San Andrés

San Andrés is the main island and urban centre of the Colombian archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina, lying in the western Caribbean closer to Nicaragua than to mainland Colombia. Its shallow reefs and sandy cays produce the famously clear, multi-toned water known as the 'Sea of Seven Colors', and the surrounding Seaflower Biosphere Reserve makes the island a major destination for snorkelling, diving and beach holidays.

The town's compact centre sits along the north coast at Spratt Bight, where a palm-lined boardwalk, duty-free shops, hotels and restaurants face a long public beach. Nearby boat trips reach Johnny Cay, a small coral islet with white sand and turquoise water, while Haynes Cay and El Acuario offer easy snorkelling over seagrass and coral.

The island's Raizal community blends English Caribbean, African and Colombian influences, visible in traditional wooden houses, Baptist churches in La Loma, and music such as calypso, reggae and schottische. Local food centres on seafood and coconut, with dishes like rondón, crab soup, fried fish and coconut rice.

A single ring road circles the island, connecting the centre with the quieter east-coast village of San Luis and natural stops such as La Piscinita, West View, Morgan's Cave and the Hoyo Soplador blowhole. Golf carts, scooters, taxis and small buses are the standard ways to explore.

As a duty-free port with regular flights from mainland Colombia and a year-round tropical climate, San Andrés serves both leisure travellers and a smaller stream of business, government and event visitors, with most activity concentrated around the north end and El Centro.