How to arrive in San Andres
âď¸ Popular Airlines: Latam, Avianca, Viva Colombia
From Medellin
From BogotĂĄ
From Cartagena
Requirements to travel to San Andres
To enter the island, it's necessary to pay an entry fee of $130,175 COP - $32.79 USD (02.12.2021). It is a tourism tax that is intended to improve the island's infrastructure and social projects. This fee is paid at the airline's departure counter, a few things to keep in mind:
My airline accepted card as a form of payment but charged a higher amount but that isn't always the case for all airlines, so I recommend paying the fee in cash.
You cannot board the flight if you have not paid the fee so make sure you arrive at the gate with enough time left over to get in line to buy it, remember that everyone else on the flight needs to buy it as well so there will be 2 long lines, one to buy the entry and one to board the plane. Better safe than sorry.
Have your address and reservation for where you're going to be staying at hand because the island authorities are going to ask for it, as well as proof of a return flight, make sure everything adds up and you don't raise any suspicion of overstaying.
Bring a pen because after paying the fee you will have to fill this out:
This needs to be given to the immigration officer at the San Andres Airport once you arrive and you will need it when you depart the island as well so...
KEEP IT SAFE.
When is the best time to visit San AndrĂŠs?
The rainy season in San AndrÊs is characterized by small showers that can last a few minutes, as it also happens in other Caribbean islands, so this season will not impede visiting all its attractions and beaches. In October, rainfall increases considerably, but temperatures remain between 26 ° and 29 ° Celsius. Between January and April, rainfall decreases to a great extent and maintains the same temperature patterns between 26° & 29° C.
There's one thing I will say if you dislike crowds stay AWAY from San Andres during the holidays, we visited December 2nd - 5th, and this is what we dealt with.
If there was a tropical storm or the day is particularly windy I would suggest skipping out on tours to the islands or else you might end up dealing with this.. (to get both off AND on the boat.)
Ps. It wasn't a fun thing to experience...
Where to stay in San AndrĂŠs
The cost of accommodation in San Andres is MUCH higher than in other parts of Colombia, the average nightly price is $95 but you can find decent private rooms starting at $30 the night (depending on the dates) but they will be a bit further away from downtown.
My advice is to try and stay as close to downtown unless you're renting a vehicle for the time you'll be there, this is the downtown area:
We stayed at a listing we found in Despegar.com below you can find the information
đ Our Place, Estudio 2 (Check out the other rooms and locations they offer through the link) 1.27 km from downtown
The entry was a bit complicated because the Despegar website didn't give us the correct information and you need a code to enter the property and then a code to access the keys to enter your room. We were able to call the owner and he came over to help us as well so that we could sign some papers, he was very kind and helpful.
The room was clean and visually appealing, the bed was VERY comfortable (probably my favorite part of the room to be honest) they provided sheets and also a thicker blanket which was great since there was A/C. The shower has good pressure and warm water although the shower head was very rusty. The kitchen has a gas stove, a mini-fridge but no microwave. We were able to cook some VERY simple things, but the pots and utensils weren't great so if you plan to do a lot of cooking, I wouldn't recommend this option. Please remember the water in San Andres is NOT potable so we used bottled water cause even if you use it just to swish water in your mouth you can still taste it and it's terrible!
There is a bus stop that is 3 min away walking distance so we constantly used it to go downtown to save some money and you can also take it on the way back home just make sure you're taking the correct bus. The ocean is super close but it's not sandy instead it's rather rocky, you can enjoy some beautiful sunsets though.
This is the view from the bus stop near the accommodation
Since a lot of cheaper/nice accommodations are far from downtown, below you can find...
How to move around in San AndrĂŠs
Rent a bike: Electric bicycles at a good price $30,000 COP - $7.49 USD per day or $5,000 COP - $1.25 USD per hour with Mr. Jorge đ 3186491194
Scooter, Golf Cart, or Buggy: This option is a bit more expensive, but it is the option that will provide you with the most freedom. Prices for these options vary according to who you rent for but an estimate on the lower side is: Scooter: $70,000 COP - $17.47 USD Golf Cart: $90,000 COP - $22.46 USD 4-seater Buggy: $120,000 COP - $30 USD (From 9 am to 6 pm) Remember to make a video and take photos before renting to check the status and that they do not charge you for damages that are not yours when you return it. If you don't know where to rent, there are several stores scattered around the main town of San AndrĂŠs. A large one is in front of Juan Valdez on the beach. You can also rent by clicking here... (The prices are more expensive)
Public Buses: For the most adventurous travelers or those on a bit of a budget there is a network of buses that connect the inhabited centers and the most important places on the island for only $3000 COP - $1 USD. They're supposed to pass every 5 to 10 minutes but if you're urged, I recommend finding another means of transportation because the buses are sometimes too full, are late or don't stop. You can take the bus to travel to some of the attractions in San Andres. More information here...
Taxis: There are several taxis on the island, not all of them in the best conditions and others that are actually really cool. WARNING... they are not as cheap as they are in other parts of Colombia, expect to pay at least $15,000 to $20,000 COP - $4 to $5 USD even for a short trip but it is definitely one of the most convenient ways to move around. Make sure you have Colombian pesos to pay your driver, not all of them will accept USD.
Important things to see in San Andres
Johnny Cay
This island opens at 8 am and closes at 6 pm but the boat tours start at 9-to-9:30am, the boats hold around 10 - 25 people and some don't have shade so make sure to wear sunscreen because depending on what hat you wear it might fly off. We arrived at a port and waited to be called to get on our boat.
