Colombia’s San Andres island awarded South America’s leading beach destination

(Photo: Julian Castro)

Colombia’s little gem in the Caribbean, San Andres Island, has been awarded the title of Leading Beach Destination in South America at the 2014 World Travel Awards, held in Quito, Ecuador. 

The blissful island paradise, a mere 10 square miles in area, is host to numerous deserted white sand beaches, coconut palm plantations, and dilapidated little hamlets, making it an obvious choice to win the prestigious award.

San Andres is a melting pot of people and cultures where Spanish, Creole, and English are all spoken. The typical island rhythms of reggaeton, reggae, salsa, calypso, and vallenato can be heard all over, at all times of the day.

MORE: Colombia’s San Andres island, gem of the Caribbean

Notorious British privateer, Captain Morgan, made the island his base of operations in the 1670s, from where he carried out raids on Spanish galleons laden with gold and other precious metals. What’s more, his loot is rumored to still be hidden deep in an underwater cave nearby…

Previous winners of the Leading Beach Destination in South America award include Mar del Plata, Argentina (2013), and Copacabana, Brazil (2012), according to the World Travel Awards website.

San Andres

Sources

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