping! Goods there are cheaper than at any airport I’ve ever been to.
San Andres vs Providencia
Many people want to decide between visiting San Andres or Providencia Island. Truth to be told, it really depends on your travel style and budget.
While San Andres may seem off the path to foreign tourists, Colombians tend to treat San Andres as their well-known holiday spot with many youngsters partying.
On the other hand, Providencia is more exclusive and remote, even for locals which makes it more expensive and relaxed but has fewer things to do.
Is San Andres Safe?
I never felt unsafe on the island, but as anywhere you need to take precautions. Don’t wander off alone at night into a dark street, and I wouldn’t stay on the beach after hours.
Unfortunately, beach robberies in Latin America after dark happen sometimes, but during the day you’re absolutely fine!
The most unsafe thing in San Andres would be drinking tap water. Unfortunately, it’s not recommended to drink the water, so be prepared to either buy bottled water or refill your own reusable water. Alternatively, there’s always Lifestraw for those who want to drink water anywhere, anytime.
How to Get to San Andres, Colombia?
The only way to get to San Andres Island is to fly. Direct domestic flights depart from Bogota, Cartagena, Medellin, and Cali and take less than 2.5 hours. That being said, flights from Panama City are often the cheapest route and it only takes 1hr 15 mins!
NOTE: All foreigners are required to buy a tourist card before boarding the plane. It’s basically a fee for entering the national park of San Andres & Providencia. It costs 124,000 COP (~$30 USD) and can be only purchased at the airport and in cash.
Things to Do in San Andres Island
Below is a list of all the most popular things to do in San Andres Island, most of which I did during my time here and can highly recommend. But if you’re looking for personalized travel advice, you can always connect with one of ViaHero’s trip planners. They’re Colombian locals who can give you local insight on how to explore their country.
Alternatively, for more organized tours check Viator here.
1. Enjoy the Beach
San Andres is a great place to chill for a few days and experience a different side of the Caribbean. The best part of the island is obviously its beaches.
The sands are almost pure white and the water is so clear you can easily spot fish swimming around. None of the beaches are overcrowded, despite the whole island being no larger than 26 km2.
Some of the best beaches in San Andres include Spratt Bight, Johnny Cay, and Rocky Cay Beach, but if you’re feeling really adventurous, you could even try wakeboarding!
2. Take a Boat Cruise to Johnny Cay
If you’re looking for something a bit different, San Andres offers a lot of boat cruises and one of the best is a trip to Johnny Cay.
Johnny Cay is a small island off the coast of San Andres and is one of the most popular spots for tourists! Not only does this tiny island have one of the best beaches, but it’s just a 10-minute boat ride from town.
In addition to some incredibly blue waters and relaxing beaches, you’ll also find iguanas and lizards if you take a walk around the island and plenty of incredible aquatic animals.
NOTE: You need to make sure you know which cruise you’re booking because I thought I was booked to go on a pirate ship, but somehow I ended up on a small boat. If you haven’t pre-booked online, the easiest way is to walk to the port and jump on a cruise straight away, rather than booking with your hotel.
Recommended Tours:
Full-Day San Andrés Bay Snorkeling Cruise
Guided Cays and Mangroves Tour
3. Spend a Day in El Acuario (The Aquarium)
Another must-visit Island around San Andres is Cayo Acuario, also known as the Aquarium of San Andres. Here you can hang out with exotic fish in some super blue water or relax on the tiny white sand beach.
Note that when I say tiny, I mean it. This island is more of a sandbar and can be crowded at times, but luckily you’ll be spending most of your time in the water here. I loved interacting with the manta rays and snorkeling in the nearby coral reefs.
Recommended Tours:
From San Andres: Cayo Acuario Tour
Boat Tour to Cayo Acuario and Rocky Cay
4. Stuff Your Face with Arepas
If you get a bit tired of the beach, you can easily rent a quad or bike to discover the island on your own. It’s a nice way to interact with the locals and eat homemade arepas, which I personally adored. I could eat them with chipotle sauce every day!
However, I must say that people who dislike seafood and cheese may experience some difficulties in San Andres.
If you fancy a luxury dining experience book a table at La Regatta. You’ll need to dress up and spend more than elsewhere, but the food and views are worth it.
