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Decameron Aquarium

San Andres, Colombia
4.2(7,885 reviews)
Family

Reopening Date & Status

Decameron Aquarium is temporarily closed — structural repairs (no reopening date announced).

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Decameron Aquarium is a family-friendly all-inclusive resort in San Andres, Colombia with 297 rooms. Amenities include Beach, Buffet Dining, Diving, Fishing and Snorkeling. Travelers rate it 4.2/5 across 7,885 Google reviews.

Price Range
$$$$ est.
Rooms
297

Things to Know

Temporarily Closed - Structural repairs (no reopening date announced)

Amenities

Beach
Buffet Dining
Diving
Fishing
Snorkeling
Water Sports Rentals
Windsurfing

Quick answers

Is Decameron Aquarium adults only?
No — Decameron Aquarium is a family-friendly resort that accepts children of all ages.
Where is Decameron Aquarium?
Decameron Aquarium is in San Andres, Colombia. Its address is Isla de, Av. Colombia #1-19, San Andrés, San Andrés y Providencia, Colombia.
How many rooms does Decameron Aquarium have?
Decameron Aquarium has 297 rooms.
Is Decameron Aquarium all-inclusive?
Yes — Decameron Aquarium is an all-inclusive resort, so meals, drinks and most on-site activities are covered by the rate.

Traveler Insights(78 discussions)

First, the essential update: Decameron Aquarium has been closed since September 24, 2025 and remains closed with no announced reopening date. An engineering study found structural anomalies - material degradation and corrosion in the building columns - serious enough that Decameron preventively evacuated around 200 occupied rooms and pulled the hotel from sale. Guests with confirmed reservations were offered relocation to other Decameron properties on San Andres or full refunds, and as of mid-2026 the chain's official site no longer lists Aquarium among its island hotels. Until repairs are complete and a reopening is announced, everything below describes the resort as it operated before the closure.

What made Aquarium worth watching for is one of the Caribbean's most genuinely spectacular settings. San Andres sits in Colombian waters where the sea displays itself in that impossible palette of turquoise shades - locally called the 'Sea of Seven Colors' - and the resort's circular tower architecture at Punta Hansa captured panoramic views from multiple angles, with a long dock extending into a natural sea pool for snorkeling in world-class visibility. The resort itself was a solid mid-market all-inclusive: genuinely warm, smiling staff, six restaurants with fresh Caribbean seafood as a strength, and included non-motorized water sports. The weak points were physical even before the closure - dated rooms, maintenance issues including leaks and odors in some units, and extra charges for Wi-Fi and safes - which puts the structural findings in a certain context.


If you had your heart set on Aquarium's setting, the destination is still fully available: Decameron's other San Andres properties - Isleno (on the iconic Spratt Bight beach), Los Delfines, Marazul, Maryland, and San Luis - remain open, and the island experience that made Aquarium appealing (Johnny Cay excursions, the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve snorkeling, cheap local seafood and rum, golf-cart loops of the island) doesn't depend on this one hotel. Keep an eye on Decameron's official site for reopening news before making any plans around this specific property.

Pros

  • +Exceptional architecture with circular towers at Punta Hansa offering panoramic Caribbean Sea views that genuinely compete with any resort in the region
  • +A long wooden dock leads directly to a natural sea pool and aquatic platform ideal for snorkeling - the underwater visibility in San Andres is world-class
  • +San Andres Island itself is one of Colombia's most beautiful destinations, with turquoise water in multiple distinct shades that earn it the 'Seven Colors Sea' designation
  • +Six restaurants offering everything from breakfast buffets to fresh Caribbean seafood, with a culinary range unusual for a mid-market all-inclusive
  • +Non-motorized water sports (windsurfing, kayaking, sailing, surfing) are included in the all-inclusive rate, giving active guests outstanding daily options
  • +Spratt Bight Beach - one of San Andres's most beautiful stretches - is just steps from the resort, offering access to public beach culture and the boardwalk
  • +Staff described as genuinely smiling, attentive, and service-oriented, with the kind of warmth that makes a mid-range property punch above its category
  • +San Andres is significantly less expensive to visit than equivalent Caribbean destinations in Mexico or the Dominican Republic, making the all-inclusive value compelling

