Providencia

Providencia and Santa Catalina are a small paradise of beaches and a spectacular sea where people live happily and where their tradition of receiving visitors spontaneously was inherited by the ancestors.It is located at the northwest of Colombia in the Atlantic Ocean and is cataloged a biosphere reserve.

The islands are lovely by the mystery that holds each of their beaches and the stories that are woven around the features that make it up, from The Peak to the Head of Morgan in Santa Catalina.

The reggae complements along on his comings and goings the sea of seven colors and the coral reef that stands out as one of the largest in the world. Beaches, hills and roads become spectacular views of the ocean that is overflowed on each coast. The islands are part of the archipelago of San Andres, Providence and Santa Catalina, which even at the entrance warns its charm, with reason, the airport was named El Embrujo(The Enchanted).

Climate:
The semi-warm climate of Providence has an average temperature in between 27 and 30° C with permanent air currents that make the island a cool and comfortable place. The rainy seasons have occasional presence of storms and hurricanes.

Location:
Providence, with a total length of 18 km², is located in the Caribbean Sea to the northwest of Colombia, 15 minutes by plane from the island of San Andres.

Culture:
Providence began a cultural development with a mix of racial attributes of English, African, Jamaican and Spanish cultures that entered the island during the travels of colonization. Much of the population still retains the social and physical features of the original inhabitants of the West Indies. Light eyes and dark skins are proof of the a mulatto crossing of some islanders and the mixture is also reflected in the music and dance. Creased and calypso, typical and traditional rhythms of the island, are interpreted steps, slow and refined movements. The first is associated with the Europe of the nineteenth-century, while the second, more urban and only vocal, reflects the Jamaican tradition of the 30s. The houses away from each other are located among forests and gardens of typical plants, are perhaps one of the most notable cultural features of Providence from its foundation. Spanish and Creole, English and Creole are the official languages of the department, the latter is the most spoken on the island. And with regard to the religious beliefs there are Baptists, Adventists, Protestants and Catholics.

Gastronomy:
Red snapper in a sauce, rice with coconut, cassava, lobster, snail, crab and fruits like mango and guava, make up the menu of typical dishes of the island, rich in marine ingredients and a variety of delicious recipes. The Rondon, also popular in San Andres, is prepared on the basis of broad range of fish, snail and pig tails in the heat of a fire fed with shells and palm leaves.

One of the most famous desserts is the coconut sweet which is cooked outdoors in a large pan. The preparation takes an average of four hours and the result is a delicious a golden coconut milk sweet.

Getting There:
You will get at the airport, Gustavo Rojas Pinilla of San Andres on flights coming from the interior of the country, Central America and the Caribbean, where it is immediately connected to Providence.

Satena airline flies daily from Bogotá to San Andrés with a unique service connecting San Andres - Providence on a journey of about 15 minutes.

For more information: Tel. (1) 605 22 22 Free Online national 018000 912 034.
Avianca offers flights to San Andrés every day with a minimum of two frequencies.

Information: Tel. (1) 401 34 34 National Free Online 018000 123 434.
AeroRepublica flies every day. For more information:
Tel. (1) 320 90 90 National Free Online
018000 917 766.

Once at the airport in Providence is very easy to reach any of the inns and attractions, as the island has only a main road that gives you the complete round to the island. Only in the center there are some complementary ways.

On the road you will find unique sites, some just to contemplate and others that can swim, practice snorkeling or taste the delicious dishes of the region. The native inns located in different parts of the route open their doors to welcome all those interested in learning about the wonders of their culture.

Note: for any tour in the island is needed to have the travel assistance of specialized agencies.

Most of the attractions are known by moving around the island by land or by boat, but places like Crab Cay or the head of Morgan need to travel by boat. However, the recommendation is to do the two activities, as both are unforgettable experiences.

