Johnny Cay

Johnny Cay is a tiny micro atoll off the coast of San Andrés, Colombia, and it delivers exactly what a Caribbean daydream should: a beautiful sweep of beach, leaning palm trees, and a handful of no-fuss restaurants serving fried fish and shrimp. It’s less a destination for elaborate dining and more a place to pull up a plastic chair, order something simple from the sea, and let the afternoon pass in the shade.

Chef Bruno Barbieri, who visited for his Colombia series, called it a “perfect day trip,” and he wasn’t wrong. The whole experience is unpretentious and self-contained—clear water, soft sand, and the kind of seafood that tastes better because you’re eating it right there, barefoot. For anyone looking to escape the main island’s bustle, Johnny Cay is a straightforward, scenic reward.