GENERAL INFORMATION
Located 720 Km northwest from Colombian shore. The archipelago pertains to Colombia since 1822, when its inhabitants joined La Gran Colombia.
Altitude: 2 m. over sea level
Population : 50.094 inhabitants
Area: 26 square kilometers
Temperature: 28ºC
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Area code: 8
Fire Department: Phone: 119.
Police: Phone 512-6665.
Civil Defense: Phone 512-5608.
DAS (Administrative Department of Security): Phone: 512-3666.
TOURISTIC INFORMATION
Asociación territorial de promoción turística de San Andrés: Cra 9ª No10-156, Recertour del Caribe. Fax-Phone: 098/512-7080.
Secretaria de turismo: Avenida Newball Coral Palace, second floor, San Andrés Islas. Phone: 985/112-4284. Fax. 985/112-6809.
Coordinadora policía de Turismo: Fax: 098-5125969 Phone: 5126665.
NIGHT LIFE
Famous for the Calypso, Reggae and Socca music, and the rum and coconut cocktails, this makes that visitors enjoy an excellent night life with the style proper of the island.
GASTRONOMY
The Sanandresan dishes are prepared with red braize and other fish, snail, lobster and crab. They are accompanied with coconut, plantain, yucca, and coconut milk.
AIRPORT
Airport: Gustavo Rojas Pinilla Phone: 512-5397, 512-7316.
HOTELS
San Andrés has the major lodging, commercial, restaurants and casino offer, which offer several options, from hotels with facing the sea, cabins, camping, etc.
ATTRACTIONS
HISTORICAL-CULTURAL
Iglesia Bautista Emmanuel: It has a tower whose light seen from outer sea serves as guide for the schooner captains. It is located at the highest part of the island (La Loma neighborhood).
ARCHITECTURAL
La Loma: A neighborhood inhabited almost only by natives, and one of the places where traditional island architecture is best observed.
NATURAL AREA
Johnny Cay or Islote Sucre: It is the nearest key to San Andrés, from the tourism point of view, located one point five kilometers far, with an area of about 5 hectares.
Hoyo Soplador: It is a tunnel carved by the waves for many centuries, reaching a length of more than 30m.
Cueva de Morgan: It is one of the richest places in limestone; water, abusing of its dissolving power, goes eating the rock away with cracks and holes that grow until forming underground cavities full of stalactites in the roof and stalagmites in the floor.
Cliff or Peñón: This limestone formation conforms a frame for the airport.
Acuario or Rose Cay: Called Acuario for being a real natural aquarium, which for its richness should be of interest for tourists and students.
Islote Córdoba or Haynes Cay: A thin layer of water separates the Acuario from Córdoba key, about 60 m away; this trip can be made by foot.
Islote Alburquerque: Located south from San Andrés, is frequently visited by fishermen due to its richness, especially in red braize.
Islote Santander or Coton Cay: It is located in front of the pier, and very near to the coast of San Andrés bay.
Cocoplumbay: Located at San Luis, in front of Rocky Cay, it is a site preferred by children and old men, and all those lovers of calm beaches.
Big Pond: This a lagoon of semi-salty water, located in the sector of Loma Linval.
Piscinita: Natural pool built by the sea and the coralline rock that surrounds it.
La Loma: A neighborhood inhabited almost only by natives, and one of the places where traditional island architecture is best observed.
ACTIVITIES
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
Festival de la Luna Verde: It takes place during the month of September, since 5 years ago, with the participation of famous folkloric groups of Central America and the Caribbean, in which music is primatial.
Carnaval del coco: It takes place from November 27 to the30th, celebrating San Andrés's birthday, and the election of the Coconut Queen, international contest with the participation of several countries of the Atlantic coast and neighboring islands.
