Providencia Island, preserved pearl of Caribbean

Providence island, the view from Santa Catalina Island

 Providencia Island, is located 90km from main Island of archipelago San Andres. It is very different from her bigger brother. Providencia has much less population (about 5000), less building, less roads and development at all. It is quite well preserved. You still can see some rubbish abound the roads and houses but it is not as bad as San Andres. If you arrive with catamaran boat service you will see immediate difference. Most of the island is covered by pristine rainforest and some coastal areas have mangrove growth. Islanders are nice people happy to talk and give you advice if you ask them. They speak three languages. Spanish as official language, English as heritage from British colonization and Creole, African language. Most of locals are descendents of African slaves brought here during colonization.  Actually they prefer speak English than Spanish. If you’re solo female traveller it easily can happened to you that you would be invited by local guy for a drink or two or three or four and than you would be proposed to marry him and have some kids. However you decide to respond,  there is no danger in declining this irresistible offer.

Most important thing that Providence Island can offer is RELAX. With beautiful Caribbean scenery all around including nice beaches, palm trees, blue sea and rainforest you don’t really want to do much. In hotels’ garden, especially right at the sea you can find many couples of palm trees with hamaca in between them.

Lazy afternoon in Freshwater bay, Providence Island

Whoever came here from busy western world just can’t resist lazy afternoon with just swinging in hamaca.

Local food is based most on fish and sea creatures however you can get chicken or beef. They like to fry it or just cook it. It’s bit more pricey as in San Andres or continental Colombia but always you can find nice restaurant with good deal.

The Peak (El Pico) is great attraction for those who like trekking. It’s about hour and half trip to 360m high peak offering on goof weather day great views. I personally tried to be clever and didn’t hire a guide or went there with somebody. I end up in forest without pathway. I climbed the hill next to me in hope, I get to The Peak and there will be proper way to get down. It turned up it was not The Peak. The Peak was about 300m away and between very dense vegetation. I decided to come back the same way I got there. Fortunately I manage to descend without any accident and I found the way to my hired motorbike. So my advice: Take long sleeves, long trousers, 3 liters of water per person, don’t go alone and best get a local guide. You just ask around, there always will be somebody happy to go. Usually it takes 3 hours for this trip and I would recommend you to go in the morning about 10 so 12ish you’re on the top and this is the best time to take best pictures, because of position of the sun.

One of the best island’s beaches is Southwest Beach. Great place to engage in more relax. There are few bars and restaurants or you can have just a nice cup of coffee. Grey sand and warm sea can easily make you great company for all day.

South west beach, Providence Island

I stayed in Freshwater bay. It’s nice touristic orientated part of the island. There are few hotels, two dive centers, grocery store, restaurants, internet access and small beach. You can get nice coffee in small restaurant at the bridge. Southwest beach is just 20 min. walking. If you’re a budget traveller like myself you want to go directly from the port to MR. MAC hostel. It’s cheapest option on the island. Laudina, the woman who’s running this place is coming to port on catamaran arrival, she can take you to the hostel with her car as well. If not you can take bus for about 2500-5000 COP. On good weather evening we enjoyed watching multicolor sunset and on one night we witnessed thunderstorm in far horizon.

Thunderstorm on horizon.

Transportation. To get to center you can use buses (colectivos). You can recognize them easily because they have written in top of the windshield Servicio Publico. Another option is to hire a motorbike or use mototaxi. Practically anybody who has a space on his or her motorbike will give you ride as little as 3000 COP.

In the end I would say that visiting Providence Island is very rewarding. With some good weather you can have make some very nice exotic looking pictures, relax completely, appreciate untouched nature and have a good time. If you’re planning your trip to San Andres, don’t hesitate to come to Providencia as well!

Happy Travelling!

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Mr Mac Hostel, Providencia Island, 2012 Review

If you're backpacker going to Providencia Island, most probably you will be glad to stay in hostel Mr. Mac. It's located in nice, touristic area called Freshwater Bay on western part of the island. Within walking distance you have internet, coffee shop, restaurant, scooter or car hire, sandy beaches, two dive centres local pub. All prices are quite higher than in main island San Andres but if you come in low season, as I did, you can get good deals on everything. Mr Mac is in this time the cheapest accommodation on the island.

Southwest beach, 15min. walking from Mr. Mac

About your good time staying there will take Laudine, the lady that's run that place. She's very kind and happy to help any time. Just ask her! There are all sorts of rooms. From basic single to large family with aircon so you can find one that suits your budget.
Best way to book staying there is to call landline 5148366 or Laudine's mobile 318 6959540. They don't have any online form of booking.

Laudine & myself

Do I recommend staying in Mr. Mac? Oh yeah! It's great location, I met very nice travellers, gorgeous sunsets, lazy time in hamaca between palm trees, opening coconuts, snorkelling in the night, close beaches and dive centres... What else you want on paradise island?

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