Essentials
- City
- San Andrés, San Andrés and Providencia, Colombia
- Population
- Approx. 65,000
- Internet Speed
- 10-25 Mbps via fiber optic/Starlink; satellite can be unstable during storms.
- Currency & Banking
- Colombian Peso (COP). 1 USD ≈ 3,900 COP. ATMs: Bancolombia, Davivienda.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable. Bottled water (5L jug for 8,500 COP) is essential.
- Power
- 110V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B (US style).
- SIM Card
- Claro has the best coverage on the island; 30GB data for ~45,000 COP.
- Banking for Expats
- Bancolombia (local), Revolut/Wise (widely accepted for card payments).
- Accommodation
- Varies by season; Guesthouses, Airbnbs, and luxury resorts (Decameron).
- Cashless Friendly
- Moderate. Hotels and upscale restaurants accept cards; street vendors are cash-only.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com (Apartamentos Caribbean Island, San Luis).
- Budget Accommodation
- Viajero Hostel San Andrés (Dorms from 95,000 COP/night).
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- North End (Centro/Saraniebla) for beaches, shopping, and nightlife.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- San Luis or La Roccosa for quieter vibes and better fiber optic availability.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Workation San Andrés (near North End) - Daily pass approx. 60,000 COP.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Juan Valdez Café (Peatonal area) - Reliable Wi-Fi and air conditioning.
- Networking Events
- Informal meetups at 'El Isleño' or via expats Facebook groups.
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats in San Andres Island (Facebook Group); Friday night beach bonfires in San Luis.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No Uber/Bolt; use official white/yellow taxis. Fixed rates, e.g., Centro to San Luis (25,000 COP).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Moto rentals (70,000 COP/day) or Golf Carts (200,000 COP/day) at 'Alquiler de Mulitas'.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Spratt Bight (City Beach) or Rocky Cay (for snorkeling).
- Top Regional Airline
- SATENA (Flights to Providencia Island).
- Top International Airline
- LATAM, Avianca (Direct flights from Bogota, Panama City).
- Highway Access
- Circunvalar Road (30km loop around the entire island).
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport (ADZ).
- Public Transport Passes
- Local buses (un marcado) cost 3,600 COP per ride; no passes.
- Regional Travel
- Catamaran 'El Sensation' to Providencia Island (Approx. 420,000 COP round trip).
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Departamental Amor de Patria (Avenida Newball).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Shanti Yoga San Andrés (San Luis area).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Bodytech San Andrés (North End, Carrera 1).
- Laundry Services
- Lavandería Burbujas (Approx. 8,000 COP per kg).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Rappi (limited availability), mostly direct WhatsApp ordering.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Rondón (Fish, snail, pork tail, and yucca stew cooked in coconut milk).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Grow San Andrés (Plant-based bowls and smoothies).
- Best Dessert Spots
- The Grog Rocky Cay (Famous for coconut desserts).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Supermercado Super Todo (Avenida 20 de Julio).
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mercado Libre Colombia (Shipping takes 5-10 days due to island location).
- Grocery Delivery
- Direct from Super Todo via WhatsApp service.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Peatonal (Pedestrian walkway) and Cocoloco Disco Bar.
- Local Brewery
- No local brewery; Club Colombia and Aguila are the standard beers (5,000 COP).
- Wine Bars
- La Regatta (High-end seafood restaurant with extensive wine cellar).
- Street Food Stalls
- Arepas at the Peatonal or Crab Empanadas in San Luis (5,000-8,000 COP).
- Popular International Cuisine
- Gourmet Shop Assho (Italian/International fusion).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Morgan's Cave (Cueva de Morgan) and The Blowhole (Hoyo Soplador).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Island House Museum (Casa Museo Isleña) - entry 15,000 COP.
- Historical Sites
- First Baptist Church in La Loma (Oldest church on the island).
- Religious Sites
- Catholic Cathedral (Sagrada Familia) in South End.
- Annual Events
- Green Moon Festival (September) celebrating Afro-Caribbean culture.
- Cultural Districts
- La Loma (The Hill), the traditional Raizal neighborhood.
- Theater Venues
- Auditorio del Centro Cultural del Banco de la República.
- Local Markets
- Centro Commercial New Point (Duty-free shopping).
- Music Scene
- Reggae and Dancehall live music at Banzai Bar.
- Street Art
- Murals along the Avenida Newball waterfront.
- Cooking Classes
- Raizal Cooking Workshops at Posada Nativa Miss Elma.
- Art Galleries
- Galeria de Arte Native (local crafts and woodcarvings).
- Historic Buildings
- The Old Town Hall in La Loma.
- Local Heritage
- Native Raizal culture (Creole speaking, Protestant traditions).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Johnny Cay Regional Park (Small island nearby, boat tour 40,000 COP).
- National Parks Nearby
- Old Providence McBean Lagoon (Located on Providencia Island).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The paved pathway along the Avenida Newball promenade.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- La Loma peak for 360-degree views of the Sea of Seven Colors.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Big Pond Lagoon in the center of the island.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- San Luis beach (remote areas away from hotels).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Servientrega (Branch at Av. 20 de Julio).
- Tech Repair Services
- Electrónica San Andrés (Carrera 1).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Available at Decameron Marazul resort.
- Language Classes
- Spanish/Creole exchange at San Andrés SENA Center.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Banco de la República Cultural Center Library.
- Community Centers
- Infotep community college campus.
- Gaming Lounges
- Local small internet cafes in North End.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Arena (Avenida Providencia).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,200 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $88,000 USD).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,600 USD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $64,000 USD).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,100 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $126,000 USD).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,500 USD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $90,000 USD).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $2,000 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $160,000 USD).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $1,400 USD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $112,000 USD).
- Corporate Tax
- 35% (Standard Colombian rate).
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for residents; 20% for non-residents.
- Tax System
- Worldwide income for tax residents (183+ days in country).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 39%
- VAT
- 0% (San Andrés is a Duty-Free Port; excluded from Colombia's 19% VAT).
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable under Colombian tax law.
- Property Tax
- Impuesto Predial (Approx. 0.5% - 1.2% of valuation).
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 1.5% - 3% for registration and notary fees.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Colombia Digital Nomad Visa (V Visa) allows stays up to 2 years; offshore income is generally not taxed unless residency is triggered.