San Andrés

Reefs, cays and Raizal culture in the Caribbean

San Andrés is a small island in the western Caribbean that belongs to Colombia but lies more than 430 mi from the mainland. The sea around it looks blue, green and lilac in different light. Visitors can swim and snorkel at the beaches and cays reached by boat or dive at nearly forty sites. The island's Raizal people have their own Creole language and Protestant traditions that differ from the rest of Colombia. A ring road of about 19 mi goes around the whole island, so it's easy to cover in a day or two by rental car or scooter. Its beaches are close together.

Add to list Map view

Island in Colombia

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 4.9

General Safety:	6
Health & medical:	4
Accessibility:	3
Tap water:	2

Read details

3/5

In San Andrés, most locals speak Spanish, but many hospitality workers and tour guides are bilingual. English is widely understood in hotels, restaurants and popular attractions, making communication easy for visitors.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: Oct 23, 2026

* We earn a commission from some links on this page.

San Andrés Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

"Best for" scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

"Your personal" scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

"Suited for" badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travelers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Great at sun-soaked beaches and vibrant marine life, San Andrés offers crystal‑clear waters perfect for snorkeling and diving. Its laid‑back island vibe invites exploration of colorful reefs.

Place score

8.2

Best at:

Sea

Islands

Snorkeling

Beaches

Diving

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 5

Seniors

❤️ 8

Couples

🌈 7

LGBTQ+

Colombia – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	110 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Colombian Peso (COP) $1 ≈ COP 3,158.18
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common, especially in cities. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but cash is still preferred in many rural areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not obligatory, but a tip of 5-10% is appreciated in restaurants. Taxis generally do not expect a tip, but rounding up the fare is common.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is not allowed in some areas, especially in cities. It is best to consume alcohol in licensed venues like bars or restaurants.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public spaces, including restaurants, bars, and public transport.

Independence Day (July 20)	National holiday celebrating Colombia's independence with parades and festivities
Christmas (December 25)	Celebrated with family gatherings and festive meals

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 123
Taxi apps:	Uber, Cabify
Other:	Colombia is known for its coffee, vibrant culture, and beautiful landscapes, including the Andes mountains and Caribbean beaches.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colors of the months:
The color shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the color is shows the travel season: full color means high season, soft color means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The gray info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for San Andrés, Colombia

🌦️

Jan

🌦️

Feb

🔥

Mar

🔥

Apr

🌦️

May

⛈️

Jun

⛈️

Jul

⛈️

Aug

⛈️

Sep

⛈️

Oct

⛈️

Nov

⛈️

Dec

High season:	Jan. - April, July, Dec.
Shoulder season:	May - June, Aug.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

All visitors must buy the OCCRE tourist card before travel, required for Colombians and foreigners alike

Colombian holiday periods, mid December to mid January, Easter week and late June to July, bring crowds and high prices

Hurricane season runs June to November, highest risk September to November; the Seven Color Sea is clearest December to April

Don't miss

🤿 Snorkel colorful reefs near Johnny Cay
🏖️ Walk along the famous Pink Sand Beach
🚤 Take a catamaran to Gorgona Island for wildlife
🍽️ Sample fresh seafood at La Casa de la Mar
⛪ Explore historic San Andrés Cathedral and plazas

You've been here?

Why travel to San Andrés?

Water is the reason to come to San Andrés. The sea near the cays is calm and shallow enough for easy snorkeling. Divers have nearly forty sites to choose from. Most of the beaches in town are busy, so the better swimming is usually on the boat trips. Johnny Cay is about 15 minutes away by boat and has a beach with palms and reggae music. The Acuario cays, including Haynes Cay and Rose Cay, have shallow water where you can snorkel from the shore. A nearby tour lets visitors feed stingrays in the shallows. On land, West View is a spot on the west coast with platforms for swimming and snorkeling. The Hoyo Soplador on the south coast is a blowhole where seawater shoots up through the rock when the waves are big. Raizal culture is part of the trip. The island's English-speaking Protestant community, with its Creole language and Baptist churches, is different from mainland Colombia. Music such as reggae, soca and calypso is common. Some native inns are run by Raizal families. The town center is also a duty-free zone with shops selling electronics and perfume. San Andrés suits people who want a beach trip with boat days and a bit of local culture. There's little else to do beyond that, so three or four days is enough. Providencia, a quieter island to the north, has its own page.

🍽️Eat & Drink

1 La Regatta
Caribbean seafood in a luxury restaurant on Avenida Newball, with native island recipes. Diners can choose lobster with one of three sauces or start with a shrimp and crab dish with cheese. Tiraditos, thin-sliced raw fish, are also served.
2 Restaurante Capitán Mandy
Caribbean seafood on Avenida Rock Hole in San Andrés. Cooks prepare seafood paella, fish soup and cazuela de mariscos, a seafood stew. Guests can also order fried red snapper, shrimp rice, lobster or mixed seafood grills.
3 Niko's Sea Food
Caribbean seafood in an open-air octagonal gazebo on the island of San Andrés. Diners can order garlic lobster, crab claws, salmon or shrimp ceviche. The kitchen also makes rondón, the island's traditional coconut milk fish stew.
4 The Fisherman's Place
Fried fish and coconut rice at a casual seafood spot on Bahía Sardina beach. The kitchen cooks snapper and grouper bought straight from artisanal fishermen, plus lobster in season. Patacones, fried green plantain, round out the plate.
5 Restaurante Lydia
Raizal food, the cooking of the island's Afro-Caribbean community, at a local restaurant in San Andrés. Cooks simmer rondón, a stew of fish, snail and yuca, in coconut milk. Fish soup is also available, another traditional island dish.

