How to Reach Colombia’s Isla de Providencia

The stunning Colombian Caribbean island of Providencia is a beautiful island paradise that has retained much of its traditional, laid-back charm due to its isolated location 90 kilometres (56 miles) north of San Andrés Island and the lack of a direct flight connection with the Colombian mainland. Getting to Providencia can be a tad tricky, but the rewards more than make up for the extra effort. Here’s how to reach Colombia’s Providencia Island.
Providencia is one of Colombia’s lesser-known paradises. Most of the tourism in the area centres around the nearby island of San Andrés, which counts on direct flights from Bogotá and Cartagena; this means that the island has become much more developed, leaving Providencia to retain its Caribbean charm and authenticity. Far fewer tourists make the trip from San Andrés to Providencia, but those who do normally end up declaring it one of the most beautiful places they have ever visited. Reaching the island is easily done from San Andrés, and there are two different ways to do it.

Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripCentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great priceAfrica
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
Flying to Providencia
The most popular – albeit more expensive – way of reaching Providencia is to take a flight. There are absolutely no connections to the small island from the Colombian mainland – or Nicaragua, which is closer than Colombia – so all flights must be taken from San Andrés’ Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport, flying to Providencia’s El Embrujo Airport.
The airlines that operate this short route are Searca and Satena (whose flights to Providencia are, in fact, operated by Searca). Visitors can arrange Searca flights by charter on their website – simply fill in the contact form with the flight dates and wait for a response. For Satena flights, tourists can reserve them on their website. The average cost for a round-trip flight – which you’ll obviously need – is around 500,000 Colombian pesos, approximately US$165 or £130. The flights aren’t cheap, but this extra barrier has allowed Providencia to remain more authentic and less crowded.
The trip only takes around 20 minutes on a small plane, which usually seats eight to 10 passengers, and offers some spectacular views of the surrounding azure waters and pristine coral reefs (check out the video above to see for yourself). El Embrujo Airport is a tiny, one landing-strip affair clinging to the edge of the mountainous island. The landing is a very precise one and can be a bit intimidating for nervous flyers, but it’s an exhilarating experience. However, if flying – or the cost of taking a flight – isn’t for you, then there’s only one other choice to get to Providencia.

Taking the ferry to Providencia
Your other option to get from San Andrés to Providencia is to take the catamaran ferry service, which makes the 90-kilometre (56-mile) sea voyage up to six days every week. The only ferry service currently operating the route is Conocemos Navegando, and visitors can reserve tickets directly on their website. The frequency of ferries between San Andrés and Providencia can vary from season to season and can fill up quickly during high season, so it’s worth making your reservation in good time.
The trip takes roughly 3.5 hours and is famous for being a pretty choppy ride; those who are prone to seasickness may struggle on the boat crossing, so perhaps flying is the way to go. The reward for suffering the waves is usually a much cheaper trip, with return ferry trips going for around 300,000 Colombian pesos – US$100 or £75. However, in the more popular tourist seasons of January, February and July, this price can often double.

Travelling to Providencia isn’t necessarily cheap or easy, but it is worth the extra time and effort to visit an island that is as close to paradise as any in the Caribbean, and far less touristic than most. Whether you choose to fly or take the boat, your trip is sure to be a memorable one.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.