The Ultimate 10 Day Egypt Itinerary For 2023, Rosario Islands Colombia Plan an Epic Cartagena Day Trip in 2023. However being a popular holiday island in the middle of nowhere, prices can be a bit more expensive compared to what youre used to on the mainland. Therefore, wear shoes to bathe in the sea and thus avoid a bad experience. Update November 2021 | Providencia was devastated by a Category 5 hurricane in November 2020, with many residents homes and businesses destroyed alongside infrastructure. San Andres over time has received different cultures such as English and French, so it should not be strange to hear the San Andrs speaking in English or French, in fact, the language that many speak is Creole, which is a mixture of Elizabethan English, Spanish and African expressions. The island of San Andres has a paved road encircling it, and it's just 19 miles to go around the little island. In fact, the main reason why many travelers venture to this spot is to explore the underwater world or to get their scuba diving license. Avianca is seen as a budget airline . This unofficial photo spot is known as the "Calle de las Palmeras", or Palm Tree Road. There is a large hospital, consulates of various countries, multiple police offices and enough ATMs so that you dont need to worry about taking cash with you. This island is one of the most touristic places in the country, so finding a place to stay in San Andres is very easy, there are different options and prices. They brought African slaves to the island to work on the land, most of whom had been lumbering in Jamaica beforehand. Be careful with the neighborhoods you choose, in this area some lodges are close to suburbs and can be dangerous; in my case I stayed in the Gaviotas neighborhood, and in terms of security it was fine. Required fields are marked *. Restaurants, bars, and shopping are a short walk from the beach. The apartments have a kitchen, private bathroom, television and air conditioning. And, this beautiful natural gem is exactly that! One thing to know is that this can be a very popular spot! Contact us now for the listing of your sailboat service. Ticket prices are usually in the 280,000 - 310,400 COP range (64 - 71 / $82 - $91) , but last minute bookings the night before may find a ticket for 250,000 CO (57 / $73). The island is small and would take only around an hour to circle if you werent to make any stops when renting a buggy on San Andres. However, availability is limited due to each plane only being able to carry around 20 passengers. The only way to get there from Colombia is by flight since it is just too far away for any ferry to sail it. Cartagena: An unmissable colonial walled city three hours drive from Santa Marta this is the tourist jewel of the Caribbean coast and for good reason. While on low breeze days, activities such as parasail are not available. Tagged: providencia, san andres and providencia, san andres, colombia. The history of San Andres island includes some visitors with some famous names including Christoper Colombus and Henry Morgan. 1. Let's say you want to take a 3-day, 2-night trip from Medellin. This means that you can add a beautiful coral reef island to your Colombia travel itinerary! How To Get From San Andres to Providencia | Flights + Ferry Options, San Andres Island | 13 Things To Know Before You Visit, A Guide to Mindo | Ecuador's Town in the Clouds, 13 Things To Know Before You Visit San Andres, A Definitive Guide to Providencia | The Colombian Island Paradise, The Best Things To Do in San Andres | Colombia's Caribbean Getaway, The Best Hostels in San Andres For Travellers. I could eat them with chipotle every day! I hope you've enjoyed this comprehensive travel guide featuring the 25 best things to do in San Andres, Colombia! Next time, I'd pay for one of the private rooms. An adult one-way ticket costs $215,000 COP (49 / $63 ), with a return ticket priced at $395,000 (90 / $116). Visit San Andrs Colombia is enjoy the beautiful beaches. Since you're at the beach, there's no shortage of options for ice cream. If you check it out on Google Maps, you'll see that the island of San Andres (Isla San Andrs in Spanish) is actually quite far from the Colombian mainland and geographically much closer to Nicaragua! San Andres is a great place to chill for a few days and experience a different side of the Caribbean. At the El Hoyo Soplador blowhole, you'll also find some small rasta cafes and even a large restaurant. Which city is the best departure point? The Nativa Miss Zelzel Place Inn is located 6 minutes walk from the beach in the Sarie Bay neighborhood. Therefore, this is probably one of the best spots to hang out and still enjoy some facilities like restaurants and local supermarkets. There's even a large water slide and the onsite bar sells beers and snacks. Clis Place Posada Nativa is located just 5 minutes walk from Spratt Bight beach on Avenue 20 De Julio # 3-47. Perhaps one of the funnest and most exciting adventure activities on San Andres Island is to go parasailing! San Andres is quite a small island but there are loads of accommodation options available. Alternatively, for more organized tours check Viator here. Click to reveal Beaches that are located around the island; You have to pay an entrance fee of $ 3,000 COP, they are perfect beaches for snorkeling, they also have a trampoline and slide. What makes it great for shopping! However, our fears subsided a little when we saw that the boat was pretty modern and the whole operation seemed quite slick - a stark contrast to a number of other boat crossings and journeys we've taken