For my husband’s 40th birthday this year, I decided to surprise him with a trip to San Andres. Since he’s a huge fan of the beach, I knew an island getaway would be perfect. Although San Andres is technically closer to Nicaragua, it’s actually part of Colombia—a unique destination with so much to explore! If you’re inspired to visit, you can check out flight and hotel deals on Expedia.
Getting There and Our Cozy Stay
We flew direct from Medellin on Avianca and stayed five nights at the Aparthotel Beirut. It’s a budget-friendly choice just steps from the beach. Check out some great options through ym Expedia affiliate link here. After some research, I’d heard that splurging on an all-inclusive wasn’t worth it since the beach is public (as it should be!), and the food scene takes some exploring to find good spots. If you’re considering your own San Andres trip, Expedia has a variety of accommodations to fit your style and budget.
While I couldn’t help but peek into fancier hotels with a bit of envy, it’s tough to know what you’re actually getting on San Andres. Our apartahotel was cozy but far from the comfort of chain hotels you’d find in North America. It had the typical Colombian budget feel: fluorescent lighting, vinyl flooring, limited kitchen supplies, and no windows to the outside. Our bathroom was tiny, and with sand everywhere, the room got dirty fast.
For our group of three adults and one child, the total came to around $450 USD for five nights. If you can swing a bit more, I’d recommend it—there were some places that looked slightly fancier or perhaps an Airbnb right on the beach with a view. I still agree that an all-inclusive isn’t the way to go here, as luxury options are limited, and the island’s faced economic setbacks from natural disasters, which have scared off some investment.
Foodie Paradise? Not Exactly
You’ll want to scope out dining options because San Andres isn’t known for its culinary scene. You might find yourself leaving an all-inclusive anyway to hunt down better food. While the food may not be a highlight, the island’s natural beauty and laid-back vibe make up for it.
The Picture of Paradise
In terms of scenery, though, San Andres is postcard-perfect. The beaches are beautiful, the island is safe, and it has a fascinating history. The people here speak an English-Spanish Creole, a legacy of English settlements in the 17th century. San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina also have a pirate-infused history, with stories of Captain Henry Morgan. We visited the Cueva Morgan, a cave decorated in true pirate fashion, which our 4-year-old needed some encouragement to brave—but it’s worth the visit!
Diving into Adventure
Thanks to my husband’s mom joining us, we took advantage of the free babysitting and tried a half-day scuba adventure. We’d never scuba-dived before, so the half-hour safety briefing was all we got. It was indeed quite eye-opening, especially when two people had to cancel because they’d learned that diving within 24 hours of flying could be dangerous or even deadly. You'd think maybe the salesperson in the main part of town could have brought that to everyone's attention, befere driving the hour to the scuba location.
After the briefing, each couple got an instructor to guide us underwater. At first, it was surreal and nerve-wracking, breathing underwater like that. But soon enough, we were posing by a Poseidon statue 10 meters down! We spotted a shark, some fish, and an eel, though I noticed the coral wasn’t very colorful—likely from coral bleaching. Still, the experience was unforgettable.
Beach Fun and a Close Call with Turtles
We also explored another beach area and rented sea-doos. That was a thrill, but I almost had a heart attack when I nearly ran over some beautiful sea turtles! Luckily, I swerved in time, but that moment still haunts me.
Road-Tripping with a “Windowless Truck” and “El Hoyo Soplador”
Another must-do was renting one of the unique, windowless trucks and driving around the island. We stopped by “El Hoyo Soplador,” a blowhole attraction that was pretty cool, though the entrance “fee” was buying an ultra-sweet cocktail in a coconut. At least it made for a great photo!
Souvenirs, Festivals, and Final Thoughts
Of course, we picked up plenty of beautiful souvenirs. On our last day, we lucked out with a local music festival featuring native dances from the island—such a fantastic cultural experience! I wish we’d had time to visit Providencia, which I hear has incredible hikes and a quieter vibe than San Andres.
Overall, San Andres is an affordable getaway with wonderful people, a safe atmosphere, and stunning nature. While the food is expensive and a bit lackluster, shopping on the island is like duty-free shopping due to unique tax laws. You can snag deals on perfumes, colognes, sunglasses, and more.
I loved our trip, but next time I get the beach itch, I’d like to try Santa Marta for comparison. Hope this was helpful—ta-ta for now!
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