101 things to do in San Andrès

It took us a while, but i think we finally managed to finish a 101 things to do list in San Andres.

Keep in mind that they are not organized in any particular order and some of them cost money.

1. Go Snorkeling.
2. Visit the Big Pond and pet an Cayman.
3. Listen to Gospel music.
4. Jump at Morgan’s Jump.
5. Go beaching to any beach.
6. Go window shopping.
7. Visit the Rocky Cay beach.
8. Jump from the rocky cay boat (not recommended)
9. Take a free hotel tour.
10. Make a local friend.
11. Go to Johnny Cay.
12. Go to Cayo Bolivar (Restricted as of 2016).
13. Go to the Acuario Cay.
14. Go to Haynes Cay.
15. Eat at Bibi's Place in Haynes Cay
16. Eat at the Fishermen's Place.
17. Snorkel in the Acuario Cay.
18. Go To la Piscinita (closed on sundays)
19. Go to West View.
20. Go to Reggae Roots
21. Get certified as a Scuba Diver
22. Go Scuba Diving if you are already certified.
23. Drink a Cocoloco.
24. Party at Banzai Cocktail bar on Gringo Wednesday.
25. Rent a motorcycle and loop the island.

26. Rent a Golf cart or a Mule(Not the animal).
27. Take kite-surf lessons.
28. Try exotic fruit juices at The Sandwich Place AKA Aristi.
29. Bike around the island. Is only 36Km.
30. Have takeaway ceviche and eat it at the beach.
31. Eat Rondon.
32. Have drinks at Kella's Bar. (oldest Rastafarian bar in the island)
33. Get your hair braided on the beach.
34. Eat/hang out at Punta Sur Restaurant.
35. Eat at la Regatta Restaurant (reservation needed).
36. Eat at any of the restaurants on the San Luis Beach (Paraiso Restaurant or Donde Francesca)
37. Eat at Captain Mandy (If possible get the Star Octopus).
38. Eat a Menu del dia at El Parqueadero restaurant. (This is a hostel guests' favourite)
39. Eat at The Grog in the Rocky Cay beach.
40. Kayak on Old Point Mangroove Regional park on trasnparent kayaks (Reservation needed).
41. Walk on Old Point Mangroove Regional park boardwalk.
42. Go clubbing to Cocoloco disco. (Fridays are best)
43. Go clubbing to Extasis disco. (Saturdays are best)
44. Eat crab soup (seasonal product).
45. Eat a whole fried fish.
46. Eat conch shell (seasonal product).
47. Buy beers at Mickey Mouse and drink them on the beach.
48. Go surfing.
49. Walk the boardwalk from one end to the other.
50. Ride the public bus.

51. Ride a Mototaxi.
52. Visit The Blow Hole. (We don't recommend this place very much)
53. Hitchhike with a local.
54. Walk/swim to Rocky Cay.
55. Snorkel around the big abandoned boat in Rocky cay.
56. Watch the sunrise on the Coral Palace right in front of the city hall (East side of the island).
57. Watch the sunset while having a beer at Reggae Roots or Big mama bars (West side of the island and make sure you take bug repellent).
58. Have cold coconut water at Bengué's bar.
59. Snorkel to the sunken boat AKA Blue Diamond on the west side (right in front of Playa Tranquilo Bed and Breakfast).
60. Take a photo with Poseidon (at West View).
61. Go parasailing (expensive).
62. Eat crab patties.
63. Try Journey Cake (Local type of bread).
64. Eat Ice cream at Miss Vivid (only open on Sundays and holidays).
65. Go up to the terrace of the Blue Tone hotel (You have to sneak in).
66. Go to the Baptist church's (highest point in the island).
67. Have a milkshake at Kikiriki.
68. Visit the botanical garden.
69. Do the flyboard (expensive)
70. Snorkel at the sunken statues at Big Mama Bar
71. Drink a cocktail at Big Mama's bar
72. Go to Chamey's Nautica and Paddle board
73. People watch at the boardwalk
74. Visit the old folks home at la loma and bring them eggs for good luck.
75. Do the Swingboard thing

