Overview
San Andres is Colombia's Caribbean gem, a small coral island in the famous "Sea of Seven Colours", far closer to Central America than to the Colombian mainland. White-sand beaches and superb snorkelling meet a distinctive Raizal culture in which Creole, English and Spanish are all spoken. As a duty-free port it stays lively and well connected, making a fine beach finale to a wider Colombia trip. See the price charts on this page for live fares.
Best time to fly to San Andres Island
The island is warm year-round, with daytime highs of about 28–31°C and steady trade winds. The driest, sunniest spell is roughly December to April — peak season for flights and hotels. September to November is wetter and falls within the Caribbean hurricane season, though direct hits are rare. For fair weather at a better price, try late April to June, and check the When to book chart above for the cheapest departure dates.
Airlines and routes
There are no direct flights from the UK to San Andres Island. The standard routing is London to Bogota — Avianca and British Airways fly it nonstop in around 11.5 hours — then a domestic flight of about two hours to San Andres (ADZ), operated by Avianca, LATAM, Wingo or Clic. There are also connections via Cartagena, Medellin, Madrid or Panama City. Allow roughly 18–22 hours in total, including the connection.
Things to do in San Andres Island
The appeal is mostly in the water, and the island's 30-km ring road is easily covered by hired golf cart.
- Johnny Cay: a palm-covered islet off the north coast, reached by a short boat trip.
- Acuario and Haynes Cay: shallow turquoise lagoons perfect for snorkelling with rays.
- La Piscinita (West View): a calm west-coast spot with clear water and easy snorkelling.
- Hoyo Soplador: a natural blowhole at the southern tip that spouts on a strong swell.
- Scuba diving: reef walls, coral gardens and wrecks suitable for all experience levels.
At Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport (ADZ)
The airport sits on the island's northern edge, barely 2 km from the main town and the North End beaches. A taxi to central hotels takes five to ten minutes and some accommodation is within walking distance; fares follow fixed zones, so confirm the rate before setting off. Golf-cart and car hire desks are available at the terminal.
Top tips for finding cheap flights to San Andres Island
- Book the long-haul leg early: fares to Bogota are usually best two to four months out, and earlier still for Christmas and Easter.
- Fly midweek and off-peak: Tuesday and Wednesday departures outside Colombian school holidays tend to be cheaper.
- Stay flexible: shifting your dates by a few days can cut the total — the price charts on this page show how.
- Compare routings: weigh Avianca and British Airways via Bogota against one-stop options through Madrid or Panama City.
Travel essentials
UK passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays in Colombia of up to 90 days; keep your passport valid for the trip and be ready to show a return or onward ticket. Colombia's online Check-Mig form must be completed within 72 hours of each flight in and out, and visitors to San Andres must buy a tourist card before boarding, with a small departure tax also payable. The currency is the Colombian peso; cards are widely accepted, but carry cash for taxis, boat trips and small vendors. Check NHS Fit for Travel advice before you go.
