Fly into Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport (ADZ) on San Andres island. This is the standard land-base arrival for the defined guide area; airlines, routes and connections must be checked for the actual dates. The archipelago tourist card is generally required in addition to nationality-dependent Colombian immigration documents, and airlines commonly handle its purchase/check before departure. This guide deliberately does not treat cruises, distant cays or routes to Providencia/Santa Catalina as scuba liveaboard evidence. Colombia Travel, tourism-card service portal.

Airport serving San Andres island and the principal arrival point for a land-based dive stay. Scheduled airlines and routes change and are not asserted without date-specific verification.

Colombia Travel documents Coobusan local buses (including El Cove/Piscinita and San Luis routes), authorized airport taxis and rental cars, scooters or small island buggies. Check rental-driver and insurance requirements, use helmets on motorbikes and avoid driving tired or after alcohol. The operator's launch point may be on the west coast rather than downtown; arrange pickup or build in travel time. No exact route duration or bus timetable was confirmed.

Check nationality-specific passport and visa rules with Migracion Colombia. For most nonresident visitors to San Andres, the archipelago tourism card is separately required; hold onward/return travel and accommodation details and verify exemptions individually. Decree 0010 of 8 January 2026 set the reported combined tourism-card charge to COP 153,000. The older departmental online service form still displays COP 104,492, so reconfirm the current amount and accepted purchase channel before travel; the 2026 reported decree amount is the one represented in the fee table. Migracion Colombia's current specific guidance describes international Check-Mig preregistration as optional/recommended, although older FAQ content conflicts; follow the current carrier and immigration instructions for your route.

PADI lists tank fills, scuba rental and some nitrox capability at named operators such as Hans Dive Shop, and freedive gear rental at Scuba San Andres. These are advertised services, not verified inventory or actual day-of compressor capability. Prebook specialized sizes, computers, appropriate exposure protection and technical gear; confirm air quality, proof of qualification and operator rental policy. Use a surface marker buoy for boat diving and dedicated safety supervision for freedive lines. Ask about local equipment handling, delayed departures and last-day flight intervals.

Colombian pesos are official tender. Pay for major tours or accommodation by card where accepted, but carry small COP notes for taxis, buses, snacks, admission or smaller local vendors. Request prices in COP and agree on the full total before departure.

ATMs and bank services are generally found in commercial centers such as San Andres town; island-specific machine availability, withdrawal limits and foreign fees are not guaranteed. Bring a backup payment card and a modest cash reserve.

Typical Colombian North American-style outlets. Confirm a lodging property if traveling with specialized equipment and check chargers for 100-240V input; an adapter alone does not convert voltage.

Communications

Buy an eligible Colombian SIM/eSIM or arrange roaming before arrival, and check coverage with your accommodation or operator. Hotels and PADI-listed centers advertise Wi-Fi, but off-island boat mobile reception and upload speed are not verified. For emergencies, a boat should carry an appropriate marine radio rather than depend on a visitor's phone. Share departure, return and emergency contact details with someone ashore.

Language

Spanish is the national language. San Andres also has living Raizal linguistic and cultural traditions, including English/Creole contexts. Blue Life and several PADI listings advertise English and Spanish instruction, while individual course languages and interpreter availability depend on the instructor. Learn essential safety terms and respect the local community.

Insurance

Purchase travel medical coverage that includes scuba and/or dedicated freediving at your planned depths, emergency transport from an island, and any required recompression treatment. Confirm whether wreck, overhead, deep or technical activities are excluded. Check hospital/evacuation coordination and the insurer's authorization process before water activities. DAN can assist with dive-medical advice but membership and coverage terms differ; assistance is not a guarantee of funded evacuation.

Packing list

Bring reef-conscious sun protection and sun-safe clothing, personal mask if fit is difficult, any prescription lenses, your certification documents, a dive computer for scuba, a surface marker buoy if appropriate, secure dry storage, reef-friendly skin coverage and a light rain layer. For coached freediving, follow the school's equipment list. For island roads and park paths pack comfortable shoes, a refillable water bottle and enough cash for small vendors. Do not assume all rental equipment or specialized spare parts are available on arrival.

San Andrés

Logistics

Quick Facts

Getting There

Logistics

Quick Facts

Getting There

Airports

Getting Around

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Gear Logistics Checklist

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