Day 1 in San Andres Island

Welcome to San Andres Island!Upon arrival at the airport, you will go through customs and immigration. Should you opt to purchase a transfer to your hotel; a representative will be waiting for you as you exit immigration. Arrive at your hotel, check in and do not give in to jet lag! There is so much for you to see and do!

We recommend you get acquainted with the island and take a wander around the main town of El Centro, here you will find all the island necessities including beachfront dining, bars, shops and more. Settle into one of the restaurants with sea views and enjoy a delicious island meal with cocktails while you take in the relaxing ambiance of the island life.

After lunch, stroll along the Spratt Bight Footpath which extends for over a mile along the main hotel area and the beachfront promenade. There is plenty to do in this area including shops where you can pick up that unique souvenir.

Take the rest of the day to explore this magical island, there are many different options for getting around town including renting a golf cart, bicycle or getting out on the water by kayak or boat.

We recommend taking a boat trip out to Morgan`s Cave, named after the English pirated Henry Morgan who sailed the waters here in the 17th century and stored his treasure in the cave. There is a huge rock formation here that has been carved by the wind and the waves and resembles a human face

Take a journey to the popular Johnny Cay Regional Park, a protected 9-acre coral islet situated just offshore from San Andres town. The beach here is spectacular with soft white sands and the sparkling blue transparent waters which are great for swimming and snorkeling. Johnny Cay is a typical taste of the island life with restaurants and bars on the beach playing live music. Sit back relax and enjoy some tropical cocktails and the true island atmosphere. This is a great destination to catch a glimpse of your first island sunset and even spend the evening enjoying dinner.

Or you can head back to the main island and visit Lover`s bridge, which connects the beautiful island of Providencia and the small island of Santa Catalina. A charming wooden bridge vibrantly painted and a great place for a romantic stroll.

Enjoy dinner in town with many bars and restaurants located along the waterfront with bars and clubs that stay open late with live music and dancing. Check out `Blue Deep` the most famous club in the area, where you can go and dance salsa.

Day 2 in San Andres Island

Start your morning with a hike or horseback ride to The Hill Botanical Gardens with a 40-foot high viewpoint, the highest point on the island and offers spectacular panoramic views of San Andres Bay. These beautiful gardens cover 19 acres with shaded nature trails through the forest with helpful guides.

Visit the First Baptist Church with its signature red roof, it is the oldest building on the island dating back to 1844, built by wood that was imported from Alabama. Visitors to the church can climb to the top of the bell tower and enjoy more amazing views.

Visit the Island House Museum housed in a restored wooden house which was created by the natives and gives visitors a glimpse into the culture and customs of the island and its inhabitants. Take a guided tour and enjoy a live traditional dance show put on by the guides.

Grab a picnic and take it to one of the beautiful beaches on the island, we recommend the quaint village of San Luis located on the east coast, which features one of the best beaches on the island. There are colorful West Indian style architecture with traditional wooden houses and accommodations. The beach is the ideal place to sunbathe, swim and snorkel and enjoy your picnic in spectacular surroundings.

The tropical island offers visitors many activities in the surrounding `sea of seven colors` with more than 35 scuba diving sites, many that are close to the shore featuring stunning coral reefs and an abundance of marine life in the crystal clear warm waters.

Snorkeling is another excellent activity to enjoy on the many beaches of the island with a large shipwreck called the `Blue Diamond` and `El Faro` and the statue of `Neptune` the Roman God of the Sea found just offshore. West View is one of the best locations for snorkeling, diving, and swimming situated on the western coast. It is formed by a drop off from the coral limestone and rocky edges of the island, visitors can enter the waters via a diving board, slide or ladder.

Some other fun activities that can be enjoyed on the island include windsurfing, kiteboarding, banana boats, jet skiing, and waterboarding. Spend the rest of your day soaking up the sun and splashing around in the sea and then sit back on the beach and enjoy the sunset, grab dinner at one of the local restaurants serving delectable Caribbean cuisine.

Day 3 in San Andres Island

Today travel to the neighboring islands, you can reach places like Providencia on a 3-hour catamaran ride or 2 hours by boat to Cayo Bolivar. Cayo Bolivar is a small uninhabited island and two small islets decorated with beautiful untouched beaches and surrounded by sparkling blue waters and a spectacular barrier reef. Spend the morning here walking along the soft white sands and take a dip in the large natural swimming pool formed by the barrier reef. Snorkel in the `sea of seven colors` where an abundance of vibrant fish and other sea life can be spotted.

Some other locations to consider visiting are El Acuario and Haynes Cay just off the east coast of the island. Acuario is a sandbank which is popular for day trips filled with swimming and snorkeling with an abundance of fish, rays, and turtles. Haynes Cay is a gorgeous location with pristine waters and a few restaurants and bars found along the waterfront. Grab lunch with a view and take in the beach and surroundings.

Visit the natural phenomenon `Hoyo Soplador` (or the blowhole) a seawater geyser that produces a giant spout of water that shoots 65 feet high from a hole that is created by waves crashing against a series of underground tunnels.

Do some shopping in the main town of San Andres where you can pick up unique items such as Colombian gold, emerald jewelry and other native handicrafts like items made from coconut shells, handwoven hats, and baskets.

In the afternoon, take a trip to either Big Pond Lagoon or Old Point Mangle Regional Park. Both places are brimming with wildlife, the lagoon is a freshwater lake which is a haven for birds and home to plenty of alligators, iguanas, and turtles with great nature trails for walking and biking. Old Point is a wildlife sanctuary filled with mangroves and wildlife which can be explored on a kayak tour.

As evening time approaches take a sunset cruise on the beautiful waters and enjoy your last evening in paradise. Sip on cocktails and watch the sun sink below the horizon, then head back to the mainland for your last dinner in town following by drinks and dancing. A traditional dish to try is `Rondon` a soup made with battered fish, plantains, yucca and other starches cooked in coconut milk.

Additional Days in San Andres Island

If you are able to spend additional days in San Andres Island visit during the Green Moon Festival held annually in San Andres with live music, dancing, local food, and documentaries. The Coconut Carnival brings together different national and international groups with a large parade showcasing their typical costumes and food from the regions.

Visit the Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Park which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and protected area. The park features a 20-mile long coral reef, Ironwood Hill and a large forest covering 20 acres of land which is great for hiking, walking, and biking. The coral reef here is the second largest in the Caribbean.

Your Last Day in San Andres Island

Depart from your hotel to the airport for your return flight home. We recommend that you purchase a private transfer to the airport if so the representative will meet you at your hotel with plenty of time to get you to the airport for your flight out.