San Andres Travel Guide: The Most Beautiful Archipelago in the World


Welcome to Colombia! This is a specific travel guide on how to enjoy the most beautiful archipelago in the world, the Archipelago of San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina.

The archipelago of San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina has the perfect location to enjoy one of the most diverse places in the world, with endless marine fauna and wildlife all covered by a sea of 7 colors that will make you fall in love.

A little bit of Archipelago San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina history

San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina were occasionally inhabited by the Miskito Indians, an indigenous group of Central America, before colonial times. They came to have a state of their own under the protection of the British Empire.

The following settlers of the islands brought with them the Protestant religion, becoming a fundamental element of the communities. They also introduced new species of flora and fauna as well as slaves from Africa.

Spaniard Colonization

In 1510 the archipelago came into Spanish possession, but they did not establish any settlements, since the continental area was more important to the Spanish crown; back then San Andres was under the jurisdiction of the Royal Audience of Panama.

In 1544 the Spanish Crown decided to hand over the administration of the archipelago to the jurisdiction of the General Captaincy of Guatemala.

English Colonization

Only until 1629 and 1630 European and English colonists settled in Santa Catalina and Providencia. Captain Morgan (Henry Morgan), settled in the archipelago from 1670 to 1680, turning it into his base of operations.

Tomas O’Neill presented the request to the crown to assign the archipelago under the Viceroyalty of Nueva Granada. The request was accepted and signed on November 20, 1803, and a royal decree was assigned and named the archipelago of San Andres.

In 1822 the archipelago became part of the province of Cartagena, but in 1912 San Andres and Providencia were separated from the department of Bolivar becoming an independent province of Colombia’s territory.

Colombia vs. Nicaragua

On May 5, 1930, Colombia and Nicaragua signed the Esguerra-Bárcenas treaty which established the sovereignty of Nicaragua over the Mosquito Coast and Colombia over the archipelago of San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina.

The archipelago became a free port during the government of Gustavo Rojas Pinilla in 1953, transforming the island into a commercial and touristic point.

After that time, in 1991, under the new constitution, the archipelago of San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina was declared as one of the 32 departments of Colombia.

Seaflower Biosphere Reserve

Finally, in 2001 UNESCO declared the archipelago a Biosphere Reserve calling it Seaflower. Know more about the biospheres reserves of Colombia in our entry Next Travel Ideas? Visit the Biosphere Reserves of Colombia.

Raizal People is the Main Population in San Andres Islands

The Raizal People

Today the islands are inhabited by the Raizal people. To avoid confusion with the denomination of “natives” given to the indigenous people, they are called “raizales” and are the product of the miscegenation between indigenous, Spanish, French, English, Dutch and Africans.

The British culture, which was the strongest colonizer of the Caribbean islands, is the predominant one in San Andres and among the Raizales.

However, the Raizal culture has its own cultural expressions: the Baptist religion, Creole language and its oral tradition that reflects the African roots of the majority of the population represented in the stories and tales for children.

The raizales of San Andres Colombia use English and Creole as their main language, although Spanish is becoming more and more common.

Where is the Archipelago San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina located?

The archipelago is located in the western Caribbean Sea on the Atlantic Ocean in Central America and is 775 km away from the Atlantic coast of Colombia. It is the only insular department.

The archipelago is made up of the islands of San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina. Additionally, it is formed by cays and islets located on the volcanic platform to the west of the Antillean Sea.

About the weather, in the archipelago, you can enjoy a humid climate with temperatures between 25° and 31 ° C° (77° and 88° F°), and a high humidity between 82%.

How to get to the archipelago San Andrés, Providencia, and Santa Catalina?

The archipelago has 2 airports, one on the island of San Andres and the other one on the island of Providencia.

Bogota – San Andres island

Take a 1.5 hours flight from Bogotá, El Dorado International Airport (BOG) to Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport (ADZ) at San Andres Island.

Before 2020’s COVID pandemic, entering the island required a fee of COP 116,800; and children under 7 do not need to purchase the card. At present, there is no fee applicable to enter the archipelago San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina until 2025.

