In the Caribbean Sea, which refers to Colombia , is the mountain island of Providencia (Providence Island or Isla de Providencia). Travelers come here who wish to go diving or snorkeling, enjoy beach rest and pristine nature .
general information
In the Caribbean Sea, which refers to Colombia , is the mountain island of Providencia (Providence Island or Isla de Providencia). Travelers come here who wish to go diving or snorkeling, enjoy beach rest and pristine nature .
general information
The island belongs to the department of San Andrés-i-Providencia (San Andrés y Providencia) and is located in the south-west of the Caribbean Sea, opposite the coast of Nicaragua. It covers an area of 17 square meters. km, its total length is 12.5 km, and its width is only 3 km. The highest peak is Mount El Pico, it reaches 360 m.
Here live 5011 people, most of them belong to the Risenalians. These are the descendants of English Puritans and their black slaves who settled in this territory in 1631. Local residents lead a quiet, measured life and adhere to pastoral mores.
They talk in a local dialect - a mixture of Creole and Risalese. Spanish speech on the island of Providencia is almost not audible. Aborigines are mainly engaged in fishing. Recently, the sphere of tourism and infrastructure have been actively developed here.
The locals are very kind, charming and affable, the smile does not come off their faces. They love to dance quadrille, polka, mazurka, waltz and salsa, and from the music there is a common direction of reggae that sounds on every corner. Aborigines are known as hospitable people, and to pester tourists, begging for money, none of them will be.
Island Providencia refers to the archipelago Sea Flower, which in 2000 was listed as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. There are 391 ecological zones of this type on the planet.
Weather on the island
Through Providencia is the zone of the equatorial tropical trade-wind climate, which is characterized by wet and hot weather. On average, there are 1235 mm of precipitation. The air temperature on the island varies from +26 ° C to +32 ° C throughout the year.
The mercury column here never falls below +20 ° C. Most often the rains go in March, the average rate is 300 mm, and the driest month is July (2 mm). You can come to Providencia all year round, the peak of tourists falls on the Christmas holidays and in the middle of summer.
sights
The main property of the island is its nature, and he himself is surrounded by stunning coral reefs. This area of land sinks in the lush tropical vegetation. Fruit trees grow here, there are mangrove groves and a garden of wild orchids.
Local residents claim that the coastal waters have 77 shades of blue. This is due to the refraction of sunlight, which is reflected in the shade of a coral reef. The color of the sea can vary from turquoise to emerald. In order to reduce the negative impact of man on the environment, there was imposed a restriction on the construction of facilities and the number of tourists.
No less interesting and the architecture of Providencia: all the houses on the island are built from local wood. The buildings are decorated with drawings of crabs and fish or decorated with carvings. The buildings look beautiful and well-groomed, and the streets have no debris and dirt. Being on the island of Providencia, tourists can visit such attractions :
- Manzanillo beach (playa Manzanillo) - there are tortoise and iguanas farms. The coast is considered the best in Colombia.
- The McBean Lagoon National Natural Park is located in the south-eastern part of the island and is characterized by a rich flora and fauna. On its territory in large numbers live birds, mollusks, fish, crabs and other marine inhabitants.
- The crab reef (Arrecife Cangrejo) is an excellent place to dive with crystal clear water. Here live a variety of crabs and turtles.
Travelers can also stroll along the famous tourist route and climb to the highest point of the island. Your path will pass through the village of Santa Isabel on the Lovers' Bridge, made of wood, and end in the Old Town.
Where to stay?
Almost all the hotels on the island of Providencia resemble the taverns erected in Wales in the XVIII century. There are about 10 luxury hotels and many budget guesthouses, rooms where it is difficult to book through the international online system. The most popular institutions are:
- Posada Manchineelroad - apartments with parking, internet, garden and shared kitchen.
- Cabañas Agua Dulce - The hotel has a sun terrace with access to the beach , a swimming pool and a massage room. Rooms have a balcony with a hammock.
- Posada Old Town Bay is a mini hotel where guests can enjoy a barbecue, a games room, diving and snorkelling equipment. Staff speaks 2 languages.
- Hotel Posada Enilda - each room is equipped with private bathroom, air conditioning and refrigerator. The hotel has a tour desk, luggage storage and laundry.
- Posada Sunrise View - guest house with a common living room and kitchen. Accommodation with animals is allowed here.
Where to eat?
In the diet of aborigines, meat, vegetables and rice are present every day. Seafood and traditional dishes made of turtles and iguanas are prepared in restaurants. The most popular catering establishments on the island of Providencia are:
- Divino Nino Jesus - Caribbean cuisine;
- Restaurante MIss Elma - in the restaurant you can try seafood;
- Rolands Restaurant Bar - a bar with Colombian cuisine .
Beaches on the island
Providencia is famous for its luxurious coastline with warm and clean water. Here you can swim, sunbathe, dive with aqualung and fish. The locals will gladly show you the best places for this. Beaches are equipped with sun loungers, umbrellas, tarsas and various water attractions.
Shopping
There are no large shopping centers on the island. You can buy food, hygiene products, souvenirs and essential goods in stores located in the settlements of Providencia.
How to get there?
You can swim to the island by ferry or fly by plane. The ticket costs approximately $ 10 regardless of the chosen transport . To get the most convenient from San Andres .