Suggestions re: San Andres Island-Columbia & Margarita Island, Venezuela

[sytech]

Would like to hear feedback about San Andres Island-Columbia & Margarita Island, Venezuela

How are diving conditions there?

Ambience on the island- laid back, a zoo, hippie heaven or a combination of all?

I plan to be in Panama City,Panama in the near future and San Andres is about 80 minutes away on Copa Airlines.

I'm not sure if it's possible to get to Margarita Island directly from another country or are all connections made via Caracas?

Any comments about either place will be appreciated.


Thanks,

Sy

 

[drbill]

Haven't been there myself, but I've heard nothing but good things about San Andres over the years.

I've heard you can fly direct from Costa Rica, so I assume it may be possible from Panama as well.

 

[z5300]

My wife and I returned from San Andres on Thursday. We stayed at Isleno, and dove with Karibik. The hotel was so-so, but part of a cheap all-inclusive package.

How are diving conditions there? Excellent, was better than Bonaire (Nov'05) but not as good as Belize (Jan'04). Lots of reef fish. Viz to about 100 feet. Very light currents. The dive operator, Werner at Karibik, was the most professional and courteous that I have encountered in the Caribbean. An exact match to our choice of relaxation, not adventure.

Ambience on the island - Not a party place, but with a few hot bars and discos. One or two plane loads a week from Canada, a sprinkling of Europeans, and many Colombians from the mainland. No hippies, but a few Rastas. Low cost for everything compared to Carribbean and Mexico.

I plan to be in Panama City,Panama in the near future and San Andres is about 80 minutes away on Copa Airlines. - Airfare may be expensive. We dove with one Panamanian couple who said that the fare was $350 each.

I'm not sure if it's possible to get to Margarita Island directly from another country or are all connections made via Caracas? - don't know

---Charlie

 

[sytech]

Hi Charlie,

Sounds like someplace I want to visit. Not interested in a "party place".

Want to be at a good hotel within walking distance of grocery store etc. Was Isleno located in a convenient area? Did they have their own pier?

Thanks for your feedback.
Sy

My wife and I returned from San Andres on Thursday. We stayed at Isleno, and dove with Karibik. The hotel was so-so, but part of a cheap all-inclusive package.

How are diving conditions there? Excellent, was better than Bonaire (Nov'05) but not as good as Belize (Jan'04). Lots of reef fish. Viz to about 100 feet. Very light currents. The dive operator, Werner at Karibik, was the most professional and courteous that I have encountered in the Caribbean. An exact match to our choice of relaxation, not adventure.

Ambience on the island - Not a party place, but with a few hot bars and discos. One or two plane loads a week from Canada, a sprinkling of Europeans, and many Colombians from the mainland. No hippies, but a few Rastas. Low cost for everything compared to Carribbean and Mexico.

I plan to be in Panama City,Panama in the near future and San Andres is about 80 minutes away on Copa Airlines. - Airfare may be expensive. We dove with one Panamanian couple who said that the fare was $350 each.

I'm not sure if it's possible to get to Margarita Island directly from another country or are all connections made via Caracas? - don't know

---Charlie

 

[DocVikingo]

Hi Sy,

Margarita Island has an international airport (Del Caribe Int'l), but it largely services charter flights and domestic/regional hops. Scheduled flights on most major carriers fly into Caracas (Simon Bolivar Int'l). From there it's about a 30-40 minute flight; several carriers make the hop a number of times each day and it's quite reasonably priced. Can also be accessed by ferry or car, but they're not worth the time, effort, risk and cost. It's a party island with lots of money, hot discos, upscale resorts and tanned bodies in skimpy suits. When I was there the beaches were dirty and littered, and the two times I've dived it the scuba ranged from lousy closer to the island to okay out in the Western section of the Los Roques archipelago. My personal recommendation is, "Ixnay."

San Andreas is quite different and the diving far, far superior. Hard to do better than diving with old Werner at Karibik Divers (http://www.karibikdiver.com/tripreports.htm). Marazul and San Luis hotels both should meet your needs--nothing fancy but fully serviceable. You can read about the island and its amenities at the Big Juice (http://groups.msn.com/BigJuicesSanAndresIsland). My personal recommendation is, "Go for it."

