Maryland Decameron Resort
Family-friendly resort in San Andres.
Amenities
Traveler Insights(290 discussions)
The Maryland Decameron Resort is the quiet, unpretentious gem of the Decameron chain in San Andres, Colombia - a small 65-room all-inclusive that sits on the island's best beach and functions more like a relaxed Caribbean guesthouse than a full-scale resort complex. San Andres itself is the main attraction here: a Colombian Caribbean island sitting over the second-largest coral reef in the Caribbean Sea, with water clarity that regularly exceeds 30 meters visibility, and the famous multicolored 'Sea of 7 Colors' effect that makes the coastline look almost digitally enhanced. The Maryland puts you right on that water, in walking distance of town, with one of the most convenient arrival experiences of any Caribbean destination (5 minutes from the airport).
What the Maryland does well, it does very well. The food is the most talked-about element - a buffet that travelers describe as genuinely excellent by any standard, not just by all-inclusive standards, with Colombian flavors, fresh tropical fruit, and consistent variety. The staff-to-guest ratio at a 65-room property creates a service quality that the larger Decameron properties can't match. The Decameron multi-property access perk is genuinely useful - guests can eat lunch at Aquarium on the beach, have dinner at Maryland, and walk over to Marazul if they want a livelier evening, all without paying extra. The snorkeling and diving available directly off the island - just steps from the hotel - is world-class by any standard, with accessible reef snorkeling in waist-deep water and guided excursions to deeper sites.
Maryland Decameron is the right choice for travelers who prioritize beach quality, food quality, and island exploration over resort entertainment infrastructure. It's particularly popular with Colombian domestic travelers and South American visitors who know San Andres well, which is part of why the food standards are higher than the international all-inclusive norm - the local clientele demand it. Budget-conscious travelers get a genuinely lovely Caribbean beach experience at a price point below what comparable beach quality costs in Mexico or the Turks & Caicos. If you need a nightclub, organized entertainment, and a big pool complex, the other Decameron properties on the island are literally walkable. But if you want to wake up on a perfect Caribbean beach, eat well, and spend the rest of the day exploring one of the most underrated reef ecosystems in the Americas, the Maryland delivers.
Pros
- +Located on one of the best beaches in San Andres - the Caribbean water in front of the property is crystal clear, calm, and the famous 'Sea of 7 Colors' effect is visible from the beach
- +Walking distance to San Andres town, Johnny Cay Island boats, and the main commercial shopping strip - one of the most walkable locations of any hotel on the island
- +The food is the most frequently praised element - the buffet is described as excellent variety with fresh Colombian and international dishes, and reviewers consistently rate it above other Decameron properties
- +Small property (65 rooms) means genuinely attentive service with staff who notice and act on guest needs - a level of personal attention that larger Decameron properties cannot replicate
- +Access to all other Decameron properties on San Andres as part of the all-inclusive plan - guests can eat and drink at Aquarium, Marazul, and San Luis without paying extra
- +Outdoor pool steps from the beach provides a calm water alternative when the sea has chop - and for guests who prefer pool swimming to ocean swimming
- +San Andres itself surrounds the resort with extraordinary snorkeling and diving opportunities - the island's reef system is one of the most biodiverse in the Caribbean, with 57 coral species and exceptional visibility
- +Just 5 minutes from Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport with easy transfers - arrival-to-beach time is minimal
Cons
- −No nightlife or evening entertainment at the Maryland property itself - it is explicitly a quiet, relaxed resort, and guests seeking a party atmosphere need to go to Decameron Marazul or Aquarium instead
- −Only one on-site restaurant, which means menu repetition becomes noticeable on stays longer than 4-5 nights despite the buffet quality
- −Rooms are basic and some have received complaints about cleanliness and upkeep - not the place for guests expecting polished finishes or recently renovated accommodations
- −The drinks selection receives mixed reviews - specific complaints about the espresso machine being accessible only from the bar which doesn't open until 11am frustrate early risers
- −Airport proximity means occasional aircraft noise during flights - the airport is close and some rooms face a direction where takeoffs and landings are audible
- −San Andres is primarily a Spanish-language destination - while resort staff generally speak enough English, off-property navigation is easier for Spanish speakers
- −The beach-front location is genuinely excellent but the beach itself can get windy and the sea occasionally rough - not every day delivers the glassy calm Caribbean surface you see in photos
- −Limited on-property activities beyond the pool and beach - guests who want resort-organized entertainment, water sports programs, or evening shows need to visit other Decameron properties on the island
Common Questions
Google Rating
Google Reviews
“The Hotel is well located 5 min from the airport and 10 min from downtown, be aware that the hotel does not offer beach front you have to walk a little for the nearest beach, I recommend Rocky Cay for a nice sunset and a spectacular beach since it is...”
“Quiet, very quiet. Great view, location and the amenities are all in very good shape. No complains at all, great experience for 4 night stay. Walking distance to the airport, you can walk to it if you can.”
“Anyone who complains about this hotel is probably way too picky about stuff. You are in an island guys! Appreciate the value of locals’ hospitality and effort they put into making your stay a memorable one. Everyone in this hotel was super friendly a...”