Making the most of San Andres
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Cruise vessels anchor and tender passengers close to the town centre.
Bring a printable map with you.
San Andres lies north of Panama's coast, 180 km east of Nicaragua but 480 km north-east of Colombia's Caribbean shore. A popular holiday destination, it has beautiful beaches with white sand, red coral and transparent water in seven distinct shades of blue, earning the name “Sea of Seven Colours”. Diving and snorkelling are excellent around the island and nearby cays. The mainly coral island is covered principally by coconut trees, and its highest point reaches only 55 metres above sea level. Sights include Hoya Soplador, a sea geyser, The…
All the island's business is conducted in downtown San Andrés. El Centro, as the district is called, contains small shops, restaurants and government offices; a walk along Avenida Colombia introduces the area. San Luís District was the principal San Andrés harbour until a plague destroyed the coconut trade about fifty years ago. Today, San Luís is best known for its beautiful beaches.
Getting around
Taxis are the best choice for travelling on San Andrés. Agree the fare in advance or risk being overcharged. Because the island is only eight miles long, a motor scooter or bicycle can cover plenty of ground, and many rental shops line Avenida Colombia.
Food and shopping
Although San Andrés Island is only eighty miles from Nicaragua, the archipelago belongs to Colombia, almost five hundred miles away. Cotton supported the island economy until slavery ended in the mid-19th Century. Coconuts then became residents' main income source until a plague destroyed the entire crop in 1930. San Andrés Island now uses duty-free status to attract tourism and industry.
Money
The Republic of Colombia uses the peso. 3065 Peso equals 1 USD, and the peso is highly volatile.
Staying connected
Spanish is spoken.
Cafés offering customers free Wi-Fi can be found in most towns and cities.