Colombia - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 529

Bicycle/scooter Several outlets in San Andrés Town
rent bicycles (COP$20,000/day) and scooters (COP$60,000/
day). Cycling is a good way to explore the rest of the island,
as the roads are paved and there's not much tra c. Most
scooter rental places won't ask you for your licence and
they won't provide you with a helmet, either; be prepared
for some erratic local driving.
Tourist information On Av Newball, almost directly
opposite Restaurante La Regatta (Mon-Fri 8am-noon &
2-6pm; T 8 513 0801).

room, chillout bar area, large guest kitchen, balconies to
hang out on - all w ithin a slick, d ark interior. Dorms
COP$30,000 , doubles COP$120,000

5

EATING
The town's fruit-and-veg market on the corner of C 2 and
Cra 11, where self-caterers can stock up, is open daily
but liveliest Saturday to Monday when the campesinos
come to sell their wares.
Fisherman Place Av Colombia, just behind the airport.
Large, casual, open-air restaurant, serving the best of the
local catch every lunchtime. The grilled fish in garlic sauce
with all the trimmings comes in a heaped platter, the
rondon (spicy seafood cooked in coconut milk) is flavourful
and filling, and lobster is very reasonably priced. Mains
from COP$13,000. Daily noon-4pm.
Mahi Mahi Hotel Casablanca, Av Colombia T 8 512 4115.
Perch in the alfresco seating area of this stylish restaurant
and savour the view of San Andrés Town's best beach
alongside your Mediterranean-inspired main or super-
fresh ceviche . The fruit juices are not the cheapest, but they
are the best in town. Mains COP$20,000. Daily noon-3pm
& 7-10pm.
Miss Celia O'Neill Taste Av Colombia, at C 2. The decor
gives the game away at this friendly little place: the fishing
nets hanging from the ceiling, nautical memorabilia and
plastic fish aplenty suggest that the specialities here
come from the sea. You can't go wrong with the curry crab
(or any other curried seafood, for that matter) and the
service is relaxed and friendly. Mains from COP$16,000.
Daily noon-10pm.

ACCOMMODATION
The Rock House Cabinas Altamar, entrada al Vivero
T 316 579 1342, W therockhouse1.webs.com. In a quiet
residential area behind the airport, a 25min walk to
town, the Luz family greets you with open arms for a bit
of homey comfort. The en-suite rooms ar e spotless and
the at mosphere just wonderful. Singles COP$30,000 ,
doubles COP$60,000
Sheyla's Place II Los Almendros, Manzana 4, casa 10
T 315 467 8873. In an apartment building a 10min walk
behind the airport, this is a light, bright flat with several
spacious en-suite private rooms, shared kitchen and an
airy lounge for socializing. The own er is not alwa ys there,
so agree on t ime of arrival. Singles COP$30,000 , doubles
COP$60,000
El Viajero San Andrés Av 20 de Julio No. 3A-12 T 8
512 7497, W www.sanandreshostel.com. Thoughtfully
designed, this upscale hostel occupies an entire multi-
storey building. Expect a/c dorms and doubles, and all
the perks you can think of - daily tours organized, a movie

THE BEST OF ISLAND DIVING
The islands' biggest attractions are to be found under the sea, and both Providencia and San
Andrés have several reputable diving outfits who can introduce you to a whole new world,
even if you're a first-time diver.
GREAT DIVE SITES
Cantil de Villa Erica Turtles, manta rays and eagle
rays to be found around this reef southwest of San
Andrés; 12-45m depths.
Manta's Place Southern stingrays (rather than
mantas) congregate at this Providencia spot.
Palacio de la Cherna Exciting wall dive that drops
from 12m to over 300m, with reef and nurse sharks,
lobster and king crab among its denizens; southeast of
San Andrés.
Piramide Large numbers of morays, octopus and
shoals of fish make this shallow reef dive in San Andrés
one of the most exciting.
Tete's Place An abundance of schoolmasters, goat fish,
parrotfish and more makes you feel as if you're swimming
in a giant aquarium southwest of Providencia.

DIVE OPERATORS ON SAN ANDRÉS
Banda Dive Shop Av Colombia, San Andrés Town
T 8 513 1080, W bandadiveshop.com. A friendly,
central choice.
San Andrés Divers Av Circunvalar Km9 T 312 448
7230, W sanandresdivers.com. Particularly recomm-
ended for their professional approach.

DIVE OPERATORS ON PROVIDENCIA
Felipe Diving Shop in Aguadulce T 8 514 8775,
W www.felipediving.com.
Sirius Dive Shop Bahía Suroeste (Southwest Bay)
next to Sirius Hotel T 8 514 8213.