A world apart from the rest of Colombia, both geographically and culturally, the San Andrés and Providencia islands sit in the Caribbean sea near Nicaragua, with Providencia atop the third-largest barrier reef in the world. Visitors come all this way for the fantastic beaches, the best diving in Colombia, and the unique Raizal culture; 300-year-old ties to England mean that the residents of Providencia in particular speak an English-based Creole with a Caribbean lilt. On larger, busier San Andrés the Raizal culture is much more diluted, and for many Colombians, one of the island’s draws is its duty-free status, making it a much cheaper place to shop than the mainland.
Tailor-made travel itineraries for Colombia, created by local experts

7 days / from1284 USD
Unforgettable Colombia
Spend your first days in Colombia exploring its capital city Bogotá before heading further to the coast: Cartagena and Santa Marta will be next on the agenda. From wandering the historic city center to hiking the jungles to a virgin beach, Colombia will be an unforgettable trip!
customize ⤍
18 days / from3664 USD
Colombia: music & arts explored
If you are a lover of the arts than look no further. This trip will bring you culture, art, architecture, music and dance: visit local markets and workshops, admire the graffiti in Bogotá, discover historical city centers and “Fondas” – local bars with exotic decoration and typical Colombian music.
customize ⤍
10 days / from4650 USD
Colombia for nature & adventure lovers
Do you like adventure and nature? Then you're in luck, this trip combines the best of both. Go horse riding through the Risaralda valley and join a bike tour through Cartagena, visit the beautiful Cocora Valley and discover the Coffee Cultural Landscape. There's something for everyone!
customize ⤍
12 days / from2370 USD
Classic Colombia
Colombia's rich culture and traditions make it a fascinating holiday destination: from the streets of Bogotá move on to the stunning Valle de Cocora and Salento with its remarkable wax palms. From Medellín take a day tour to Guatapé before finalizing your trip in coastal Cartagena.
customize ⤍
9 days / from1085 USD
Exploring Colombia
Explore three of the most famous Colombian cities Bogota, Medellín and Cartagena during this 9-day trip. Get to know each city and its unique people by diving deep into the culture, history and traditions.
customize ⤍_listing_1597090374357.jpeg)
9 days / from3100 USD
Colombia: Family Adventure
From city adventures to experiencing a pump in your adrenaline while river rafting and learning more about the different species of birds, monkeys, squirrels, peccary and other species that can be found during an exiting rainforest trail....this truly is a trip packed with family fun activities!
customize ⤍
11 days / from9192 USD
Best Machu Picchu and Galapagos Islands Tour Package
Explore a trio of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in this Machu Picchu and Galapagos tour package! Your journey begins in Quito, home to the Middle of the World. Afterward, fly on over to the Galapagos Islands the best biodiversity hotspot and following with the sublime Machu Picchu in Peru.
customize ⤍
11 days / from3395 USD
Magnificent Colombian Highlights
Discover the vibrant beauty of Colombia. From the bustling streets of Bogota to the colorful charm of Cartagena, this trip has it all. Visit the stunning natural wonders of Puerto Narino and explore the vibrant culture of Medellin.
customize ⤍
7 days / from1345 USD
Traditional Colombia
This 7-day trip lets you explore Bogotá and Cartagena. Be amazed by the Zipaquira's Cathedral of Salt, discover local flavours of the city and learn about Cartagena's culture. To top it off, you will be shown how to dance salsa, the dance of passion.
customize ⤍_listing_1681719341885.jpeg)
11 days / from2930 USD
Fascination Colombia - Medellin & Cartagena
This beautiful trip has you stay in 2 different centers - Medellin and Cartagena. From there, you will explore Colombia's culture and traditions, including Guatape, an authentic cooking class, horseback riding in nature and much more.
customize ⤍
7 days / from1093 USD
Colombia - from the mountains to the beach
Start your trip in Bogotá, one of the highest capital cities in the world, high up in the Andes mountains range. Spend your days exploring the city and surroundings before heading to the coastal city of Cartagena, with its historic city center and fascinating islands to explore.
customize ⤍
10 days / from7018 USD
Galapagos Cruise and Scuba Diving Adventure
The Galapagos Islands rank as one of the world’s top dive sites, famous for its incredible underwater wonders, and huge quantities of marine life. This package offers a full-day SCUBA diving tour for guests that wish to experience the impressive diving in Galapagos, all in a safe and fun environment
customize ⤍
11 days / from4956 USD
Colombia: a community experience
Get to know the locals that give Colombia its charms, from entrepreneurs to chefs, to nature lovers and craftswomen. This itinerary will allow you to discover the real Colombia and the people that make it an exciting destination.
customize ⤍
14 days / from6663 USD
Adventures in Colombia
You won't be able to forget Colombia with this adventure-packed trip. Spend your days explore the natural surroundings of Bogotá and the rural landscapes of Villa de Leyva before you head to Pereira where you will bike and hike, only to end your trip chasing waterfalls and rivers in San Gill.
customize ⤍
13 days / from2650 USD
Unforgettable Colombia - cities, coffee and islands
Explore three main areas in Colombia - the capital Bogotá with a side trip to Villa de Leyva, a beautiful colonial town. Afterwards, proceed to the Coffee Region and learn more about this important product in the local economy. Your final days are spent by the coast - Cartagena & the islands await.
customize ⤍
12 days / from2693 USD
Nature of Colombia
Get out of the city and fill your days with strolls through small colonial towns, dips in natural pools and waterfalls, nature walks through the nature reserves and if you're lucky you may spot a humpback whale or experience the birth of sea turtles. This is a nature lovers paradise!