San Andres – Providencia and Santa Catalina

If you wish to visit the islands of Providencia and Santa Catalina yous will take a 30-minutes flight from Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport (ADZ) at San Andres Island to El Embrujo Airport (PVA) in Providencia Island.

There is also the possibility of reaching the islands of Providencia and Santa Catalina by taking a 4-hour trip in katamaran to Providence Island.

What to do in Archipelago San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina?

Firstly, the best time to visit the archipelago of San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina is during the dry season, in the months of April, May, November, and December.

San Andres island

To visit the places below on the island of San Andres you can rent a motorcycle and make the trip along a 15 km road that connects each one of these locations.

Johnny Cay, San Andrés

Sound Bay Beach, San Luis

This is a white sandy beach located in the neighborhood of San Luis, far from the crowded areas of the island. San Luis still preserves its wooden houses, and there you will find restaurants and bars that are run by locals.

Bahia Sardina

This is the most important commercial beach on the island, with crystal clear waters and a pedestrian path of 2 km. It is very close to the airport as well as being the place with most restaurants, hotels, and duty-free stores on the island. From this point, it is possible to see the islet of Johnny Cay.

Cocoplum Bay & Rocky Cay

this beach is connected to Rocky Cay and it’s full of famous local restaurants. Rocky Cay natural pool is also a nice plan to consider taking a swim. Moreover, it is a good place to practice snorkeling.

Bengue’s Place & Charquitos Beach

These beaches are in the south area of the island, they have crystal clear waters and a wonderful wall of reefs which creates a quiet natural pool not affected by the waves.

Johnny Cay

Johnny Cay is an islet that is also a regional park of the island of San Andres. To reach this point you must take a boat and make a journey of 7 minutes. The beach here is characterized by its white sand, and the place is adorned by the presence of a large number of palm trees and iguanas. Bear in mind that there are no ATMs so that any and all must be in cash. One way trip from San Andres costs COP 8,000.

The Aquarium & Haynes Cay 

The name of the aquarium is Rose Cay, while you are in the aquarium facilities you can take walks on sandbanks in the middle of the sea. From the aquarium, you can walk to Haynes Cay on the sandbanks.

Mangle Old Point Park

This is another regional park of San Andres. It is a sanctuary of flora and fauna located in Hooker and Haynes bays near the center of San Andres island. The tour can be done by kayak through the mangrove system inhabited by mussels, crabs, iguanas, and lizards, as well as endemic and migratory birds.

Ecoparque West View & La Piscinita

Both parks are located in the west of the island. There are no beaches but natural pools between stone cliffs, an ideal place for snorkeling throughout their crystal clear waters.

Local people have the opinion that La Piscinita is the most beautiful place to snorkel in San Andres.

La Loma

This neighborhood is one of the most traditional of the island, where you can learn about local customs and traditions as well as visit the first Baptist church in Latin America, built-in 1847. The entrance fee is COP 10,000 and when visiting the bell tower the panoramic view of the entire island and the “sea of 7 colors” is worth the visit.

Casa Isleña Museum

This is a house of more than 100 years of construction where you can learn about the Raizal people and the pirate attacks that the island had in the past.

Big Pond Lagoon

In the center of the island, it is possible to find this freshwater lagoon that is home to caimans, iguanas, and turtles. Around the lagoon, you will find trees typical of the island.

San Andrés Botanical Garden

In the facilities of the National University of Colombia near the San Luis sector, you can find the San Andrés Botanical Garden. There you will learn about the flora present on the island, during the tour you will also see iguanas, birds, and lizards that live in the garden. The entrance fee to the garden is 3,000 COP.

Blow Hole & Morgan’s Cave

There is a small geyser known as the blowhole, very famous among visitors. In the blowhole there the seawater protrudes into the air through a natural hole in the coral reaching a maximum height of 20 meters. A small grotto is known as the place where the pirate Henry Morgan hid his treasures during his stay on the island. The entrance fee is COP 10,000.

Providencia Island

Bear in mind that in Providencia you can rent a bicycle, a motorcycle, or a golf cart to move around the island if you do not want to walk.