76. Go to the Lord Pierre Hotel bar.
77. Go to the cinema (2 movie theatres).
78. Go to the horse races (seasonal).
79. Eat green mango with lime, salt and pepper.
80. Eat a burguer at Beer Station.
81. Go to El Nativo (Only opens on Sunday when there's a long weekend)
82. Go to a boat party on white watta.
83. Go fishing off the shore or deep sea fishing.
84. Watch a Softball game in San Luis.
85. Go to a Basketball match in San Luis.
86. Go to eat at Mr Carrington (Slow food).
87. Eat Bread Fruit, unfortunately is seasonal.
88. Go to Ibiza (bar in the middle of the ocean, sounds better than what it is)
89. Take a Spanish class with Jose (Jose is a good friend of ours who is a teacher).
90. Visit the Library and enjoy the view.
91. Eat icre cream at Popsy
92. Have an Iced coffee at the Juan Valdez by the beach.
93. Go to Playa Charquitos (pudddle beach)
94. Eat a popsicle at El Dorado Hotel I suggest Lemon Pie
95. Eat Boli  (Boli is something children eat when they finish school, I suggest coconut or Tamarind boli)
    

What Makes a Hostel Gay Friendly?

A gay-friendly hostel is not an establishment that serves exclusively to the needs of a gay customer. By its own terminology it’s a hostel that accepts the LGBT community openly and gives the same treatment than they would do to any other paying customer.

Some people criticize the need to use this type of terms stating that in this day and age it shouldn’t be necessary, but as long as the world doesn’t become a gay-friendly place completelythere will be the need to label the openness of the hostel towards gay customers.

It is also important to take in consideration the actions that the company performs internally in order to secure the advancement of the LGBT community by participating in campaigns and events that support the cause; and also through the equal treatment of their employees, which is why many are sure to include LGBT-related topics during the training their personnel has to go through, making sure they not only know how to deal with gay coworkers but also in case a close friend or relative comes out of the closet, and by granting equal rights to their LGBT staff and their significant others.

It is also imperative that the hostel advertise this as an open topic and has clear rules and set protocols about discrimination done by either staff or other guests.

Surfing in San Andres

Finding a nice spot for surfing might become difficult at times, especially if you are looking for a rather peaceful place or want to hone your surfing skills. San Andrés Island just waiting for you!. This place has six local surfers, which means that waves are never crowded.

The island offers a variety of locations where you can practice surfing. You can enjoy our beautiful and crystal clear waters of El Paraiso if you are a beginner. With a huge beach on this spot, you get a sandy bottom with short waves. It is perfect for learning the basics of surfing in a safe location where you can feel comfortable. This beach is great for longboarding and has many different peaks to choose from. At the Blue Almond Hostel we have 2 surfboards that guest use and this is generally the beach we send them to if they are begginers.

Another surf spot is Yellow Moon, this pleace offers a great training for intermediate surfers. You will be surfing under a coral reef bottom keep in mind that you will encounter some sharp rocks on the shore and on the bottom, so one must be careful about this. This is reef that breaks to the left and right not too organized but the close out is nice for a drop and maybe if you feel comfortable you can try getting some air.

Jacobo Beach is a the only wave close to downtown, is a rather rocky location with a short left wave. Easiest way to get into the water is to walk on a man made barrier and jump as far as you can from it.

If you are advanced surfer or are intermediate, you should go to Punta Sur. This beach has very sharp rocks and sea urchins, therefore it is only recommended for experienced surfers. Punta Sur is one of Colombian finest waves is a Left wave break along a coral reef pretty consistent and the ride can it is about 50 to 200 meters.  Wave is powerful and swimming from shore it is a bit far you have to be ready to face strong currents and about 300 meters to get to the lineup.

It is truly a great experience in a nice and peaceful environment. You should come over to enjoy the best surfing experience, regardless of any level you are in. Coming over to San Andrés for an exciting surfing experience, is one decision you will be more than glad you made.

Best options to score good waves are: December to February, May, and June to August, you might want to check for the wind even thought most spots can handle some wind anything above 20 knots’ is just crazy. With waters at a year-round at 28 degrees Celsius (82 degrees Fahrenheit), beautiful coral bottoms, crystalline waters that you can enter without mask, and the occasional company of dolphins.

