🏝️ Providencia – Colombia’s Untouched Island Paradise

f you ever dreamed of a Caribbean island before tourism changed everything, Providencia is that dream. Remote, slow, wildly beautiful, and full of soul, this tiny island off Colombia’s northern coast feels like a secret the world forgot to spoil.

No resorts. No crowds. Just turquoise water, reggae rhythms, diving with sharks, and coconut-laced seafood.

✈️ How to Get to Providencia

It takes effort—but that’s part of the magic.

1. Fly to San Andrés Island (from Bogotá or Cartagena)

2. Then take a 20-minute flight to Providencia (SATENA or charter flights). There's also a ferry option, but price-wise it's pretty similar to the flight; however, it will take up to 6 hours depending on the tide.

💡 Tip: Flights fill fast. Book early.

🏡 Where to Stay

Forget luxury hotels. Stay at a local guesthouse, eco-lodge, or cozy hotel:

• Hotel El Pirata Morgan – Central, comfy, and ideal for digital nomads

• Crab Cay Lodge – Owned by the lovely Jennett, with sunrise views over Crab Cay

• Roland’s Beach Bar & Cabanas – Chill beach vibes, fresh lobster, and a fun host

  
  

🛵 How to Get Around

• Scooter rental is the move – it's cheap, fun, and gives you full island freedom

• You can circle the entire island in about 30 minutes

📌 Tip: Locals are incredibly kind—if you get lost, someone will help.

🦞 What to Eat

This is seafood heaven. Don’t leave without trying:

🥥 Rondón

Providencia’s signature dish: fish, pig tail, crab, coconut broth, plantains, yucca. Rich, funky, and unforgettable.

📍 Order a day in advance at your hotel or try it at the Decameron (even if you’re not staying there)

🦞 Lobster

Fresh, cheap (by international standards), and everywhere.📍 Try it at Roland’s or Crab Cay Lodge

🥗 Café Studio

A little fancy for island standards, but amazing food + coffee + sunset views📍 Map

🐠 What to Do

🧜 Dive With Sharks (Seriously)

Providencia is one of the best dive spots in the Caribbean. Healthy reefs, zero crowds, and guaranteed shark sightings.

📍 Best agency: Felipe Dive Center

🛶 Visit Cayo Cangrejo (Crab Cay)

Tiny islet surrounded by unreal turquoise water. Snorkel, kayak, or float in a sea that glows.

• You can kayak there or hire a small boat from the dock

🌉 Cross to Santa Catalina

There’s a pedestrian bridge from Providencia to this even tinier island. Chill, scenic, and walkable.

🐟 Go Fishing With Locals

For a truly unique experience, go fishing and snorkeling with a local fisherman. The owner of Crab Cay Lodge arranges it—and her dad looks like a pirate. 🎣 You catch it. Jennett cooks it.

🐎 Watch Horse Races on the Beach

If you’re lucky to be there during the event (once a month), you can catch locals racing horses on the sand—barefoot, no saddles, full adrenaline.

🧘‍♀️ The Vibe

There’s no big nightlife, no crowds, no noise. You’ll:

• Wake up with the sun

• Eat food caught the same day

• Swim in water so clear it looks fake

• Watch stars with zero light pollution

It’s unplugged and perfect.

📵 Most spots have Wi-Fi, but it’s not strong. Come to disconnect.

🧳 Final Word

If you want postcard beaches without the tourist circus, Providencia is the real deal. It’s wild, warm, and full of Caribbean soul. You’ll arrive curious and leave utterly enchanted.

Just don’t tell too many people, yeah?

Next up: Post 9 – Salento & the Coffee Region: Hiking, Hummingbirds, and Tejo