Hotel in San Andres

beisbollover says on Jan 17, 2008, 14:02:

this is where your going too....

"The reason you don't understand me Edith is because I am speaking English but you are listening Dingbat!" -Archie Bunker

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beisbollover says on Jan 17, 2008, 14:04:

we stayed in the hotel arena blanca and it was very nice.....

"The reason you don't understand me Edith is because I am speaking English but you are listening Dingbat!" -Archie Bunker

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Jan 17, 2008, 14:04:

Here are some pics from the Sol Caribe Campo. We really liked it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/colombianogringo/sets/72157600406722530/

Use the google search box at the top of the page and search for "San Andres" and you'll find several topics that discuss this and other hotels.

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SiV says on Jan 18, 2008, 07:22:

How can you go to San Andres, which is purely a tourist island, and not go to a touristy hotel? It's a contradiction of terms.

Anyway, you're best bet is to stay clear of the hotels which have loads of quinceñeras groups, like Lord Pierre and the Sunrise, although it depends if the kids are at school or on holidays, I suppose.

We went to the San Luis Decamaron a couple of years back, and it was lovely.

Stultórum númere infinitum est.

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aztec says on Jan 18, 2008, 07:28:

Avoid holiday periods!

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nflores07070 says on Jan 18, 2008, 08:38:

The pictures look great! I am very excited about going. I might go with Casblanca Hotel - Arena Blanca looks great too. Or maybe suck it up and stay in one of the high rise all inclusive Decamron's. I appreciate the advice about the quinceñeras. I guess what I meant by touristy is I do not want to be having breakfast lunch and dinner with Americans in Bermuda shorts speaking English for that I will go to Hawaii :)

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nflores07070 says on Jan 18, 2008, 08:38:

Oh I am going August 10th - and is 4 days 3 nights enough?

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nflores07070 says on Jan 18, 2008, 08:49:

Is Sol Caribe far from the bars and nightlife - I was told you need to take a taxi into town?

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Jan 18, 2008, 10:06:

I didn't see a lot of typical American tourists while I was there. No offense to the other gringos around here, but that was a nice break.

Yes, Sol Caribe Campo is about a 15-20 minute ride from the Centro area where all the clubs are. If I recall correctly, we usually paid $10.000 COP for a cab ride. We actually liked the fact that it was removed from the downtown area.

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nflores07070 says on Jan 18, 2008, 10:23:

My Fh is gringo and he def wants to take a break so I understand your poitn. It is nice to hear. Perfect thanks guys! I also checked some of the other posts on PBH and I have decided I will split my time between Sol Caribe Campo which seems to have consistent reviews and a hotel near the centro either Casblanca or Sunrise for maybe 1 or 2 nights of partying. I am told the kids are back in school that week in August so I am safe. This forum is awesome!

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nflores07070 says on Jan 18, 2008, 10:23:

sorry for spelling

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beisbollover says on Jan 18, 2008, 10:45:

this is downtown San Andres....the alcohol, perfume and cologne stores were nice and cheap (dutyfree) but the other stores were just low end stuff. I highly suggest touring the island and stay away from the downtown. It was safe but just nothing to buy.

"The reason you don't understand me Edith is because I am speaking English but you are listening Dingbat!" -Archie Bunker

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SiV says on Jan 18, 2008, 10:51:

Remember, there's two school timetables in Colombia. I'm pretty sure some of them are off in August. Maybe the one thing worse than than quinceñera groups, are the paseos de salon groups. A big group of very rich, drunk and under-supervised teenagers let loose . . . Just pray there's none at your hotel!

Stultórum númere infinitum est.

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aztec says on Jan 18, 2008, 10:58:

For those of you who don't want Americans there when visiting be advised this island is a favorite hangout for the Canadians. Very few from the USA. Also likely to share the island with a few very white Europeans.

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Jan 18, 2008, 11:03:

Yeah. I spoke with a Canadian couple when we were there. I was surprised to find out that there are direct flights to San Andres from Canada.

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nflores07070 says on Jan 18, 2008, 11:11:

Thanks for the pics - well the Sunrise is booked after reading your post SiV I am wondering if that is good luck to avoid the craziness that can occur with a bunch of teenagers, ha. So I have an email that I sent to Sol Caribe Campo and an email to Casblanca. I hope one returns my email or I might just call them later this afternoon. Someone also mentioned Bahia Sardina but when I looked at it - it did not seem as nice. Too bad noblehouse has no pool the reviews were good.

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nflores07070 says on Jan 18, 2008, 11:12:

Oh anyone has been to Cocoplum

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beisbollover says on Jan 18, 2008, 11:18:

When we were there we met only one other american. There were groups from Spain, Mexico, Venezuela and Argentina. The majority of the people were from Colombia and we all got along great. I highly recommend going to the live variety shows at the hotels. They were old school. Lots of dancing and singing. It's worth the price!

"The reason you don't understand me Edith is because I am speaking English but you are listening Dingbat!" -Archie Bunker

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Jan 18, 2008, 11:57:

We got a package deal from Aviatur when we stayed at the Sol Caribe Campo. I checked recently and it was about $1,000 for a 3 nights all-inclusive and airfare for from Bogota for two people. I've found that when it comes to the bigger hotels, Aviatur usually has a better deal than buying things separately.

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nflores07070 says on Jan 18, 2008, 12:17:

I just emailed Casablanca and they are charging 171000 pesos por persona por noche - thats like $175 USD. Does that sound right or too expensive? I am still waiting to hear back from Sol Caribe campo. I am very excited to go. I am buying my airfare all in one shot and booking the hotel seperatly. I will check Aviatur just in case. The pics are great again.

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ColombianoGringo (Moderator) (Trustee board) says on Jan 18, 2008, 12:21:

Unless you aready have your airfare, don't book directly with the hotels.

Check with Aviatur.

www.aviatur.com.co

(57-1) 382-1616

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SiV says on Jan 18, 2008, 19:48:

I thought all the Decameron hotels were nice, apart from the Maryland. Great food, too. I think they also do a deal were you can stay a couple of nights on Provedencia.
$1000 seems a lot, too.

Stultórum númere infinitum est.

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Buongone says on Jan 18, 2008, 19:59:

Decameron in Panama. They have 2. One splits the high rise with the Radisson Decapolis. The other is on a beach about 2 hrs away from Panama City. Went Golfing at Mantaray CC. It's right before the Decameron. If you go to San Andres, the rent a cars are very expensive. Like $150-up a day. If you rent one travel around the Island. Stop at the Blow hole. Eat some of the Black Crabs. The have a little snack shack were this guys wife cooks up the crabs. They are the best.

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Lowell says on Jan 19, 2008, 05:54:

no clear water on most of the imediate pacific coast of panama. in panama, I like the pool at the el panama and for a nice clear water day trip i go to isla taboga, pay (receive drink and lunch vouchers) to enter the grounds of the hotel.... another day trip is gamboa.

Alfred E. Newman. "What. Me Worry?"

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nflores07070 says on Jan 25, 2008, 08:13:

I am getting prices of anywhere between $134 a night to $212 a night. It still seems like a lot for San Andres. I already booked my airfare seperate because I am visting a few cities in Colombia.

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