Rooms and Services

The hostel is a 20-minute walk from the main beach at San Andres Island, we offer budget accommodation with free WiFi and common facilities. our lounge features a Play Station 4 a 32 inch TV and an exchange library.

Diving and snorkeling activities can be booked on site. Bikes, golf cars and scooters can also be rented to explore the island. Additionally, we offer free surf boards and dive tanks for scuba certified guests that bring their own diving equipment.

Our rooms are all in different sizes, big enough to fit all the commodities you would need, there is a large communal kitchen with all facilities, appliances, crockery and cutlery available.

Our common area is a great place to chill out and meet fellow travelers with TV, Play Station 4, board games and a Bluetooth speaker, perfect for a lazy day after a scuba diving immersion, a surf trip or a night out. Our common areas are also the perfect spots to pre-drink and start out the night the right way.

We work very hard to have a very respectful and peaceful vibe without the crazy drunken atmosphere offered at other hostels in the island. Our goal is to make you feel like you own a home in the Caribbean and provide you with great social atmosphere, as well as giving you the opportunity to have a good sleep after a busy day of sightseeing the island, we have a strict quiet time of 11.59 PM, but we apply the 80-20 rule, which means that if 80% of the people staying at the hostel want to stay up partying then we move the quiet time accordingly.

What we have to offer:

• FREE Internet from 2 different providers, so if ones goes down, we got redundancy!. 
• FREE luggage storage if you are going to Providencia.
• FREE lockers with electricity outlets inside (bring your own lock).
• FREE Scuba diving tanks for certified divers. (On request and limits apply)
• FREE surfboards (6,4 and 6,8).
• FREE coffee all day long.
• FREE popcorn every night.
• Family run hostel by locals with lots of insight information about the island.
• 24 hour vending machine with cheap beer, SIM cards, sodas and snacks.
• You can bring your own alcohol as long as you share it with others.
• All in one Computer in living room running Linux with net access, webcam and DVD burning capabilities.
• No curfew. (you get two keys front door and your room).
• Video Surveillance.
• No outside visitors.
• Bathroom ratio is 1:4 (that means one full bathroom per every 4 persons)
• We supply all bed linens, pillows and towels and change them on request for reservations over 3 days.
• Rental of diving quality snorkel masks for only $15.000 for the Whole day! (+$5000 deposit that you get back)
• Bike rental. Only $35.000 COP the whole day!
• Boarding pass printing for only $2000.
• 2 Mixed dorms (10 and 6 people).
• No bunk-beds in the 10 people dorm.
• 3 bunk beds in the 6 bed dorm.
• The possibility of late checkout (On request and only if reservations permit).

What we DON'T offer

• Breakfast.
• Hot showers.
• Air Conditioning on private rooms.
• 24 hour reception.
• Check ins past midnight

Location:

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a map is worth a million!

A few higlights for our location:

• 22.5 seconds away from a convenience store.
• 5 Minutes walk away from a medium size supermarket.
• 5 minutes walk to Subway (the sandwich thing)
• 1 Minute away from a paid gym and 5 mins away from a outdoor free gym.
• 10 minute walk to downtown.
• 21 minute walk to the main beach.
• 1 minute walk to the San Luis bus route
• 5 minute walk to the Loma Bus route which takes you to the West side of the island.
• 6 minute taxi ride from the airport.

Facilities

• 2 Small outdoor terraced Area with chairs ans tables.
• Fully equipped kitchen.(no Microwave, sorry).
• Book exchange library.
• Living room with 32 inch LCD TV with a whopping 4 channels, Play Station 4 and Netflix!.
• indoor dining area.

After you book with us.

• You will receive a welcome email, in it there'll be a link to a Whatsapp group we created for guest to help coordinate events and activities.
• Send us your arrival time or flight number, that way we can match you with people arriving on the same flights and you can share a taxi.
• You will receive a self check in email, we suggest you fill all the information that way when you arrive to the hostel you check-in time will be faster.