INFORMACIÓN GENERAL

Capital: San Andres
Altitude: 2 Meters
Extension: 26 Km 2
Population: 65.000 inhabitants
Temperature: 28 degrees Celsius
Economy: fishing and tourism
Telephone prefix: 8 (098)
Getting there: By sea or air
Distance and time from Bogota:
Land: No
Air: 2 hours

The archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina, named by the United Nations as a World Biosphere Reserve, is located 720 km Northeast of the Colombian Coast. In 1510, Spain conquered the islands, and in 1538, it became part of Panama. In 1544, the islands were passed to Guatemala and Nicaragua, and in 1563 they belonged to the Panamanian Province again. From 1563 until the beginning of the 19th century (1803), the islands were possessed by English and Dutch, but were finally recuperated by Spain. In 1821, Francisco de Paula Santander defended Colombia on the islands San Andrés and Providencia. And in June of 1822, the Colombian flag was flown for the first time on the islands in the Liberty Fort. The islands were officially part of the Republic of Colombia.

Enchanted land and sea scapes, fine what sand beaches and crystalline waters coupled with the cordial inhabitants of the islands makes this archipelago a jewel in the Caribbean. The habitants of the islands are a mix of hundreds of immigrants from different areas: Puritans, English, Dutch, Spanish, slaves, pirates, Arabs (who arrived in 1953 claiming San Andres to be a free port!).

ATTRACTIONS

ARCHITECTURE (Consult our San Andres Travel Packages)

LA LOMA: A neighborhood inhabited by natives of the islands, is one of the places where you can appreciate the traditional Island architecture.

RELIGION (Consult our San Andres Travel Packages)

BAUTISTA EMMANUEL CHURCH: This temple was initiated by the Reverend Beckeman Livington, a Mission Hill Preacher. He inspired his followers, as a penitence, to bring wood from Nicaragua The oldest church in America was founded in 1847 built with pine from Alabama. It has a tower whose light is visible from high seas and is used to guide Captains. It is located in the highest point of the island (La Loma neighborhood).

NATURE (Consult our San Andres Travel Packages)

JOHNNY CAY OR SUCRE ISLAND: The closest island located 1.5 km from San Andres. It has 5 hectares with numerous coconut trees and vegetation characteristic of the region that beautifies the view. It's a peaceful place to go swimming or sunning on white sandy beaches with dots of bright red and crystal-blue waters.

THE BLOW HOLE: This is an open tunnel, opened by the constant crashing of the waves over thousands or millions of years. When the waves hit hard, the water sprays up to over 30 meters (90 feet). It's a spectacular show.

MORGAN CAVE : A place with one of the richest concentrations of limestone. The force of the water dissolves and destroys the rocks, opening up cracks and holes until subterranean cavities form that fill up with stalagmites. The roof of these caves is so thin that you can see pools of water that settle on top -- water that comes from the sea and settles on the roof of the cave.

CLIFF or PENON: This limestone formation frames the airport. It's a rocky cliff approximately 90 feet high (above the airport level) carved in all sides by tunnels, vertical illumination and deep channels.

ROSE CAY OR THE ACQUARIUM: Doña Margoth Daza, during one of her trips to Córdoba, realized that Rose Cay had innumerable varieties of fish. She requested this region be called the aquarium because it truly is a natural aquarium with great richness that interests tourists, biologists, and students alike.

CÓRDOBA ISLET OR HAYNES CAY: A thin layer of water separates the aquarium of the Cordoba Islet (only 60 meters walking). This islet has typical vegetation of the area and coconut palms. Its coral origins are notable and there is an abundance of snails and seashells of different varieties.

ALBURQUERQUE ISLET : Located to the south of San Andres, it's a popular fisherman's spot, especially for those who like red porgy.

SANTANDER ISLET OR COTON CAY: Located in front of the docks and near the coast of San Andres Bay, its name comes from the utility the English found for it. Here, they planted and harvested cotton and coconut. Cotton was also a motive for which the African Slave trade began.

COCOPLUMBAY: Located in San Luis in front of Rocky Cay, due to its shallow turquoise waters and white sand, it's a favorite spot for children and adults who like peaceful sunbathing and tranquility.

THE PISCINITA: A natural pool surrounded by rocks and corals. It's a great place for swimming, snorkeling, and diving.

LAGOON BIG POND: A semi-sweet lagoon, located in the sector of Loma Linval. It's 400 x 150 meters and 30 meters deep. It's not good for swimming, but it is a great place for adventure, romance, and contact with nature. It's a refuge for thousands of birds, boas, crabs, fish, and lizards.

ACTIVITIES

NIGHT LIFE (Consult our San Andres Travel Packages)

San Andrés offers an enchanted nightlife, famous for Calypso, Reggae and Socca music accompanied with coconut/rum cocktails. The nightlife of San Andres is famous so visitors to the islands can get a taste of island traditions while sipping and toasting with the favorite island beverage.


COCONUT CARNIVAL : In November, from the 27th to the 30th, San Andres celebrates its birthday and there's a beauty pageant, looking for the Coconut Queen. Beautiful women from the region participate.

 

GASTRONOMY

 

San Andres cuisine is based on red porgy and other fish from the area, snails, lobster, and crab. These fish are seasoned with coconut and accompanied with plantain, cassava, and coconut milk. The most famous and traditional dish of the region is el "rondon" -- a fish and snail stew, slowly cooked in sweet coconut milk with cassava, and other fish. Also, the dumpling -- a cake made out of wheat flour seasoned with basil.

 

TRANSPORTATION

Air:
Airports
Gustavo Rojas Pinilla tel: 512-5397, 512-7316.

Commercial Airliners :
Avianca
Satena
Aerorepublica

HOTELES - ALOJAMIENTO

FOOD - RESTAURANTS

ENTERTAINMENT (bars - discos - recreational parks - malls - etc.)