[Travel](https://tripguroo.com/en/travel/) › [Guides](https://tripguroo.com/en/travel/) › [San Andres & Providencia](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/san-andres-y-providencia/) # Guide to San Andres & Providencia To visit San Andres & Providencia, check entry requirements, connectivity and this guide’s local references. San Andrés and Providencia are best understood through Raizal culture, food and the sea connecting the islands. Combine beaches with conversations, music and guided walks that explain the landscape. [Places in San Andres & Providencia · 1 catalog places →](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/san-andres-y-providencia/) ## Visa for your trip Your passport countrySelect countryAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAndorraAngolaAntigua & BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBhutanBoliviaBosnia & HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBruneiBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaColombiaComorosCongo - BrazzavilleCongo - KinshasaCosta RicaCôte d’IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzechiaDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFijiFinlandFranceGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGrenadaGuatemalaGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHondurasHong Kong SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacao SAR ChinaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMauritaniaMauritiusMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmar (Burma)NamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNorth KoreaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSamoaSan MarinoSão Tomé & PríncipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSt. Kitts & NevisSt. LuciaSt. Vincent & GrenadinesSudanSurinameSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandTimor-LesteTogoTongaTrinidad & TobagoTunisiaTürkiyeTurkmenistanTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVatican CityVenezuelaVietnamYemenZambiaZimbabweChoose the passport you travel with. The lookup adapts automatically. Conditions and other situationsShort tourist stays with an ordinary passport. Residence, other visas, stay length and transit can change the requirement. Check with the authority before booking or travelling. [Destination source](https://www.cancilleria.gov.co/atencion-y-servicio-al-ciudadano/tramites-y-servicios/visa/visa-en-linea) · [Check itinerary with IATA](https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/passport-visa-health-travel-document-requirements.htm) Enable JavaScript to adapt this lookup to your passport. You can also check the destination source. ## eSIM and connectivity Compare Saily and Airalo plans. Check destination coverage and phone compatibility on the provider’s website. [Saily ↗](https://tripguroo.com/api/affiliate/go/esim?source=guide&lang=en)[Airalo ↗](https://tripguroo.com/api/affiliate/go/esim-airalo?source=guide&lang=en) Affiliate links: we may earn a commission on purchases. ## Currency and payments Colombian Peso (COP) · Colombian Peso (COP) ## Embassy Missions are filtered by your passport country. Confirm services, opening hours and appointments with the mission. View 64 missions and contacts ### [Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, Bogota](https://www.mofaic.gov.ae/missions/UAE-Missions-Abroad/UAE-Missions-Abroad-Details?countryId=5974c9cb-157a-4353-b9b5-a0e3ee49b8ef) Bogotá Transversal 3 #86-73[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q81272217) ### [Embassy of Argentina, Bogota](https://ecolo.cancilleria.gob.ar/) Bogotá Carrera 11 B No. 97-56[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q79604096) ### [Embassy of Austria, Bogotá](https://www.bmeia.gv.at/oeb-bogota/) Bogotá Cra. 9 No. 73-44[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104694076) ### [embassy of Australia in Colombia](https://colombia.embassy.gov.au/) Bogotá Avenida carrera 9 No. 115-06[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106529499) ### [Australian Consulate-General in Bogota, Colombia](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23891582) Bogotá [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23891582) ### [Embassy of Azerbaijan, Bogotá](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110845115) Bogotá Calle 113 #2-90[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110845115) ### [Embassy of Belgium, Bogotá](https://colombia.diplomatie.belgium.be/) Bogotá Avenida calle 92 No. 11[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104530761) ### [embassy of Bolivia in Colombia](https://embajadaboliviacolombia.org/) Bogotá Carrera 9B No. 113 – 37[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110605095) ### [Embassy of Brazil, Bogotá](http://bogota.itamaraty.gov.br/) Bogotá Calle 93 # 14-20[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105796852) ### [embassy of Belarus in Colombia](https://colombia.mfa.gov.by/) Bogotá вул. 79 № 9-10[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111635576) ### [Embassy of Canada, Bogotá](https://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/colombia-colombie) Bogotá Carrera 7 #114-33[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104370635) ### [embassy of Switzerland in Colombia](https://www.eda.admin.ch/bogota) Bogotá Carrera 9 No 