What to Eat in San Andres, Colombia
The Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina is a tropical paradise in the Caribbean Sea, located around 700km northwest of mainland Colombia. Thousands of national and international tourists visit these stunning islands every year to relax and enjoy the white sands of some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. Did you know that these islands are home to The Sea of Seven Colors? The coral reefs cause the crystal waters surrounding the islands to glisten in a spectacular array of blue and green hues. If you’re wondering what to eat in San Andres, Colombia, look no further! Here we will share a few of the specialties from this top tourist destination in Colombia.Sun, sand, sea, and delicious Caribbean food await you on your trip to San Andrés and Providencia in Colombia
TRAVEL TO SAN ANDRÉS & PROVIDENCIA
DISCOVER 9 ISLAND DISHES TO TRY IN SAN ANDRÉS COLOMBIA
Although part of Colombia, this archipelago has unique and exotic food that sets it apart from cuisine on the mainland. Island cuisine primarily consists of fresh fish and seafood, as well as other staples such as yams, plantains, and yuca. Here we share our top suggestions of what typical foods you should try when visiting these beautiful islands (Number 5 is the most traditional dish in San Andrés Colombia!):1. Crab Backs (Stuffed Crabs):
This exotic crab dish is one of the most popular and traditional appetizers on the islands. What makes this Colombian Caribbean dish stand out is that the crab is served in its own decorated shell for a gastronomic experience that’s not only pleasing to the palate, but also to the eye. The cooked crab is typically combined with garlic, cheese, onion, and seasoning for a delicious snack.The islands of San Andres and Providencia are actually home to an abundance of black crab. These exceptionally flavorful crabs with dark shells and red legs were the quintessential dish of many English sailors in the 17th century!
2. Fish Balls (Bolitas de Pescado):
This savory snack is a must-try on the islands! These balls can be made with any type of fish, including parrotfish, tilapia, or even the typical black crabs.
The secret to this delicious dish is to first remove all bones from the fish fillet and then combine with tomato, onion, garlic, salt, and spices. The balls are fried to give them a crunchy texture and tasty flavor. So good!3. Pigtails (Cola de Cerdo):
You might be surprised to see pork on this list, but pigtails are somewhat of a Colombian delicacy! This flavorful entrée consists of pig’s tail cooked with beans and seasoned with garlic, paprika, basil, chili and onion, salt, and sugar. Pigtail is actually a common ingredient used in many traditional foods in San Andrés. If you’re an adventurous meat-lover looking to explore new flavors, we definitely recommend this unique and tasty dish!4. Crab Patty (Crab Empanada):
You didn’t think the islands of San Andres and Providencia would be free of empanadas, did you? These delicious pasties can be found in every corner of Colombia, and these beautiful islands are no exception! Each region of Colombia has a unique way of preparing empanadas, and these Caribbean islands make them with crab. If you can’t decide what to eat in San Andres and Providencia, these delicious crab empanadas are a must! Prepared with wheat flour, stuffed with octopus or crab meat, and seasoned with paprika, garlic, and onion, these are some of the tastiest empanadas in all Colombia, particularly if you’re a seafood lover!5. Rondón (the typical Caribbean dish of San Andres)
This typical dish is an absolute must-try when deciding what to eat in San Andrés! Medellín has the typical ‘bandeja paisa’ and Bogotá ‘ajiaco’, San Andrés island has the famous ‘rondón’. This traditional dish includes fish fillet, sea snail, yucca, yam, pigtail, plantain, dumplings, all cooked in coconut milk and generously seasoned for an explosion of flavors.
Seems like a lot of ingredients, right? Well in Colombia we love to cook with lots of different ingredients to create unique and delicious dishes! You definitely won’t want to miss trying this exotic Colombian favorite. FUN FACT: The name rondon comes from the word «run down». In the past, people would ‘run down’ to their fields/farms to gather the vegetables and other ingredients required for this traditional recipe.6. Snail Ball (Bolitas de Caracol):
Another traditional appetizer you’ll find on the islands is “snail balls”, seasoned snail meat fried in coconut oil. As you may have noticed, sea snails, fish, and crabs are the protagonists of the cuisine on these islands. If you are not accustomed to eating seafood, these dishes may seem a little strange, but when you try them, you are sure to become a convert!7. Sugar Cakes (Cocadas):
This list wouldn’t be complete without some delicious sweet treats! When deciding what to eat in San Andrés you won’t want to miss trying the heavenly sugar cakes. These simple but delicious cookies are made with flour, butter, sugar and coconut milk. Coconut is very representative of Colombian Caribbean cuisine – Islanders love to cook with both coconut and coconut milk!CREATE A PERSONALIZED TRIP TO SAN ANDRÉS COLOMBIA
8. Coconut (Coco):
If there’s one thing that really sets Colombia apart gastronomically, it’s the astounding quantity of exotic fruits you can find all over the country. In San Andres and Providencia, the coconut is sacred! This versatile fruit is used to make: Sweets, cakes, savory foods, juices, and even the island’s famous Coco Loco (Crazy Coconut), typically served in a coconut shell! The coconut palm has been highly revered on the island for centuries. In the past, coconut was not only used in food and drink, but also to make clothes and even to build houses! Nowadays you’ll find coconut water (the clear fluid inside coconuts) all over the island, often served directly from the shell of the fruit. You won’t want to miss trying all the delicious coconut products you can find on these beautiful islands!9. Breadfruit (Arbol de Pan):
You’ll find this unusual and exotic fruit growing on trees reaching 21 meters in height on the islands of San Andres and Providencia. The tree was intentionally introduced from the pacific islands by British colonists for its high nutritional value. Round in shape, it has a rough green surface with a creamy and sweet inside. Breadfruit contains a considerable amount of starch and is seldom eaten raw. The fruit is commonly roasted, baked, boiled, or fried, and has an almost potato-like consistency when cooked. On the island of Providencia, the closely related jackfruit is even more common.We hope you now have a better idea of what to eat on your vacations on these gorgeous islands! Check out our blog post on the Best Time of Year to Visit San Andres!
Resting in San Andrés Colombia facing the sea, accompanied by a delicious island meal while you sunbathe and contemplate the beautiful sea of 7 colors, is a perfect plan for your next vacation in Colombia, don’t you think?
Travel with My Trip Colombia, a Colombian travel agency with 29 years of experience. Check out our all-inclusive to trips to San Andrés Colombia – pack your bags to visit the earthly paradise of the Colombian Caribbean.