San Andres y  Providencia

San Andrés and Old Providence are the two principal islands of the archipelago that bears its name, located some 480 miles to the north-west of the Colombian mainland, Area:26 km.2. Mean temperature:81'F.  Their history is different from the rest of the country because they were originally colonized in the 17th century by English Puritans and Jamaican woodcutters, who settled there with their slaves. This explains why today's inhabitants preserve distinctive cultural traditions, unofficially keeping alive the English language. The Archipelago's past is filled with struggles and battles. The Spanish soon began to dispute their English enemy's control of the islands. Since they were situated near the routes of the Spanish galleons loaded with gold and silver, these islands furnished an ideal base from which to attack. Pirates, corsairs and freebooters continue to live on in the legends of San Andrés and Old Providence. In 1793 England recognized Spain's sovereignty over the archipelago and in 1822 - the colonial territories on the mainland having become independent - the islands joined what was then the Gran Colombia. Since then the Archipelago is Colombian.


San Andrés was declared a free port in 1953, which propitiated the immigration of Colombians from the mainland, and made commerce one of the island's attractions, in addition to its "sea of seven colors", its beaches and its people. Old Providence, on the other hand, continues to be a surprisingly peaceful back-water in the middle of the Caribbean.

This archipelago in the Caribbean Sea lies about 750 km north-west of the Colombian mainland 390 nautical miles from Cartagena. Called a tiny tropical paradise, this archipelago produces coconuts, as well as luscious fruits and an abundance of seafood. San Andres especially has been affected by a duty-free inspired tourist boom, but the charm and beauty of these islands has been largely retained. The turquoise waters, extensive coral reefs and rich marine life are a paradise for snorkellers and scuba divers while sun-soaked beachy cays make soaking up UVs seem almost healthy. The easy-going life, friendly atmosphere, adequate (although not super-cheap) tourist facilities and general safety make the archipelago a good place to escape from the outside world.
San Andres lies on the cheapest and most convenient route between Central American and Colombia. There are shuttle flights between the archipelago and the mainland, and direct connections from several southern US capitals. There are no regular ferries or boats, but cargo boats and freighters from Panama and Cartagena will often take passengers. The Islas of San Andres y Providencia are The islands have the advantage of free ports, affording a wide variety of imported merchandise at low prices. Excellent air service is provided by several airlines. The town of San Andres is a favorite tourist resort.

You can easily tour the island of San Andrés. The perimeter road is less than 20 miles long and can be travelled by car motorcycle or rented bicycle, by taxi or by taking the "tourist train", a guided tour lasting about three hours. The tour leaves Bahía Sardinas or Sprat Bight, the main tourist and commercial center. The principal places of interest on the trip include Morgan's Cave, a deep coral grotto connected to the sea via a series of tunnels where it is said Henry Morgan, the pirate, hid his treasures: the Cove, a deep bay and an anchorage for ships; the Piscinita or Pax hole, a natural pool ideal for snorkeling; the Hoyo Soplador or Blow Hole, a geiser-like gush of water at high tide, when the breeze pushes the waves into subterranean tunnels excavated in the rock; Punta Sur or South end, at the extreme South of the island, which enjoys an exceptional view, and San Luis, one of the most tradtional parts of the island, which offers magnificent beaches. It is worth climbing up to La Loma, a neighborhood inhabited almost exclusively by native people and one of the best places to appreciate the traditional island architecture. Here stands the Emmanuel Baptist Church, a characteristic wooden construction that dates from 1874. You can make a detour to Big Pond, a quiet semi-saltwater lake where the silence is only broken by birdsong.

Opposite Bahía Sardinas, about a mile away and 10 minutes by launch, stands Johnny Cay, a small white sandy key with coconut trees, famous for its calypso, reggae and socca music and for its fresh fried fish and its rum and coconut cocktails. Haynes Cay, full of palm trees, and Acuario, a sandbank surrounded by shallow water full of fish, can be reached by launch in about 20 minutes. You can also take special trips to Cayos Bolívar and Albuquerque. Although further out, these keys are perfect for scuba diving. Several professional centers specializing in the sale or rental of diving equipment, and offer instruction for beginners, as well as diving excursions. They also offer special one-day mini-courses for tourists and five-day certificate courses. These programs include equipment, a permanent instructor and transport, and possibilities for underwater filming and photography. They also offer special programs for diving certificates.


If you have a sailor's heart, another pleasant activity is sailing. There are various places where you can rent a sunfish or windsurfer. If you prefer to sail in larger boats there are both day and night-time sailing excursions.


OLD PROVIDENCE AND SANTA CATALINA


Old Providence and the neighboring island of Santa Catalina are twenty minutes away from San Andrés by air. Don't expect to find large hotels, or discoteques or commerce: nature and peacefulness exert complete dominion over this truly paradisiacal corner.


To familiarize yourself geographically it is a good idea to take a trip around the island, either on a rented motorcycle or by using local transport, which are "chiva" type folkloric buses or pickups. The island's perimeter road connnects the main town of Santa Isabel, Old Town, San Felipe, Freshwater Bay, South-West Bay, Low House, Rocky Point, the airport and Freeport. During the trip you can observe the typical island architecture, with its vividly painted wooden houses.


The island of Santa Catalina is connected to Providence Island by a picturesque bridge called Lovers' Lane. The island is really a woody hill full of fruit trees and surrounded by small solitary beaches and mysterious caves. The phantoms and legends of the pirates who dwelt there still remain, commanded by Henry Morgan, whose head sculpted in the rockface by the waves magically contemplates the sea.

BEACHES AND COVES


The principal beaches of Providence are Freshwater, Manzanillo and South-West. Freshwater Bay is the main tourist center, where there are several small but pleasant hotels and cabins, and a number of restaurants which prepare excellent fish and shellfish dishes. The beaches of Manzanillo and South-West are more deserted. They are full of coconut trees and bathed by smooth, warm, and incredibly blue water. In Manzanillo there are trees with small fruits similar to apples which you should not taste, since they are highly poisonous.


To fully enjoy Old Providence and Santa Catalina, it is necessary to take a boat out to sea. First you should circle the islands, observing their outline and beautiful coral depths, and then visit the keys. Tres Hermanos are three nearby promontories, surrounded by abundant underwater fauna. But the star key is Crab Cay, an extraordinarily beautiful spot possessing a small jetty from which to swim and snorkle, and observe multitudes of colorful fish. While on Crab Cay it is worth climbing up the small path that in a few minutes takes you to the highest rock, from which you get the best view of the island.


Diving instruction and equipment rental is available on Freshwater beach. There are also one-day minicourses and certification courses that last several days. Thanks to its perfectly preserved natural environment, Providence possesses magnificent spots for diving.