San Andres is an island of 80.000 people, and 50 sq km of land. While being officially a part of
Colombia the island has very distinct roots. The people are mostly decendents of escaped/ freed
slaves and they speak there own type of carib/english, although they all speak Spanish as a requisite
for the tourist industry. The major industries are tourism, fishing and a waypoint for drug-traficking.
Many of the major hotels were once properties of major Colombian drug lords. The island receives a
hundred or two thousand tourists a year, the majority being Colombian. In the past there have been
direct charter flights from Germany. In the peak months of January/ February several charter flights a
day arriver from Canada. At most times of the year the island can feel rather empty which can be
good. The Government is making major efforts to increase the tourism numbers into the country, this
is one of the reasons why San Andres is a tax free destination. The islands tourism boom ended
nearly twenty years ago and many building and houses reflect that past glory. Its an interesting place
to visit for several days and escape the city.
Colombia the island has very distinct roots. The people are mostly decendents of escaped/ freed
slaves and they speak there own type of carib/english, although they all speak Spanish as a requisite
for the tourist industry. The major industries are tourism, fishing and a waypoint for drug-traficking.
Many of the major hotels were once properties of major Colombian drug lords. The island receives a
hundred or two thousand tourists a year, the majority being Colombian. In the past there have been
direct charter flights from Germany. In the peak months of January/ February several charter flights a
day arriver from Canada. At most times of the year the island can feel rather empty which can be
good. The Government is making major efforts to increase the tourism numbers into the country, this
is one of the reasons why San Andres is a tax free destination. The islands tourism boom ended
nearly twenty years ago and many building and houses reflect that past glory. Its an interesting place
to visit for several days and escape the city.
Towards the end of January, 2006 I flew to San Andres island for the second time. Instead of going with a good friend I went with my girlfriend,
Yadira. It's a lot better place to go with a girlfriend than a friend that would be the major revelation of the trip I would say.
I booked a package with Sunrise Vacations for four nights and five days including accommodation and flights. It cost 1.650.000 pesos or around
US$750 for the two of us. Not to bad. I did not want to get a package including food and drinks, as the majority do, because I did not want to feel
the obligation to have to stay in the hotel all the time. The last time I went two years back we bought an all-inclusive holiday in the Decameron,
which was a mistake because we hardly left the place the whole week we were there.
Yadira. It's a lot better place to go with a girlfriend than a friend that would be the major revelation of the trip I would say.
I booked a package with Sunrise Vacations for four nights and five days including accommodation and flights. It cost 1.650.000 pesos or around
US$750 for the two of us. Not to bad. I did not want to get a package including food and drinks, as the majority do, because I did not want to feel
the obligation to have to stay in the hotel all the time. The last time I went two years back we bought an all-inclusive holiday in the Decameron,
which was a mistake because we hardly left the place the whole week we were there.
So this time I had the opportunity to explore a lot more of the island than I did last time. We hired little golf
cars on two occasions. That is a great thing to do. Look for Millenium Car Rentals. They have a lot of the
little cars available and five hours or travel with unlimited petrol will cost you 50.000 pesos. A bargain really.
This enables you to see the whole island and to stop when you want and have a swim or take some lunch.
Also you can stop every few metres and buy a beer at the local shop. Only if you're in the passenger's seat
though of course. On your trip around the island there is much to see.
cars on two occasions. That is a great thing to do. Look for Millenium Car Rentals. They have a lot of the
little cars available and five hours or travel with unlimited petrol will cost you 50.000 pesos. A bargain really.
This enables you to see the whole island and to stop when you want and have a swim or take some lunch.
Also you can stop every few metres and buy a beer at the local shop. Only if you're in the passenger's seat
though of course. On your trip around the island there is much to see.
The most beautiful beach on the island is that of San Luis located
on the eastern part of San Andres. Powdery white sand and
crashing waves. On parts there is a lot of coral around where the
waves break so be careful. Bordering the beach are several
hotels and restaurants, but it is always easy to find a bit of space
to lay out your towel and take a swim.
on the eastern part of San Andres. Powdery white sand and
crashing waves. On parts there is a lot of coral around where the
waves break so be careful. Bordering the beach are several
hotels and restaurants, but it is always easy to find a bit of space
to lay out your towel and take a swim.
Further south of San Luis beach and
nearing the southern most point of the
island is this beach. Its a popular place
for local families and their children as
the coral reef has created a pool like
swimming area which is extremely calm
and warm.
nearing the southern most point of the
island is this beach. Its a popular place
for local families and their children as
the coral reef has created a pool like
swimming area which is extremely calm
and warm.
At the southern most tip there is an unusual formation in the rocks which causes a blow hole. Its pretty
hilarious. Ok so it is a bit of a Colombian tourist trap, but it is worth a visit. There is also a simple restaurant
there serving food, mostly fish of course and they do some pretty mean cocktails.
hilarious. Ok so it is a bit of a Colombian tourist trap, but it is worth a visit. There is also a simple restaurant
there serving food, mostly fish of course and they do some pretty mean cocktails.
This little gem of a place is called 'La
Piscinita" and is around the southern
most tip of the island and on the rocky
western side. It has the advantage of
beautiful sunsets and much calmer
waters.
