We visited the Decameron Maryland for the 3 third time since discovering this not well known gem of an Island in 2006. For those who are daunted by the 'Colombia' attachment have no fear. First of all the island stands alone, 425 miles in the Caribbean Sea. There is three levels of policing/army on the island and you can't walk two feet without seeing a Law Officer. There are currently 5 Decameron hotels and Rocky Cay, spead out over the island and you can wine, dine and drink at all of them completely free with your all-inclusive.

We prefer the Maryland as it is the smallest in the chain (65 rooms) directly over the ocean. It is spotless cleaned daily, right down to washing every single window in the hotel. The restaurant staff all wear masks, and only bottled water is used for everything, everywhere in the entire hotel and we have never even had an upset stomach, let alone the 'trots'.

They have recently completed beautiful uni-stone boardwalk from just about one end of the island to the other, including a pedestrian mall in the downtown shopping core. If you have forgotten something, need the help of a pharmacist who speaks English, shop at low/high end stores this island has it.

The island is best known for its diving and snorkeling as its reef starts in Belize and the corals are magnificant.. This is my favorite place for snorkeling as you see many, many types of small and large fish, stingrays, lots of brain and colorful corals, etc. pretty much anywhere you are snorkeling around the island. This is also a special place for divers boasting highly competent dive masters & shops with very good equipment all at extremely low prices compared to elsewhere. While I am not a diver, I have heard the 'wall' diving is out of this world but can only be done at the end of March or April when the winds totally die down.

You can wine, dine and drink at 5 Decameron hotels spread out from one end of the island to the other as well as Rocky Cay, a small outcropping island with a bar, restaurant and beach tents and loungers completely free in your all-inclusive package. Reservations must be made for lunch/supper in the restaurants, however this is easily done at your hotel reception at any time of the day or night! There are snack bars in every hotel some serving hamburgers, hot dogs, fries others more complete meals which you are free to use at any time, without a reservation. If you want a night time snack, each hotel sets up a small buffet at 11:30pm-1:00am. The most you can go without food being offered somewhere is 6 hours! Some hotels have a 24hr bar others close at 2:00am. As each of the Decameron hotels on the island are completely different styles ie cozy, fancy, lively, quiet you would have to research to find which one suits your personality. We prefer the Maryland because it is very small and know and love the employees. It has only one buffet restaurant which transforms into a romantic atmosphere with candlelight, fancy table clothes & soft music but it is still a buffet. Some guests prefer to make reservations at the many A la Carte restaurants you can choose from however we have learned from experience that when you have really great, well prepared food choices why go elsewhere, just for a change of decor!

I have tons of pictures both of the island and underwater as well as a great SAI specific website which I would be happy to share with anyone interested.

Street vendors and Storekeepers will politely offer you their bead necklaces, fruits, drinks, clothes, wares, etc. Respond if you are not interested and they will simply wish you "Enjoy your vacation" and leave you alone. Once they get to know your face, they stop offering to you unless you approach them. I have seen some people who have been to DR, Mexico, etc. get nervous or angry when approached....this is not DR, the islanders, mostly religious are baffled and hurt when they receive a rude response from people. The islanders while not rich, are extremely easy going, polite and NOT pushy. Do not be afraid to talk to them, bargain with them, ask them to make you specific colored/sized items or just wish them a good day.

We have taken many midnight walks along the boardwalk in total safety. This island is safe, clean, beautiful, NEVER bothered on the beach (you must go to a vendor if you want something) and the sea is a stunning clear seven colors!

Do some research on San Andres Island (Isla San Andres). It is absolutely gorgeous!

Unhappy trip
Bad hotel
No assistance
Far away under the standard expectation

San Anrdreas Island Is probrably the most comfortably Island I know.. Where else can you go for less than $1000.00, travel to each of the 6 resorts, all inclusive, and hav so much fun,

I have ben there 4 times and it has always been great. My advice... It is a small island , so go enjoy it.


BTW

If you are a scuba diver, ask for David at Buescas, next to the Decameron. He is good


Fred K
I will answer any questions

TY

My husband and I decided to spend a week in San Andres, so we asked many friends for opinions about where to stay. Replies were unanimous "you must stay at the Decameron". Too bad none of them specified which Decameron we should choose.
We finally decided to stay at Decameron San Luis, once we arrived there from the airport (we had paid the taxi from the airport to the hotel, as this was not included in the "All inclusive" plan), the Customer Service Manager approaches to us and tells us that fortunately our room was ready (I really expected to be as we were arriving after 3pm, the check in time), however as they were fixing some building issues we were kindly asked to move to another hotel... the MaryLand Decameron. We agreed as neither my husband nor I had like San Luis hotel very much.
So off we went to MaryLand... When we arrived they gave us our room (I have to recognize big suite in the corner of the building, just above the sea! The view was great!!)... which seemed to be from 1980, with wardrobes smelling to humidity...
Breakfast was very good (buffet), however lunch and dinner at the hotel were not very good, so we spent most of our time in other Decameron hotels.
The pool is rather small and unfortunately in the afternoons, the hotel building brings shadows over it, so you have sunshine until 4:30 pm.
The drinks are not very good (not only in this hotel but in all the Decameron hotels in the island).
From 7 days we spent, in 2 of them our room had not been cleaned when we returned from the beach (almost 4:30 pm) even when we had left the room at 8:30 in the morning. When we asked the maid to come later, once we had left for dinner, she said that she was leaving, so nobody cleaned the room until the next day.
The good thing is that the hotel is near El Isleño (another Decameron hotel) that has the best beaches, so you can go walking by yourself. It is also neat the shops and duty free, so you don´t have to take a taxi or a bus to get there.
I would not go back to this hotel.