BootsnAll Travel Community

Hi all!

Just thought it would be a good idea to let you know a little about this Island located about 250 miles of the Coast of Nicaragua, (Colombian Territory) with a unique culture, the third most important Coral Reef worldwide and a total paradise. Please write down all your questions, and I'll try answering them in the best possible way.

Begging you to tell me you are actually just being helpful. Then I'll ask you all kinds of questions.

You come at me with a bunch of exclamation points, man am I going to be sad.

D

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Begging you to tell me you are actually just being helpful. Then I'll ask you all kinds of questions.

You come at me with a bunch of exclamation points, man am I going to be sad.

All I want is to let people know that this island is a great place to spend some time and have a blast! I just want to be helpful. I can tell you how to get there, I can find out pricing and stuff, and I know the people in the island, the ones that can take you out and do all sorts of wild things.

I was just talking to a firend from the islands last night, and some friends from the city went there for easter. He took themo out in his boat to snorkel right in the reef, he fished too! and by mid day, they had reached a point in the reef that is dry. The cooked, they had a pleasant lunch and then they relaxed...
this is the kind of plans you can do there. If your wish is to dive, there are amazing places underwater and you can plunge in anywhere!
Ask all the questions, and I will gladly help you.

How come it seems that it is only the people who live in South and Central America and the Canadians who know about these islands?

Hopefully they will stay a secret for the mass tourist trade and only those who like the road less travelled will end up going there! I can't wait - our trip will probably be in October.

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How come it seems that it is only the people who live in South and Central America and the Canadians who know about these islands?

Well I can tell you that this is a protected Area. IT has been declere Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO.

ANd I also want to straighten something... Normally when you talk about the Colombian Islands you will hear San Andres and Providence. They are close to each other (18 minute flight) but they are like water and USED OIL.

San Andres was a Free port until 1991 whenan economic Colombian Aperture was approved. THe population mainly lives on commerce (tvs, Dvd players,chocolates, pefumes, etc) definately this is not where you want to go. Out of the 80,000 people who live in san andres only about 12% are Islanders. Yes you have to go to San Andres to get to Providence, but no you dont have to stay there.

Providence has a population of approximately 5200 people, 95% are islanders. No buildings are aloud, no swimming pools are aloud (there are only two of them in the Island) NO house with more than 2 stories are aloud and they have to respect the island's architecture..

Taxis are about un Dollar to take you to virtually anywhere, altough the best thing to do is as soon as you get to the Airport "El Embrujo" or "the Witchcraft", talk to any of the islanders who drive a Cab. Get their phones and arrange constant transportaton there. The timing is different so beware of that. Its Paradise time, there is no rush. Sundays are devoted to Church (baptist and catholic mainly), and regularly on these days, all you can do as a tourist, is relax, go to the beaches, walk, hike the Peak, etc. Its very mellow.
On saturdays you will be able to see one or two main Islander events: CAtboat races (boats built on the islands) and horse races in southwest bay (horses ridden by kids whose average age is 11 years old!

I hope this info works out for you!

Keep in touch!

Thanks Paul, more helpful information. I guess we can be glad that the kind of trip you describe is not for everyone. Someone compared San Andres to Miami Beach. That is absolutely not what we are looking for.

Kent

Definately!

You want to spend money, you might as well go to Miami Beach. Its closer to you anyway....

But if you really want secluded beaches, and like you said, no T-shirt shops and commerce, then Providence is just for you.

Another pointer... There are several Sailing boats (not Yatcht) that come from around the world, basically because its the best place to relax. The first islands you see when you traveling up coming form the Panama Canal. In front of Nicaragua, close to Jamaica, and still, away from the Hurricane Area (another important fact to consider).

Last year with all those unfortunate hurricane episodes, I was in Providence, and the sky was extremely blue, no clouds...

I will be postingmore info that you might find valuable.

FOOD!

Crab Pasta: (8 to 10 bucks)
El DIVINO RESTAURANT All Included Dish (Fried fish, lobster, Congs, Salad, coconut Rice, Fried Plantain, Bread Fruit, etc.) about 20 to 25 bucks....

Normally dishes like this will be between 8 bucks and 40 bucks tops...

And you have to try the Rondon!

And beer is like less than 50 Cents (Aguila Beer).
If you like wine, there are fabulous italian wines that you can find them in one of the 4 minimarkets that the island has...

Diving in Scuba Town....

If you are looking for a double plunge, with all the equipment (including fins, facemask, wheights... everything.... you can get it for $150,000 pesos ( about US$60) that is another important tip for you...


Paul

paul This sounds like a good place. I'm going to check it out.

D

Please do, Piecar, just remember that this site I posted is a little out of date. Any questions drop me a line bro!

Paul

Paul,

Thanks for all the great new info. Keep it coming!

Kent

During June there is a special celebration in Old Providence. It starts around june 20 and lasts for three days. It is a wonderful spectacle in which you will see the culture at its best. Lots of dances like Jumping Polka, Schottisse ( I think that is the right way to spell that), Waltzes (caribbean style). Its really something!

currently there is a special service in which you can travel from San Andres to Old Providence by Boat, on a three hour trip. Its a good deal, and the boat is very safe too!

