Your Complete Guide to San Andres Island in Colombia
Most visitors who consider going to Colombia don’t even know about San Andres Island. In fact, I hadn’t even heard of it and only stumbled upon it while looking for a more off-the-beaten-path destination in Colombia.
I’m so glad that I found out about this tiny island as I would have missed out on A LOT by not going, it would even be a great place for a budget honeymoon!
Despite being a Colombian territory, the locals don’t look like Colombians, but rather like people from the Caribbean. The culture of the island is also more Caribbean than Colombian and there is plenty to do to make this little slice of paradise worthwhile.
Things to Know Before Traveling to San Andres Island in Colombia
- The tiny island is a diverse mix of African descendants who actually prefer to speak English, due to the island’s early history. It’s also inhabited by Colombian immigrants who have come here to work in the tourism industry and a very small group of indigenous people.
- The island is small and only takes around 1 hour to circle by buggy if you don’t make any stops.
- Apart from shopping, San Andres isn’t the cheapest place. For one thing, you need to pay an entry fee as the island is considered a national park.
- Accommodation on the island is way more expensive than anywhere on the mainland. But trust me – it’s worth the price!
Where is San Andres Island?
San Andres is a tiny island that belongs to Colombia, although geographically it’s closer to Nicaragua and Jamaica.
It’s located about 750 km (470 mi) northwest of Colombia in the Caribbean Sea and is just 26 km2.
Due to the fact that it’s a Colombian territory in Costa Rican and Nicaraguan waters, San Andres is a duty-free zone. What makes it great for shopping! Goods there are cheaper than at any airport I’ve ever been to.