San Andrés: The Sea of 7 Colors and a Budget Itinerary for 2026

San Andrés is a tiny Colombian island in the Caribbean Sea, famous for its sea of seven colors — the shifting shades of turquoise, emerald and deep blue caused by the varying depth and the coral reefs that ring the archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina. Even though it’s Colombian, the island sits geographically closer to Nicaragua than to Bogotá, which explains its 100% Caribbean vibe, with an average temperature of 27°C (80°F) year-round.

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For travelers coming from Brazil, San Andrés is often sold as the “budget Caribbean”: cheaper flights than Cancún or Punta Cana, no visa required, and a 4- to 5-day itinerary that fits a moderate budget if you plan your lodging and tours well.

Where it is	Colombian island in the Caribbean Sea, about 750 km from Bogotá and close to the coast of Nicaragua
Documents (Brazilians)	National ID (RG) for direct Brazil-Colombia flights, or passport (if connecting through a country that requires one); no visa for tourism
Tourist card	Mandatory, $153,000 COP (~R$ 205) per adult, January 2026 rate — El Espectador
Best time to go	November to May (calmer sea); June to November brings more rain and wind
Average cost	From R$ 3,500-4,500 per person for 4-5 days (Jan 2026), including flights, simple lodging and budget tours (check current exchange rates before booking)
How to get there	International flight to Bogotá or Cartagena, then a domestic connection to Gustavo Rojas Pinilla Airport (ADZ) on San Andrés
Currency	Colombian peso (COP); international cards (Wise, Nomad) help you avoid conversion fees

What is San Andrés and why does the sea have 7 colors?

San Andrés is the main island of the Colombian archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina, in the Caribbean Sea. The so-called sea of seven colors is the result of the combination of the sea floor’s varying depth, the coral reefs and the light-colored sand, which reflect sunlight in shades ranging from navy blue to emerald green within just a few meters of each other.

The island is about 26 km² and can be circled by scooter or buggy in a little over an hour, but the full itinerary — with beaches, diving and the neighboring islets — usually calls for 4 to 5 days. Local culture blends Colombian, Caribbean and Raizal influences, and the Raizal people speak San Andrés Creole in addition to Spanish.

How do you get to San Andrés from Brazil?

There are no direct flights from Brazil to San Andrés: the standard route is to fly to Bogotá or Cartagena and complete the trip on a domestic flight to Gustavo Rojas Pinilla Airport (ADZ), right on the island.

Colombian airlines Avianca and Wingo operate most of the domestic routes to San Andrés, with prices that vary a lot depending on how far in advance you book. If you’re already planning to visit Cartagena, it’s common to tack San Andrés onto the same trip, since flights between the two cities are short and frequent.

What documents do Brazilians need?

Brazilians don’t need a visa to enter Colombia as tourists. On direct Brazil-Colombia flights, an up-to-date national ID (RG) is usually enough; if your connection passes through a country that requires a passport — Panama is common on this route — bring it so you don’t run into trouble.

The yellow fever vaccine is no longer a mandatory requirement to enter Colombia, but keeping your vaccination card up to date and buying travel insurance is still recommended, especially because of the boat tours and diving.

How much does the tourist card cost in 2026?

The tourist card is mandatory for every visitor over 7 years old who isn’t a resident of the archipelago, and in 2026 it costs about $153,000 Colombian pesos (roughly R$ 205) per adult, already including the base fee of $116,000 COP and the tourism infrastructure contribution of $37,000 COP, adjusted as of January 8, 2026 by the archipelago’s government (El Espectador, Jan 2026).

Children up to 6 years old, San Andrés locals and permanent residents of the archipelago are exempt. You can buy it during the airline’s online check-in before boarding, and the physical (paper) card must be picked up at the airport counter in your departure city — it’s checked both on arrival and on departure from the island, so keep it until the end of your trip.

What’s the best time to visit San Andrés?

The period from November to May usually has the calmest sea, less wind and less risk of boat tours being canceled due to weather conditions. From June to November it rains more often, though it’s not constant rain all day, and San Andrés sits outside the Caribbean’s main hurricane path.

If possible, avoid Colombia’s school holiday week and Holy Week: the island fills up, lodging prices rise and the most popular tours, like parasailing, get booked up weeks in advance.

How much does a budget trip to San Andrés cost?

A budget 4- to 5-day itinerary in San Andrés adds up flights, the tourist card, simple lodging, food and basic tours — and the item that weighs the most is usually the international flight to Bogotá or Cartagena, followed by the domestic connection to the island.