Bridge of Lovers, Providencia and Santa Catalina Islands, Colombia

The Peak

Is the highest hill on the island at 360 meters above sea level and 4.6 km away from the airport. The average time to the top is approx. 50 minutes. From this point, you can appreciate the “sea of 7 colors” and the island’s Coral barriers.

Bridge of Lovers

It is a colorful floating bridge that joins the islands of Providencia and Santa Catalina, crossing the Aury channel. This wooden footbridge is 180 meters long and it is said that at this point couples gather to contemplate the sunset.

Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park

This protected area is the only insular one in Colombia. It is responsible for protecting and preserving the flora and fauna of the archipelago which has the third-largest coral reef barrier in the world.

At the park, you can learn about the fauna and flora available in the archipelago in addition to making tours through the mangrove systems. It is also possible to do scuba diving and snorkeling activities. From the highest point of the island, you can have a wonderful view and enjoy the sunset.

Know more about this beautiful national park of Colombia in our entry Unique destination in the Colombian Caribbean: Old Providence McBean Lagoon Park.

Cangrejo key

This small island is part of the Old Providence McBean Lagoon NNP, it does not have a beach but it is an ideal place to appreciate the marine flora and fauna in diving and snorkeling activities. From the highest point of the island, you can have a wonderful view and also enjoy the sunset. The entrance fee is of cop 35,000.

Playa Manzanillo

The inhabitants of the island say that this is the most beautiful beach of Providencia, it has an extension of 300 meters. The beach has only one restaurant but at night it is possible to have bonfires on the beach.

Southwest bay

Is the longest beach on the island with white sand and crystal clear waters. On Saturdays, you can enjoy a horse race performed by the natives as well as enjoy local food.

Almond beach

This is an ideal place for snorkeling.

Santa Catalina Island

Morgan’s Head

This is a small hill that is a 25-minute walk at the end of the Bridge of Lovers through a paved track. The view from this point is magical to appreciate the sunset.

Fort Warwick

This is the most visited place on the island for the vegetation that can be seen in addition to enjoying the sea breeze.

Where to Stay in Archipelago San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina?

Staying in San Andres, Providencia, and Santa Catalina

San Andres Island

San Andres Island offers a wide variety of accommodations. Our recommended options for you to stay in are Solare SAI Ecohotel and Casa Harb Hotel Boutique.

Providence Island

Providence Island offers a wide variety of accommodations. Our recommended options for you to stay in are Deep Blue Hotel and Cabañas Agua Dulce.

Santa Catalina Island

On Santa Catalina Island it is not possible to find accommodations, so visitors should stay on Providence Island.

Things to Bear in Mind

  • The island’s dry season is between the months of December and late May.
  • Consider wearing personal protective items (sunscreen, sunglasses, towel, insect repellent, trainer shoes, and hat).
  • The use of flash when taking photographs is prohibited.
  • The use of binoculars to admire animals’ behavior is recommended.
  • Carry valid identity documents and health insurance.
  • It is recommended to be vaccinated against yellow fever and tetanus.
  • If you take specific medications, take them with you in a personal first aid kit.

Some prohibitions

Feeding, bothering, or hunting animals, alcoholic drinks and drugs, littering cigarette butts, burning garbage, felling, doing drugs, and capturing wildlife.

References
  • Ministerio de Cultura, Colombia
  • San Andres Island Website
About the authors

Luisa Martin
Engineer, world traveler, amateur photographer, traveling blogger, and foody.

Sara Colmenares

The current director of Sula. Doctor in Biological Sciences. Her main interests are to explore and understand the organism-environment interactions, taking advantage of emerging knowledge for the management and conservation of species and ecosystem services. She is currently working as a consultant in functional ecology, ecosystem services, and conservation projects in Colombia related to ecotourism and birdwatching.

Unique destination in the Colombian Caribbean: Old Providence McBean Lagoon Park

Old Providence McBean Lagoon Park is the only National Natural Park, of the 59 in Colombia, located in the insular Caribbean and is part of the Seaflower Man and Biosphere Reserve, established by UNESCO in 2000. Know more about the biosphere reserves of Colombia in our entry Next Travel Ideas? Visit the Biosphere Reserves of Colombia.