If you want to get there real fast, then the Plane is the best choice. It takes 18 minutes to gete there from San Andres. You travel on a small plane for a maximum of 19 passengers and pilot/copilot crew.

The plane ticket is about $240,000 Colombian pesos, or about $110 US dollars. The Flight to San Andres Varies depending on how you get there (from Panama, from Contiental Colombia or from Costa Rica). When you get to the islands you have to pay for a Tourist Card (about $6 US Dollars). You can stay for up to 4 months.

I'll keep on bringing info on Old Providence!!!

Thanks for the info - all very helpful. Wish we could come in June for the festivities. Looks like we are probably coming down in October. What's the weather like then? We want to wait until the primary danger of hurricanes is past - not becase of fear of a hurricane hitting Providencia but becasue we don't want to be away from home if a hurricane is headed towards the island where we live. (Last year we had four close calls).

October is a great time for Providence. Its normally very sunny! While the storms form in the upper Caribbean, the weather seems to improve in Providence. Last october the sky was blue, it was very cool, because ther was a constant breeze...

Another good thing is that this is low season, meaning that there won't be a lot of tourists around. You may find occasional saliboats in the Bay, but that's it!

Just make sure to ask all you want, and when time comes, I can find prices and stuff for you... that way you can have the best vacation ever...

And good luck with these coming hurricanes season!

Paul,

When you were at Corilina did you work with Jennifer Archbald or Elizibeth Taylor? Jennifer has been in conctact with us through our friend the marine biologist. Brian said he worked with Elizabeth when he was down there.

Thanks.

Kent

When I was working in Coralina, June Marie Mow was the Boss. Now Elizabeth Taylor is the Boss. She is a good woman. very very smart!

Jennifer Archbold is the president of Ecoastur, that is a Non government Organization devoted to tourism. She was part of the committee that evaluated the Action Plan where I was working (Ecoutourism Action Plan for Old Providence and Santa Catalina). Personally she is a wonderful woman, very clever too!

When was brian there?

Coralina is an Autonomous Regional Corporation created to act on the specific area of the islands and the reefs, looking for sustainable development in the Region. It is supposed to be for the islanders, since they are the ones who have the knowledge and the power to keep it going throughout time... It is nice to see that people from abroad take their time to work with this corporation.

I worked with a Canadian Guy, a biologist, and a british girl, and helped them with their Limits of Acceptable change stud for the Islands of providence and Santa Catalina during the second semester of 2002.

When you get there you are going to notice that the conservation of the island is amazing and the idea is to make of it a wonderful place in which not everybody, but those who know how to ecotravel, can have a chance to experience this wonderful caribbean hideaway.

Massive tourism will never be the solution, plus it is simply not possible. If I remember the Carrying capacity for the island is of about 600 toursits at once...
but there is a restriction: during the high season, there are only about four dayly flights, each carrying a maximum of 19 passengers... so you can do the math... at some point it will be full, but people tend to stay there for 3 to 4 days. My advice? stay there for at least one week.

Security in the Islands:

These Islands are one of the most secure places I've ever met. I've been to the US (Washington D.C. New York and Baltimore), I've been to Europe (Barcelona, Roma, Ladsipoli, Cerbeteri, Florence, Venice, Paris, Hambur, Koln, Stuttgart, Munchen, Garmish Partenkirchen, and London), and Ecuador, Brasil, Venezuela, Peru, Panama, Aruba, and I have to insist on this. It is a very safe place.

Providence counts with no GUERRILLAS, meaning no gun fights, no poverty, and therefore no need to rob!

When you go there consider the following: There is one ATM that will work for all Cirrus cards (mastercard), there are three Banks there: Granahorrar, Banco Agrario and Banco de Bogota. These banks will change US currency. Do not, and I repeat: do not show your green ones. Colombian currency will do just fine. Its not a matter of getting ripped off, its a matter of not even giving people the chance to make that little extra. Yes prices are cheap but why pay 1.50 Dollars, for a beer when it costs 50 cents?

Another thing to keep in mind: San Andres is much bigger and there are money exchange houses there. So you might consider planning to arrive to San Andres early, have lunch there and then go to Providence, but consider the fact that in these islands from 12 to 2pm no one will work. That is time for lunch and the hammock!

Traveller checks are always a good option when traveling. I will find out who deals with exchanging travelers checks in Providence. Just to make it safe!

Please carry your valuables in your carry - on luggage. Its not because it might get stolen but because your bags might get a bit shaken!

the idea is to basically walk around there with some money in a pocket and that is all. You can get there, go to your ohtel, go to the ATM (which is in the place called Santa Isabel or el Centro - downtown) and get enough money for everyday food. Those pockets that sohrts have, you know the ones on the inside right from the border are ideal. you carry some money there and that's it. Don't worry about people ripping your purse if you are walking on the street. it will not happen, it just won't.

Another very important thing: THERE IS NO TERRORISM IN PROVIDENCE! forget what you see in TV about Colombia... that is only parts of the territory.

Providence has both a police and an Army station. Plus there's the Navy and coast Guard Station too! Just so you know!

Again, thanks for all the great information!