San Andrés is a Colombian island in the western Caribbean, seven hundred and fifty kilometres from mainland Colombia and two hundred and thirty kilometres east of Nicaragua. It covers twenty-six square kilometres and can be circled in two hours by golf cart. Its reputation rests on something the brochures do not exaggerate: sandbars and reefs cut the water into bands of blue so distinct that it is called the sea of seven colours.
The essentials in four lines
- No direct flight from Quebec: connect through Bogotá, Medellín or Cartagena to San Andrés (ADZ).
- A tourist card, bought with the airfare, is required to enter the island, in addition to a passport.
- Colombia is on the same time as Montreal in winter and one hour behind in summer. Colombian peso.
- December to April is the dry season. The island is inside the hurricane belt: cyclone season runs June to November.
The Seaflower reserve
The archipelago sits at the centre of a biosphere reserve recognised by UNESCO in 2000, one of the largest marine reserves in the world. The third largest reef system on the planet runs alongside the island, which explains the clarity of the water and the richness of the reefs.
In practice: put on a mask almost anywhere and something happens. The west-coast reefs are reached from shore at La Piscinita and West View, where a platform and a slide drop you straight among reef fish long used to swimmers.
The island, area by area
North End
The town, in the north, with Spratt Bight beach, a pedestrian promenade, the duty-free shops and most of the hotels. The island has been a free port since 1953, which explains the density of electronics and perfume shops, used mainly by mainland Colombians.
San Luis
On the east coast, a far quieter area, with wooden Creole houses on stilts, narrow beaches and very clear water. The choice for anyone who wants the sea without the activity.
La Loma
The central hill, home to the Raizal community, descended from English settlers and African populations brought as slaves. Its first Baptist church, built in 1847, overlooks the island. An English-based creole is spoken here alongside Spanish.
The cays
Johnny Cay, ten minutes by boat from Spratt Bight, is an islet of sand and coconut palms designated a regional park in its entirety: beach, music and coconuts prepared on the spot. Very busy in the middle of the day.
Right beside it, El Acuario and Haynes Cay form a shallow bank where you stand in waist-deep water hundreds of metres offshore, among stingrays used to people.
At the south end of the island, the Hoyo Soplador is a natural blowhole in the coral rock: when swell and wind align, water shoots up several metres.
Providencia
Ninety kilometres north, the sister island is reached by a twenty-minute light aircraft flight or a three-hour catamaran. It is more mountainous, far less built up and edged by an exceptional reef. The hurricane of November 2020 hit it hard; reconstruction was carried out and the island reopened, but check the state of services before planning several nights there.
All-inclusive in San Andrés
The format is well established, driven mainly by a Latin American operator running several properties on the island across categories and price points. It is one of the most affordable all-inclusive destinations in the Caribbean, provided you accept the flying time and the connections.
The rest of the supply consists of posadas, the Creole guest houses, and small hotels sold without meals, mostly at San Luis and La Loma. Our criteria for choosing an all-inclusive hotel and our file on affordable all-inclusive resorts help place the differences.
When to go
From December to April the trade winds blow, the air holds around 29 °C and rain is rare. That is the best period and the Colombian high season.
From October to December the rain is heaviest. The island lies inside the hurricane belt and the season runs June to November: watch the forecasts if you travel in autumn. Our guide on when to travel south from Montreal sets out the pricing calendar.
To plan this trip, see also our Colombie page, Carthagène and resorts that suit families.