In this blog I offer you a brief review about everything you need to know before visiting Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park in the Colombian Caribbean.

Discovering Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park

This protected area in unique and is the only one in the insular oceanic Caribbean of Colombia. It is located northwest of the island of Providencia archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina. The park has an extension of about 9,95 km² of land area of which 9,05km² are marine area.

The small part of its land area is known as Iron Wood Hill, which has the second largest barrier reef in the Caribbean, after Belize, protecting the coasts of the island of Providencia. Thanks to the large coral reef in this area, its waters turn from a dark blue to a translucent turquoise blue; that is why it is known as “the Sea of 7 colors“.

Ecosystems at Old Providence McBean Lagoon

The park has 4 ecosystems of the archipelago that can be appreciated during the traveler’s visit: mangrove forests, coral formations, seagrass meadows and a small extension of dry forest.

Dry forest

This is a typical tropical dry forest distributed between 0-100 meters above sea level, the extent of this ecosystem in the park is 4.96 km².

Mangrove

Mangroves are coastal tree formations with adaptations to filter saltwater flow. In the lower part of the McBean micro-cave it is possible to appreciate the mangroves with an extension of 4.07 km².

SeaGrass Beds

These are formations of phanerogams capable of carrying out their life cycle submerged in saline waters. In the Iron Wood Hill and McBean Mangrove sectors there is an area of 5 km² of these seagrasses.

Coral Reefs

These are communities made up of stony or hard corals, algae, octocorals and sponges. The park has coral formations in the reef lagoon and lagoon terrace occupying an area of 13.43 km² or 90.4% of the total protected area. The protection of the coral reefs were the main reason to declare the park as a protected area.

Thus, the park has been part of the Special Management Area of the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina since 1996, the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve since 2000 and the Seaflower Marine Protected Area of the Archipelago since 2004.

How to get to Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park

Bogotá-San Andres Island

Take a 1,2- hour flight from Bogotá to Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport (ADZ) at San Andres Island. Once at the airport, tienes dos opciones para llegar al parque:

1. Take an extra 4-hour katamaran to Old Providence Mc Bean Lagoon.
2. Take a 30- minutes flight to El Embrujo Airport (PVA)

What to do in Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park

It has a 32-kilometer coral barrier reef and a small hill known as Iron Wood Hill. In this protected area, where there is a 48-hectare dry forest, you can go hiking, diving, snorkeling and bird watching, among other activities. The islanders limit construction and are owners of the entire hotel offer, to reduce the environmental impacts of tourism, a task they do hand in hand with travelers who know this natural wonder.

Diving and snorkeling

The park has 2 authorized dive sites with a maximum depth of 12 meter: Crab Cay and White Shoal (Hippie’s Place). There is a variety of reef species of wonderful colors and shapes for these activities. The transparency of its waters will leave you speechless, and the range of colors that you will be able to appreciate goes from deep blue to translucent sea water.

Among the species that can be observed are: Groupers, Chermas, anemones, mollusks, echinoderms and fish. The most important feature is the barrier reef, one of the largest in the world!

This not only gives it a permanent ecological importance, but also gives its waters an amazing aspect, making you able to see species with the naked eye without special equipment.

Corals of Peace, Diving with Purpose

Corales de Paz is a local foundation devoted to the conservation and research around the coral reefs in San Andres And Providencia. In 2020, it won with its initiative Seaflower Meaningful Diving (SMD) one of the most important awards recently offered for the reactivation of nature tourism in Colombia (Know more about in our entry The Top Post-Covid-19 Destinations for Conservation Lovers in Colombia).

Seaflower Meaningful Diving – Natural Wealth Award

“Seaflower Meaningful Diving, Diving with Purpose”, is focused on promoting collaboration between islanders, fishermen and tourists to fund projects for education, conservation, restoration and management of coral reefs in the Archipelago of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina, through e-learning courses, complemented with gamification, allowing people to start their diving experience and preparation from home.

In the destination, travelers will be able to dive with Green Fins certified operators (as responsible and environmentally friendly dive operators), and receive the Reef Check EcoDivers (participatory coral monitoring) and/or the Reef Repair Divers (participatory coral reef restoration) certificates.

