You’re looking at a San Andres island Colombia map and probably thinking one of two things: either it looks like a tiny seahorse or you’re wondering why on earth it’s so much closer to Nicaragua than to Bogota. It’s a valid question. This little speck of land in the Caribbean is actually about 470 miles from the Colombian mainland but only about 140 miles off the Nicaraguan coast. That geographic quirk is exactly why the island feels like such a weird, beautiful hybrid of English-speaking Raizal culture and Spanish-influenced Caribbean flair.
Look closer at that map. You'll see an island that’s barely eight miles long. It’s skinny. It’s small. But if you don't understand the layout before you land at Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport (ADZ), you’re going to spend your whole trip stuck in the North End traffic when you should be floating in the Sea of Seven Colors.
The Geography of the Sea of Seven Colors
When people talk about the "Sea of Seven Colors," they aren't just being poetic for Instagram. It’s a real thing. Because of the varying depths and the massive coral reef system—the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve—the water shifts from a pale, almost milky turquoise to a deep, bruised purple.
The San Andres island Colombia map shows a distinct divide. The northern tip is where the action is. This is "El Centro." It’s where the high-rise hotels like the Decameron towers sit, where the duty-free shops sell perfume and chocolate, and where the main beach, Playa Spratt Bight, stretches out. If you like crowds, cocktails, and being able to walk to dinner, this is your zone.
But if you follow the coastline south on the map, things change fast. The "highway"—and I use that term loosely because it's basically one paved loop road—takes you away from the hustle. The east coast is breezy and rugged. The west coast? That’s where the cliffs are. There are no sandy beaches on the west side. Instead, you get spots like West View and La Piscinita, where the water is immediately 20 feet deep and teeming with tropical fish. You jump off a wooden platform, and you're in a natural aquarium. It’s honestly better than most of the sandy beaches if you actually like swimming.
Why the Map Location Matters for Your Wallet
There is a weird historical tension here. In 2012, the International Court of Justice in The Hague actually redrew some of the maritime borders. Colombia kept the islands (San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina), but Nicaragua gained a huge chunk of the surrounding waters. Why does this matter to you? Because it affects fishing rights and local resources.
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Also, since it's a "Free Port," you don't pay the same taxes on the island as you do in Medellin or Cartagena. This makes the North End a shopping mecca for Colombians. You'll see people hauling flat-screen TVs through the airport. It's wild. But don't get distracted by the cheap suitcases. Focus on the geography.
If you look at the San Andres island Colombia map and see the tiny dots to the east, those are the "cayos" or keys. Johnny Cay is the big one. You can see it from the main beach. It’s a five-minute boat ride, but it feels like a different world—think palm trees, iguanas, and "coco loco" drinks served in actual coconuts. Then there’s Haynes Cay and Rose Cay (often called Acuario). At Acuario, the water is waist-deep between two tiny islands, and you can literally walk through the ocean from one to the other.
Navigating the Loop Road
Most people rent a "mula"—basically a beefed-up golf cart or a Kawasaki side-by-side. You can drive the entire perimeter of the island in about 45 minutes if you don't stop. But you will stop.
- The South Tip: This is where you find the Hoyo Soplador. It’s a geyser. Water shoots up through a hole in the coral rock when the tide and waves hit just right. It’s a bit of a tourist trap with guys trying to sell you hats, but seeing the ocean sneeze 20 feet into the air is undeniably cool.
- San Luis: Located on the eastern side. This is where the Raizal culture is most visible. The houses are wooden, colorful, and built on stilts. The beaches here, like Cocoplum, are way quieter than the North End.
- The Interior: On your San Andres island Colombia map, look for the "Loma" or the Hill. This is the highest point. There’s an old Baptist church there with a view that will make your brain reset. You can see the reef lines from up there. It’s the best place to understand the island’s scale.
The Providencia Connection
You cannot talk about the map of San Andres without mentioning its sister, Providencia. It’s about 56 miles further north. While San Andres is the busy, commercialized sibling, Providencia is the rugged, untouched one. There are no all-inclusive resorts there. In 2020, Hurricane Iota hit Providencia incredibly hard, destroying nearly 98% of the infrastructure. The recovery has been long and difficult.
If you have the time, take the "catamaran" or a tiny plane flight there. The catamaran is notorious. Locally, it’s nicknamed the "vomit rocket" because the Caribbean Sea is no joke. But once you arrive, you’re in a place where the mountains meet the sea and the "Bridge of Lovers" connects you to even smaller Santa Catalina. It’s the version of the Caribbean that people think doesn't exist anymore.
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Realities of the Infrastructure
Let’s be real for a second. San Andres has some struggles. Because of the geography shown on any San Andres island Colombia map, resources are limited. Fresh water is a luxury; most hotels use desalinated water which can feel a bit "slimy" on the skin because of the mineral content. Electricity can be spotty.
The island is also incredibly crowded. It’s one of the most densely populated islands in the Caribbean. This leads to waste management issues. When you visit, you’re a guest in a fragile ecosystem. Don't touch the coral. Don't buy jewelry made of tortoiseshell (it's illegal and cruel).
Essential Spots to Circle on Your Map
- La Piscinita: Best for snorkeling without a boat.
- Rocky Cay: You can walk out to a shipwreck at low tide.
- The First Baptist Church: For the best view of the Seven Colors.
- Capitan de la Navia: A great spot for sunset drinks on the west side.
- Casa Museo Isleña: A museum that explains the Raizal history and the blend of African and European roots.
The island’s history is a messy mix of English puritans, African slaves, and Spanish settlers. That’s why you’ll hear "Islander Creole"—it sounds like English but with a rhythmic, Caribbean lilt that’s totally unique.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
Don't just stare at the San Andres island Colombia map; use it to plan a smart itinerary.
First, get your Tourist Card. You have to buy this at the airport before you even board your flight to the island. It’s about 139,000 COP (this price fluctuates, so check the latest rate). Do not lose this piece of paper. You need it to leave.
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Second, rent a vehicle early. If you wait until 11:00 AM to find a golf cart in the North End, all the good ones will be gone. Aim for 8:30 AM. Negotiate the price. If you’re paying more than 200,000–250,000 COP for a full day (depending on the season), you’re getting the "tourist price."
Third, time the Cayos. Everyone goes to Johnny Cay at 10:00 AM. It gets packed. If you can find a private boat captain to take you earlier or later, do it. Or, skip the main keys and head to Bolívar Cay if the weather permits—it’s further out, but it’s pristine.
Finally, eat the local food. Look for Rondón. It’s a slow-cooked stew with fish, conch, pork tail, yam, and dumplings in coconut milk. It’s heavy, it’s salty, and it’s the best thing you’ll eat on the island. Most of the restaurants in the North End serve generic pizza and pasta; head to San Luis to find the authentic stuff.
San Andres is a place of contradictions. It’s noisy and peaceful. It’s crowded and isolated. But once you get away from the duty-free shops and find a quiet stretch of road on the west coast, looking out at that impossible blue water, you’ll get why people keep coming back. Pack your sunscreen (the reef-safe kind, seriously), grab your map, and get out of the hotel zone. That’s where the real island is.