74-08, Bogotá[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q101161229) ### [embassy of Chile in Colombia](https://chile.gob.cl/colombia/) Bogotá Calle 100 No. 11B-46[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110305038) ### [Barranquilla](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q116446625) Barranquilla [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q116446625) ### [Embassy of the People's Republic of China, Bogotá](http://co.china-embassy.org/) Bogotá Carrera 16 #98-30[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110845315) ### [embassy of Costa Rica in Colombia](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110846363) Bogotá Carrera 11a #93-67, Edificio Parque Ejecutivo[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110846363) ### [embassy of Cuba in Colombia](http://misiones.minrex.gob.cu/es/colombia) Bogotá Carrera 9 No. 92-54[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110846418) ### [Embassy of the Czech Republic, Bogotá](https://www.mzv.cz/bogota) Bogotá Edificio AB Proyectos, Calle 98 No. 9A-41, Oficina 602[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107030760) ### [Embassy of Germany, Bogotá](https://bogota.diplo.de/) Bogotá Calle 110 No. 9-25[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q58869927) ### [embassy of Denmark in Colombia](https://colombia.um.dk/) Bogotá Carrera 13 No. 93-40[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105947744) ### [embassy of the Dominican Republic in Colombia](http://www.embajadardcolombia.gob.do/) Bogotá Carrera 18 # 123-43[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110892061) ### [Embassy of Algeria, Bogotá](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q100269333) Bogotá Carera 11 nr 93-53[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q100269333) ### [embassy of Ecuador in Colombia](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110817062) Bogotá Calle 89, Nº 13-07[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110817062) ### [embassy of Egypt in Colombia](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110846568) Bogotá Carrera 16 #101-51[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110846568) ### [embassy of Spain in Colombia](http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/BOGOTA) Bogotá Calle 92 Nº 12-68[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105104778) ### [embassy of Finland in Colombia](https://finlandabroad.fi/web/col) Bogotá Cra. 9 #115-30, Edificio Tierra Firme[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106242526) ### [Embassy of France, Bogotá](https://co.ambafrance.org/) Bogotá Carrera 11 N°93-12[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2841736) ### [British Embassy Bogotá](https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-colombia) Bogotá Carrera 9, No 76-49[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q59290139) ### [embassy of Guatemala in Colombia](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110874435) Bogotá Calle 86a #13-42[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110874435) ### [embassy of Honduras in Colombia](https://www.embajadadehonduras.org.co/) Bogotá Carrera 12 No. 119-52[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110874671) ### [embassy of Haiti in Colombia](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110755865) Bogotá Carrera 10 No. 97 A-13[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110755865) ### [Embassy of Hungary, Bogotá](https://bogota.mfa.gov.hu/) Bogotá Carrera 7 # 75-51, Edificio Terpel, Oficina 301[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q63852485) ### [embassy of Indonesia, Bogota](https://kemlu.go.id/bogota) Bogotá Calle 70. no. 8 - 19[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73962992) ### [embassy of Ireland in Colombia](https://www.ireland.ie/en/colombia/bogota/) Bogotá Calle 116 No. 7-15[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104844242) ### [embassy of Israel in Colombia](https://embassies.gov.il/bogota) Bogotá Avenida Calle 26 No. 57-83[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110887179) ### [Embassy of India, Bogota](https://www.eoibogota.gov.in/) Bogotá Av. Pepe Sierra #7-15[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73092900) ### [embassy of Iran in Colombia](https://colombia.mfa.gov.ir/) Bogotá Calle 96 #11a-20[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110874954) ### [Embassy of Italy in Colombia](https://ambbogota.esteri.it/) Bogotá Calle 93B #9-92[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105022183) ### [embassy of Jamaica in Colombia](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110412995) Bogotá Avenida 19 No. 108-45[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110412995) ### [Embassy of Japan, Bogotá](https://www.colombia.emb-japan.go.jp/) Bogotá Carrera 7 No. 71-21[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112625585) ### [Embassy of South Korea, Bogotá](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q55734539) Bogotá Calle 94 No .9-39[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q55734539) ### [Embassy of Lebanon, Bogotá](http://bogota.mfa.gov.lb/) Bogotá Calle 74 #11-88[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110736916) ### [embassy of Morocco in Colombia](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110770074) Bogotá Transversal 22 N° 