customize ⤍
10 days / from7795 USD
The Best of the Mashpi Rainforest and Galapagos
Begin this journey in one of the first cities to be given the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site – Quito, Ecuador! Afterward, just a few hours away, you’ll head down into the lush cloud forests that surround Quito to experience Mashpi Lodge. You’ll finish this journey with the the Galapagos Islands
customize ⤍
17 days / from4327 USD
A Colombian culinary experience
This trip allows you to discover the real taste of Colombia as it takes you through some of the country's most interesting and exciting cities. Eat like a local in Bogotá, try Colombia's high-quality wines, learn all about the famous coffee beans and try your hand at fishing in La Boquilla.
customize ⤍
6 days / from1388 USD
Colombia Express
Pack in the best of Colombia on this express trip to see some of the country's top highlights. Go boho in Bogotá as you explore its old La Candelaria district, see the Salt Cathedral and explore traditional Villa de Leyva. Then it's off to the Caribbean coast to spend time in lovely Cartagena.
customize ⤍
17 days / from4532 USD
Discover Colombia
Intensely beautiful and seductive, and beset with colourful colonial cities, Colombia's allure is strong. From Bogotá in the backdrop of the misty Andes and back up to Cartagena with its old-world charm, be ready for a warm welcome, surprising finds and a sense of discovery in a special country.
customize ⤍
12 days / from4414 USD
Colombia's Beaches
Take a break from the busy cities and make your way down to Colombia's tropical beaches and lush rainforests but not before you get to know some Colombian cultural and traditional food, music and dance in Cartegena.
customize ⤍
4 days / from1415 USD
Adventure Trip in and around Medellin
An exhilarating 4-day trip to Medellin and Rio Claro, filled with thrilling adventure activities. Day 1 explores the vibrant streets of Medellin on a city tour. Day 2 takes you to the breathtaking Rio Claro for zip-lining, rafting, and exploring the lush rainforests. Return to Medellin on Day 3.
customize ⤍
5 days / from1825 USD
Medellin & Cartagena Medley
Begin in Medellin, where you'll soar through the sky with a thrilling paragliding adventure, taking in panoramic views of the city and surrounding landscapes. Continue to Cartagena, where you'll indulge in a unique experience at the Mud Volcano, followed by exploring the city's colonial charm.
customize ⤍San Andrés
Seahorse-shaped SAN ANDRÉS is a lively island with gorgeous (if often crowded) white-sand beaches, surrounding azure waters, fantastic diving and other natural attractions. Budget accommodation is concentrated in San Andrés Town, the capital – a busy whirl of unpretty concrete buildings, duty-free shops and careering scooters.
Though San Andrés Town has an attractive main beach of its own, the best beach is on Johnny Cay, the palm-shaded, iguana-inhabited island visible directly across the water. Numerous boats depart from San Andrés beach for Johnny Cay in the mornings around 9am; a return trip costs around COP$20,000, with the last boats returning around 5pm (make sure you remember on which boat you came). Visits to Johnny Cay can be combined with a stop at Acuario – a sliver of sand off the east coast of the island, where the water is swimming-pool clear – though on busy days you’ll find yourself fighting for space among the other visitors, hawkers selling stuffed crab shells and piña coladas and stalls renting snorkelling gear; trips to both places cost around COP$50,000.
If you rent a bicycle or scooter, you can do an easy loop around the island, following the coastal road. Along the west coast, south of El Cove, you’ll pass Piscinita, a beachside restaurant and snorkelling combo: for COP$2000 entry, you can swim with the many fishes who’ll eat out of your hand. At the southern tip of the island is Hoyo Sopladór – a natural blowhole; when the tide and wind conditions are right, a jet of water shoots up to 20m up out of the hole in the rock. On the east side of the island, you’re often likely to have the white-sand, windswept beaches of San Luis all to yourself.
The best of island diving
The islands’ biggest attractions are to be found under the sea, and both Providencia and San Andrés have several reputable diving outfits who can introduce you to a whole new world, even if you’re a first-time diver.
Great dive sites
Cantil de Villa Erica Turtles, manta rays and eagle rays to be found around this reef southwest of San Andrés; 12–45m depths.
Manta’s Place Southern stingrays (rather than mantas) congregate at this Providencia spot.
Palacio de la Cherna Exciting wall dive that drops from 12m to over 300m, with reef and nurse sharks, lobster and king crab among its denizens; southeast of San Andrés.
Piramide Large numbers of morays, octopus and shoals of fish make this shallow reef dive in San Andrés one of the most exciting.
Tete’s Place An abundance of schoolmasters, goat fish, parrotfish and more makes you feel as if you’re swimming in a giant aquarium southwest of Providencia.
Dive operators on San Andrés
Banda Dive Shop Av Colombia, San Andrés Town 8 513 1080, bandadiveshop.com. A friendly, central choice.
San Andrés Divers Av Circunvalar Km9 312 448 7230, sanandresdivers.com. Particularly recommended for their professional approach.
Dive operators on Providencia
Felipe Diving Shop in Aguadulce 8 514 8775, www.felipediving.com.
Sirius Dive Shop Bahía Suroeste (Southwest Bay) next to Sirius Hotel 8 514 8213.
Top image © Jess Kraft/Shutterstock
-
Plan your tailor-made trip with a local expert
-
Book securely with money-back guarantee
-
Travel stress-free with local assistance and 24/7 support
Susan
This is the first time we have used this service (or any company) to organize our travels for us and we would happily use them again. The pre-trip process ...
Read all reviews ⤍