Top 11 Tips for Traveling to San Andres, Colombia, San Andres, Colombia

San Andrés is the largest of three islands in the Colombian archipelago located in the Caribbean Sea. The islands first appeared on the Spanish map in 1527. Over the next 350-400 years, the islands were inhabited by the English, Dutch and Spanish and changed hands many times. In 1900, the islands were declared Colombia’s. The USA requested that the archipelago be given to Panama by which it is closely located, but the request was rejected proving the local’s loyalty to Colombia. In 2000, the islands became a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

1. San Andrés Island is closer to Panama than Colombia. As such, anyone with limited vacation time might consider combining a visit to San Andres Island with a trip to Panama City and the Panama Canal and save the main land of Colombia for a different trip.

2. Panama City Airport provides free wi-fi for only 30 minutes, and thereafter payment is necessary. The wi-fi worked for one of my two layovers in Panama City.

4. All people traveling to San Andrés must buy a tourist card at the current price of 109,000 pesos. If flying Viva Colombia, the card must be purchased in cash.

5. ATM cards from the USA did not work at all cash machines. Mine was consistently declined by Bank of Colombia, but was accepted by BBVA. Keep that in mind for #4 above. Also, bring two credit cards as my Visa was sporadically declined?!? ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).