National park · Colombia
Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural ParkParque Nacional Natural Old Providence McBean Lagoon
Enter Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park: pay the entry fee (check), snorkel the coral reefs, and visit Cayo Cangrejo in the morning; avoid the Three Brothers islands (closed).
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
10 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (10 km²)
approximate
Established
1995
Best months
—
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 9Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Colombia ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Migración Colombia or a Colombian consulate; some travellers must complete an online migration form before arrival.
- Colombia ↗Security advice lists specific departments and border areas: check your own government's advice for every place on your route, including coastal roads.
- Colombia ↗Never accept drinks, food or cigarettes from strangers, and be careful with people met on dating apps: drugging (including with scopolamine) followed by robbery is a known risk.
- Colombia ↗Fill in Check-MIG only on the official Migración Colombia site; it is free, and lookalike sites charge a fee.
- Colombian Islands ↗San Andrés and Providencia require a tourist card on arrival; buy it at the departure airport or on landing — check the current fee.
- Colombian Islands ↗Reef and mangrove areas are protected; no touching coral, no collecting shells, no anchoring on reef.
At a glance
- Country
- Colombia
- Area
- 10 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (10 km²)
- Just under 1,000 ha, mostly marine (check).
- Established
- 1995
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- For some areas
Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park protects coral reefs, mangroves and a small dry‑forest area on Providencia Island. Visitors can snorkel colourful reefs, walk a short mangrove boardwalk, and enjoy a beach walk on Cayo Cangrejo, while the Three Brothers cays remain off‑limits to protect wildlife.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1995.
Size and age
10 km² (4 sq mi)4 sq mi (10 km²) · national park since 1995
Just under 1,000 ha, mostly marine (check).
Why go
- Snorkel coral reefs and see tropical fish.
- Explore mangrove swamps and shallow coves.
- Visit Cayo Cangrejo for a quick beach walk.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry season, warm sea (check).
- FebDry season, good visibility (check).
- MarDry, start of shoulder (check).
- AprEnd of dry, still good (check).
- MayRain increases, sea may be rough (check).
- JunRainy, possible storms (check).
- JulRainy, higher wave risk (check).
- AugRainy, sea conditions variable (check).
- SepRainy, occasional calm (check).
- OctStart of dry, good snorkeling (check).
- NovDry, warm sea (check).
- DecDry, pleasant weather (check).
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquatic birds (frigatebirds, herons, brown boobies)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Tropical reef fishAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main dock area | Visitor reception, rental shop, trailhead to snorkeling sites. | Open with entry ticket. |
| Cayo Cangrejo | Small cay with beach and short walk. | Boat hire from dock; open to visitors. |
| Three Brothers islands | Protected cays, no visitor access. | Closed. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates centred on Providencia town; park points are approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Official fee not published online (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Reef‑safe sunscreen
- Only use products without oxybenzone or octinoxate.
- Mosquito protection
- Use repellent; malaria and dengue risk present.
- Boat access to Three Brothers
- Closed to visitors; do not attempt landing.
Where to stay
Near the park
Providencia town
Guesthouses and small hotels a few minutes from the park entrance.
Safety
Sunburn and coral damage low
Mosquito‑borne disease medium
Strong currents medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main dock reachable by car or golf cart; short walks are flat.
- Boardwalks are uneven; not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Support operators that use reef‑safe sunscreen and follow visitor limits.
- Avoid souvenirs made from coral or protected shells.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park?
The official entry fee is not listed online; visitors should expect a modest charge at the gate (check).
What are the best hikes in Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park?
A short mangrove boardwalk, the beach walk on Cayo Cangrejo, and the marked snorkeling reef loop are the most accessible short trails.
When is the best time to visit Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park?
The dry season (January – April and October – December) offers calm seas and good visibility; the rainy months (May – September) can bring rougher conditions.
Can I visit the Three Brothers islands?
No. The Three Brothers cays are protected and closed to visitors.
Do I need a yellow‑fever vaccine?
Yes. A valid yellow‑fever vaccination taken at least 10 days before travel is required for entry to the Colombian Caribbean.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Old Providence McBean Lagoon National Natural Park
Loading…
Was this useful?