Tour Overview
| Duration | 4 Days / 3 Nights |
|---|---|
| Start/End | San Andres Island (Gustavo Rojas Pinilla Airport, ADZ) |
| Group Size | Max 15 travelers |
| Difficulty | Easy — suitable for all fitness levels |
| Operator | Responsible Travel South America (4.5/5 rating, 160+ reviews) |
| Best Season | Jan-Apr (dry), Jul-Aug (mid-year break) |
| Price | From $599 USD per person |
Why Choose This Tour
San Andres is unlike anywhere else in Colombia. Located 775km northwest of the mainland and just 190km from Nicaragua, this island is part of the UNESCO Seaflower Biosphere Reserve protecting the third-largest barrier reef system in the world. The local Raizal people speak English Creole and Spanish, giving the island a distinctly Caribbean character with reggae music filling the air, colorful wooden architecture, and a laid-back vibe. Our 4-day itinerary covers the island’s must-see attractions while leaving time to soak in the authentic island culture.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & Sunset Island Orientation
- Morning/Afternoon — Arrive at Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport (ADZ). Meet your bilingual guide at arrivals and transfer to your beachfront hotel
- 3:00 PM — Check into 3-star beachfront hotel with ocean views in the San Luis or Spratt Bight area
- 4:00 PM — Orientation walk along the Malecón (boardwalk) of Spratt Bight Beach, the island’s main urban beach with calm turquoise waters
- 5:30 PM — Visit the historic First Baptist Church (founded 1844) in La Loma, the island’s highest point, for panoramic views
- 7:00 PM — Welcome dinner at a traditional Raizal restaurant featuring rondon (coconut milk seafood stew), fried fish, and carimañolas (yuca fritters)
- Overnight — Beachfront hotel, San Andres
Day 2: Johnny Cay, Aquarium & Mangroves
- 8:00 AM — Depart from the main pier by boat to Johnny Cay (Islote Sucre), a tiny paradise islet 1.5km off the coast
- 8:30 AM — Arrive at Johnny Cay Regional Park — white sand beaches, coconut palm groves, and crystalline turquoise waters teeming with tropical fish
- 9:00 AM — Guided snorkeling session around Johnny Cay’s coral gardens. Spot blue tangs, sergeant majors, butterflyfish, and brain corals in waist-deep water
- 11:00 AM — Free time to swim and relax on Johnny Cay’s pristine beach. Beach vendors offer fresh coconut water and reggae music sets the mood
- 12:30 PM — Boat to Haynes Cay (Cayo Acuario), a tiny sandbar island surrounded by shallow turquoise pools
- 1:00 PM — Lunch at Haynes Cay featuring fresh-caught fish and coconut rice served right on the beach
- 2:30 PM — Swim in the natural aquarium pools around Haynes Cay where stingrays glide through knee-deep water
- 4:00 PM — Mangrove tour through the Old Point Mangrove National Park ecosystem, spotting birds like frigatebirds and brown pelicans
- 5:30 PM — Return to hotel
- Overnight — Beachfront hotel, San Andres
Day 3: South Island Circuit — Hoyo Soplador, West View & San Luis Beaches
- 8:00 AM — Depart by golf cart or minibus for the island’s southern circuit (San Andres is only 12km long, so distances are short)
- 9:00 AM — Visit Hoyo Soplador (The Blowing Hole) — a natural geyser where ocean waves force water up to 20 meters high through a coral rock hole. Best at high tide!
- 10:00 AM — Stop at West View, a legendary natural pool with a diving board built into the coral rock. Snorkel among parrotfish and angelfish right off the shore
- 11:30 AM — Visit San Luis Beach, the island’s most beautiful stretch of powdery white sand with gently swaying coconut palms
- 12:30 PM — Lunch at a beachfront restaurant in San Luis, known for the best seafood on the island
- 2:00 PM — Visit Morgan’s Cave, legendary hideout of privateer Henry Morgan, with a small museum and pirate lore
- 3:30 PM — Stop at the San Andres Botanical Garden to see native flora including red mangroves, orchids, and medicinal plants
- 5:00 PM — Sunset at Rocky Cay, a small island you can wade to through crystal-clear shallows
- Overnight — Beachfront hotel, San Andres
Day 4: Morning Leisure & Departure
- 7:00 AM — Optional early morning scuba diving introduction (Discover Scuba Diving) at one of the 40+ dive sites in the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve (additional $85)
- 10:00 AM — Free time for last-minute souvenir shopping at the San Andres duty-free zone — perfumes, liquor, and Colombian coffee at tax-free prices
- 11:30 AM — Hotel checkout
- 12:00 PM — Transfer to the airport for departure flight
What’s Included
- 3 nights accommodation in 3-star beachfront hotel (twin/double share)
- Professional English-Spanish bilingual guide
- All transfers: airport pickup/drop-off, boat trips to Johnny Cay and Haynes Cay
- Daily breakfast plus 2 lunches (Days 2 & 3) and welcome dinner (Day 1)
- Snorkeling equipment for Johnny Cay and West View
- All entrance fees: Johnny Cay Regional Park, Hoyo Soplador, Morgan’s Cave, Botanical Garden, Old Point Mangrove
- Golf cart rental for Day 3 island circuit exploration
- San Andres tourist card assistance
What’s Not Included
- Flights to/from San Andres (from Bogota, Medellin, Cartagena, or Panama City)
- San Andres entry tourist card fee ($35 USD, payable at airport or online)
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Meals not specified (Day 1 breakfast/lunch, Day 4 lunch)
- Optional scuba diving ($85 USD)
- Alcoholic beverages and personal expenses
- Gratuities
Why Book With EliteTravel4U
San Andres requires an entry tourist card and has limited accommodation capacity — our tour secures everything in advance so you can simply relax and enjoy. We partner with Responsible Travel South America (4.5/5 on TourRadar, 160+ verified reviews) for seamless logistics and insider access to the island’s hidden gems that most tourists miss.
