San Andres Services

Money & Costs, Transportation

By Richard McColl

Tourism Office

There is no tourist office at the San Andres airport. Most hotels are equipped to answer any queries and further information can be found here www.sanandres.gov.co

Money

Banks on San Andres open Mon – Thurs 8.00 to 11.30 and then from 2 to 4. On Friday the hours are the same and they stay open until 4.30pm. Most of the banks listed have ATMs that accept international cards.

Bancafe

Av. Costa Rica Centro Comercial San Andrés L-10

TEL: 512 5575

Banco Agrario

Av. 20 de Julio 3-76

TEL: 512 8332

Banco AV Villas

Av. Providencia 1-85

TEL: 512 7828

Banco de Bogotá

Av. Colon 2-156

TEL: 512 4173

Banco Caja Social de Colombia

Av. las Américas

TEL: 512 8791

Banco Comercial y de Ahorros

Av. Providencia Edificio Leda 2-52

TEL: 512 7835

Banco Davivienda

Av. Duarte Blum 1-110/ Av. Costa Rica 3-19

TEL: 512 7004 - TEL: 512 3753

Banco de Occidente

Av. Providencia 2-47

TEL: 512 3553

Banco Granahorrar

Av. las Américas 2-419 2-421

TEL: 512 4055

Bancolombia

Av. Atlántico 1A-35 P-1

TEL: 512 4195

Banco Popular

Av. las Américas 2A-69

TEL: 512 3621

Money Exchanges

Cambios Country S.A.

Av. Providencia 1A-48 L–112 Edificio Leda

TEL: 512 4175. TEL: 01800 0915690

www.macrofinanciera.com

Titán Intercontinental S.A.

Av. Providencia 1A-48 L-105 Edificio Leda.

TEL: 512 6091.

Cambios y Capitales S.A.

Cr. 2 1-35 L-118 Centro Comercial New Point Plaza.

TEL: 512 1804.

Giros & Finanzas CFC S.A. (Western Union)

Centro Comercial San Andrés L-12

TEL: 01 8000 111 999

www.girosyfinanzas.com

Cambiamos S.A. (Money Gram)

Av. Costa Rica 3-19

TEL: 512 3757.

Keeping in Touch

In downtown San Andres there are dozens of internet cafes and international call centers.

Medical

The Hospital Timothy Britton is the main hospital on the island and includes a decompression chamber for problems arising from scuba diving.

Av. Colombia Sarie Bay

Tel: 578 512 7392

Fax: 578 512 3443

Other hospitals and clinics are listed here:

Hospital VillaReal, Barrio Obrero - 578 512-4385

Hospital Seguro Social, Av. Colombia Sarie Bay - 578 512-6965

Centro de Salud San Luis, San Luis - 578 513-2096

Centro de Salud La Loma, La Loma - 578 513-2769

Pharmacies can be round on most streets in downtown San Andres.

Religious Services

Most Islanders are Baptists but alternative options can be found including the following: Catholic, Adventist, Spanish Baptist, Christian Missionary, Muslim and Jehovah’s Witness. For the most part services are held in the Creole English that the islanders speak.

Laundry

There are very few exclusive laundrettes and so you can expect to find someone in your hotel offering the service.

Shopping

In a massive attempt at colombianization the Colombian government declared that San Andres be a tax free zone. So, stripping away the azure sea and stretches of white sand beaches available to the tourist, the island is now a shopping destination as well.

Consumer electronics are thin on the ground although with some rooting around knock off mp3 players and digital cameras can be bargained for. Large screen televisions are available in abundance. It is worth noting that respectful bargaining is expected as very few of the items actually possess a price tag.

The real winners here are those who come shopping for American clothes, perfumes, sunglasses, watches and alcohol. The new pedestrianised area just a block from the beach in San Andres is crammed with exclusive boutiques stocking all of these products in deliciously air conditioned locales.

Colombians come here to buy everything from kitchen appliances to bed linens. Do not be shocked to see people wandering in and out of these stores dressed in beachwear. You might suspect them of browsing just to get out of the heat for a short while!