San Andres and Leticia, Colombia
SAN ANDRES AND PROVIDENCE ISLANDS
San Andres Archipelagoand Providencia is located 230 km east of Nicaragua and 750 km northwest of the Caribbean coast of Colombia. Many centuries ago, the islands of the archipelago were the base of pirates, and now they are the “pearl” of the Caribbean Sea, a place where tourists from all over the world come to rest. It can be reached by plane from the city of Cartagena. The archipelago consists of three dozen coral islands, which are concentrated around the largest islands: San AndresIsland and Providencia Island, located 90 km to the east. Wide sandy beaches, clear waters, extensive coral reefs and abundant marine life make the archipelago Colombia ‘s most popular resort area.. Here you can not only relax, sunbathing and swimming, but also engage in water sports such as diving, windsurfing and yachting.
According to ehistorylib, the capital of the archipelago is the city of San Andres , which is located in the northern part of San Andres Island. The city consists of hotels, restaurants, discos and numerous shops. It is worth noting that the islands of San Andres and Providencia have the status of a free trade zone, so they are a great place for shopping. From the city of San Andres, you can go to the village of La Loma, where the oldest church of the archipelago is located – Iglesia Bautista Emmanuel (16-17 centuries), to the legendary Morgans Cave, where, according to legend, in 1670, the English pirate Henry Morgan hid his innumerable treasures, and to the vast mangrove forests, of which there are about 12. The best means of transportation around the island is a scooter, rentals of which can be found in any village.
The best beaches of San Andres are located in the vicinity of the capital city, on the island of Johnny Cay, which is located a few kilometers from the city of San Andres; on the east coast in San Luis, Sound Bay and Rocky Cay, as well as in Kokoplam and Aquario. There are about 35 dive sites around San Andres Island. There are coral reefs, underwater rocks, underwater caves and shipwrecks. Windsurfing is also possible on the east coast of San Andres.
Providencia Island is located 90 km east of San Andres Island. Rest here will appeal to lovers of silence and solitude, because only 4,000 people live on the island, and the bulk of tourists rest on San Andres. The largest settlement on the island of Providencia is the village of Santa Isabel. Santa Isabel is connected by a wooden bridge to nearby Santa Catalina Island. This bridge is called the Bridge of Lovers, on the beaches located in its vicinity, couples in love rest. On the southeast coast of the island is the McBean Lagoon Reserve, in the underwater part of which a coral reef is protected, and on land – mangroves. Very interesting hiking trips to the highest point of the island – El Pico, from where you can see the Caribbean Sea and small coastal islands. The most popular beach areas of Providencia are located on the north coast of Freshwater Bay and located on the southwest coast of South West Bay and Manzanillo. Freshwater Bay is also considered the best diving spot on the island.
Leticia (Colombia)
Leticia is the main tourist center of the Amazon. It is located in the extreme southeast of Colombia on the border with Brazil and Peru. Leticia was founded in 1867 by the Peruvians, but was ceded to Colombia in the early 20th century. Every year, tourists from different parts of the Earth arrive in Leticia in order to start an exciting journey through the Amazon jungle. This area, unique in its natural world, is often called the “lungs of the planet” because of the dense rainforests that cover it. More than 6,000 animal species and about 1,000 plant species live here. Approximately 50% of the territory of the Colombian Amazon is occupied by protected areas.
The most suitable place to explore the nature of the Amazon is the Amakayaku National Park, located near Leticia.. Here on an area of 3000 sq. km stretch tropical forests, swamps and marches. The swampy areas of the park can be traveled by motorboat or canoe, while hiking trails have been laid out in drier areas. Huge trees grow in the local forests, the height of which can reach 50 m: mahogany, hevea, red and white cedar and balsam tree; and in the swamps – the largest water lily in the world, Victoria Regia. In the park you can see the smallest primate in the world – the lion marmoset monkey, the world’s largest freshwater crocodiles and turtles, jaguars, tapirs and deer. Lake Tarapoto is interesting, where freshwater pink and gray dolphins live. In addition to the rich flora and fauna, the park is known for its Indian tribes, the Tukuna tribes are especially interesting.
From Leticia you can also go by motorboat to the “Island of the Monkeys” (Isla de Los Micos), where more than a thousand monkeys live, and to the Kahuinari and Rio Pura National Parks, where you can see black caimans and the largest freshwater turtles in the rivers. the world.
