San Andres Travel Guide
Plan your trip to San Andres, Colombia's Caribbean island with turquoise water, coral reefs, and a unique Raizal culture.
San Andres is Colombia’s most surprising destination - a Caribbean island that sits closer to Nicaragua than to the South American mainland and has a culture shaped by English-speaking Raizal people, reggae music, and centuries of seafaring. The sea here is astonishing: seven shades of blue and green that stack toward the horizon, with visibility so clear you can see the coral from the surface. It is also one of Colombia’s most affordable Caribbean destinations for domestic travellers, which means high season (December to January and July) gets genuinely crowded.
Getting to San Andres
Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport (ADZ) receives flights from Bogota (approximately 1 hour 40 minutes), Medellin, Cali, Cartagena, and Barranquilla. Avianca and LATAM operate most routes. Flight prices from Bogota range from approximately COP 200,000 to 500,000 each way as of 2026 depending on how far in advance you book. The airport is at the south of the island; taxis to El Centro (the main town) cost approximately COP 15,000 to 25,000 as of 2026.
Colombian nationals must purchase a Tarjeta de Turismo at the airport (approximately COP 113,000 as of 2026).
What to Do in San Andres
Diving and snorkelling in the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve is the island’s primary draw. The reef system around San Andres includes dramatic wall dives, coral gardens, nurse sharks, eagle rays, and consistent turtle sightings. Blue Life Dive Centre and Caribbean Divers both have English-speaking instructors. A two-tank dive costs approximately USD 80 to 100 as of 2026. Non-divers get excellent snorkelling from the shore at La Piscinita (El Acuario) at the island’s northern tip.
Haynes Cay and Acuario are small cays offshore reached by lancha (water taxi) from Morgan’s Beach - approximately COP 25,000 round trip as of 2026. The snorkelling at Acuario is some of the best shallow-water snorkelling in the Caribbean. Go in the morning before the crowds arrive.
Cycling the island on the circumferential road (approximately 30 km) is the best way to understand San Andres at your own pace. Bikes rent for approximately COP 30,000 to 50,000 per day as of 2026 from multiple outlets near the beach. The west coast is flatter; the east coast has a few hills and better views.
El Cove is a small bay at the island’s southwest with calm water and far fewer people than the main beaches. A good afternoon escape when the town gets too busy.
Museo Casa Isleña gives context to Raizal culture - the indigenous Afro-Caribbean community of San Andres. Small but worthwhile; entry approximately COP 5,000 as of 2026.
Johnny Cay is a tiny cay reachable by lancha (approximately COP 25,000 round trip as of 2026) with pink sand and calm water. The party atmosphere on weekends is not for everyone, but weekday mornings are peaceful.
Where to Stay in San Andres
Decameron San Luis - an all-inclusive resort on the quieter east coast, approximately 10 minutes from the centre. Rates from approximately USD 180 per person per night as of 2026, including meals and most activities. The beach is good and the reef directly offshore is snorkellable from the shore.
Hotel Sunrise Beach - a mid-range option on the main beach strip with sea-view rooms and a pool. Rates from approximately USD 90 per night as of 2026. Central location and straightforward service.
Casa Harb - a guesthouse in the residential area with clean rooms, a kitchen, and hosts who know the island deeply. Rates from approximately USD 50 per night as of 2026. Best for independent travellers who want to cook occasionally and avoid resort pricing.
Budget option: Posada Nativa Sunrise - family-run with simple rooms from approximately COP 120,000 per night as of 2026.
Where to Eat in San Andres
La Regatta on the waterfront serves the best seafood on the island - whole snapper, coconut shrimp, and the local specialty, rondón (a thick seafood and coconut milk stew). Budget approximately COP 50,000 to 80,000 per person as of 2026.
El Paraíso is a locally loved open-air seafood restaurant near the airport with generous portions at lower prices. Budget approximately COP 30,000 to 50,000 per person as of 2026.
Crabby’s Watersports & Bar is the unofficial afternoon social hub - cold Águila beer, ceviche, and views over the sea. Casual snacks for approximately COP 20,000 to 35,000 as of 2026.
Planning Your Time
Three nights is the sweet spot for San Andres - enough for a day of diving, a lancha excursion to the cays, and a cycle around the island. For those who want more reef time, book a day trip to Providencia - the neighbouring island with even calmer waters and almost no mass tourism.