in Latin America (i.e. The Internet Connection Is Not Reliable 8. The second is known as Providencia Island and is apparently even more pristine than San Andres! While Spratt Bight is the most popular beach on the island, it's still worth visiting. This island is slightly smaller but has a world-renowned dive site on its attached Santa Catalina island. When I took my solo trip in 2015, I stayed in a dorm room at Viajero San Andres Hostel because of its convenient location at the island's north end and low cost. On one of the highest points on the island, you'll find the Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispana the first Baptist Church. Expect to pay $4 to $5 per cocktail. The owners are super friendly and the rooms are clean and comfortable. In February 2015, while still living in Medellin, I finally went to San Andres for myself and thought it similar to Cancun, Mexico, for many reasons: But please, don't let this comparison scare you off. The shallow coral waters surrounding San Andres Island is nicknamed the Mar de 7 Colores, translating to the Sea of 7 Colors. I paid about $4 for agua de coco (coconut water) with rum. The island of San Andres is located 775 kilometers off the Colombian coast to the northwest. Where is that located? 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Youll need to dress up and spend more than elsewhere, but the food and views are worth it. What a mistake! As it is an island the arrival to this place is only by air, so to get to San Andres the best way is to take a flight to the island which has an airport ten minutes away from the city center. The best way to get around comfortably and inexpensively is to rent a golf cart. First up is a quick travel guide on how to get here, followed by an awesome list of the best things to do in San Andres, Colombia! The native people are called Raizal people and are descendants from the Afro-Caribbean people. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Travelling to San Andrs | SanAndres-Colombia.com Rome2Rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. It costs about $10 to $20 depending on the provider. Please note that some links on our blog are affiliate links. The only way to get there from Colombia is by flight since it is just too far away for any ferry to sail it. Johnny Cay is a tiny island, a short boat ride north of San Andres island. All domestic direct flights are under 2.5 hours and fly directly to Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport (ADZ) on the island. Im really glad I went to San Andres as its a destination off the beaten path and its gorgeous! This blowhole sprays water up in the air to the delight of all around it. On top of raising kids and a cat. In my opinion, the west coast has the most tranquil waters, especially when the prominent easterly winds blow. This isn't very clear, but your airline is responsible for selling this tourist card to you. Both these islands are tropical and picturesque like they were taken straight from a travel magazine! It's covered with coconut groves and surrounded by a lovely white-sand S San Luis Most parasailing activities run on the east coast. Dave is the Founder and Editor in Chief of Go Backpacking and Feastio. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7e24d0967d519cfb Hence why the best way to get around the island is to rent a buggy or scooter. It's worth noting right at the beginning however that, due to limited capacity and high season demand, both the ferries and flights can and do sell out. Website: www.posadanativamisszelzelplace.com. We are Magic Tour Colombia, a local company with more than 16 years of experience. From $19 US per night for dorm beds. La Piscinita translates literally to "the little pool". Make sure to visit the small local towns of San Luis and La Loma. This section should answer all your questions about traveling on San Andres! Here, a handful of locals put on a little show. This activity allows you to live that experience while you are hanging on a parachute. An important recommendation is not to get them out of the water; We must be more aware of the type of tourism we do. Any other information is greatly appreciated. By far, the easiest way to get to San Andres Island is to fly. "Creole" Native Dialect In San Andres What language do the locals speak? Unfortunately, I hadn't planned everything out ahead of time. You can find and book tickets online on the Concemos Navegando website. You could stay a few more nights, and the average daily price would decrease. However, if you want to take an iconic vacation flick, head down to the I Love San Andres Sign (Letras I Love Sai), which you'll find on the palm-lined southwest coast. We visited during a popular time and there was a long line of Colombian tourists waiting for their turn to stand above the hole. This is perfect since it offers the best views of the Sea of 7 Colors! Please ask in the comments below! This is due to the many sand spits, deep sections, and patches of coral reefs. From the shore, you'll also get an awesome view of Johnny Cay. Find all the transport options for your trip from Cartagena to San Andrs right here. Our local travel specialists have been recommended by. Due to the fact that its a Colombian territory in Costa Rican and Nicaraguan waters, San Andres is a duty-free zone. If you prefer the privacy and comfort of a hotel or B&B, try searching CozyCozy, an aggregator of various accommodations. The best deals for plane tickets are probably those of Avianca or Copa Airlines. Routes that leave from EOH to the island backtrack with a layover in