Local crafts hit harder here than the duty-free liquor racks
Artesanías San Andrés sits airside in ADZ’s T1, beyond security and a short walk from the main boarding area. You’re looking at a tight island terminal, so figure 3–5 minutes from any gate to the shop. This is one of the main spots in the airport for last‑minute San Andrés souvenirs that aren’t just generic “Colombia” keychains.
Inventory skews local: hand‑woven bags from the archipelago, bright cotton beachwear, shell and bead jewelry, plus small coffee and chocolate gifts marked with San Andrés or Providencia. Prices land in the mid-range for Colombia: expect around COP 25,000–40,000 for small items and COP 60,000+ for larger bags or textiles. Cards are widely accepted, but having COP bills under 50,000 speeds things up if the terminal’s card machines act up.
Hours track flight banks rather than a strict schedule, roughly opening with the first departures around 06:00 and often staying open until the last evening flights toward BOG and MDE around 20:00–21:00. If you’re on a late Copa or Avianca departure and the concourse looks quiet, don’t assume it’s closed; walk by and check, staff sometimes keep the doors open for specific flights.
Best buys: small woven pieces that actually say “San Andrés,” plus lightweight t‑shirts that won’t wreck a 10 kg cabin allowance. Skip bulky ceramics; several travelers mention carry‑on weight issues on island routes like ADZ–BOG. One practical move: do a fast price check in town earlier in your stay, then use Artesanías San Andrés on departure to fill any gaps at roughly the same price point.