When you arrive on the island youâll be taken to your groupâs table, given some instructions and information and then you'll be able to pre-order lunch for approximately $30,000 COP - $7.49 USD keep in mind they serve food until 11 - 11:30 am and some boats leave at 12:30 pm to head to Acuario* so make sure to keep that in mind, I recommend the food sold in Johnny Cay over the one sold in Acuario. I ordered chicken with rice, plantains, and salad (it was supposed to come with fries but it seems they forgot đ¤Śđťââď¸)
*The day we went the waves were very strong and dangerous so they closed the island while we were there and therefore they were making us leave at 11 am instead of 12:30 am I was very upset because I hadn't gotten my food and was denied any form of a refund, they told me I could get it to go in some foil... I think not. Luckily the lady who sold me the lunch told our guide that he would have to wait for us to eat and THEN we could leave and thankfully he listened to her but eating and having to automatically get on a boat that's going very fast and is constantly bumping up and down isn't great, so I personally recommend going to this island as a full day activity versus just a short stop in your tour.
Acuario and Hans Cay
Acuario sits next to a larger island, Haynes Cay, and was our second stop on our tour, when we went beginning of December Acuario was PACKED I was pretty much always standing next to at least one person, so I recommend walking to Haynes Cay (or more like swim because the water goes up to your waist) but be warned you WILL need water shoes because there are sharp and slippery rocks, you can rent water shoes there for $10,000 COP - $2.50 USD if you didn't bring shoes. You can also rent snorkels for $10,000 COP - $2.50 USD and snorkel around enjoy the aquatic life around the islands. You are also able to rent a locker in Acuario but things have gone missing, so I recommend a waterproof bag to keep your stuff.
After Acuario, we got back on our boat and the next thing on our itinerary was... Manta rays! Which turned out to be some young boys holding the manta ray and swimming around our boat while we just looked at it, wasn't exactly what I was expecting. The next stop was also quite disappointing seeing as we were told we were going to visit some mangrove but all it involved was passing by them on the way back and being told that we used to be able to go in them but that weâre not allowed to anymore.
Hoyo Soplador
Hoya Soplador (the blowhole) is a natural phenomenon located in Punta Sur where you can see water shooting up to 20 meters in the air but be very careful with children, as it can be dangerous if they get too close. If you are buying something, please negotiate prices in advance to avoid advantageous sellers and make sure to visit Restaurant Punta Sur for some good seafood with a nice view of the sea and an amazing place to watch the sunset.
Rocky Cay
Rocky Cay is a beach only about 5-10 minutes driving from downtown, it also has a tiny island which people can walk through about chest-deep water on a sandbar and there is a nearby shipwreck as well as a restaurant, bar stands, and some lockers.
Island House Museum
At Island House Museum you can learn about art and Caribbean culture, you will see the typical architecture and customs of the island as it is a replica of the traditional island homes. They also have a restaurant so you can explore the typical gastronomy of the region and at the end of the tour, you can share the stage with dancers who will teach you their traditional dances.
Morgan's Cave
Located on km 8 of the Avenida Circunvalar, on the way to La Loma, you can discover the pirateâs treasure and immerse yourself in the legends of the past. It is the most famous legend of the island, whose cave arouses the interest of tourists from all over. Morgan was an English pirate who kept treasures in this cave. To this day, some believe that deep within the cave lie all the pirate's wealth. The cave consists of a ring of coral rock that enters the seawater where there a large cracks and tunnels that hold a large variety of stalactites and stalagmites it is 35 meters wide and 200 meters long. There are five thematic stations that comprise the Morganâs Cave complex: The Pirate Museum, Pirate Boat, Museum of Coconut, Museum of Island Art, and, of course, Morganâs Cave.
West View and Piscinita
West View and La Piscinita are deep natural pools that are crystalline in which you can visualize everything from corals to the marine animals that inhabit it, ideal for snorkeling. You can access the pools by stairs, a diving board, and a slide. In addition, in both places, you will find restaurants to enjoy lunch and good cocktails. Entry is $5,000 COP - $1.25 USD
JardĂn BotĂĄnico
This garden belongs to the National University of Colombia, it has a 12-meter-high viewpoint, with 360-degree views, from where you can see a large part of the island's forest and the Caribbean Sea. In this viewpoint, there are also thematic murals that show what San AndrĂŠs is like, its flora and fauna, from the bottom of the sea to the clouds. Through the trail, specialized guides show the visitors all the curiosities of the flora and explain the natural characteristics of San AndrĂŠs and its surroundings. The Botanical Gardens contain a nursery, a laboratory, herbarium for research of local flora, a butterfly collection and other insects, a collection of fossils of corals from the island, and a series of marine aquariums where you can appreciate small ecosystems of mangroves, coral reefs, marine grasslands, and algae. To enter the Botanical Gardens during visiting hours is reasonable. Entrance fees vary from $7.000 COP - $1.75 USD for Colombian nationals to $10.000 COP - $2.50 USD for foreigners.
Final Tips/Facts
WEAR WATER SHOES if you listen to this advice your trip will be much more pleasant, either bring some or buy some but you'll definitely need them, trust me.
Don't drink tap water, most places you stay at will have a sign warning you not to but in case they don't I'm officially warning you not to.
Due to its place in the history of British colonialism and the slave trade, the people of San Andres speak English and/or San AndrĂŠs-Providencia Creole.
The internet signal is pretty bad across San Andres, so if you plan on doing some online work make sure it doesn't require high-speed internet.
Be careful who you trust to braid your hair.. đ
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