San Andres, Colombia

Visitors wanting superb diving in crystal clear water, warm, white sandy beaches, exciting nightlife, colorful culture, a choice of full-amenity accommodations, relaxation and duty-free shopping head to San Andrés in the Caribbean.

Thanks to a vivid and multi-ethnic history, San Andrés offers a varied cultural experience, from the cuisine of the islands to the languages spoken. Spanish is the official language but people also speak English to the background of salsa and reggae.

The archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina, identified by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve, is located 480 miles (720 km) northwest from the Colombian Caribbean Coast. It is made up of the islands of San Andres, Providence and St. Catherine, Bolivar and Albuqueque islets, Cotton, Haynes, Johnny, Serrana, Serranilla, Quitasueno, Rocky, and Crab cays and Alicia and Bajo Nuevo sand banks.

Orient yourself with this map from Expedia.

San Andrés is conveniently on the Central American-Colombian route. By air via charter flights and international locations to Gustavo Rojas Pinilla on San Andrés. Avianca, Satena and Aerorepublica provide service from Colombian cities. Select flights from your area. You can also browse for hotels and car rentals.

By sea, from any port in the Caribbean. However, there are no ferries to the other islands or the Colombian mainland and the cargo ships do not carry passengers.

The dry season is from January to May, with another less-dry season during August and September.

San Andrés is a duty-free port welcoming visitors to its lushly green landscape, isolated cays and almost private beaches. Most of the attractions of the islands come from nature and its history.

Closer to Nicaragua and Jamaica, how the archipelago came to be a Colombian territory is the result of piracy, wars of independence, slavery, immigration, sugar, cotton and religion.

Originally settled by the Spanish in 1510, the islands were part of the Audiencia of Panama, then part of the Capitanía of Guatemala and Nicaragua. They attracted the attention of Dutch and English privateers, and reputedly Henry Morgan's treasure trove is hidden in one of the island caves.

Sugar and cotton plantations were the mainstays of the early economy and slaves were imported from Jamaica to work the fields.

Even after the islands became Colombian territory, the English influence remained in architecture, language, and religion.

The island is walkable, but you can rent a scooter or moped to explore.

There are a number of hotels in El Centro as well as the Decameron resorts. Look halfway down the page of this typical tour from Tara Tours for information about the Decameron hotels: Aquarium, Marazul, San Luis, Decameron Isleño or Maryland.

Island cuisine relies heavily on fish and local vegetables, accented with coconut, plantain, breadfruit and spices. Make sure to try rondón, made with fish, pork, conch, plantain and coconut milk, either in a restaurant or from a roadside stand.