4 / 5 - 2 reviews
How to get there
Five hours from Bogota by plane, though it is also possible to fly direct from France or Honduras
When to go
All year round
Minimum stay
1 to 2 days
San Andrés (Colombia)
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Christian Córdova
Practical information on San Andrés
Reviews of San Andrés
The island of San Andrés, which has free-port status, is an ideal place to go shopping as well as being a little paradise on earth. The sea around it has a unique appearance, presenting a broad palette of varied colours.
My suggestion:
Rent a golf cart to get around when you visit. By using this gentle and unhurried form of transport you'll quite literally be able to stop wherever you like. It really is an excellent way to tour the island.
My review
San Andrés is one island that's definitely worth visiting and exploring. It's a place that has managed to remain wild and free of crowds in some parts. Plenty of Colombians come here, but very few tourists include it on their itinerary when visiting the country.
Though it's only around thirty kilometres all the way around, I actually spent a whole day here. I came across some very nice restaurants and a number of quiet beaches on the island, and the diversity of its scenery took me by surprise. In the evening, I went for a stroll around the bars, which is something I advise you to do too: you'll have no trouble finding somewhere playing the kind of music you'll feel compelled to stop and enjoy.
When it comes to marine sports and activities, there's scuba diving, kite surfing and boat trips out on the lagoon to choose from, or you can just simply enjoy a spot of bathing at one of the island's wonderful little coves.
You can come here all year round, but try to avoid the months of July and August and opt instead for the dry season from February to April if possible: you'll find it much quieter and more peaceful at that time of year. I have no hesitation in recommending a trip to discover and explore the wonderful archipelago that is San Andrés.
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cathy T
The island of San Andrés is a veritable little piece of paradise on earth and forms part of the Colombian archipelago of the same name.
My suggestion:
When it comes to the chance to see and admire coral reefs and large numbers of exotic fish, nothing beats a scuba dive in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea.
My review
The island of San Andrés, 150 kilometres from Nicaragua, is a 27 km² paradise on earth lying out in the middle of the Caribbean Sea. Despite its small size, the island is the epitome of picture-postcard beautiful, with its white sandy beaches, the turquoise waters of the sea around it, its coconut palms, and its eternally sunny climate. Due to the island's history, its inhabitants are perfectly trilingual and speak English, Spanish and the local creole.
As well as its gorgeous beaches, San Andrés has magnificent coral reefs inhabited by hordes of rainbow-coloured fish, which you can observe for yourself by venturing underwater at the natural pool known as Pox Hole. Both snorkelling and scuba diving are available; so the choice is yours. It's also possible to gently and meditatively explore this enchanting scenery by paddleboard. The small islands of Providencia and Santa Catalina, a few tens of kilometres from San Andrés, are unspoilt and practically uninhabited, making them good places for nature lovers to explore. Some might even feel tempted to try making their own version of the TV series Survivor!
My favourite places here are the Hoyo Soplador geyser, Johnny Cay Island, El Acuario and the bay of El Cove – the best place to watch the sunset. With its natural environment and its quiet, peaceful atmosphere, San Andrés is the perfect place to come if you want to enjoy a relaxing time together as a couple or with your family. If you want to visit an island little affected by tourism when you're in Colombia, the Caribbean island of San Andrés could be what you're looking for.
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Christian Córdova
89 travelers' photos