98-82, Edificio Porta 100[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110770074) ### [embassy of Nicaragua in Colombia](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110874717) Bogotá Calle 98 #22-64[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110874717) ### [Embassy of the Netherlands, Bogotá](https://www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/landen/colombia/over-ons/ambassade-in-bogota) Bogotá Carrera 13 No. 93-40[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q38053148) ### [Embassy of Norway in Colombia](https://www.norway.no/colombia) Bogotá Carrera 11A #94-45[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106353162) ### [Embassy of New Zealand, Bogota](https://www.mfat.govt.nz/en/countries-and-regions/americas/colombia/new-zealand-embassy/) Bogotá Calle 81 # 11 - 08[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q75985452) ### [embassy of Panama in Colombia](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110890856) Bogotá Calle 92 # 7a-40[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110890856) ### [embassy of Peru in Colombia](https://www.gob.pe/embajada-del-peru-en-colombia) Bogotá Cl. 80a 6-50[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110647692) ### [Embassy of the Philippines, Bogotá](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q130271317) Bogotá Calle 76, No. 11-17/35[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q130271317) ### [Embassy of Poland, Bogotá](https://www.gov.pl/web/kolumbia) Bogotá Carrera 21 bis No 104A-15, Bogotá[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16486853) ### [Embassy of the State of Palestine, Bogota](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q29512259) Bogotá Calle 45 Nº 14-76[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q29512259) ### [embassy of Portugal in Colombia](https://bogota.embaixadaportugal.mne.gov.pt/) Bogotá Edificio Advance, Calle 99 # 7A-77[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105494553) ### [embassy of Paraguay in Colombia](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110509328) Bogotá Calle 70 N° 4-17[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110509328) ### [embassy of Romania in Colombia](http://bogota.mae.ro/) Bogotá Carrera 7 No. 92A-58[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106835461) ### [embassy of Russia in Colombia](https://colombia.mid.ru/) Bogotá Cra 4#75-02[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q109925433) ### [Embassy of Sweden, Bogota](https://www.swedenabroad.se/bogota) Bogotá Calle 72 No. 5-83[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q10685998) ### [Embassy of El Salvador in Bogotá](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73436843) Bogotá Calle 121 #11d-23[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73436843) ### [Embassy of Turkey, Bogotá](https://bogota-be.mfa.gov.tr/) Bogotá Calle 76 No.8-47[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q109534212) ### [Taipei Commercial Office in Bogotá, Colombia](http://web.roc-taiwan.org/co_es/index.html) Bogotá [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q25340206) ### [Embassy of the United States, Bogotá](https://co.usembassy.gov/) Bogotá Carrera 45 No. 24B-27[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q87773567) ### [embassy of Uruguay in Colombia](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110623791) Bogotá Carrera 9, Nº 80 15, Edificio “El Nogal"[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110623791) ### [Apostolic Nunciature to Colombia](http://nunciatura.org.co/) Bogotá [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4120860) ### [Embajada de México en Colombia](https://embamex.sre.gob.mx/colombia) Bogotá [Source](https://portales.sre.gob.mx/directorio/embajadas-de-mexico-en-el-exterior) ## Highlights ### [San Andrés](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/ciudad-tcc-san-andres/) An urban center on the island of San Andrés, facing the Caribbean Sea. ## Complete guide · chapter reading [Introduction](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/san-andres-y-providencia/#full-chapter-0) · [Destinations](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/san-andres-y-providencia/#full-chapter-1) · [Understand](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/san-andres-y-providencia/#full-chapter-2) · [Talk](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/san-andres-y-providencia/#full-chapter-3) · [Get in](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/san-andres-y-providencia/#full-chapter-4) · [Get around](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/san-andres-y-providencia/#full-chapter-5) · [Do](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/san-andres-y-providencia/#full-chapter-7) · [Stay safe](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/san-andres-y-providencia/#full-chapter-10) ## Introduction Colombia has several island territories in the and in the Pacific. ## Destinations Caribbean One of Colombia's most popular national parks, with beautiful island beaches of the San Bernardo archipelago, and coral reefs that make for great snorkeling. An island 200 km east of specializes in all-inclusive budget vacations that cater to Colombian tourists. A very scenic island, with lovely empty beaches that is politically a part of Colombia, but geographically