Explore on map

Knowledge before you go

Buy the tourist card before boarding, online or in cash.
Shops across the island are duty free, so electronics and perfume are often cheaper than on the mainland.
Raizal islanders speak San Andrés Creole and most also speak English and Spanish so you can use either.
Seaflower, the UNESCO biosphere reserve around the islands, covers about 10 percent of the Caribbean Sea.

How to travel to San Andrés

Flying is the way to reach San Andrés. Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport (ADZ) is at the northern end of the island, a few minutes by taxi from the town and most hotels. Direct flights come from Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena and other Colombian cities. International flights are limited, so many travelers connect through Bogotá or Panama City. Non-residents need a tourist card to enter the island. It can be bought at the airport desk or arranged ahead through the Gobernación's online platform. Colombia allows many nationalities, including British citizens, to visit visa-free for up to 90 days. You need an onward or return ticket and a passport valid on entry. Six months of validity is recommended. There's no regular passenger ferry from the mainland. Providencia, the other main island in the archipelago, is reached by small plane or by boat from San Andrés. Check schedules ahead because crossings can be cancelled in rough weather.

Access summary

From José María Córdova (MDE): Direct flight to San Andrés (45–60 min).
From Bogotá (BOG): Flight 1h30m; from Medellín (EPM): Flight 1h15m.
Ferry from San Luis de Palenque: 4–5 hours, popular for budget travelers.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in San Andrés

Most visitors stay in one of two areas. The town center and Spratt Bight have hotels, hostels and apartments within walking distance of the beach, shops and restaurants, which suits short stays and early flights. San Luis on the east coast is quieter and has a long beach, beachfront hotels and resort-style places. Many hotels sell packages with meals included. The Raizal community offers native inns, which are family-run guesthouses in traditional homes. Sound Bay and the hill area known as La Loma have this type of stay and give a more local feel than the resort areas. Prices tend to be mid-range to high for Colombia, with more choice at the upper end. The island fills up in December and January, around Easter and during Colombian school holidays, so book early for those periods. Outside them, rooms are easier to find and sometimes cheaper.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Sol Caribe San Andres All Inclusive

9.1

Hotel Caribbean On Vacation

Habitación Cuadruplex Centro Peatonal

9.1

Hotel Caribbean Coral

7.4

Le Castel Blanc Hotel Boutique

7.0

Hotel El Dorado

9.0

Explore more accommodations

How to get around San Andrés

The island is small and one road follows the whole coast. The main town, called El Centro, is at the northern end next to the airport and Spratt Bight beach. Most hotels, shops and restaurants are in or near the town, while the quieter beaches and sights are along the road to the south and east.

Rental cars and carts:
Renting a car is a common way to tour the island. Golf carts and scooters are available too. A full loop takes a couple of hours with stops. Driving is straightforward, though you should watch for scooters and pedestrians.

Taxis:
Taxis are easy to find in town and are the simplest way to reach beaches and sights without driving. Agree the fare first or ask your hotel to book a licensed driver.

Buses:
Local buses go around the island on the ring road and cost little. They're slower and less frequent than taxis, but they work for reaching the beaches along the coast.

Boats:
Boats leave from the town area for Johnny Cay and the Acuario cays. Tours are usually sold by operators and hotels and include the return trip.

Food in San Andrés

San Andrés food is Caribbean island cooking built on fresh fish, crab, coconut and plantain, with English-speaking Raizal dishes next to Colombian ones. Restaurants in town serve seafood and international food. Supermarkets are well stocked but prices tend to be higher than on the mainland since most food is imported.

Rondón:
The island's best-known dish is a slow-cooked stew of fish, conch or pork with coconut milk, yam, plantain and dumplings. It's filling and often shared.

Fried fish:
Whole fried fish such as mojarra or red snapper is served with coconut rice and fried plantain. It's the standard meal at beachfront restaurants.

Crab:
Crab appears in empanadas, soup and stews. It's a local favorite and shows up on many menus, often with coconut rice or fried plantain on the side.

Cocoloco:
A coconut cocktail served in the shell, usually with rum. It's sold at beach bars and is popular in the afternoon.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when traveling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customize this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

---

We can't detect your current location. Please log in and set your current location in the account settings to see a cost comparison.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

+29 %

Your exchange rate (USD to COP) is 29% worse than in recent years. That means traveling now is considerably more expensive compared to the past.

Safety information overview

General safety

San Andrés is generally manageable for tourists. Pickpocketing and mugging are the main crimes, mostly at night and on crowded beaches. Use licensed or pre-booked taxis and watch your drinks. Hurricanes are uncommon but can affect the island.

Health & Medical

San Andrés has a public hospital and some private clinics for routine and urgent care but complex cases are usually flown to the mainland so travel insurance with evacuation cover matters. Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue occur so use repellent. Sun and heat are strong.

Accessibility

The island is small and flat, so taxis and rental cars reach most places easily. Beaches mean walking on sand and boat trips to the cays involve stepping into and out of small boats. Wheelchair access is limited outside larger hotels.

Tap water

Tap water on San Andrés isn't considered safe to drink. Use bottled or filtered water for drinking and brushing teeth. Bottled water is sold in supermarkets and shops and it's worth carrying plenty in the heat. Skip ice unless you know the source.