San Andrés

Day Trips

Touch down at Gustavo Rojas Pinilla Airport and feel the warm Caribbean breeze greet you as you collect your luggage. Transfer to your beachfront hotel and sip a refreshing coconut water while overlooking the turquoise sea. Unpack and stroll along the powdery white sands of Spratt Bight Beach to shake off your travels.

Settle into a shaded hammock and sample fresh ceviche and patacones at a local beachside shack. Swim in the calm shallows and watch local fishermen sail by in traditional pangas. Capture postcard-perfect photos of the sugar-white sand against the deep blue horizon.

Enjoy a chilled coconut mojito at a sunset lounge while reggae rhythms drift on the breeze. Dine on grilled lobster at a seaside restaurant, pairing it with a crisp Colombian beer. End the night with moonlit beachcombing under a sky full of stars.

Board a speedboat to Johnny Cay and feel the spray of the Caribbean Sea on your face. Explore the tiny island’s palm-fringed shores and lounge under coconut trees. Immerse yourself in crystal-clear waters while snorkeling over vibrant coral gardens.

Head to the natural aquarium on the sandbar and marvel at colorful angelfish and friendly starfish. Feast on coconut rice, fresh fish and fried yuca at a rustic beach palapa. Lounge on a sunbed as the tide laps gently around your toes.

Return to San Andrés Island and wander the boardwalk at sunset. Sample street-side raspao, a shaved ice treat flavored with tropical fruit syrups. Cap off the night with live local music at a cozy beachfront bar.

Drive to West View Park and leap off the famous wooden platform into a sapphire-blue lagoon. Swim through natural crevices and bubbles created by underwater vents. Relax on a floating inflatable and gaze at the surrounding limestone cliffs.

Roam the park’s botanical trails, discovering hidden tide pools teeming with marine life. Enjoy a beachside lunch of fried fish, coconut rice and patacones at the onsite restaurant. Soak up the sun on a hammock strung between two palms.

Head back to town for an alfresco dinner of empanadas and arepas at a family-run eatery. Watch local dancers perform folkloric routines in the central plaza. End the evening with cocktails infused with passion fruit at a rooftop bar.

Meet your dive master at the pier and board a dive boat bound for a world-class reef. Descend into the crystalline waters to explore coral walls draped in brain coral and sponges. Spot turtles, eagle rays and schools of glittering parrotfish.

Surface for a lagoon-side barbecue prepared by your crew, featuring grilled seafood and tropical fruits. Share dive stories over coconut water and local snacks on the sun deck. Return to shore with renewed energy and a sun-kissed glow.

Pamper yourself with a beachfront massage using local coconut oil as the waves murmur. Dine on Caribbean fusion cuisine—think mango-glazed pork tenderloin—at a chic bistro. Stroll under tiki torches along the shore before retreating to your ocean-view balcony.

Venture to La Loma neighborhood and climb the hill to Casa Museo Isleña for panoramic island vistas. Wander colorful streets and chat with locals about island traditions. Stop at artisan stalls to sip fresh limeade and sample homemade guava jam.

Continue to Big Pond Reserve, a mangrove sanctuary alive with crabs and birdcalls. Kayak through winding channels beneath towering roots and spot herons, egrets and iguanas basking on logs. Enjoy a packed picnic of sandwiches, tropical fruit and passionfruit juice by the water’s edge.

Return to San Andrés town and hunt for unique crafts in boutique shops—think handmade hammocks and straw hats. Dine on bandeja paisa-style platter at a lively local tavern. Savor a dulce de leche empanada with a cup of rich Colombian coffee.

Climb aboard a glass-bottom boat bound for Rocky Cay and watch colorful fish dart beneath your feet. Anchor near the tiny islet and plunge into spotless waters for an invigorating morning snorkel. Relax on the sandy patch while sunbeams dance off the waves.

Lunch aboard the boat with freshly caught snapper, coconut rice and plantain chips prepared by the crew. Cruise along the island’s coastline, stopping at hidden grottoes and secret snorkeling spots. Feel the gentle sea breeze as you sip a cold fruit punch on deck.

Arrive back at your hotel and rinse off the salt before heading out for dinner. Indulge in a seafood paella bursting with clams, shrimp and saffron rice at a seaside plaza. Wrap up the day with a stroll through laid-back seaside bars and a nightcap under tiki lights.

Set out on a guided kayak tour through the red mangrove labyrinth of Old Point. Glide silently among tangled roots and watch pelicans dive for fish. Listen to the chorus of birds echoing above the shimmering water.

Enjoy a riverside lunch of coconut chicken stew and roasted plantains at a rustic mangrove lodge. Explore the nearby salt flats on foot and observe flamingos and migratory shorebirds. Take plenty of photos as the sun casts golden light on the reeds.

Return to central San Andrés and treat yourself to an alfresco spa treatment using aromatic island botanicals. Freshen up before dining at a waterfront grill specializing in BBQ jumbo shrimp. Unwind with live acoustic guitar music by the shore.

Begin your day with a revitalizing yoga session on the beach at sunrise. Follow with a spa ritual using locally sourced sea salt and coconut oil to ease any tension. Sip herbal tea infused with lemongrass while reclining in a shaded cabana.

Join a local chef for a hands-on cooking class in a traditional isleña home. Learn to prepare coconut rice, fresh fish patties and arepas from scratch. Feast on your creations paired with passionfruit mousse for dessert.

Head into town for a casual dinner of street tacos filled with seasoned fish and tangy slaw. Stroll through a night market offering handmade jewelry and island souvenirs. Cap the evening with a radler (beer and lemonade) by the boardwalk.

Explore the Casa Museo Isleña to delve into the archipelago’s history and Afro-Caribbean heritage. Admire antique photographs, traditional costumes and historical artifacts. Chat with an expert guide about the island’s evolution and customs.

Roam the downtown craft stalls where artisans sell straw baskets, hammocks and coconut shell carvings. Bargain for a handwoven bolsa compartida and sample cocadas made from grated coconut and brown sugar. Refuel with fried fish tacos at a local food truck.

Dine at a family-run restaurant tucked away on a side street, savoring stewed goat with coconut milk. Sip a handcrafted cocktail flavored with guava and chili pepper at a hidden speakeasy. End the night with carnival-style dancing under festive lights.

Sleep in and enjoy a leisurely breakfast of fresh fruit platters and island-style omelets on your terrace. Browse the local farmers’ market for exotic spices, coffee beans and tropical snacks. Pack a day bag for a final afternoon on the water.

Embark on a half-day catamaran cruise around the island’s western shore. Dive off the deck for one last snorkel among rainbow fish and waving sea fans. Lounge on the nets as the sun warms your skin and sail back toward the setting horizon.

Celebrate your final night with a beachfront feast featuring grilled lobster, coconut rice and mojitos. Watch the sky ignite in hues of orange and pink as the sun dips below the sea. Toast to ten unforgettable days in San Andrés under a canopy of stars.