Bogot before continuing on to ADZ. The most authentic town on the island is definitely La Loma. Accommodation is one of the principal topics to know before Visit San Andrs Colombia. Its one of two churches I know of (another in Ecuador) that you can actually climb on. If youre looking for something a bit different, San Andres offers a lot of boat cruises. If you do really struggle with seasickness, then take the plane. Beautiful streets of colourful colonial architecture, tree-lined plazas, a Caribbean vibe mixed with Colombian sophistication, great restaurants, chic coffee shops, pumping nightlife and the white sands of Playa Blanca just a boat ride away! Its a nice way to interact with the locals and eat homemade arepas, which I personally adored. Before you go, make sure to pack appropriately. Public transportation in San Andres is similar to US public transportation, which is very bad, unreliable and barely existent. It wasn't until I arrived in San Andres that I got a handle on the ferry and flight schedules. It is one of the islands that make up the Archipelago of San Andrs, Providencia and Santa Catalina, being the only island department in the country. Rome2Rio makes travelling from Cartagena to San Andrs easy. I strive to capture images that tell a story and captivate those with a connection to travel and adventure. It lasts 15 to 20 minutes, although at first it seems a short time, believe me that it is more than enough. Given all the variables, putting a specific price on a trip is hard, but I'll give it a shot. If you're a bit worried about scuba, then this is a unique and fun new way to try underwater immersion. And you will not only love its particular blue of the sea water but you will find reptiles and colored crabs on the small island. However, I can confirm that you do need to purchase this card at your airport of departure. Appropriately named, this rocky outcrop is not more than 10 meters long and harbors just a few palm trees. The seawater around San Andres is warm and clear and full of tropical critters all year round, and so naturally, one of the main activities on the island is scuba diving and snorkelling! San Andrs is also part of an archipelago, which consists of two other Caribbean pearls named Providencia and Santa Catalina. Modern clean apartments with everything you need (fridge, TV, kitchen, WIFI, comfortable bed, balcony) are perfect for families or couples. Explore San Andrs More in San Andrs Top Attractions J Johnny Cay Natural Regional Park This protected 4-hectare coral islet sits about 1.5km north of San Andrs Town. The average temperature is relatively steady throughout the year, ranging from a high of 85 F to a low of 78 F. San Andres (airport code: ADZ) is easily accessible from all major Colombian cities, including: Copa Airlines flies direct from Panama City (1 hr 13 min), a significant hub in Latin America. If not, then a travel agent on mainland Colombia or in San Andres is one option - or you could go straight to their office by San Andres Airport to book directly. Most Colombians will never travel internationally, so an opportunity to see such pretty waters in their country is a legit cause for excitement. You'll find this iconic road between the El Hoyo Soplador (the blowhole) and El Mateo Beach. There are often many tour guides sitting here who offer kayak trips down the mangroves. Theres also a lovely terrace with a sea view where you can grab a cocktail and watch the sunset. San Andres is one of the most touristic islands of the Colombian territory. A small exhibition features a collection of old guns and swords. I had to pay an entrance fee of 2,000 Colombian pesos to enter which was well worth it! I still recommend taking common-sense precautions to protect your belongings against theft at night. The San Andres to Providencia boat lets passengers take on quite a bit more weight than the plane, which is one potential advantage if you plan on staying on Providencia for more than just a few days. If you want to save time, you can reserve a moped or a hire golf cart online in advance with Viator, which includes drop-off at your hotel. It is surrounded by small islands that you can easily visit and each one has its charm. Find out how to get here and discover the best things to do, the best places to visit, where to stay, and how to get around this awesome Caribbean island! Maybe in the future the sailcharters will sail again to San Andrs. You can also enjoy a fresh open-air swimming pool, electricity service and tent and mattress rental. I was given a corner table (above), which I loved. Last but certainly not least, the ubiquitous beach bars offer visitors freshly made tropical cocktails. One of the few centrally located luxury properties in San Andres. The sand is pure white and the water is Caribbean green/blue. HOW TO GET TO SAN ANDRES? For dessert, I went with a decadent coconut pie. