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The Beauty of San Andrés
My very first solo trip was to San Andres in 2013. At that time my ideal trip was somewhere on an island with a tropical drink with a mini umbrella in my hand looking out into the ocean. That was it, from there I had to look at which island I wanted to visit.
Did a mini-search online and my mother mentioned San Andres, since my background is from the mainland I thought “Sure!” This was my very 1st Caribbean trip to an island known as the “Sea of Seven Colors.”
San Andres has been the go-to spot for mainland Colombians for decades only in the past 10 – 15 years have foreigners looking into this paradise. Unlike the rest of Colombia, San Andres was first settled by English colonizers who brought salves to the island so there is that distinct Afro-Caribbean culture and flavor which is evident in the music, food and lifestyle.
Nearly all the Afro-Colombians from the island are fluent in English and Spanish….so it’s a big welcome for English speakers.
Is it safe to visit San Andres?
Yes, it’s mostly safe to visit. Just as with any spot in the world crime does exist however you can lessen your chances of petty crime by using common sense.
Best Things to Do in San Andres:
Enjoy the beach!!! You came here for a reason so pick any beach slather on the sunscreen and enjoy the scenery.
Visit Johnny Cay – it’s a mini-island and a must-see on your list. The only way to get there is by boat and it runs about COP$10,000/30,000 (less than $10 USD) depending on the season.
Try a Coco Loco – a word of caution here this cocktail is made with rum, tequila, vodka, lime juice, coconut cream, coconut water and ice. I had two and I was already feeling it because my guy did heavy pours.
Go spend a day at Rocky Cay, I remember in 2013 I was able to walk from the shore to Rocky Cay in waist-high water….absolutely stunning.
Try some snorkeling or scuba (if you’re already scuba certified) best spot may be Rocky Cay Beach.
Visit Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispana, the Islands 1st Baptist Church (1844)
Enjoy the local food, whatever you do the freshly caught fish is amazing and so was the chicken.
Visit Isla de Providencia, it’s a smaller island with fewer people and amenities. It takes about 4 hours by ferry to get there or 20 minutes on a small plane. Since there’s effort involved to get to this place spend at least 3 nights on this beautiful getaway’s getaway.
The main thing to do in San Andres is to dig your toes in the sand and treat yourself to island life and take it easy. You’re on island time so just relax.
Where to stay on the island?
I wanted to stay far away from the larger hotels, I was seeking peace and quiet and found it at the San Luis Village Beach House right on the sand! They have the best beach on the island hands down and in my opinion the bartender made the best Coco Loco’s. However they reviews are a mixed bag. For me it’s all about location, the bed was comfortable enough so I can sleep. I will say their food wasn’t great so I simply had breakfast at the hotel but for a quick bite I visited a mini-market across the street.
I highly recommend using HostelWorld.com to find the hostel that’s right for you. To stay on budget some of the best accommodation in San Andres will be hostels. Best part is that HostelWorld.com has loads of hostels with solid reviews, all offering private along with 10, 8 and 6 bed dorms for as little as €10 a night (depending on the season).
Hot Tip: Don’t forget to read my post Staying In A Hostel | What You Need To Know
How do I get around the Island:
The short answer is to rent a buggy or golf cart. As my first solo trip, I didn’t plan this part whatsoever. Taxis are VERY expensive, they’re about $15 USD which is nuts. I wanted peace and quiet so I only ventured out one night and that was via taxi. Next time I visit I’m renting a golf cart.
Renting a buggy is not at all hard, you can find rentals all over the center of the island. You will notice that the quality will vary from buggy to buggy, if it looks like crap then don’t expect the best service. You do have options! Typically you rent the buggy from 8 am to 6 pm allowing you to explore the WHOLE island in one day.
The trick to renting a buggy is to haggle! There is no fixed price and Colombians are notorious for haggling so don’t be afraid. When I was on the island there were two prices, the Colombian price and the foreigner price. I’m bi-lingual so I was able to wiggle my way around. You can find one buggy at 150,000 pesos while the guy across the street is offering his buggy at 250,000 pesos.
Renting a buggy is done in cash to bring plenty of pesos and you will pay for a deposit (100,000 pesos) and the gas is about 10,000 to 20,000 pesos
Best time to visit:
March, and especially April, the water is so blue I remember being chest high and I can still see all 10 toes clearly. Their high season is December, January, June, and July so expect airfare and accommodations to be higher.
Final Impression of San Andres:
I absolutely loved it! San Andres really does have some of the most beautiful beaches however you will notice that the Island is still underdeveloped. I plan to visit next time and will probably stay further away from downtown and I’ll be renting a golf cart to get around the island.
