Hospital: no explanation needed, hopefully not needed but good to know where it is.

Hospital Timothy Britton.   Add: Av. Colombia sarie Bay   Ph: 011-57-8-512-7392 Fax: 011-57-8-512-3443

Decameron Maryland:  E-mail: maryland@sol.net.co Add: Av. Colombia 14-64 Spratt Bight Ph: 011-57-8-512-7821 Fax:  Newest addition to SAI Decameron Hotels.  Some very good comments from visitors to this newest Decameron Hotel. Very attentive staff, good rooms, great food.  

Decameron El Isleño (Hotel El Isleño Decameron): e-Mail: gerencia@col1.telecom.com.co  ????? (Probably now changed to something like elisleno.gerencia@decameron.com or perhaps isleno.gerencia@decameron.com ) Add: Av. Colombia 5-117  Ph: 011-57-8-512-3991.  Fax: 011-57-8-512-4426 . 

Note: The Isleno is now closed for rennovations. Reopening....sometime!

Smallest & Quietest of the Decameron Hotels (44 rooms).  In the city,  7 MIN stroll to Downtown.  Close to  airport.  Nice pool & outdoor eating area. Boardwalk directly in front of the hotel borders the islands main beach. All rooms have a balcony with ocean , beach and Johnny Cay view. No Hairdryers.. Some very positive comments on it in terms of friendliness and service. The AVIS of the SAI Decamerons: they do try harder! Not all rooms are air conditioned, so you probably want to ask about this when you check-in.

Johnny Cay: Good size island about 1 km north of main island. Good snorkeling (off northwest corner), great beach, food and drink vendors, very friendly get-away. Novice snorkellers should be aware there may be a bit of a current running south to north, so swim fins are recommended for this location.

The "hotel on the water", both figuratively and literally. Very good restaurants, excellent service, friendly staff, rooms are good and well maintained, disco and nightly entertainment offered. Very small beach adjacent to the property, and about a 5 to 10 minute walk to the main downtown beach. Good snorkeling directly from shore. Many very, very positive comments on this resort.

Acuario & Haines Cay: About 1 km from shore directly east from the Marazul. Part of the extensive reef that runs down the east side of the entire island. Acuario Cay is a sand-bar (which may or may not be showing above water) with a collection of precariously placed wooden buildings on it. Good snorkeling about 100 metres to the east of the buildings along a series of low "reef ridges". To get to Haines Cay (approximately 150 meters) from Acuario through 3' to 4' deep water, you can walk or snorkel. If walking, you would be advised to use water shoes as the bottom is broken coral and coral sand. Many people have cut their feet, especially as you get close to Haines Cay where there is some very sharp exposed coral. If you’re snorkeling, there is a fairly strong current if the waves are pounding on the outer reef, so swim-fins are recommended. Haines Cay is a small island (a few acres) with grass, palms, and a few small shops selling drinks, simple food, etc.

Rocky Cay: As the name says, a small rocky island. You can wade out to it from shore.

Sound Bay: Off-shore about 200-300 meters is the back-half of a wrecked merchant ship. It was being towed to Cartagena for salvage when it broke in half during a storm. The back-half was driven aground where it now resides.

Kella's Beach Bar: A San Andres "institution". A Must-Do!  Put it on your list NOW!

Coral View Restaurant: Add: Km 17+819 San Luis Elsy Bar   Ph: 011-57-8-513-0073 Owner/Manager: the late Mr. Carrington. His wife is now your host.

Excellent Sea Food (but he will serve up wonderful alternatives to Seafood if given some advance notice.), great service, and if the waves are crashing in (as they most often are this far down the island), an island experience not to be missed.

Blow Hole: Waves traveling in from the sea through a natural tube and jetting out vertically through a small hole in the coral. Interesting spot. Note: There have been advisories from visitors to watch your personal belonging at this spot, and to watch for tampering of your vehicle. Apparently a less-desirable form of free-enterprise is at work here. Also note that the free drinks and free coconut you may be offered isn’t quite as free as it may have seemed. They may ask for a fairly hefty payment when you are leaving.

Just a reminder note, not to forget your common sense. Be aware of your surroundings @ all times, don't wear any excessive jewelry, & do try to travel in groups. Every once in a while an unfortunate note, as such, needs to be posted when an isolated incident occures. Remember: unfortunate situations happen any where, any place, any time......even in our own neibourhoods here @ home. San Andres is no exception. It's quite easy to become caught up in all the Caribbean has to offer, thus leaving us vulnerable to the "thugs" who are also on vacation around the island.

Natural Swimming Pool (Piscina Natural): My personal favorite for snorkeling. Hundreds of fish, all sizes, all colours, up close and personal, feed them from your hand, excellent colourful coral formations on coral wall. Excellent place for beginner-snorkelers. Water depth between 12' and 35' in the bay, ~50' outside of the bay. Pricey though, entry costs 1000 pesos (!) per person (bread included). (Just kidding. Do the conversion!) 8-)

West View Restaurant: Excellent food and service, and a sunset to die for. Excellent snorkeling from shore. As at Piscina Natural, also hundreds of fish to swim with.

Cove Bay/el Cove: A message post from Werner (a local Snorkeling-tour operator) indicated that a group of his snorkelers swam with Dolphins at this spot around 10 March 2000.

Fisherman's Place Restaurant: Is actually a co-op restaurant through the local fisherman. It is located @ Cove Bay on the west side sporting a rustic setting. The seafood is very good, specializing in red snapper.

Morgan's Cave: Used by Capt. Morgan when he operated from the island. Worth visiting (if for no other reason than to be able to say your trip to San Andres wasn't all sun and fun, but was also educational). Entry 300 pesos.

El Rincon de la Langosta: Add: Circunvalar Km 6+683 Schooner Bight  Ph: 011-57-8-513-2933  Check out their page at www.rincondelalangosta.com . 

Excellent restaurant right on the water’s edge, excellent food, a bit pricey (not a joke in this case) but worth the experience. You only live once....

Big Pond (center of island): ** (see "Safety" in Other Useful Info.)  There are reported to be small Crocodiles and Boas around Big Pond, however it is unlikely you would see any. If you like ponds you might include this on your list, otherwise....

Baptist Church: A very pretty white Church set at the top of the island.The Baptist church has a sign over the front entrance which reads (according to one of the San Andres regulars Gringonash) "Built in 1847". Literature on the Church indicates the wood was sent from Alabama. If you go for the Service Sunday, be prepared for a full morning. It takes a while.

For other useful info or hints for your trip to SAI , please see the Other Useful Info. link.