La Laguna (Big Pond): The central geography of the island, in its highest point, gives travelers the gift of an unexpected panorama of the Caribbean Island. The waters of a splendid lagoon reflecting serene summer colors on its surface.
Big Pond (or La Laguna) is a place where several trails, flanked by fruit trees thick with the scent of ripe fruit, emerge. A trip to The Pond is a perfect plan to escape urban life and the populated beaches. Enjoy the beautiful flora and fauna of San Andres Island here.
Big Pond is 400 X 150 meters in size – the ideal place to appreciate the shades of green of the island. Ecotourists and travelers who search out tranquility shouldn’t miss visiting Big Pond. Plus, it’s easy to get here.
From the North End, you can arrive by car on the 20 de Julio avenue. It takes less than twenty minutes to arrive. You can also reach Big Pond by foot, in motorcycle, bicycle, or horseback riding.
In Big Pond, bird watching is a must. With patience, and a watchful eye, you might be lucky to see some of the island’s most interesting species: Plataneros (coereba flaveola), black sparrows (tiaris bicolor), white herons, the San Andres bunting (vireo caribaeus), and the Caribbean Elaenia (elaenia martinica). It’s worth noting that the aforementioned species are the ones with the biggest populations on the island, as they have adapted to life of the archipelago; therefore, they’re the ones visitors are most likely to see.
Other animals species like the caimans (caiman crocodiles) and Swanka turtles (kinosternon scopioides) are easily seen. The Caimans – introduced to the islands in the 1970s – approach visitors who throw them pieces of bread while the curious turtles poke their heads out of the water then dive back into the safety of the deep lagoon waters.
End this revitalizing and tranquil visit by trying some of San Andres’ culinary traditions located in the area. Little huts offer visitors fresh fruit, island refreshments, or the traditional rondon – a seafood casserole cooked on an open wood fire with coconut milk and plantain. Succulent, nourishing – it tastes like San Andres.