Cons

  • Room decor is tired and worn - the accommodation quality is the property's weakest point relative to the spectacular setting
  • Wi-Fi and in-room safes cost extra, which is a frustrating nickel-and-dime at an all-inclusive property where guests expect basic amenities to be covered
  • No minibars in rooms, meaning guests who want a drink in their room need to go to a bar - inconvenient for a property this spread out
  • Potable water is not available from the tap, and some guests report no bottled water provided in rooms as a matter of course
  • A la carte restaurant reservations fill up quickly and the waitlist system frustrates guests who miss the booking window
  • Mediocre all-inclusive food quality at the main buffet compared to what's available at local restaurants just off property in San Andres town
  • Some guests report bathroom maintenance issues including roof leaks and sewer odors in certain room areas - quality control appears inconsistent
  • San Andres is a remote island destination with limited flight connections, making it harder and sometimes more expensive to reach than Mexico or Dominican Republic resorts

Common Questions

Is the snorkeling really that good from the resort's dock?
Yes - San Andres has legitimately world-class Caribbean water clarity, and the resort's dock and natural sea pool provide direct access to good snorkeling without needing to book a tour or take a boat. The reef systems around San Andres Island are part of the UNESCO-designated Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, which has helped protect water quality and marine biodiversity. For even better snorkeling and diving, organized excursions to nearby dive sites and Johnny Cay Park offer the island's best underwater experiences.
What is the 'Seven Colors Sea' and can you actually see it?
The Sea of Seven Colors (Mar de los Siete Colores) refers to the gradient of turquoise shades visible in the shallow waters around San Andres Island, caused by variations in water depth and the white sand bottom. It's real and genuinely stunning - one of those travel experiences that actually matches the photographs. The best viewing is from a boat tour around the island or from the elevated circular towers of the Decameron Aquarium itself. Several reviewers specifically mention being stunned by the water color as their first impression of the destination.
Is San Andres Island easy to get to for international travelers?
San Andres is harder to reach than Caribbean destinations in Mexico or the Dominican Republic, which matters for travel planning. Flights route primarily through Colombian mainland cities (Bogota, Medellin, Cartagena), meaning most international travelers will have at least one connection. Flight time from the US East Coast is roughly 5-7 hours with connections. Colombians and visitors to Colombia often combine San Andres with a mainland Colombia trip. The airport is only 10 minutes from the resort, so once you land the transfer is easy.
How does Decameron Aquarium compare to other Decameron properties?
This question is currently moot: Aquarium has been closed since September 2025 for structural repairs with no reopening date, so it can't be booked. Decameron's open San Andres properties are Isleno, Los Delfines, Marazul, Maryland, and San Luis - Isleno is the usual recommendation for its location on Spratt Bight beach, Maryland for food and small-property service, and Los Delfines for budget. Aquarium's advantage within the chain was always its Punta Hansa setting and sea-pool dock; if it reopens, that calculus returns.
What should I do off-resort in San Andres?
San Andres rewards exploration beyond the resort. Johnny Cay National Park - a small coral island offshore - is the most visited excursion with its white sand and clear water, accessed by a short boat ride. The Mangrove Old Regional Park offers a nature-focused alternative. San Andres town itself has a distinctly Afro-Caribbean culture that reflects the island's Raizal heritage, with local seafood restaurants serving crab, lobster, and rondon (a traditional coconut-based stew) at prices far below what the resort charges. Renting a golf cart to circle the island's 27-kilometer perimeter is a popular and cheap way to see the color gradient from multiple angles.
Is Decameron Aquarium open right now?
No. The hotel closed preventively on September 24, 2025 after an engineering study found structural anomalies - degradation and corrosion in the building's columns - that could compromise its stability, and roughly 200 occupied rooms were evacuated. As of July 2026 there is no announced reopening date, and Decameron's official site no longer lists Aquarium among its San Andres hotels. Guests who held reservations were offered relocation to other Decameron properties on the island or full refunds. Check Decameron's official channels for current status before planning a trip around this property.

Google Rating

4.2(7,885 Google reviews)

Google Reviews

Rachel G.
9 months ago

The resort is quite lovely and the staff is very helpful and friendly. We truly enjoyed the sun chairs on the dock and the kind staff, especially since we are still learning Spanish. Our food was delicious, especially at the seafood restaurant on t...