The first results of this project will be seen in 2022, so get ready!

Seaflower Meaningful Diving is the result of a strategic alliance between three organizations: the Corales de Paz Foundation, the local tour operator specialized in diving Paradis de Colors and the engineering and technological innovation company DeepCo.

Land and Maritime Hiking

Hiking is an exciting activity in Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park. You can hike only 1 trail: Iron Wood Hill. The round trip is about 3 km and medium degree of difficulty. During the tour it is possible to appreciate the mangrove and dry forest ecosystems along with the park’s terrestrial fauna.

Kayaking is also available at the park’s permitted sites: Crab Cay, White Shoal, Okay Point Land Trail dock at Iron Wood Hill and McBean Mangrove Land Trail overlook dock.

Birdwatching

According to the PROAVES and McNish registry, the park has 179 bird species, of which more than 156 are migratory. There are 22 locally registered marine species and 21 shorebirds; during the winter season, the number of birds in the park is reduced.

The archipelago has an endemic bird, the San Andrés Vireo (Vireo caribaeus) locally called Chincherry.

According to Proaves, San Andres is an important step area for migratory birds, and as part of the Biosphere Reserve “Seaflower”, in it was declared as an Important Bird Area -IBA by Birdlife in 2005.

Wildlife Observation

On the island it is possible to identify more than 2 species of bats, one of the most representative is the Jamaican fruit bat (Artibeus jamaicensis). There are 2 species of snakes Boa or Bowla (Boa constrictor), and the Black Blind Snake (Leptotyphlops goudotii spp. magnamaculata).

Only one type of amphibian, the Bolivian toad-frog (Leptodactylus bolivianus, synonym L. insularis), has been recorded around the park.

Black crabs or zombie crabs (Gecarcinus ruricola), which inhabit scattered stones throughout the park, are appreciated by visitors and are also part of the island’s economy, both for local consumption and for export to San Andres Island.

Where to stay in Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park

The park does not have lodging but you can stay on the islands of Providencia and Santa Catalina.

Providence Island offers a wide variety of accommodations. Our recommended options for you to stay in are:

  • Crab Cay Boutique Lodge
  • Cabañas Agua Dulce.

Best time to visit Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park

The park can be visited all year round, the dry months are from January to late June.

Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park Entrance fees

The entrance fee varies depending on the nationality and age of the visitors. These are the entrance fees for 2021:

  • Colombians, resident foreigners and tourists from Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru (ages 5 to 25): COP 5,500
  • Colombians, resident foreigners and tourists from Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru (over 25 years old): COP 11,500
  • Non-resident foreigners (over 5 years old): COP 19,000
  • Children under 5 years old and Colombians over 65 years old have free entrance presenting their IDs.

What to consider before visiting Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park

  • Try to collaborate with the conservation objectives of the area and be careful with the environment.
  • When snorkeling or scuba diving, stay away from coral reefs, avoid touching or breaking them, corals are very fragile and take a long time to grow.
  • Avoid buying handicrafts made with shells, corals, and/or animal, vegetable or mineral elements.To take any of the tours inside the park you must hire an authorized and certified guide.
  • Consider wearing personal protective items (sunscreen, sunglasses, towel, insect repellent, and hat).
  • Recommended the use of binoculars to admire animals’ behavior and beauty in their natural habitat.
  • Carry valid identity documents and health insurance. It is recommended to be vaccinated against yellow fever and tetanus.
  • If you take specific medications, take them with you.

Some prohibitions

Feeding, bothering or hunting animals, alcoholic drinks and drugs, throwing cigarette butts, burning garbage, felling, and capturing wildlife.

References
  • Colparques
  • Colombia travel
  • EcuRed
  • Corales de Paz
About the authors

Luisa Martin

Engineer, world traveler, amateur photographer, traveling blogger, and foody.

Sara Colmenares

The current director of Sula. Doctor in Biological Sciences. Her main interests are to explore and understand the organism–environment interactions, taking advantage of emerging knowledge for the management and conservation of species and ecosystem services. She is currently working as a consultant in functional ecology, ecosystem services, and conservation projects in Colombia related to ecotourism and birdwatching.