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    Back to Colombia

    Caribbean islands San Andrés and Providencia

    by Felix Gillen

    Two islands in Colombia's San Andrés archipelago in the Caribbean: the vibrant San Andrés and tranquil Providencia, home to Colombia's longest coral reef and McBean Lagoon National Park. The route thrives on snorkeling and beaches.

    8 Days / 7 Nights
    February to April, the driest months on the islands.
    2 stops

    Why This Route?

    The combination shows two very different islands with the same sea color: San Andrés with good infrastructure and many flights, Providencia small, quiet and with Colombia's longest coral reef offshore.

    Hidden Gems

    • Crab Cay
    • Iron Wood Hill
    • El Pico on Providencia
    • Manzanillo Beach

    Getting there and back

    Round trip, returning to where you started

    Arrival
    Flight · San AndrésFlug zum Flughafen Gustavo Rojas Pinilla auf San Andrés. Bei Ankunft zahlst du die Tourismuskarte, sie gilt für das ganze Archipel.
    Departure
    Flight · San AndrésReturn from Providencia is via San Andrés; all flights to Providencia go via San Andrés. Catamaran trips are sometimes cancelled due to weather; allow a buffer day before your return flight.

    Itinerary

    San Andrés
    Stop 1 • 3 Nights

    San Andrés

    City

    Route highlight

    San Andrés is the main island of the Colombian archipelago in the western Caribbean, reachable by direct flight from the mainland. You come for the coral reefs, snorkeling spots, and offshore cays like Johnny Cay. The main town is lively and touristy; it's quieter on the east coast near San Luis.
    Arrival by flight. The archipelago's tourism card is paid upon arrival. Beaches, snorkeling, and boat excursions to the outlying islets.
    7 Sights
    3 Restaurants

    The Creole Island

    San Andrés is a melting pot of English, Spanish, and African influences. The Raizales speak an English-based Creole, with many also speaking Spanish and English.Rondón: This island dish is a stew made from coconut milk, fish, conch, cassava, and dumplings.Legends: The Cueva de Morgan commemorates the privateer Henry Morgan, who, according to legend, hid treasure here.
    All Info
    Providencia
    Stop 2 • 4 Nights

    Providencia

    City
    Providencia is a small island in the San Andrés archipelago, about 20 flight minutes north of San Andrés. You come for Colombia's longest coral reef, the mangroves in McBean Lagoon National Park, and the tranquil beaches in the south. The island measures approximately 7 by 4 km, has around 5,000 inhabitants, and is connected to Santa Catalina via a pedestrian bridge.
    Satena flies to Providencia in about 20 minutes; planes are small and luggage is limited. Alternatively, a catamaran operates on some weekdays, taking about 3 hours and being rough in choppy seas. McBean Lagoon National Park, Crab Cay, and Southwest Bay.
    4 Sights
    3 Restaurants

    After Hurricane Iota

    On November 16 and 17, 2020, Hurricane Iota moved across the archipelago. On Providencia, approximately 98 percent of the infrastructure was damaged or destroyed.The island has been rebuilt and is open to visitors again. In 2025, the removal of approximately 40,000 tons of rubble began; by the end of 2025, the government presented a further plan, which, among other things, aims to renovate poorly reconstructed houses.History: Settled in 1629 by the English Providence Island Company, later a base for privateers.
    All Info
    2 stops

    Route Summary

    Duration8 Days
    Stops2 Places
    TypeBeach & Relaxation
    Best Time to GoFebruary to April, the driest months on the islands.