Colombian Islands in the Caribbean

[rivardco]

What's the story on the Colombian islands off the coast of Nicaragua? Are any of these developed? Is commercialization a possibility?

I get the impression that Cartagena is expensive and just another Caribbean travel destination played over? Does Barranquilla differ from Cartegena in costs; culture and sophistication; and crime?

[Benjio]

Originally Posted by rivardco

What's the story on the Colombian islands off the coast of Nicaragua? Are any of these developed? Is commercialization a possibility?

I get the impression that Cartagena is expensive and just another Caribbean travel destination played over? Does Barranquilla differ from Cartegena in costs; culture and sophistication; and crime?

The only two islands I know of off the coast of Nicaragua that belong to Colombia are San Andres and Providencia. San Andres is probably more popular in terms of tourism, but the less "developed" Providencia is definitely more beautiful. Both are accessible by plane from the airport in Cartegena. While commercialization is always a possibility, I think the logistics and red tape involved with a person from outside of Latin America trying to do something like that in Latin America make it an exercise in futility.

Cartegena is probably the most popular destination for international tourists visiting Colombia. I would not go as far as calling it expensive but like any other place in the world, prices automatically go up when foreigners are buying. With the exception of Carnaval Season, one thing you could probably find cheaper in Barranquilla are living quarters. Barranquilla is a bigger city, so there is a wider variety of housing options. There are very few economical luxury hotels or condos for rent in Cartegena. Most are very expensive. However, restaurants, souvenirs, and transportation are probably going to cost you the same in both cities. As far as culture the two do not differ much. In my opinion Cartegena is much more culturally rich because of the city's historic landmarks, but both share a lot of the same cuisine, art, festivals, and that beautiful Costeño Spanish. There are places in Colombia that cuturally differ greatly from the Northern Costal Region but Cartegena and Barranquilla have a lot in common. Most people that live in one have family in the other.

There are many dangerous places in Colombia and both Cartegena and Barranquilla have areas that you should not put on your sight seeing list, but for the most part the police presense in these cities prevents a lot of the petty crime you'd experience in other places in Colombia. Both rely heavily on revenue from tourism so the Colombia government does all it can to keep them safe for visiting foreigners.

[Razial]

Originally Posted by rivardco

What's the story on the Colombian islands off the coast of Nicaragua? Are any of these developed? Is commercialization a possibility?

I get the impression that Cartagena is expensive and just another Caribbean travel destination played over? Does Barranquilla differ from Cartegena in costs; culture and sophistication; and crime?

.

I live on San Andres and own land on both San Andres and Providence
San Andres is well developed for the tourist industry. Providence very little and wants to stay that way. To own a business here you must be a resident of Colombia and of the Island. If not a resident of San Andres then your stay here is 4 months per year. If you are ready to invest 100,000 USD or more and the Island government approves of your business you can apply for a OCCRE which is a resident card. (No guaranty that you will get it) You can also live here if you marry a Island born individual. You still must apply for the OCCRE and be approved. Getting married here and getting your OCCRE is a real pain in the ass. (Been there done that) But its all worth it if you like Island life. I am one of two Americans living here. Very few foreigners here, mostly Islanders and transplanted mainland Colombians who many live here illegally.