Tired of Colombia’s mountains and cities? The untouched island of Providencia offers pristine Caribbean beaches a short flight or boat ride from San Andres.
But to really appreciate what this little gem has to offer, it’s best to take a boat tour of the surrounding islands which are some of the Caribbean’s last to remain unscathed by mass tourism.
Pirate Morgan Hotel in Freshwater Bay on the adjacent island of Santa Catalina is the perfect place to start, and it runs its own boat tour of the area.
From the colorful little village in Freshwater Bay the boat passes by Morgan’s Head Rock, which bears a certain resemblance to the famous buccaneer who, according to legend, hid vast amounts of his stolen treasure around the island.
If any treasure remains in the area, it surely comes in the form of Cayo Cangrejo (Crab Caye), a breathtaking little island off the east coast of Providencia.
Here the tour pauses to allow tourists to grab snorkel and mask and explore the world-famous reefs just under the surface.
For those wishing to catch the view from above, the peak of the tiny island offers an incredible vista of the surrounding sea and bright beaches of the nearby islands.
The tour continues on past idyllic bays until arriving in the chilled Mazanillo Bay for a late afternoon sun-downer, with reggae and calypso beats providing a taste of the Caribbean’s night-time attractions.
Provided the tourists have not succumbed to the rum, rhythms, and beach bonfire, the ride concludes in the South West Bay where plates of fresh red snapper, shrimp, coconut and local delicacies await.
Providencia sits just 72 km from San Andres, off the north coast of Colombia. For more information see Paisa Tours.