This particular spot is called 'La Piscinita'
and its a great spot to stop and have
lunch or a few beers or go for a swim and
feed the fish.
Piscinita" and is around the southern
most tip of the island and on the rocky
western side. It has the advantage of
beautiful sunsets and much calmer
waters.
This particular spot is called 'La Piscinita'
and its a great spot to stop and have
lunch or a few beers or go for a swim and
feed the fish.
This place on the right is the ultimate in Colombian tourist traps. Every day several dozen lanchas (boats)
packed with up to thirty people arrive at its few shores. One is deposited on this island for the all too long
time of ninety minutes. The idea is that one spends as much money as possible in as short a time as
possible on goggles and snorkels, the obligatory pina coladas and coco locos... etc. Waste of time going
there unless you are writing a book on tourist traps. One thing you can do is wade the two hundred metres
to the neighbouring island and back again until your boat leaves. Don't bother coming here. It's not
pleasant!
packed with up to thirty people arrive at its few shores. One is deposited on this island for the all too long
time of ninety minutes. The idea is that one spends as much money as possible in as short a time as
possible on goggles and snorkels, the obligatory pina coladas and coco locos... etc. Waste of time going
there unless you are writing a book on tourist traps. One thing you can do is wade the two hundred metres
to the neighbouring island and back again until your boat leaves. Don't bother coming here. It's not
pleasant!
One of the pleasures of actually paying for your meals rather having them all included in some cheap
package is that you can try out some of the best/ most spectacularly situated restaurants on the island. Two
of these are: La Franceska and El Rincon de la Langosta. The former is located on the northern tip of the
beautiful beach of San Luis. There are several cabanas each with a few tables. The owner will prepare
spectacular seafood dishes, the specialty. I had the seafood platter which at 40.000 pesos was good value I
thought. It was exquisite. Lobster, octopus, prawn, fish, conch. The juices are also very nice. Afterwards you
can relax on there great little beach and take a dip. Altogether a great place.
package is that you can try out some of the best/ most spectacularly situated restaurants on the island. Two
of these are: La Franceska and El Rincon de la Langosta. The former is located on the northern tip of the
beautiful beach of San Luis. There are several cabanas each with a few tables. The owner will prepare
spectacular seafood dishes, the specialty. I had the seafood platter which at 40.000 pesos was good value I
thought. It was exquisite. Lobster, octopus, prawn, fish, conch. The juices are also very nice. Afterwards you
can relax on there great little beach and take a dip. Altogether a great place.
Surely the most romantic restaurant on the island is El Rincon de la Langosta, or lobster corner. This
restaurant prepares lobster in over forty different styles. I payed 60.000 pesos, granted a lot of money, for
three small lobster tales. But they were absolutely divine and worth every peso. The misses had prawns
which were I'm told equally rico. The prices may be steep, but the view and ambience more than make up
for it. Arrive early and drink a few beers while watching the sun go down. The restaurants balcony
overhangs the sea. It is a roughly 8000 peso taxi ride from the centre of the island. Alternatively the taxi can
wait for you but I would not recommend it, you'll most likely stay longer than expected. Take some insect
repellent if going at dusk.
restaurant prepares lobster in over forty different styles. I payed 60.000 pesos, granted a lot of money, for
three small lobster tales. But they were absolutely divine and worth every peso. The misses had prawns
which were I'm told equally rico. The prices may be steep, but the view and ambience more than make up
for it. Arrive early and drink a few beers while watching the sun go down. The restaurants balcony
overhangs the sea. It is a roughly 8000 peso taxi ride from the centre of the island. Alternatively the taxi can
wait for you but I would not recommend it, you'll most likely stay longer than expected. Take some insect
repellent if going at dusk.
Food. Obviously the main fare of the island is seafood with a particular focus on lobster. It is not cheap but a must for at least one meal. The two
best restaurants are mentioned above. There are also several cheaper places. As always follow the locals and you'll get local prices. There are also
stalls around the island selling crab empanadas and banana cake... very nice. Coconuts also grow on trees.
best restaurants are mentioned above. There are also several cheaper places. As always follow the locals and you'll get local prices. There are also
stalls around the island selling crab empanadas and banana cake... very nice. Coconuts also grow on trees.
Shopping. San Andres is rightly famous for its duty-free shopping. In particular, alcohol and perfume are half price or less when compared to
mainland Colombian prices. I bought two bottles of Casillero del Diablo wine at 14.500 pesos each, retailing here in Medellin for over 30.000. Also
bought a 100ml bottle of Bvulgari for men. It cost only 70.000 pesos which has got to be less than a third of the price in comparison to Colombia.
Also in abundance are American/ Canadian sweats like Hersheys, Nips etc.
mainland Colombian prices. I bought two bottles of Casillero del Diablo wine at 14.500 pesos each, retailing here in Medellin for over 30.000. Also
bought a 100ml bottle of Bvulgari for men. It cost only 70.000 pesos which has got to be less than a third of the price in comparison to Colombia.
Also in abundance are American/ Canadian sweats like Hersheys, Nips etc.
| San Andres & Providencia |
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