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San Andres is the ultimate destinations for a superb diving experience in the crystal clear water, warm, white sandy beaches, exciting nightlife, colorful culture, and a choice of full-amenity accommodations. |
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With a vivid and multi-ethnic history, San Andrés offers a varied cultural experience, from the cuisine of the islands to the languages spoken. The archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina, identified by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve, is located 480 miles (720 km) northwest from the Colombian Caribbean Coast. |
It is made up of the islands of San Andres, Providence and St. Catherine, Bolivar and Albuqueque islets, Cotton, Haynes, Johnny, Serrana, Serranilla, Quitasueno, Rocky, Crab cays and Alicia and Bajo Nuevo sand banks.
San Andrés is conveniently located on the Central American-Colombian route, Closer to Nicaragua and Jamaica. The archipelago became a Colombian territory due to the result of piracy, wars of independence, slavery, immigration, sugar, cotton and religion. Originally settled by the Spanish in 1510, the islands were part of the Audiencia of Panama, then part of the Capitanía of Guatemala and Nicaragua. They attracted the attention of Dutch and English privateers, and reputedly Henry Morgan's treasure trove is hidden in one of the island caves. English Puritans and Jamaican woodcutters followed the pirates and it wasn’t until 1821 during the Wars of Independence that Francisco de Paula Santander took the islands and the Colombian flag was raised on June 23, 1822. Even after the islands became Colombian territory, the English influence remained in architecture, language, and religion.
The archipelago consists of two large islands, San Andrés and Providencia. San Andrés, at the southern end of the archipelago, is the largest island at 13 km long and 3 km wide. Providencia is the next largest island, at 7 km long and 4 km wide. Located 90 km north of San Andrés, It is still a attracts snorkelers and divers looking for the extensive coral reefs and clear water. The interior of the island is tropical palms and pleasant.
One can enjoy swimming, horseback riding, parasailing, wind surfing or relax on a beach. There are several Diving and snorkeling locations on the islands. Calm undercurrents, moderate temperatures, and almost limitless visibility make this a prime attraction. Besides these activities one can also indulge in ultimate local cuisine of the islands comprising mostly of fish and local vegetables, accented with coconut, plantain, breadfruit and spices. <
