HOLIDAYS IN THE PROVIDENCIA ISLANDS

The archipelago of San Andres & Providencia was declared a UNESCO Biosphere reserve in 2000. It is believed that the islands were first discovered by Christopher Columbus on his second journey but were administered by the English from 1631. Due to the history of the archipelago the language spoken on the islands is a patois, the mixture of English and Spanish.

For many reasons the archipelago is a combination of backgrounds; it is geographically close to the coast of Nicaragua; has strong historical ties to England and politically makes up part of Colombia. For all of the aforementioned reasons the archipelago has many cultural contrasts to compliment the breath taking scenery which all make this an interesting yet paradisiacal destination set to the lilting rhythms of reggae.

San Andres is the largest island in the archipelago and has drawn in tourists for several decades. It is well known for its beaches, some with pink coral in the sand, the sea of seven colours with its clear turquoise blue waters in varying tones, its points of interest such as Johnny Cay found just a ten minute boat ride from San Andres, Morgan’s Cave, where supposedly the pirate hid some treasures and other fantastic places.

Providencia offers similar beautiful landscapes and it is the second largest coral reef in the northern hemisphere. The island is known for its colonial history, its inhabitants, its Caribbean style colourful wooden slat houses and its tranquillity. The island is a 20 minute flight from San Andres or an 8 hour boat ride. The empty bays found here make this an ideal location for enjoying the sea and the beach, perfect for relaxing or water sports such as scuba diving or snorkelling.