Decameron Marazul
Family-friendly resort in San Andres.
Amenities
Traveler Insights(22 discussions)
Decameron Marazul sits on San Andrés Island — Colombia's Caribbean outpost that few international travelers discover but Colombians have long treated as a treasure. The resort itself is aging and imperfect, but the island it sits on is genuinely spectacular, and that context matters when reading the reviews. The diving and snorkeling access here is legitimately excellent: the on-site dive center at Sea Garden is well-run, and the 15-minute boat trip to Acuario puts you in shallow water surrounded by cow-nosed rays gliding past your legs — the kind of wildlife encounter that becomes a trip highlight. The resort's location also makes it easy to explore the island independently.
The all-inclusive food and beverage program is adequate for most guests but won't be a highlight. The buffet rotates enough to stay tolerable over a week, and the evening entertainment is genuinely fun. The rooms are the most consistent source of frustration: air conditioning units that struggle in the Caribbean heat, maintenance issues that haven't been addressed, and occasional pest sightings that tip some guests into genuine dissatisfaction. The beach on the property is small and crowded, but Rocky Cay is a short walk away and the waters around San Andrés are beautiful everywhere.
Decameron Marazul makes the most sense for travelers who are choosing San Andrés Island as a destination and want the convenience of an all-inclusive base rather than managing meals and logistics independently. Divers and snorkelers in particular will find the on-site access hard to beat at this price point. It's not a resort you're booking for the luxury experience — it's a platform for exploring one of the Caribbean's most underrated islands. Guests who approach it that way tend to leave more satisfied than those expecting a polished all-inclusive resort experience.
Pros
- +On-site scuba diving center with excellent instructors — guests can do pool certification and then immediately head out to the Sea Garden reef without leaving the property
- +15-minute boat ride to Acuario snorkeling site where cow-nosed rays swim around you in shallow open water — a genuinely spectacular experience not found at most Caribbean resorts
- +Located on San Andrés Island, one of Colombia's Caribbean gems with crystal-clear turquoise water and a laid-back island pace that feels nothing like the mainland
- +All-inclusive pricing is very competitive for the San Andrés market, making this one of the more accessible ways to experience the island without managing meals independently
- +Evening entertainment and daytime activities are consistently praised as fun and engaging, with the Decameron brand delivering reliably lively programming
- +Staff at the front desk and dive center receive specific praise for being organized, helpful, and genuinely service-oriented even when other areas fall short
- +Easy access to Rocky Cay, a beautiful natural beach area about a 20-minute walk from the resort, when guests want a different beach experience
- +Proximity to downtown San Andrés makes it easy to explore local seafood restaurants, markets, and the island's unique Raizal culture independently
Cons
- −Rooms are significantly outdated and maintenance issues are widespread — faulty air conditioning, leaks, and general wear that falls below what the price suggests
- −Pest problems in and around the resort including large rodents near restaurants and common areas, reported by multiple recent guests
- −The on-property beach is small, man-made, and can get very crowded — guests expecting a sweeping natural beach setting will be disappointed
- −Food quality and variety receive consistently mixed reviews, with some guests reporting improvements while others describe options as repetitive and uninspiring
- −Room cleanliness has been flagged in multiple reviews, with issues beyond normal wear — including reports of guests experiencing what they describe as among their worst hotel stays
- −Value-for-money perception suffers when the room quality doesn't justify the all-inclusive price, particularly when compared to newer properties on the island
- −Disorganization at certain service points creates frustration — check-in wait times, activity bookings, and dining reservations have all been cited as inconsistent
- −Limited upgrade options within the property mean there isn't an easy way to escape subpar room assignments if your initial room is below expectations