HOW TO GET TO PROVIDENCIA FROM SAN ANDRES: COLOMBIA
Update: Providencia was devastated by a hurricane in 2020. When planning your trip, it’s best to seek out advice from the Columbian government to confirm travel.
With no doubt, Providencia is Colombia's best-kept secret. Located closer to Nicaragua than to Colombia, it forms part of the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina.
Only those who really reallly want to go, make it there.
I love a good desert island and when I first heard about Providencia, I became intrigued to the point that it sounded too good to be true. Travelling through Colombia, I just had to find out for myself.
With pristine unspoiled beaches, void of cruise ships and hoards of tourists, crystal clear turquoise waters, snorkelling hotspots and a breeze that sweeps through your hair as you sip on a cold beverage forgetting any worries, Providencia is a dream destination.
There's no hot water in most accommodation options, little to no wifi and mosquitos and sand flies roam during prime hours.
But Providencia is the kind of island you don't come across all too often, a place where you truly can switch off, relax and enjoy the beautiful Caribbean beaches all to yourself!
In this post, we'll be going through how to get to Providencia from San Andres. It's worth booking in advance as tickets are limited given the small planes. The boats get booked up quickly too.
Providencia Colombia
The busiest beach on the island
Step 1: Get to San Andres from mainland Colombia
To get to Providencia you'll have to fly from mainland Colombia or Panama to San Andres. When you board your flight to San Andres, the airline will ask you to pay a tourist tax of $112,500 COP.
You'll receive an entry card which entitles you to enter San Andres and Providencia. Make sure you keep this card safe! It'll be checked upon arrival and exit to both San Andres and Providencia!
There are direct flights to San Andres daily via Latam airlines, Avianca and Viva Air from Bogota, Medellin and Cartagena.
San Andres is a popular destination for Colombian tourists, so don't be surprised if prices are higher during Colombia's peak holiday season.
Step 2: Travel from San Andres to Providencia
This is often where the confusion begins. At least it did for me :)
There are two ways to get to Providencia from San Andres.
By boat
By plane
Travel by boat
There are regular catamaran's that leave from San Andres to Providencia and return around 5 times a week. The prices vary between $300,000 - 400,000 COP.
You can book online and check schedules at Conocemos Navegando.
The boat trip is around 3.5 hours on the way and 2.5 hours on the way back. I didn't take the boat but every account I heard of the boat trip sounded pretty horrendous.
If you're one to get seasick like me, you may want to reconsider flying.
To give you an idea, you'll need to wear a seat belt for this boat journey, the crew will give you a sea sickness pill before boarding and there are two boys whose designated job is to hand out and collect sick bags from passengers.
Travel by air
After going around in circles, there are a number of different options when booking a flight to Providencia. I'll take you through each of them.
The flight from San Andres to Providencia is 20 minutes each way, so booking this flight will probably be one of the most expensive flights you've booked given the distance.
You'll be in a tiny aeroplane that carries 19-20 passengers, so it's probably going to be the fastest boarding you've also done!
Depending on the airline, there'll be a luggage limit of 10 kg.
The views over the lagoons are stunning!! Is been one of my favourite plane journey's I've ever taken!
Here's how you can (and can't) book your flight online.
The flight to Providencia
1.Book with Satena
The best-known airline, you'll need to book in advance as the planes become fully booked. Prices range from $250,000 COP one-way to $310,000 COP.
The planes are operated by Searca (I'll get to this in a minute).
You can check out flights, schedules and prices for Satena here.
2. Book with Searca directly
Searca operate a number of flights to Providencia so it would make sense to book with them directly.
Only thing is that their booking platform involves filling out a form and awaiting a response. Not ideal.
Personally, I'd avoid this option but if you still want to have a look, here's the link.
3. Book with Grupo San German
This is the option I went with and I'd recommend them. Their flight prices are fixed and cheaper than the other airline options.
If you have any questions, you can send them a message through WhatsApp and they're pretty responsive and helpful.
My backpack was also 5kg overweight at 15kg and they let the excess baggage charges slide each time. They were really pleasant when checking in.
Don't be surprised if they weigh your luggage, then ask you to also step on the scales, weighing you and your hand luggage. That's just how small the place is!!
If they do charge you for excess luggage, it's $1500 COP per KG. So it's hardly worth complaining about!
I booked one week before flying and there was plenty of availability. Their flights are also operated by Searca.
You'll find their flight schedules and availability here. Their booking platform is easy to use.
I paid $464,000 COP return for my flight, however, this may vary depending on the season you're travelling in.
Inside the aircraft
Boarding the flight to Providencia
4. Book via Decameron
I didn't use this option or do much research on it. But it definitely is an option as they had a check-in counter at the airport.
Looking online, they look more like an all-inclusive hotel group where you can buy package deals to Providencia. If this is for you, here's a link to their site.
Their website isn't that user friendly, so I personally wouldn't bother.
In summary...
Out of the options, if you have steady legs at sea, the boat may be for you.
For flights, Satena and Grupo San German are the best options for online bookings. Both are operated by Searca, so apart from the price difference, it makes little difference who you book with.
Important notes:
When you go through immigration in Providencia, they'll ask to see your return ticket. As much as a one-way ticket to paradise is tempting, be sure to have an outbound flight!
They'll also ask you to show the tourist card that you paid for when entered San Andres.
Planning a trip or fancy a freebie? These are some websites and services I love:
Booking.com: For the best hotel deals! 🏝
World Nomads: Travel insurance on the go 🌎
Airbnb: For the best apartment deals!🏡
Affiliate links above!
CHECK OUT THIS POST ON SOME AWESOME THINGS YOU CAN DO IN PROVIDENCIA COLOMBIA
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With that... Hope you enjoy your trip to Providencia, Colombia!!
