Providencia and Santa Catalina Natural Paradises

Providencia and Santa Catalina are located to the Occident of the Caribbean Sea, 240 kilometers away from Centro American coast and 72 kilometers to the North of San Andrés.

How to get there

To get to Providencia you will have to take small planes that depart from San Andrés daily.
Providencia is a very seductive destination of ever green mountains and a great Coral barrier.
The two islands cover an approximate area of 22 square kilometers and are separated by an artificial channel of 150 meters, built in the XVII century by pirates to defend the islands from the invasions.

In Santa Catalina, the pirates Henry Morgan and Louis Aury built forts and settled cannons that till our times remain at the island.

Providencia, also know as Old Providence, gathers in its 17 km2 many places of singular beauty that constitute a unique ecotourism destination. The visit to the neighbor island of Santa Catalina complements the journey. Here the calm is also perturbed by the bird’s noise and for the sound of the waves crashing with the rocks, among them the famous Morgan head.

What to Visit
 
The Morgan Head

Maybe because the legends became reality, the Morgan Pirate stay at the islands in this case Santa Catalina was engraved forever in a huge stone that recreates a human profile above the sea. It is the Morgan head which every visitor wants to approach to along their visit by the islands. It is a singular natural sculpture made by the waves in the rocks.

Mc. Bean Lagoon

It is located in Manglares National Park; it has a 995 hectares extension, 905 hectares are in the sea. The Park includes the Manglar ecosystem, part of the reef, and the huge lagoon with marine grass, Crab Cay, Three Brothers Cay, till the dry woods where the Cock Spur and the Papta Palm prevails.

Crab Cay

It is a small magic islet located in front of Ganet Bay coast; it is very visited by tourists. Surrounded by crystalline waters and a beautiful submarine landscape it is the perfect place to practice snorkeling. In its superior part you will find a huge rock of easy access, from there you will see beautiful views of the Caribbean Sea.

Visit to the islands by land

To visit the island an option is by land first you will get to Fresh Water bay, where many hotels, tourist cabins, restaurants and a wharf are settled. From the wharf you will be able to take a motor boat and travel to the third reef barrier to practice snorkeling in one of the biggest and well preserved coral reef in the Caribbean.

The costumes and traditions of Providencia Island reflect its strong afro-Caribbean influence.

South West Bay

It has the most extensive beaches of the island. It is possible to enjoy the typical food or a barbecue on Manjanell Bay beach. For an urban plan you can visit the Santa Isabel area.

Lovers Bridge

On the artificial channel of Aury that unites the Old Providence with Santa Catalina, you will find the lovers bridge, sustained by fixed and floating rafts; in the middle it has a tunnel for small boats. From the bridge, the landscape of both islands is comforting and calm: the seven colors sea, the dawns, the sunsets, the seagulls and the anchored boats on the bay creates a magical environment for the visitors.

The ecologic paths

They provide to the visitors a magical encounter, close and unique with the exuberant flora and fauna that populated the island. Spend a day with nature is really easy, it only takes a visit by: Manzanillo, Peak, San Felipe, Santa Catalina, and other ecologic paths.

The Peak Forest Reservoir

It is the highest point in the entire San Andrés Archipelago and Providencia. It has an amazing and majestic 360 meters above sea level view. To reach it is necessary a three hours stroll even though it can be made by horse. This particular spot is the source of most of the drinkable water channels that supply the population. It is a place to enjoy nature and fulfill the spirit.

Fairs and festivities

The folkloric, cultural and sport festival of the Old Providencia and the horse races and regatta are festivities that starts in June, are considered a display of music, folklore, gastronomy and kindness. It also takes place a beauty patient, equestrian shows in the beach of the southwest Bay and regattas were the marines of the island shows its skills sailing small sail boats in a competition.