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We're sorry to use advertising on our website. As the main financial activity of the island of San Andres is tourism, an entrance card is charged to enter the island, which will cost $109,000 until 2018. In fact before the start I was a little worried, but it wor", Traveled to Colombia as a couple in May, 2023, "Wonderful vacation in Colombia! If you're looking for white-sand beaches, crystal clear water, abundant sea life, and healthy coral reefs, then you'll want to check out this small island duo. While most of the boat trips and island hopping adventures on San Andres are small motorized vessels, there is one particular trip onboard an awesome catamaran that makes the experience much more fun. I forget the backstory. The only way to access the island of Providencia is via the island of San Andres via two options: the ferry or the flight. If you enjoy beautiful beachesvisit tayrona park. You'll find direct flights to San Andres Island from most major cities in Colombia, including Cartagena, Medelln, and Bogot. Happy to discuss further details. In. Tip: You can also find direct flights to San Andres from Panama city. We have one of the best groups of local guides to offer the best adventure in archaeological, ethnic and botanical information. The average temperature is around C 27 Celsius with peeks over 30 degrees in September and October. Christopher Colombus is believed to have first visited the island during his fourth voyage to Latin America somewhere between 1492 and 1500. Fresh lobster was also available. None of the beaches are overcrowded, despite the whole island being no larger than 26 km2. Book: Parasailing Activity over Mar de 7 Colores. Theres a large terrace where you can meet and chat with fellow travellers and watch the iguanas playing in the garden. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window). Your email address will not be published. Unfortunately, there is a tourist entry tax that is called the Tourist Card. It's a beautiful white sand beach with crystal clear waters on the east coast of San Andres town. Sadly, the diving board and pool ladder were removed as a result which doesn't make much sense as West View is still open literally a few hundred meters away! It was totally worth the visit! HeyMondo offers peace of mind travel insurance for Colombia at super affordable rates and has an excellent, easy-to-use app to manage claims. Unfortunately, the terrible storm "Lota", destroyed much of Providencia in 2021, canceling trips up until 2023. On my flight, several tourists didn't seem to be aware of the tax, which held up boarding. Although their website looks like it hasn't been updated since 1995, San German tends to offer cheaper flights from San Andres to Providencia than Satena, with singles frequently at $250,000 COP and some returns for under 500,000 COP (114 / $147) . San Andres is the largest island of a 22-square-mile archipelago located 480 miles north of the Colombian mainland. Our guide showed us around the pond and explained all of the different plants and vegetables they grow there (including a suspicious green weed). #TipsDeDaya Viajera colombiana con una alcanca de aventuras donde podrs descubrir rincones de Colombia y el mundo. With hammocks, couches, cool community spaces, the vibe of the place is friendly and social. Due to these limited departures and fixed passenger numbers (approx. Travelling to San Andrs Colombia. Hope to hear more about the feasibility of this option through this site. He's been to 66 countries and lived in Colombia and Peru. Another interesting attraction on the beautiful island of San Andres is its protected mangrove reserve. There are two main options for booking your flight to Providencia in advance: This government owned airline offers 2-4 daily flights from San Andres to Providencia depending on the season, with two standard daily flight times at 07.20 and 15.55. Skip breakfast (personal preference, but if we think we might get seasick, we prefer empty stomachs). In Viva Air and Wingo you find flights starting at $ 100,000 COP for flight path, if you buy them with certain months in advance. Since I would only have two days and nights in Providencia, I justified the flights as affording me more time on the island. All in all, a great budget choice! I paid $13 for a lunch of fried red snapper with rice, fried plantains, and salad. We were able to see all the way out to Johnny Cay and Acuarius, as well as the mangrove forest and beaches running from the north to the south. Medellin: Feeling in need of the buzz of the city after all that lying on the beach? However, apart from shopping, San Andres isnt the cheapest place. However, I must say that people who dislike seafood and cheese may experience some difficulties in San Andres. Extra luggage or additional weight is charged extra, but we don't know the prices or process. The sandy beach facing south toward San Andres is perfect for swimming and lounging in the sun. While its slowly improving and theres no need for disconnecting, dont expect daily Skype calls with your friends as it simply wont happen. I've had some great experiences in Cancun, such as snorkeling with whale sharks, and I also had fun in San Andres. If you're driving up to town from San Luis or Cocoplum Beach, you'll see the entrance on your right. Other significant islands in the department include Providencia and Santa Catalina. Spend a day or a few in Bogota, go to Santa Marta, experience the vibrant city of Medellin, or head to Tayrona National Park near Cartagena. As the planes have such limited capacity, passengers are understandably limited in how much they are allowed to bring. The accomodation on the island depends on your budget and your tastes: If you are not worried about the budget and the first thing you want to see when you wake up is the sea, Spratt Bay (in the center of the island) and the San Luis area (It is far from the tourist area of the island), are the ideal accommodations for you. Snorkelling can be done all year round in various places, though wed recommend a trip to La Piscinita as a top priority! Check available schedules, and arrive on time because they start on time. It worked, too. This reality has led to a long-time dispute between the two nations. Rooms are clean