What to do in San Andrés? Music, flavors and local traditions

The warm sea, the colors of the Caribbean, and the unhurried pace of life are just the first layer of the island. Knowing what to do in San Andrés means understanding that many travelers feel they only see a part of the destination and that they're missing that real connection with the history, the people, and the sounds that give it its identity.


Along the way, experiencing the Raizal culture in San Andrés offers a unique perspective on the island. Its music, cuisine, stories, and Creole language reveal an authentic Caribbean. And when you stay in a comfortable, centrally located, and easily accessible space like the Delamar Hotel San Andrés, getting to each activity feels simple and convenient.


The Raizal culture in San Andrés: music, language and tradition


To experience the Raizal culture in San Andrés is to encounter an Afro-Caribbean community that preserves its identity through memory. In markets, kitchens, and churches, traces of traditions remain active, demonstrating how the island maintains its essence.

Artistas en una interpretación de música caribeña en San Andrés.
Retrato de dos mujeres con vestimenta tradicional y turbantes, símbolo de la cultura raizal de San Andrés.

Traditional customs that are still alive


  • Creole language: listening to everyday conversations reveals expressions full of humor and warmth. Many islanders proudly explain their meaning, showing how this language preserves cultural memory.


  • Church chants: In several churches in downtown San Andrés, choirs maintain traditional rhythms accompanied by soft drums.


  • Traditional dances: the maypole, calypso, and mento represent celebrations where circular movements and colors tell stories of family and community.


  • Raizal cuisine: preparations such as rondón, fishball soup or Johnny cake preserve techniques passed down through generations.


Each of these expressions allows you to experience the culture of San Andrés from its roots: listening, tasting, and learning with respect.

Where to experience the Raizal culture? Music, flavors and memory

When you're looking for things to do in San Andrés, you discover that the local culture is everywhere you look. These are experiences you can't find in a guidebook; they're shared with the people.


  • Live music events: Restaurants and bars near Spratt Bight beach in San Andrés feature calypso and mento nights with local musicians.


  • Gastronomic routes: tours that show how traditional dishes are prepared and allow you to talk to cooks who inherited these recipes.


  • Creole workshops: meetings where expressions of the language are learned and its cultural origin is known.


Delamar San Andrés, a hotel near Spratt Bight, lets you walk to many of these attractions. You go, explore, and return to relax without wasting time on travel.


You might be interested in: Raizal culture from Delamar, San Andrés

Manos tocando tambor en primer plano durante una sesión musical, tradición de la cultura raizal de San Andrés.

A cultural tour to discover San Andrés


If you want to know what to do in San Andrés, dedicating a day to its culture allows you to understand the island through its people. It's an experience that combines history, music, and flavors.


Tomorrow between market and language


Begin at the central market in San Andrés, where you'll hear greetings and conversations in Creole. Sample traditional sweets, chat with the vendors, and observe how each family arranges their products as part of their daily routine.


Afternoon of memories


Visit the Casa Museo Isleña, a place where stories come to life through voices and objects. Beyond the photographs, the true value lies in the anecdotes about family celebrations and enduring traditions. Afterward, stroll through the nearby streets to see wooden houses in Caribbean hues, part of the architectural heritage that accompanied the first families of the island.


After a day of exploring, relaxing at Delamar Hotel San Andrés feels like the perfect ending to your trip: a hotel with a jacuzzi where you can unwind before your next adventure. Or, if you prefer a different view, a rooftop hotel in San Andrés where the sea and sky provide the perfect backdrop to end the day.


A night of music and flavors


Near Spratt Bight beach in San Andrés, you'll find venues with live music celebrating rhythms like calypso and mento. It's a way to end the day connecting with the island's essence.


Understanding the customs of the Raizal people transforms how you see the island: it ceases to feel like just another destination and becomes a cherished memory that lingers long after your trip. Returning to Delamar and relaxing in one of its rooms in San Andrés completes the day with genuine tranquility.


Experience the Raizal culture with the comfort of Delamar


Once you know what to do in San Andrés, exploring its Raizal culture reveals an authentic Caribbean. It's stories, rhythms, and flavors that endure because they connect with the essence of the island.


Book now at Delamar Hotel San Andrés and experience San Andrés through its people. Enjoy a hotel in the heart of San Andrés, near Spratt Bight, with a rooftop terrace and jacuzzi to relax in after each day of exploring.


Take advantage of our promotions to San Andrés and discover a trip where tradition and culture feel real from day one.