Providencia Island Colombia

A tiny island in the Caribbean was decimated by Hurricane Iota in 2020. Although the loss of human life was minimal, the impact on the island's precious ecosystems deeply changed the perspective of its inhabitants.

How do you get to Providencia Island Colombia?

The only way to access the island of Providencia is via the island of San Andres via two options: the ferry or the flight.

What is Providencia Colombia known for?

Divers are especially in for a treat, as Providencia boasts some of the best diving on Colombia's coast—their barrier reef is the third largest coral reef in the world. And if you're looking for unspoiled beaches devoid of people, good! Because that's what you'll get in Providencia.

Is Providencia Island closed?

Currently, the arrival of tourists on the islands of Providencia and Santa Catalina is prohibited; the only entries allowed are those of local inhabitants and authorized personnel of institutions engaged in the recovery work on the island. Tourism reactivation in the islands is planned for mid-July 2021.

How many people died on Providencia?

At least 13 people in Central America and on the island of Providencia were killed by the storm, with dozens still missing.

Is Providencia Island open for tourists?

Yes! Providencia is safe for travelers of all ages. The economy relies on tourism, and it has a much smaller population than San Andres.

Do people live on Providencia?

Although the island is part of Colombia, the 5,000 to 6,000 inhabitants are reported to feel more Caribbean than Colombian, with many Rastafari.

How many people live on the island of Providencia?

Today, Providencia has a population of about 5,000 people across seven main villages. The economy is driven by fishing, farming, and limited tourism. The image was captured on January 9, 2022 by the Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9.

Why does Providencia speak English?

The population of the Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina uses three languages (Creole, English and Spanish). English remained in use for liturgical purposes in Baptist churches, but the coming of satellite television and growth of foreign tourism has revived the use of English on the islands.

What is the poorest part of Colombia?

The Chocó region is considered the poorest and one of the most remote in the country. And of all the cities in Colombia, Quibdó has the sad privilege of hosting the largest proportion of internally displaced persons (IDPs) relative to its size.

What language do people of Providencia Colombia speak?

More than 99.5% of Colombians speak Spanish. English has official status in the San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina Islands.

How much does it cost to live in Providencia Colombia?

To LIVE on Providencia Island, a single person will need to spend over US$75 per day. A couple will need to spend over US$100 per day. This is no good for 'budget travellers' like GRANDPAckers. Without such funds, Providencia becomes all about the people … and getting into the simple life and the local community.

Is Providencia being rebuilt?

Providencia Island, Colombia President Gustavo Petro of Colombia seeks the economic reconstruction of the island of Providencia through the industrialization of Raizal fishing. The island's population was affected by the passage of Hurricane Iota in November 2020.

What does Providencia look like today?

Today, it is mostly a refuge of quieter Caribbean life amid raw natural beauty. The Operational Land Imager-2 (OLI-2) on Landsat 9 acquired this image of it on January 9, 2022. Providencia is officially a territory of Colombia, though it sits closer to the Nicaraguan coast.

Does Providencia have electricity?

The majority of the archipelago's electricity is generated from imported fuel oil and used to power two diesel electric power plants—a 48.5-megawatt (MW) plant located on San Andrés and a 2.6-MW plant located on Providencia.

Did a hurricane hit Providencia?

“The entire island was affected by the impact of the hurricane,” Zuluaga said in a recent interview with the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA). While Iota spared most people's lives in Providencia—two deaths were reported—the storm dealt a heavy blow to the island's infrastructure.

When did the hurricane hit Providencia?

After the Storm: Creating a Sustainable Energy Future for Providencia Island Following Hurricane Iota. On November 16, 2020, a major climate change-induced disaster occurred: Hurricane Iota struck Providencia and Santa Catalina with winds of up to 240 kilometers per hour.

How far is Providencia from San Andreas?

The distance between San Andrés and Providencia Island is 94 km. The most popular airline for this route is SATENA.

How long is the ferry from San Andres to Providencia?

The travel duration (duration of the crossing) by ferry from San Andres to Providencia currently takes 2 hour(s) 30 minutes.

How far is Providencia from mainland Colombia?

Spanning just 17sq km, the island has a tumultuous history and a distinct cultural identity. Located within the vast, Unesco-protected Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, Providencia lies almost 800km north-west of mainland Colombia and even further from the consciousness of most other Colombians.