San Andrés is a coral island in the Caribbean Sea. Politically tied to England, and historically part of Colombia, in the southern group of islands, is the largest of the department. The official languages of the department are Spanish, English, and Creole.
The population is grouped around a few residential areas. San Andrés, known locally as El Centro, is the largest town, as well as the most developed commercial and tourist hub of the island. It is located at the northern end and is the capital of the department. The departmental administration, commerce, banks, several hotels and the airport are located in this area.
A smaller village, La Loma, is inhabited by the native islander population and is at the centre of the island. Its traditional fame is due to the Baptist Church that was established in 1847. This church was rebuilt with pine wood imported from Alabama. The Baptist church was built along the central road to La Loma, which functioned as a beacon for shipping. Located at the top of the hill, La Loma provides lovely views of the “seven coloured sea”
On the eastern coast of the island is San Luis, which is a small tourist town. It is notable both as a tourist establishment and for its impressive stretch of white-sand beach. Traditional wooden houses are also located on the shores of the beach, spread over a 3 km (1.9 mi) stretch. Here also, in view of generally calm sea water (only occasionally rough), snorkeling is a popular sporting activity. It used to be port for export of coconuts.
San Andres is also famous for its local version of music that includes calypso, soca, reggae and church music. Concerts are held yearly in May at the Old Coliseum during the "Green Festival". Other celebrations and events held in the island are the independence day celebrations on 20 July and the "Coconut Queen" (Reinado del Coco) festival held in November.
The islanders are majority Protestant, with Baptists being the most common. Other religious groups, including Seventh Day Adventists, Roman Catholics, Muslims, and Jews are also present on the island.
TOURISTIC PLACES
- Beaches: The Beaches of North End, Rocky Cay, Cocoplum, Sound Bay, Johnny Cay and Acuario. In Providence the beaches of Manzanillo, Fresh Water Bay and South best Bay and others. Visit the beaches of our Archipelago, enjoy with your family and friends of a sunny day at the beach, walk by the moonlight.The beaches of San Andres are the best.
- La Loma: Native sector of the island. Its the highest place of the island (approximate 120 meters above sea level), where you can see the most spectacular views of the caribbean sea, where the contrast of blues and greens make a mixture of colors that is called the “seven colored sea”. For the adventurer and ecologist there are paths, lagoons, sidewalks, roads, horse trips, that make the island a place full of magic. For the historians we have the first church of the island, its a place that you must visit, you will enjoy the most spectacular view of the San Andres bay.
- San Luis: This beautiful area is full of history and culture, in the past it was an important port where ships full of coconuts embarked, right now it is a very quiet place, away from the noise of the city, with long and beautiful beaches, typical restaurants and a beautiful environment
- Mangroves: In the Archipelago we have 12 mangrove forests, being this very important for the reproduction and preservation of the flora and fauna, between them we find the red, black and white mangroves, also the visitors can see oysters, crabs, iguana, lizards, endemic and migratory birds, making an ideal place for education and fortifying activities of development such as eco-tourism.
- Johnny Cay: This beautiful cay was converted to a natural park in the year 2001, for it’s beauty and beautiful landscapes, and because you can find more than 30 species of fishes that live in this area, its long area has a specie called "beach cedar" that controls the erosion of the beaches because of the effects of waves and strong winds, becoming as a shelter of a lot of beaches birds.
- Morgan's Cave: Legend has it that the Pirate Henry Morgan, used this cave to hide his treasures. Today is one of the most visited tourist attractions. You can enter the cave and visit the small museum.
- West View and hoyo soplador: Think of a big natural pool, where you can make a lot of activities, like snorkeling, swimming and diving, this is West View, you can easily get in form the edge with a 5 to 30 feet depth (3 to 10 meters), you can go with all your family and taste the typical food that the restaurant offer to the visitors.
- Haynes Cay and Natural Aquarium: Coral Cay full of palms, with a lot of visitors and natives that practice water sports, you can make delicious BBQ, camping and simply spend quality relaxation time, it has restaurants that offer delicious food from the island.
This beautiful sea contrast in all tones of blue, beaches and palms its an ideal scenario to make weddings, because in San Andres you can make them only with your ID or passport.
TYPICAL FOOD
It´s no surprise that different preparations of fish and seafood should be the specialty of this colorful island. Snails, lobster, shrimp, red snapper, black crabs and trout are only some of the ingredients in the exquisite dishes you can try.
The seasoning makes great use of coconut and similar. And, as part of the English heritage of the island, there are aromatic plants such as cloves, cinnamon and ginger, for a delicious variety of flavors. Many dishes are accompanied by the simple rice and coconut, fried plantain, yucca and yams.
Here are some of the favorites:
- Rondón: Perhaps the most favorite of all. Until a short time ago it was only prepared by men for men to eat, but today the women join in both activities. It´s a fish fillet with snails, yam, yucca, pork scratching, plantain and dumplings, prepared and cooked in coconut milk with pepper.
- Fish Ball: Any kind of fish can be buses to make this dish, including the parrot-fish, snapper, mojarra or even black crab. The secret is no remove the bones and season the fish thoroughly with tomato, onion, garlic and salt, with any preferred spices, and then fry it all.
- One specialty is breadfruit served fried or boiled, to accompany a Wide range of dishes. It is eaten when still green, when it has a stronger taste than when ripe.
- Desserts: After lunch, look around you, and you Hill see the women of the island offering sweet dishes made of coconuts – a delicious experiment. They also have fruit juices and cakes of yam, sweetcorn and bananas.
- Coco Loco: There are different variations of Coco Loco throughout the country and every vendor has his or her own recipe for it, but its pretty much a cocktail made with rum, tequila, vodka, lime juice, coconut cream, coconut water and ice cubes.
RASTAFARI CULTURE:
The Rastafarian religion had its origins in Africa, but where greater acceptance was received on the poor people of the island of jamaica, mostly people of color. Rastafarianism more than a religion, is a whole way of life. Rastafarians do not just talk religion, poverty, oppression, inequality speak, always reflecting the current problems of humanity.
The followers of the Rastafarian known as Rastas believe that Haile Selassie free people of African descent in the world, leading them to a promised land of full emancipation and divine justice that is Ethiopia.
Many Rastas believe that Jah, the short name of yahveh God in the Hebrew scriptures, had three incarnations: Melchizedek, Jesus Christ, and finally haile selassie, jah last expression, each one of them a "savior".
Marijuana is used by Rastafarians as sacred, because they argue that was found at the site of the tomb of King Solomon. Its subsequent use in the Rastafarian religious movement is linked with the opening of consciousness facilitating internal connection and approach to Jah.
Our experience with the native rastafari people was awesome, they are party center and they help us all the time with unknown things. Most, during the day, are located in Johnny and Haynes Cay to receive and transmit their beliefs and stories, sing and play music to visitors. In general, they are so friendly, nice people. We had to tell you about this culture, before we used to think that Rastafari movement was only inspired in music, but is a total life style.