Item	Approximate cost (COP and Jan 2026 conversion)
Tourist card	$153,000 COP (~R$ 205) per adult (Jan 2026)
Simple lodging (per night)	$100,000-180,000 COP (~R$ 135-240) at a guesthouse or hostel away from the main beach (Jan 2026)
Meal at a simple restaurant	$25,000-40,000 COP (~R$ 35-55) (Jan 2026)
Johnny Cay tour (booked on the island)	from $60,000 COP (~R$ 80) per person (Jan 2026)
Scooter/buggy rental (per day)	$120,000-200,000 COP (~R$ 160-270) (Jan 2026)

In practice, not counting the international flight, a 4-5 day itinerary in San Andrés comes to around R$ 1,800 to R$ 2,800 per person (Jan 2026), adding up the tourist card, budget lodging, simple meals and 2-3 tours booked locally — which usually come out cheaper than booking from home. Add to that the cost of your flight, which varies a lot depending on when you buy.

Where to stay in San Andrés without spending much?

The Spratt Bight area, in the center of the island, concentrates most of the guesthouses, restaurants and the departure point for boats to Johnny Cay — staying there costs a bit more, but it saves you the extra taxi fare every day. Staying farther from the center usually means a cheaper nightly rate, but the money you save generally ends up matching what you spend on transport to and from the tours.

Hostels and family-run guesthouses away from the beachfront are the most budget-friendly option; comparing prices across different booking platforms before you commit helps you dodge high season, when rates climb fast.

Where to stay in San Andrés

What are the best tours and are they worth it?

Yes, San Andrés is worth it for anyone after crystal-clear beaches, coral reef diving and a more laid-back itinerary than the trendier Caribbean destinations. The most sought-after tours are Johnny Cay, the natural aquarium with Rocky Cay, and Hoyo Soplador, a natural geyser formed by rocks on the coast.

Hoyo Soplador is on the east side of the island and usually fits into the same buggy or scooter loop, since it’s off the boat circuit. Booking the Johnny Cay excursion in advance secures your departure time, especially on weekends and Colombian holidays.

If you’d rather book ahead and in Portuguese, you can book the Johnny Cay excursion before you travel, but booking locally, right on Spratt Bight beach, usually comes out cheaper — the difference can be nearly double the price, according to travelers’ reports.

Tour	Approximate price	Best for
Johnny Cay (local shared boat)	from $60,000 COP (~R$ 80) (Jan 2026)	pristine beach and a tight budget
Aquarium and Rocky Cay (snorkeling)	usually combined with Johnny Cay on the same tour	those who want to see fish and shallow reefs
Parasailing	book in advance, spots fill up fast	those who want an aerial view of the sea of 7 colors
Island loop by scooter/buggy	$120,000-200,000 COP/day (~R$ 160-270) (Jan 2026)	freedom to stop at multiple beaches

What nobody tells you about San Andrés

Most beaches and boat tours in San Andrés have a coral reef floor, not smooth sand — getting in the water without water shoes is the most common mistake first-time visitors make, and the risk of cutting your foot is real.

Colombian outlets follow the American standard (110V, flat pins), unlike the Brazilian standard — bring an adapter. Most restaurants, bars and guesthouses accept international debit cards with no extra fees, but some boat tours only take cash; carrying about a third of your budget in cash avoids surprises.

Booking the parasailing tour only on the spot tends to frustrate high-season travelers — spots sell out fast, so it’s worth locking in your time slot as soon as you arrive on the island, rather than leaving it for the last days.

Before you finalize your itinerary, it’s worth checking more tour options right on the platform, with prices in reais and free cancellation in many cases.

Plan your trip to San AndrésIn the order it pays to book · Voyage partners

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Frequently asked questions

Is San Andrés worth it?

San Andrés is worth it for anyone after crystal-clear beaches, a laid-back itinerary and a lower cost than other Caribbean destinations like Cancún or Punta Cana, especially outside high season.

Do you need a visa to go to San Andrés?

Brazilians don’t need a visa to enter Colombia, including San Andrés, for short tourist stays. You only have to buy the island’s tourist card before boarding.

How many days should you stay in San Andrés?

Between 4 and 5 days is enough to see the main beaches, do the Johnny Cay and Aquarium tours, and still have a free day to relax or ride a scooter around the island.

Is San Andrés safe?

San Andrés is considered one of the calmest and most tourist-friendly areas in Colombia, with a heavy flow of international visitors; the recommended precautions are the basics of any tourist destination, like avoiding showing off valuables at night.

Do you need travel insurance for San Andrés?

Travel insurance isn’t required to enter Colombia, but it’s highly recommended because of the boat tours, diving and snorkeling, which carry a risk of minor accidents like cuts on coral reefs.

Conclusion

San Andrés combines the sea of seven colors with a more affordable cost than most competing Caribbean destinations, as long as you plan your itinerary with lodging away from the beachfront and tours booked locally. To round out your trip through Colombia, check out the Cartagena guide and the Rosario Islands tour too, two destinations that pair well with the same flight. Keep exploring the Colombian Caribbean here on VoyageVoyage.