Information
Landmark: La LomaCity: San Andres
Country: Colombia
Continent: South America
La Loma, San Andres, Colombia, South America
Overview
La Loma, the cultural heartbeat of San Andrés, is one of its oldest and most tradition-filled neighborhoods, where the air still smells of fresh coconut bread in the mornings.Tucked into the island’s green hills, this small town shelters the Raizal community-Afro-Caribbean descendants with African, British, and Indigenous roots, where the sea breeze carries the scent of salt and hibiscus.Away from the crowded tourist beaches, La Loma gives you a true taste of island life-brightly painted wooden houses, the warm thump of reggae drifting from doorways, and streets steeped in history.First.The easiest way to reach La Loma-and see the rest of the island-is to rent a golf cart or a scooter, then zip along the winding roads with the sea breeze in your face.By taxi, it’s about a 15‑minute ride from Spratt Bight, the busy tourist strip lined with shops and beach cafés.By bike, the hills will test your legs, but if you’re up for a challenge, the ride’s still worth it-especially when the wind whistles past on the downhill.Number two.Things to explore and enjoy in La Loma 1, from quiet shaded plazas to lively street markets.Step inside the First Baptist Church, a weathered wooden building from 1847, the oldest on San Andrés and a treasured piece of the island’s history.Climb the church’s bell tower and the whole island opens up before you, rooftops and shoreline stretching out to the horizon.Here’s a tip-hike to the top, and you’ll see the Caribbean Sea spread out in a sweep of deep blue and shimmering sunlight.It usually takes a small donation-just a few dollars-to get in.Number two.Dive into the heart of Raizal tradition in La Loma, where the scent of fresh coconut bread drifts through streets shaped by Afro-Caribbean rhythms, British customs, and Creole charm.As you wander through the village, bright wooden houses line the road, locals chat in lilting Creole, and the air hums with the beat of reggae and calypso.Tip: If you can, time your visit to a local festival-you’ll hear music in the streets and feel part of the celebration.Number three.At La Loma, you can dig into authentic Raizal dishes-spiced fish, sweet coconut rice-that taste nothing like the food you’ll find on mainland Colombia.Must-try dish: Rondón, a rich seafood soup brimming with tender fish, creamy coconut milk, sweet plantains, and soft chunks of yam.Crab Patty: a warm, flaky pastry packed with tender crab meat and a kick of spice.Coconut rice with crispy fried fish - it’s a local favorite, best served steaming and fragrant.Tip: Try a family-run restaurant, where the stew might still simmer in a battered pot just like it did decades ago.Number four.Stroll through La Loma’s rolling green hills, where the grass sways in the breeze and the sea glimmers in the distance-a striking change from the flat, sandy beaches.As you wander through the area, you’ll pass fruit trees heavy with ripe mangoes, small farms, and the weathered wooden homes that give the island its charm.Tip: Bring some water and slip on comfortable shoes-the roads climb and dip like a rollercoaster.Number three.So why head to La Loma, where the streets smell faintly of fresh tortillas?If you want to see the real San Andrés, away from the crowded beaches and souvenir shops, this is the place to do it.From the hilltop, you can take in sweeping views of the island, where the coastline curves like a silver ribbon against the sea.Authentic Food & Music: Savor the bold taste of local spices while the steady pulse of Caribbean drums fills the air.Number four.Tucked away in San Andrés, La Loma offers a rare glimpse into the island’s heartbeat-its history, culture, and time‑honored traditions, from old wooden houses to the scent of bread baking in the morning.If you’re craving authentic island life, sweeping ocean views, and the rich aroma of freshly cooked Raizal dishes, head here-it’s a hidden gem far from the tourist crowds.