BTW, depending the day/season, flying from Panama City (Tocumen Int'l) to San Adreas (Gustavo Rojas Pinilla) can run you into the low $400s p/p all told.

Helpful?

Season's greetings.

DocVikingo

 

[sytech]

Hi Doc,

Your report is VERY helpful. "Ixnay" it is!

Margarita Island sounds exactly like the kind of place I want to avoid.


Thanks again,

Merry Chirstmas, Happy Hanukah!

Sy

Hi Sy,

Margarita Island has an international airport (Del Caribe Int'l), but it largely services charter flights and domestic/regional hops. Scheduled flights on most major carriers fly into Caracas (Simon Bolivar Int'l). From there it's about a 30-40 minute flight; several carriers make the hop a number of times each day and it's quite reasonably priced. Can also be accessed by ferry or car, but they're not worth the time, effort, risk and cost. It's a party island with lots of money, hot discos, upscale resorts and tanned bodies in skimpy suits. When I was there the beaches were dirty and littered, and the two times I've dived it the scuba ranged from lousy closer to the island to okay out in the Western section of the Los Roques archipelago. My personal recommendation is, "Ixnay."

San Andreas is quite different and the diving far, far superior. Hard to do better than diving with old Werner at Karibik Divers (http://www.karibikdiver.com/tripreports.htm). Marazul and San Luis hotels both should meet your needs--nothing fancy but fully serviceable. You can read about the island and its amenities at the Big Juice (http://groups.msn.com/BigJuicesSanAndresIsland). My personal recommendation is, "Go for it."

BTW, depending the day/season, flying from Panama City (Tocumen Int'l) to San Adreas (Gustavo Rojas Pinilla) can run you into the low $400s p/p all told.

Helpful?

Season's greetings.

DocVikingo

 

[luft]

Dive with Werner at Karibik, you'll love it! He's a riot and he knows all the good spots. I dove with him just before Christmas 2006. He does two dives daily, the first one at 9:00 then a stopover on one of the reef islands for lunch while the "Captain" takes the tanks back to the mainland for refilling. He usaually does one night dive per week. Loads of things to see, giant sponges, tubes, rays and eels.

 

[sytech]

Is his dive shop nearby any good hotels that you can recommend? Will he pick you up at your hotel?

Thanks for the info.

Happy New Year



Sy

Dive with Werner at Karibik, you'll love it! He's a riot and he knows all the good spots. I dove with him just before Christmas 2006. He does two dives daily, the first one at 9:00 then a stopover on one of the reef islands for lunch while the "Captain" takes the tanks back to the mainland for refilling. He usaually does one night dive per week. Loads of things to see, giant sponges, tubes, rays and eels.

 

[luft]

Sy,

We stayed at the DeCameron Aquarium ( http://www.decameron.com/Destinations/San Andres/Aquarium/rdecameron_aquar.html ). It's within walking distance to downtown, if you go call ahead and ask for a water view. The Aquarium is one of the nicest hotels on the island. Werners dive shop is out the front door of the hotel, make a left and the dive shop is about 100 meters down the street. Werner meets everyone at the airport and sees them off! When diving with Werner, you show up in the morning and your regs and BC are on the boat and set up, all you have to do is open your K valve and dive! He looks after your equipment all week and rinses it after your last dive of the day.

Happy New Year!

 

[sytech]

Hi,



I will be flying to Panama City, Panama in late January and then plan to fly Copa Airlines directly to San Andres.

However, when I check for hotel availability for dates between around 1/31 and 2/5
all hotels (DeCameron Aquarium) seem to be booked at least according to Expedia, Travelocity.

The CocoPlum appears to be available though.

Thanks for your feedback.

Sy,

We stayed at the DeCameron Aquarium ( http://www.decameron.com/Destinations/San Andres/Aquarium/rdecameron_aquar.html ). It's within walking distance to downtown, if you go call ahead and ask for a water view. The Aquarium is one of the nicest hotels on the island. Werners dive shop is out the front door of the hotel, make a left and the dive shop is about 100 meters down the street. Werner meets everyone at the airport and sees them off! When diving with Werner, you show up in the morning and your regs and BC are on the boat and set up, all you have to do is open your K valve and dive! He looks after your equipment all week and rinses it after your last dive of the day.

Happy New Year!