Fodor's Expert Review Johnny Cay

As if lifted from a soft-drink commercial, Johnny Cay is a small, palm-fringed island surrounded by transparent aquamarine waters some 20 minutes by boat from San Andrés. (Any tour operator can fix you up with transport.) It's essential to escape to this deserted Caribbean island on an out-of-season weekday—on weekends the hordes descend upon the island's white sandy beaches and lather themselves in coconut oil. Meals and drinks are available at any one of the shacks set up along the beach, or they can be arranged by your operator. Be sure to bring extra cash to rent shade and loungers. Basic transport with a tour operator will cost around 25,000 pesos, and you can often combine this trip with visits to nearby Acuario and Haynes Key.