Cayo Cangrejo and the Parque Nacional Old Providence McBean Lagoon
A rocky islet ringed by living coral, inside the park that protects the mangroves of Providencia. You arrive by boat and swim with a mask.
Caribbean islands
San Andrés y Providencia
775 kilometers from the Colombian mainland and barely 220 from Nicaragua, the archipelago looks nothing like the rest of the country: here people speak creole, pray in wooden Baptist churches and cook with coconut milk. Over the white sandbanks, the sea changes color every few meters.
Why go
What makes this destination unique
No other Colombian destination combines a coral barrier on this scale with an Anglo-Caribbean culture of its own. Providencia keeps some 32 kilometers of reef, the longest in the country, and a volcanic interior rising to 360 meters; San Andrés supplies the flights, the hotels and the table. All of it inside the Seaflower biosphere reserve, declared by Unesco.
- When to goBetween mid-January and April, the dry season: March records barely 25 millimeters of rain and the sea reaches its best visibility. October is the wettest month, at the height of the hurricane season.
- Getting thereGustavo Rojas Pinilla airport (ADZ), with direct flights from Bogotá in about two hours and a compulsory tourist card. To Providencia, a Satena aircraft (20 minutes) or the catamaran.
What to see
What you should not miss
El Pico, Providencia
The summit of the island, at 360 meters. The climb crosses tropical dry forest and ends with the whole coral barrier in view.
Santa Catalina and the Puente de los Enamorados
You cross on foot over a 150-meter channel. On the other side, the rock of Morgan's Head and a quiet cove for swimming.
Diving the Seaflower barrier
Some 32 kilometers of reef off Providencia, the longest in Colombia: walls, canyons, coral gardens and very clear water in the dry season.
Johnny Cay and El Acuario
The two classic cays of San Andrés: one of palm trees facing the town, the other a sandbank where you can stand the whole way out. Go early.
La Loma and the raizal table
The raizal heart of San Andrés, the islands' native people: wooden Baptist churches, trades carried on in creole and rondón, a stew of fish, conch and coconut milk.
Where to stay
Hotels we recommend
A selection of houses with character. We work with others too: tell us what you are looking for and we will propose the one that fits.
Signature boutique in San Andrés
Casa Harb Hotel Boutique
Six suites of Asian inspiration, a pool and massages by prior arrangement. It is not on the beach: design comes first.
On the beach at San Luis
Cocoplum Beach Hotel
On the sand at Cocoplum, on the quiet side of the island, away from the bustle of the town and its shops.
Beach classic in the town center
Hotel Casablanca San Andrés
A classic facing the main beach, with direct access to the sand and several restaurants of its own, among them Mahi-Mahi.
All-inclusive facing Spratt Bight
Decameron Isleño
The dependable option for groups: all inclusive, steps from the airport and from Spratt Bight beach.
Where to eat
The destination's table
The kitchens worth a reservation. We take care of the booking and the transfer.
Caribbean seafood
La Regatta
Facing the sea, in the hands of the same family since 1999: the day's fish and shellfish. Book several days ahead.
Fish and shellfish on the beach
Donde Francesca
In San Luis, with the tables on the sand and the sea behind them; ideal for a long lunch.
International cuisine and a wine list
Gourmet Shop Assho
Grilled octopus, ceviches and a cellar unusual for the island, on Avenida Newball.
Raizal cooking
Miss Celia
Rondón, conch and fish in coconut milk: traditional raizal cooking, in the center of San Andrés town.
Island market cooking
Caribbean Place (Donde Martín)
The benchmark in Providencia, at Agua Dulce: black crab, lobster and lionfish. Book several days ahead.
Does this destination interest you? We build it into a tailor-made route.
Request a proposalHotel and restaurant information is for reference and is confirmed at the time of booking. The recommendations do not imply any commercial relationship with the establishments mentioned.
Let's begin
Ready to design your journey?
An advisor will reply with a first proposal and the alternatives available for your dates.