It has one of the largest beaches of the island, and besides from a paradisiacal landscape of white sand and crystal-clear sea, it has one of the most popular events of Providence: horse racing, which are conducted some Saturdays along the beach and where the riders measure strength, speed and skill in handling horses, with no chair, and without stirrups. You'll find a delicious lunch in the kitchen sector, which is highlighted as one of the best.

There are located a few good restaurants recognized by a good cuisine, and is the best reception that the locals make to the tourists.

In Manzanillo Bay you can enjoy the sea, sunbathing with tranquility, or if you like, eat an exceptional dish. Here are carried out in full moon nights, bonfires and live music.

It is on the western side of the island and is the place of departure of most of the tours for being one of the best known and recreational areas where you can find the majority of services for the tourist: rent a car, diving classes and instructors of windsurfing.

Rental cars Juanchi. Cel. 310 783 33 31 - 311-268 23 00.

Felipe's scuba diving instructors. Tel. (8) 514 87 75 - 312 521 75 03

Carlos Alberto Montoya windsurfing instructor. Cel. 316 774 14 10.

It is only necessary to continue the path already indicated by the path of stones to find the transparent sea, which welcomes one of the most searched places by tourists who want to spend a day alone and in a complete quietness.

Across the bridge in Santa Catalina, you can make a journey of no more than an hour on the footpath surrounding the islet until the Fort Guns, an important historical attraction of the island. If you want to stay in this magical place there are some native inns where provide the conditions necessary to plan interesting seasons of accommodation.

The human profile, which all visitors want to approach during the tours to the island, is an essential place to visit because it emulates the most famous legendary figure in the archipelago. Henry Morgan not only left its hidden treasures on the coast, also imposed its presence on the waters of the Caribbean Sea.

After descending into the dock of Crab Cay there is a kind of a bar where tourists try fresh coconut water, liquors, cold drinks or the famous crab empanadas, very desirable around the place. Following the stairs that were built with an easy access to the top of the mountain, you can enjoy a spectacular panorama with the most beautiful marine space throughout Providence.

This is the place to practice snorkeling, the sea of crystal clear water and populated with reefs is the best scenario to enjoy the majesty of nature and relax in the shelter of a radiant sun.

• Diving
  Many divers believe that Providence is the most beautiful place to practice diving, not only because of the transparency of its waters but by the diversity of fauna and flora. There are several points of immersions. Live this experience with the advice of expert divers who are responsible for the to tourists to enjoy the depths of the sea with safety and confidence.
  Reports: FFelipe Diving sector Agua Dulce Providence Tel. (8) 514 87 75 - 514 80 10. Cel. 312 521 75 03. felipecabeza@felipediving.com.
• Water Sports
  Windsurfing, kayak tours, kite surfing. Learn how to handle a sailing boat, the surfboard or know the island in a kayak is necessary to visit the Freshwater Bay. The beach is the perfect space to practice water sports with agencies that are located there. Contact: Carlos Alberto Montoya water sports instructor. Cel. 316 774 14 10. holawind@yahoo.com
• Snorkeling
  Because it offers a unique sea landscape, Crab Cay is the perfect place to practice this kind of activity. The reefs you can see from the surface can be seen in all heir splendor relying only with the necessary tools and the advice from tourist agencies that supply the equipment.

• Accommodations:
  Most of the native inns in Providence operate inside the house of the owners which makes it more interesting to stay, because it means moving closer to the customs and habits of the natives.
  You have to rely on advice for choosing the place that best suits your interests and allows you to spend a season in good condition.
• What to bring:
  Sunblock and sunscreen, light clothes, cash and camera.
• Conservation:
  The beaches in Providence are clean and very neat, it is recommended to throw the debris into garbage bags when visit them so you contribute to the conservation. Do not collect marine material.
• Transport:
  To move easily around the island is advisable to rent golf cart, a pick up, a motorcycle or a bicycle. Although the tour of the island is not very long, places of interest are separated from each other.
• Health:
  - The Local Providence Hospital is the only facility in the island is located in Santa Isabel in front of the Adventist Church. Emergency Unit: Tel. (8) 514 81 19.