What You Need To Know
San Andres Travel Guide
Discover the vibrant island of San Andres with my travel guide, your ultimate resource for exploring this Caribbean paradise and planning your dream getaway.
San Andres Unveiled
Your Guide to the Off-the-Beaten-Path Island Escape
Looking at a map you’ll see San Andres is closer to Nicaragua than it is Colombia. There have been decades of historical dispute between the two countries over this land but ultimately based on what I’ve heard, Colombia just has a much larger and more well-equipped military, so Nicaragua has not been able to take it.
I first went to San Andres back in 2015 with my (at the time) family of 4. I did not know it at the time, but it would be our last vacation as a family of 4. I’ve gone back since but honestly, the government just doesn’t put any money into the island, and it shows. The streets appear dirty with abandoned buildings. There are no real luxury hotels or even luxury restaurants, which I enjoy. Even the beach just seems rundown. It’s a shame because the island has so much potential. That said, if you are okay with the underdeveloped and “off the beaten path” vibe, then go for it! The ocean water is absolutely stunning and deserves its nickname: the sea of seven colors.
Vanessa's Insider Tips
My Travel Tips for San Andres
Here are some helpful San Andres travel tips to know before you go:
- When to Go: Dry season is December – April. The other months are rainy season, but the rain is short-lived so you would still get some sunshine even if you went during the off-peak months.
- Where to Stay: I would recommend staying Downtown because that’s where the boardwalk and most of the restaurants are. If you want something more secluded and quiet you can do that, as the island is not at all big so you’ll be able to get around fairly quickly.
- How to Get Around: Most people rent scooters or golf carts to get around. Since I usually stay Downtown, everything is walking distance.
- San Andres Solo Female Travel: One of my first reactions when I went to San Andres most recently was, “Wow there are cops everywhere!” Every few feet on the boardwalk you will see cops patrolling the area. This is one of those places where you can walk around with your phone out and there’s no problem. Having such a heavy police presence makes the island feel super safe. As a solo female traveler, you won’t have any troubles or worries on this island – BUT it does get kind of sketchy late at night away from the boardwalk, so keep that mind.
Discover San Andres
My Recommended Itinerary for San Andres Travel
As I’ve said San Andres is not a big island, so you can see and do a lot in a short amount of time. However, I’m someone who loves the beach and needs several days for it! Especially since there’s such beautiful water here, you should definitely make sure you do enough sightseeing and beach time! Here’s what I recommend for San Andres:
Boat Tour:
The two main things to see by boat are el acuario and Johnny Cay. El acuario (aquarium in English) is a tiny island and is given its name because it’s an open-air aquarium filled with fish everywhere! El acuario is a sand bar so the water only goes up waist deep. The clear water and seeing the fish are fun, but it can be overwhelming because the island is tiny and there’s nowhere to put your stuff unless you pay for a locker. Johnny Cay is another island that is known for its beach. It’s much bigger than el acuario and has more facilities. I enjoyed visiting just both of these places and it was enough for me. There are tour options that are longer and take you to other places to check out for snorkeling, but el acuario and Johnny Cay are the main sights.
Island Tour:
As I’ve said, most people either rent a scooter or golf cart to get around. Driving around the entire island and making various stops is a top attraction! Personally, I didn’t feel comfortable driving either, so I opted to hire a guide to drive the gold cart for us. If doing it independently, make sure you stop at the various secluded beaches, as well as: West Point (mini water park with cliff jumping), Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispana (learn about some island history but also the church offers a beautiful view of the island), Hoyo Soplador (blow hole – be careful, while they don’t charge entrance you do have to consume an expensive drink to pass through), and Calle de las Palmeras (after you pass the blow hole stop, at the southern tip of the island there’s a street lined with palm trees where everyone stops for pics).
Spratt Bright Beach:
This is the main beach located near the Downtown area. I recommend laying out on the side closer to the airport, because there are a lot of hotels there so it’s actually less crowded, whereas the other side furthest from the airport doesn’t have hotels, so it’s mostly the public but it’s so so crowded!
El malecon:
Every night this is where everyone goes – the boardwalk. It’s where the majority of restaurants are and there are some cute shops. The boardwalk isn’t long at all, from end to end it’s about a 30-minute walk! Take a stroll here day or night – but at night it’s definitely more lively with vendors and music blasting!
Flavors of Colombia
My Recommended Food in San Andres
There weren’t a lot of restaurants on the island that appealed to me. However, the places that I have eaten at, I have enjoyed. Here are some places I recommend to eat in San Andres:
Café Cafe:
Cute restaurant with outdoor seating at the end of the boardwalk furthest from the airport.
La Barcarola:
I’m not sure what the deal is, but this is a series of like 4 different restaurants but regardless of where you sit, you can order from any of their 4 menus. La Barcarola is the Italian restaurant, and I really enjoyed their food, but as I’ve said there are 3 other cuisines you can choose from. Also, this was one of the prettiest and fanciest restaurants on the island!
Sea Watch Café:
Get the French toast and bacon – wow! I judge a place 100% by how crispy their bacon is and this place exceeded my expectations.
Criminal Taqueria:
This is a chain also found in Medellin. When I saw it, I got so excited because this place serves some really delicious Mexican food! The highlight for me is their jalapeno jam – ask for some of it on the side because it’s so so good!
La Regatta:
I tried to get a reservation here, but they were fully booked for a week out! I heard from many people this was one of the best restaurants on the island. Although I was unable to go, add it to your list and book in advance!
