Things to Do in San Andrés

Snorkel the shallow reef at La Piscinita

Electric-blue parrotfish graze algae inches from your mask. Kevin passes you a cracked coconut from his cooler. The water is so clear you can watch your shadow ripple across coral 4 m below. When the tide is right the pool turns into a natural aquarium. No waves. Just fish.

Sunset drift on a catamaran from Spratt Bight pier

The mainsail blocks the last slice of sun, turning the sky mango-orange. The crew cranks Vallenato and passes coconut rice. Rigging clinks against the mast. Diesel mixes with salt spray. The island shrinks to a green comma on the horizon.

Bike the eastern coastal road to San Luis

Crushed waves hiss against limestone on your right. Iguanas scuttle into manchineel shade on the left. The cracked asphalt buzzes your handlebars. Sea breeze keeps you cool. Roadside ladies sell icy tamarind balls for pennies.

Feed stingrays at Haynes Cay

White-sand spit reachable by foot through knee-deep water at low tide. Southern stingrays glide over your ankles like grey silk scarves. Vendors grill lobster tails on split oil drums. Smoke and spray give the air a sweet-briny edge.

Dance to reggae en la plaza on Friday night

Downtown's Parque de la Barrida thumps with bass you feel in your ribs. Locals pour rum-and-milk over folding tables. Kids weave glow sticks. Night air carries jerk chicken scorched over charcoal half-drums.

North End (Spratt Bight) - tourist central with beachfront condos and 24-hour mini-marts, handy for first-time visitors

San Luis - quieter south-east strip of guesthouses opening onto sand so white it squeaks. Roosters wake you at dawn

La Loma - interior hill village where wooden houses perch above mango trees and evening breezes save on A/C

Punta Hansa - duty-free shopping zone plus a small boardwalk, good for self-caterers

Cocopl＠y - newer mid-range hotels set around a man-made lagoon, popular with Colombian families

Rocky Cay - east-side cove with reef right off the beach, low-key hostels and a shipwreck you can wade to