San Andres or Santa Marta ???

aztec says on Aug 12, 2006, 12:08:

Been to both. I preferred San Andres. However the Santa Marta Beach area has some pretty beaches.

Providence is only a short trip from San Andres and if you can combine both islands you will have a spectacular trip.

You can even find empty and beautiful beaches for the two of you on Providencia. If you can't make the smaller island I would still opt for San Andres.

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españoleta says on Aug 12, 2006, 12:28:

Santa Marta! I was there just two weeks ago and loved it. Not too big but tourist enough, and not as hot or humid as cartageno or barranquilla. Besides its close by to tayrona or quebrada valencia which are incredible places to see, especially quebrada valencia, a set of 4 waterfalls each with its own natural pool. Beautiful. In el rodadero you can find places full of imported stuff that hasnt been taxed called san andresitos and you can find loads of cheap food and drink there. Good places to eat too.... especially "donde chucho" at el rodadero, great seafood. However this is just my opinion; santa marta offers a wider range of things to do and you can even take trips to cartagena or barranquilla in taxi for 20 thousand pesos each. Enjoy

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bufalo says on Aug 12, 2006, 12:50:

If you just want beach, go to San Andreas, it is a really small island. A motor scooter will circumvent it in like 30 minutes or so. Depending on the season it can be REALLY quiet. One time my wife and I went there was like 4 people on the beach . Much like Leticia, I really didn't feel like I was 100% in Colombia when we were there. 4 years ago when I was in El Rodadero for the last time, there was lots to do (and not many tourists, and cheaper) you can go to Tayrona park, take a bus to some other city, lots of beaches too, but almost no shade due to the desert mountains. Now from what I hear there are too many gringos like me there (seems to be happening all over lately).

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

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jaramillo says on Aug 12, 2006, 15:09:

I think niniasandia nailed it. I've been to both, once (a week in San Andres, and three in Sta, Marta). San Andrés is nice but Sta. Marta and surroundings offers much more. Plus Cartagena is not far (why anyone visits Barranquilla is beyond me, but I'm a cachaco). Also, you don't need to fly to get to Sta. Marta from Medellin.

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utopiacowboy says on Aug 12, 2006, 17:23:

There are other beaches on the Caribbean so it should not just be a question of San Andres or Santa Marta. I'm partial to Covenas myself.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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spark says on Aug 13, 2006, 09:44:

Santa Marta is best! Well I lived there for 6 months and bought an apartment in Rodadero!

If you want to stay there I can send you the agent details. Here is the web link.

http://es.geocities.com/georgecapellosgarcia/rodaderosantamarta

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Lostgringo says on Aug 13, 2006, 09:57:

San Andreas are you LOCO? If you like dirty small beaches the place is for you. If you like to see poverty go for it. The only thing I found that San Andreas has for a Gringo is that most Colombians there speak English. In terms of costs not that expensivea and your Gringa can buy perfumes etc. all duty free...because it is a duty free zone.
I will never return to San Andreas. Now I have never been to Santa Marta but will be going there there this year. I would imagine that Santa Marta would be more romantic too. Good luck and have fun with your novia wherever you are.

Your Home Away from Home www.welovebogota.com and www.apartmentinbogota.com "Luxury apartments and rooms Cheap" Only 2 blocks from the American Embassy! 24/7 hour security.http://www.monsterrakebacks.comCome gamble and get money back!

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plastic surgery in colombia says on Aug 13, 2006, 13:43:

they're different but both are nice Hey there. I go to santa marta almost every second week, and i've only been once to san andres. I would say san andres is cheaper and yes, it's duty free.
The water in san andres & providencia is just too nice. The water in Santa Marta is ok and in some places it's spectacular. You can try getting away from the popular beaches and going to parque Tayrona, piscina natural, bahia concha, playa blanca and those kind of places, you'll see the water is just as clear or even better than san andres.
You can scuba dive in both places. Santa Marta has more to offer if you like adventure. ( if you need a place to stay in santa marta i can offer my ap. for around US$ 125 the night.. it's quite luxurious, my email is sbaenara at eafit.edu.co )

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Lostgringo says on Aug 13, 2006, 13:48:

$125 a Night????? you can't be serious?

Your Home Away from Home www.welovebogota.com and www.apartmentinbogota.com "Luxury apartments and rooms Cheap" Only 2 blocks from the American Embassy! 24/7 hour security.http://www.monsterrakebacks.comCome gamble and get money back!

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utopiacowboy says on Aug 13, 2006, 14:09:

That's the special rate for the PBSH posters. Those fools will believe anything.

Disclaimer: any comment I make is inane and is not to be taken seriously, and is so patently ridiculous that no one should take it seriously, even as an insult.

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aztec says on Aug 13, 2006, 16:30:

franko_44 , one thing ... ...I have learned abut Colombia is that if you look you can find the dirt and ugliness in any location. If you keep your outlook positive you will be able to see the absolute beauty in the Country. Otherwise you will miss too much. Even in the most awful place in Colombia there is beauty.

For me I liked all the beaches and islands I have been on in Colombia. They are all different and offer a unique experience.

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Lostgringo says on Aug 13, 2006, 18:11:

Beauty Excuse me, but I must be from a different planet. You don't have to have Porche or be rich to "keep me positive" so I can appreciate beauty. And as for me the beauty in Colombia is not in a "special" apartment or house it is in people and in the culture. Poor and rich. And, I must admit the "poor" (myself included), do know how laugh and enjoy themselves. You really don't mean to tell me that those people in Bogota for example in Estrada 2,3 and 4 are living in "uglyness" do you and that they are not "positive" enough to know or aprreciate beauty? Hmmmm, maybe they ought not have any children either. You keep your unique experience and I will keep my hard earned money lol. And hey, if someone wants to spend that kind of money then good for them. But don't ever tell me you need wealth etc., to be positive and know or appreciate beauty.

Your Home Away from Home www.welovebogota.com and www.apartmentinbogota.com "Luxury apartments and rooms Cheap" Only 2 blocks from the American Embassy! 24/7 hour security.http://www.monsterrakebacks.comCome gamble and get money back!

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robi666 (Trustee board) says on Aug 13, 2006, 18:32:

I have visited both place, and Santa Marta has a lot more to offer.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

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aztec says on Aug 14, 2006, 05:47:

franko, I didn't... ...mean to insult you or be abusive concerning your comments. Sorry if my obversations came accross that way.

Only want to convey that there is something for everyone in Colombia.

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aztec says on Aug 14, 2006, 05:53:

franko "But don't ever tell me you need wealth etc.,"

To whom is this statement directed? Or may I assume it is only for general consumption?

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