closer to Nicaragua. It is attached by footbridge to a smaller island, Santa Catalina. Pacific Formerly one of the world's most beautiful prisons, the island is now a national park. A remote island nature preserve and a , uninhabited save for a small military outpost. ## Understand Northeast of and are several uninhabited shoals, banks, and atolls (some of which are wholly submerged either all the time or during high tide), which are administered by Colombia. They are nearly all mired in territorial disputes with various n states as well as the , and are not tourist destinations. ## Talk The main language spoken is Spanish, but many speak English as well. The actual natives from the island speak "patua", which is a mix of English, Spanish, and French. ## Get in By plane Daily flights serve various Colombian cities (, and Bogotá) to San Andres's Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport (ADZ). All flights to Providencia (PVA) are originated in San Andrés. Direct flights also depart from , and , to San Andres. By boat The closest mainland area to San Andrés and Providencia is , particularly . There are sometimes cruises or ferries, but they are rarely advertised online and just going to the port and hoping you get lucky will likely not work. ## Get around Bus is the main form of transportation on the island. It is cheap and convenient. Most buses connect the main city of San Andres with other parts of the island. Also there are many places to rent everything from cars, to motorcycles, to bikes. ## Do Scuba diving is amazing here, as is snorkeling. There are many places that offer jet skis, kayaks, wind surfing, kite surfing, horseback riding, submarine tours and many other options. There are also many people that come here mainly for the great duty free shopping and cheaper electronics. ## Stay safe San Andres is a perfectly safe Caribbean island to visit, that is many many miles away from some of the problems found on the mainland. Text by Wikivoyage contributors. Article edition: 2024-09-24T08:14:42Z · [Source and revision](https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4943758) · [Authors and history](https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=Colombian%20Islands&action=history) · [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) ## Local food ### Crab patty Crab-filled pastry associated with island cooking. ### Fruta de pan A Raizal ingredient served in several preparations. ### Pescado con coco Fish paired with a defining flavor of local cooking. ### Pastel de plátano A sweet preparation found in island cooking. ## Local drinks ### Agua de coco A shared Caribbean drink, not exclusive to the archipelago. Alcohol-free Plan your itinerary ### Getting around Plan the transfer to Providencia as its own stage and confirm baggage and connections. ### Plan ahead Book marine outings with operators who explain reef rules. ### Travel respectfully Recognize Raizal identity and ask before photographing people or domestic spaces. Local reading and routes ### Three islands, a distinct identity San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina form the Caribbean archipelago covered here. Raizal culture, music and life beside the sea help explain it beyond its beaches. Colombia’s other islands belong to different journeys. Begin with a walk around San Andrés and time to speak with local hosts. If adding Providencia, arrange transport and overnight stays separately; give the second island more attention than another name on an excursion list. ### Staying in a native inn ProColombia presents native inns as accommodation connected with Raizal homes and hosts. Choosing one can make a stay an opportunity to learn about family histories, food and daily life in the archipelago. Ask who welcomes guests, which spaces are shared and what meals are offered. Discuss your interests when booking: a closer relationship with hosts works best with clear expectations and respect for the household’s schedule. ### Providencia and Santa Catalina Providencia offers its own chapter of coast and marine nature. Lovers’ Bridge connects the experience with Santa Catalina and is among the destination’s landmarks in Colombia’s official travel information. Leave room for walking and observation as well as water outings. For diving or snorkelling, agree on the location, required experience and equipment with the operator; an appealing reef does not guarantee suitable conditions every day. ## Sources [Colombia Travel, San Andrés](https://colombia.travel/en/san-andres-island?page=1) · [Colombia Travel, Cayo Cangrejo](https://colombia.travel/en/san-andres-island/crab-key) · [Gobernación, cocina raizal](https://www.sanandres.gov.co/dependencias/secretaria-de-cultura/guardianes-de-la-cocina-tradicional-raizal/) · [ProColombia · San Andrés y el archipiélago](https://colombia.travel/es/san-andres-isla) · [ProColombia · posadas nativas](https://colombia.travel/en/san-andres-island/native-inns) · [ProColombia · Providencia](https://colombia.travel/en/providencia)Wikivoyage contributors; selection, abridgement, translation and regional planning by TRIPGUROO · CC BY-SA 4.0 [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) · [Wikivoyage · Colombian Islands](https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=4943758) [Guides by topic](https://tripguroo.com/en/travel/?view=topics)