5. Climb a Local Church
One attraction that’s not in the guidebook is the local church. Before you scroll down and skip this part because you don’t think a church is interesting enough, let me tell you something. It’s one of two churches I know of (another in Ecuador) that you can actually climb on.
My friends and I went to the church by accident only to discover that by using tiny ladders. We were able to climb to the top of it! While I was sitting on the roof I had the chance to see a beautiful panoramic view of the whole island. It was totally worth the visit!
6. Rent a Buggy
Public transportation in San Andres is similar to US public transportation, which is very bad, unreliable, and barely existent. Hence why the best way to get around the island is to rent a buggy or scooter. This is how we got to the church, off-the-path beaches, and beautiful viewpoints.
7. Go Scuba Diving
I’ve already talked about all the amazing reefs teeming with aquatic life around San Andres Island so it should be no surprise that it is also a great place to learn how to scuba dive!
There are plenty of tour operators that offer both group and private intro to scuba courses so you don’t even need to have any prior experience. But if scuba diving sounds a little too intense for you, you can also try helmet diving where you can walk under the water.
Recommended Tours:
SCUBA Diving Experience with Hotel Pickup
Personalized Mini Scuba Diving Course
Where to Stay in San Andres, Colombia
I’m really glad I went to San Andres as it’s a destination off the beaten path and it’s gorgeous! If you’re wondering where to stay on the island here are my recommendations:
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[su_box title=”Luxury:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Hotel Bahia Sardina
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[su_box title=”Beach-Front:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Hotel Cocoplum
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[su_box title=”Apartment:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Aptos Sol y Mar Islas II
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[su_box title=”Budget:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]El Viajero
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Helpful Info about San Andres Island, Colombia
Now we’ve been through all the main things to do and where to stay, I thought I would offer some more helpful info to answer any more questions you might have about this stunning island.
Wifi
Wifi is available on the island, but it’s painfully slow. While it’s slowly improving and there’s no need for disconnecting, don’t expect daily Skype calls with your friends as it simply won’t happen.
Best Time to Visit San Andres Island
February to April are the best months to visit San Ansred Island as this is the dry season when you will get plenty of blue skies and sunshine.
That being said, the temperatures are pretty similar throughout the year so even if you visit outside of the dry season, you should still have a great trip.
Getting Around San Andres Island
As I mentioned before, the public transport here is pretty much nonexistent, so luckily the island is tiny!
The best way to get around San Andres is by buggy or scooter. You can rent these pretty cheaply and have a lot of fun with your newfound freedom. Some buggies (golf carts) can seat up to 6 people so you’ll have plenty of space for your whole family.
What Else to Do on Your Trip
Don’t forget to explore other great destinations in Colombia as the country has a lot to offer.
I recommend you spend a day or a few in Bogota, go to Santa Marta, experience the vibrant city of Medellin, or head to Tayrona National Park near Cartagena!
Alternative Options of Tropical Islands Around the World:
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Any questions about San Andres Island? Please ask in the comments below!
Maria Alejandra
Friday 15th of March 2024
Hi dear Iโm make up artist aesthetician my question is the existent hotels in the island they running a spa luxury spots. Itโs a good place to find a job. I canโt wait to go to move somewhere like the beautiful island. What do you think? Any advice?
Michael
Monday 6th of March 2023
Hi,
My wife and I are going there in April. We are very interested in the church you can scale. Where is that located?
Thanks in advance!
Michael
Anna Karsten
Tuesday 7th of March 2023
It's Primera Iglesia Bautista - https://goo.gl/maps/XMM44ppt6spkixxP8
Ryan Finn
Thursday 27th of January 2022
This blog was a lot more beneficial for me than I could have thought. It is informative and enlightening, for it gives exact and explanatory guidance and direction.
Bibiani Bovino
Friday 10th of September 2021
Thank you so much for your nice comments about San Andreas. I am going to share your information. Many people ask me for nice place to go in Colombia and this post helps alot. โค๏ธ๐
Kathleen Wirt
Sunday 28th of February 2021
I am hoping to return to visit San Andres when the pandemic is over. Can you provide any information about the damage it sustained in the hurricane and of things have been rebuilt?