Discover Colombia's hidden island paradise: a dream vacation!

Discover Colombia's hidden island paradise: a dream vacation!

Colombia, a multifaceted country in the northernmost part of South America, offers an impressive variety of holiday paradise with its over 70 islands in the Pacific and Caribbean Sea. The Caribbean Islands are best known for their paradise beaches and the crystal -clear water that attracts numerous visitors. The popular starting point for island tours is the historic city of Cartagena, which includes around 132,288 km² of the Caribbean region, in which over 10 million people live.

In recent years, Colombia has gained touristy popularity: In 2023, almost 6 million tourists visited the country, with almost a million San Andrés visiting one of the most popular destinations. Despite mass tourism, local actors try to offer visitors an authentic experience and support local business to promote sustainable tourism.

popular islands and archipelago

Some of the many islands stand out. The San-Bernardo archipelago, which consists of ten small islands such as Palma and Tintipán, is part of a protected nature park and offers a quiet escape from everyday life. These islands are surrounded by coral reefs and mangrove forests and easily reach from Cartagena with a boat trip of about 1.5 hours.

The Islas del Rosario, which consist of over 20 small islands, are about 40 km southwest of Cartagena and are known for their breathtaking sandy beaches and the rich underwater life. Isla Grande, the main island, houses the village of Orika, which is known for its local jewelry and lively festivals.

Isla de Providencia: A hidden jewel

Another highlight is the Isla de Providencia, which is part of the archipelago "San Andrés and Providencia". This idyllic island is 800 km from Colombia and only 200 km from Nicaragua and impresses with its untouched nature. San Andrés can be reached either by plane within 20 minutes or by ferry that takes around 2.5 hours. Providencia measures 4 km in length and 7 km in width and offers wonderful beaches such as Playa Manzanillo and Southwest Bay, supplemented by a coral reef that opens up to numerous water sports.

The highest point of the island, El Pico, rises 360 meters above sea level and offers a breathtaking panoramic view.

other remarkable islands

Johnny Cay, a small island for 15 minutes by boat from San Andrés, is known for their palm -lined beaches that also offer snacks and cocktails. It can be circulated in about 20 minutes on foot and is a popular destination for day tourists and iguanas.

The Isla Fuerte, which is 11 km from Colombia, offers a particularly unique experience. It has a rocky east, whereas the west side offers fantastic beaches. The main town of Puerto Limón has around 3,000 inhabitants and is known for its mammoth trees, including the famous "Arbol Que Camina".

Colombia also houses less well -known islands such as Isla de Los Micos, which is famous for their striking monkey population, and offers nature reserves such as Malpelo and Gorgona in the Pacific, which are known for their biodiversity. Malpelo is even recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. All of this makes Colombia a fascinating goal for nature and adventure lovers.