and spacious and you can choose between dorm beds (from $20 US) to a private room (from $50 US). Its a quick 1 hour and 25 minutes. Those travellers who make it as far as Viajero San Andrs will be rewarded with a cool island vibe, sea views, rooftop bar and the chance to meet fellow travellers at one of their many event evenings. The best cruise is a trip to Johnny Cay Isle and El Acuario, a great spot to hang out with exotic fish. In my case, I preferred to rent a mula transport because they are faster and more comfortable than golf carts. Your email address will not be published. There will usually be at least two daily flights to choose from - but this can increase to four or five per day in high season (December - February). (+57) 317 679 2441 - (+57) 310 5024725 - (+57) 314 571 3645. This makes this hidden gem a very unique Colombian travel destination since almost everyone speaks English (and Caribbean Creole). He explained that this was the first shark attack on the island in over 35 years and was likely caused by an anchored cruise ship chumming up the sea nearby. Its a real highlight! If you ask a foodie what to do on San Andres Island, they'll tell you to reserve a table at La Regatta Restaurant. They serve mostly seafood with a steep price tag. This sense of dread was only increased when we were each given a sea-sickness pill at the ferry check-in desk and advised to swallow it promptly - a practice that is actually standard for the crossing! As you have to reach San Andres in order to get to Providencia, your first planning decision is really whether you want to spend more than a single night on the largest and busiest island of the San Andres Archipelago. Your best bet would be to fly from any Colombian airport. Rooms come complete with a flatscreen TV, fridge and balcony. You can book this sailing trip in advance on Viator but make sure to get in early as it's only a small-group trip that is capped to 8 passengers. The team in Cartagena was excellent and made our", "David was responsive and helped us craft a tour that was personalized for our interests. Margoth made every effort to understand what we were looking for and did an amazing job planning out the itinerary in deta", Traveled to Colombia as a family in May, 2023, "We had such a wonderful trip to Colombia thanks to David and his team. The catamaran leaves Providencia at 14.30 on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, with passengers required to be at the port office for 13.30 (Google Maps). Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger. The museum costs around 15,000 PHP to enter ($5 US) and it makes for a fun day out, especially if you have kids. Feel lucky to have the opportunity to swim with manta rays. We ended up scoring flights for less than $30 USD each way (that's under $60 for a return flight). Getting to Providencia and Santa Catalina. The San Andres Island Botanical Gardens, 18. This government owned airline offers 2-4 daily flights from San Andres to Providencia depending on the season, with two standard daily flight times at 07.20 and 15.55. It was nice to get out of the north end for a day. By then, it only made sense to spend two nights in Providencia, so I splurged on the island's only boutique hotel to compensate. You have successfully joined our subscriber list. The entrance fee is 7,000 COP for Colombian nationals and 10,000 for foreigners. One of the best beaches on the island is located in San Luis on the east coast of the island. So, for finding and booking flights to Providencia, we recommend focussing only on Satena and San German. The entrance fee to the Laguna Big Pond is 5,000, which includes a local guide. you find flights starting at $ 100,000 COP for flight path, if you buy them with certain months in advance. San Andres is a great place to visit all year round! The island is located near the equator and has only two seasons; a wet and dry one. It is located in the center of the island and the boats leave for tours of the nearby islands and keys. Read the full story of how he became a travel blogger. If you offer such kind of service we would like to list your ship services for free on our website. Copyright 2019 - Colombiatouristattractions.com - Bogot, Colombia, Uramba Bahia Malaga National Natural Park. This gives sight from the beach a stunning tropical and yet shady view. This is a very small hole located on the southern shores and is usually quite a popular place to visit. On San Andres Island, you'll notice that the East Coast is full of white sand beaches while the west side of the island is mostly rocky. Avoid going in rainy seasons and the days of the tide are high, they probably close the keys. Inside the gardens, you'll get an opportunity to learn all about native Caribbean plant species and walk up to the viewpoint which offers a great panoramic view of the island. Soak in everything that San Andrs & Providencia has to offer on this 6-day itinerary, offering a perfect mix combination of hiking, diving, and relaxing activities paced for a slow island way of life. Some of my photos are from my first trip to San Andres before I became a professional photographer. The islanders who are guides, especially in informal tourism, usually give the information halfway. As a result, you can actually drive around the whole island in under an hour! Coming up next, you will find everything you need to know before traveling, Nowadays it is easy to find flights to this destination, since low-cost airlines have direct flights from several cities in Colombia. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked.