... in response to Re: Re: Cartagena Trip ---Followup of my..., posted by dmohio on Jul 28, 2001We went to San Andreas(An island in the Carribean about 400 miles north of Caretagena) as well as Cartagena on our honeymoon in February 2000.Cartegena is much more interesting but San Andreas has better beaches and more of a beach resort type feeling.It is also a duty free port,and they have many many stores.The whole small central city,maybe 12 blocks square is shops selling just about everything,clothes,shoes,electronic items.I understand alot of Colombians go there to shop and carry suitcases full of goodies back home.I bought New Balence running shoes for $22.
The island is small,maybe 5 miles by 15 miles,with the city and most hotels on the south eastern tip.There is a full range of hotels,from small but nice looking family tpye ones,where alot of Colmbians stay,to the big beach resorts.I would bet you could find small nice hotels for $30-$40.The whole place is very clean,no slummy areas.Its mostly a beach hangout,not much else to see.
We arranged our trip through a travel agent in Bogota.This is a good idea in general but we didn't do too well.My US travel agent didn't want to mess with it,he said do it in Colombia.We were trying to book for only 2 days or so ahead and the good deals were gone.Some of the hotels offer an "all inclusive" deal that includes 2 or 3 meals a day.This can be had for about the price of the room if you just walk in.The main hotels on this plan were booked.We booked a room in a place we were told was 5 miniutes from town,very private and nice,I forget the name.We paid in advance but for some stupid reason were supposed to pick up our hotel vouchers at the airport in
Bogota.I had trouble finding there office and when I did no one seemed to know what I was talking about.We were about to miss our plane so we just went without the voucher.I figured between the hotel and the travel agent they could get it figured out.When we got to San Andreas we took a taxi to the hotel,about 20 miniutes out of town,through small neiborhoods.There it was on a hill,no beaches.It looked OK but we didn't even go in,we wanted to be on the beach.I told the driver to take us to the hotels on the beach.We liked the Sunrise,one of 2 first class hotels on the island.We paid about 200,000 pesos a night,about $110 at the time but it would be $90 now if they didn't change the peso price.It is a beautifull hotel,right on the beach,big pool built in a dock over the ocean,nice beach.
The second day we checked out the Aquarium,the other first class hotel.It was also very nice but I liked the setting at the Sunrise better.We could have stayed at the Aquarium for about $120 all inclusive but they were booked.
We never did get reimbursed for the room at the other hotel.I think I paid $300 for 4 nights.
The other way the travel agent screwed us up is they said we couldn't fly from San Andres to Cartagena,we had to go back through Bogota,Wrong.There are 2 local airlines that make that trip.I bet they knew about them but didn't tell us to make more money.We flew a local flight to Cartagena and got reimbursed for our legs from San Andres to Bogota and Bogota back to Cartagena.The flight cost about $80 each.The problem was it was supposed to leave at 9.00AM and actually left ay 8PM.At least we got warned of this around 10AM and went back to the beach.
We met a driver who hangs out in front of the Hotel Sunrise,I want to say his name was Abner,or something like that.He was a great guy,showed us the whole island and was the one to clue us in on the airplane situation,and also had a relative meet us when we went to Providencia.He,like most island locals,was a black don't worry be happy Jamican type guy.Very casual and friendly.The island was originally a British possesion,so the locals speak perfect english and spanish.The island got given to Colombia somehow about 50 years ago.The locals are not to happy about this.Abner and the others drivers drove big full size chevys,not like the rest of Colombia.I guess they can get them from the states used where this is not allowed in the rest of Colombia.
About Providencia,a smaller island 50 miles or so away.I would pass on it,nothing much there,unless you want to scuba dive.Nothing approaching a good hotel,no hot water.
We ate dinner at a little restaurant on the beach and were swarmed with mosquitos.I wish I would have added the 2 days to Cartagena.We spent 4 days in San Andres,2 days in Providencia and 3 days in Cartagena.I would go back to Cartagena first,we didn't see it all.
I guess I would characterize San Andres as a Caribean beach resort that is much less expensive than most of the Carribean.If I had only 3 or 4 days I would spend it in Caragena.If you have more time or want the beach resort atmosphere,go to San Andres.
Pete
