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| El Yaque, with its 25
Knots of constant wind and the temperature at 29 ºC all year long,
has been called one of the 5 best places in the world for
windsurfing and kite surfing. El Yaque has 3/4
mile of sandy beach, side-shore wind, and flat, waist deep water for
the first 300 yards, making it ideal for the sport. Ideal conditions
for beginners in the morning, and in the afternoon perfect for
intermediate and advanced sailors |
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Adult Games:
Still maintained: “dominó”, “la ronda”, “el truco”, “carga la burra”,
“la pile de gallos”.
Legends:
Among others, “the man that ground with the devil”, “the dead
hunter”, “the iguana that spoke to a Gabino”, the zambo geminiano
bird”, “the balck mans hair bush”; “the saintly paraulata”; “the
hills”, “the cloud formation”, “the way to Santiago”, “why the
snakes slither and the pigeons fly low”.
Music:
Famous are the “gaitas”, “polos”, “malagueñas”, “jotas”, “sabana
blancas”, “zumba que zumba”, “galerones”, “puntillantos”, “ensaladillas”,
“aguinaldos”, “cantos de pilón”, “seguidilla”, “corríos”, “estribillos”.
Musical
Instruments: There are “cuatros”,
“maracas”, guitars, drums, “cumbias”, “furrucos” or “foco focos”, “charrascos”,
“bandolas”, “bandolines”, “pitos”, and “guaruras”, most of local
manufacture.
Dances:
Well known are the “mud dance”, “the turkey”, the “fun dance” and
the “chimichimitos”.
Fun:
Among the dancing pantomimes, most famous are the “King Fish (carite)”,
“la burriquita”, “la vaca”, “el róbalo”, “la chuiquía”, “la conocía”,
“el vapor”, “la osa”, “el venado”, “la iguana”, “la balandra”, “el
mono” and “el sebucán”. |
|
SUNSETS |
| On the northern coast of the
island is the popular fishing village and bay of
Juangriego. This spot is becoming increasingly popular,
particularly for sunsets. The small Fortín La Galera,
on a bluff on the northern end of the bay, is probably the most
sought-after spot for sunsets on the island. Arrive early if you
want a prime table and viewing spot at one of the small open-air
restaurants and bars here. |
|
Margarita Island: "The Top 10 Up and Coming Destinations For 2006"
 |
| People refer to Margarita as
"La Isla", almost a separate entity from Venezuela, and it is
where most year-round foreigners prefer to live. |
 |
| Los
Roques or Canaima, and the world's
tallest waterfall - Angel Falls are popular trips to
the mainland. Priced from USD$200 - $250/person Aerotuy
tuy.com |
| Isla
Cubagua, the nearby island, is mostly
barren, flat, and undeveloped. Yet, here can be found the ruins of
Nueva Cádiz, the first Spanish town formally established in the
Americas in 1528. It was never restored after an earthquake
destroyed the outpost in 1541. The
abundance of pearls in Cubagua attracted Spanish explorers,
adventurers and merchants as early as 1501, although the place had
been mostly abandoned already because decades of exploitation had
depleted it. |
Click pic for more |
| Capybara
(Huge 4 foot rats/squirrel-like rodents without tails) come out
around dusk. They are great to watch, and the wise old ones will
take palm nuts from your hand and enjoy a scratch behind his ears
and under his tummy. |
|
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| Margarita
Island in
Venezuela |
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Weather
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Located 11ºN of the equator.The average
temperature on Margarita Island is 85 F. It has sparse rainfall from
June-October. There is no hurricane season.
At Playa El Agua, the daytime temperatures range from
29 º C [78ºF] in
January to
33º C [87ºF] in September. At night, the
temperature drops 3 to 5 degrees. Because Margarita is essentially a desert island, there can be
long stretches with only negligible rainfall.
High Season: December to April and June to September
Low Season: Rest of the year
weather. yahoo/Isla de Margarita
|
Carnaval on Margarita
 |
|
Isla de Margarita
Attracts a sell-out international
gathering for its pre-Lenten holiday island Carnaval |
|
 |
Carnaval
highlight is the Porlamar
Carnaval
Parade
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Carnaval 2006 Fotos by Jennifer Hattam on flickr |
La Octavita de Carnaval
the Carnaval does not end on
Shrove Tuesday or even Ash Wednesday, but goes the entire week.
Throughout Venezuela Carnaval is a pre-Lenten affair |
FAST FACTS: Money
 |
- ATMs connected to PLUS or Cirrus
systems that will advance you bolivares against your home account.
You'll find ATMs in both Porlamar and Pampatar, as well as at all
the large malls and some of the large resort hotels.
- US Dollar and Euro accepted almost everywhere at a much
better rate than in the banks
,
including the ATMs
-
Credit cards are accepted by most tourist establishments.
Outside of larger cities a good supply of Bolívar is required.
- traveler's checks are too
hard to change
Medical emergency: consult with your hotel first, or head to
the Luis Ortega Hospital in Porlamar (tel. 0295/261-1101)
Tips: Bills from restaurants, bars and clubs
include a 10 % service fee. It is still customary to tip
attentive services of waiters, tourist guides, maids and bell
boys.
Water: Tap water is not recommendable for human
consumption. It is preferable to drink only Mineral Water or
filtered water.
Population: Approximately 420.000 inhabitants.
Drug Penalties. All citizens are subject to the
laws of the country they are visiting. Penalties for possession,
use and commercialization of illegal drugs are strict and harsh.
The conditions in the prisons are extremely hard.
Electricity: Voltage on Margarita Island as well
as in the rest of Venezuela is 110 Volts.
Country code for Venezuela: +58
Area code for Margarita Island: 295
Geography: At its largest, Margarita Island
measures 67 km from east to west ( Punta Ballena to Punta Arenas)
and 32.4 kms. from north to south - 167 km. of shoreline liberally
endowed with inviting beaches |
Undertow
 |
|
At some beaches you must be
careful while in the water. Keep close to the shore since there is
undertow and you may find yourself dragged out. If this happens, let
your self float a bit and try to get out from the side. Don't fight
against the current because tiredness may overcome you. |
|
Mochima is the astounding coastline running 80 km between Puerto La
Cruz and Cumana on Venezuela's north eastern coast. It is a marine
park with 36 islands, each having it's own characteristics both
above and below the waterline that makes it unique for diving.
Discovering these features such as caves, walls, wrecks and dolphins
is an ongoing process that makes any trip to Mochima a true
adventure.
|
|
mochima.org espanol
only Directory of many posadas
.mochimadivers.com/
rafting trips on the Turimirikiri river with Playa Cochaima
Kayaks.
posadalacolina.com/ |
|
National Parks |
|
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-
3-Guatopo
National Park
-
11-Mochima
National Park
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12-Laguna
de la Restinga National Park
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14-Laguna de Tacarigua
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15-Cerro
el Copey National Park
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18-El
Guache National Park
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24-Península
de Paria National Park
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36-Turuépano
National Park
-
37-Delta
del Orinoco National Park
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Trip Reports
 |
Travel writer:Hilary
Dunsterville Branch "Margarita is
special in small ways which make it different.
Life goes on with little reference to mainland Venezuela and
politics take a back seat to the price of fish. transportation is
plentiful and cheap by the little buses that go to nearly
everywhere....The cost of living is reasonable,
restaurants are plentiful and good, nightlife is busy. And best of
all, you canwalk the streets free from fear of muggers." Venezuela
The Bradt Travel Guide |
| Travel writer: "Could
this be Jimmy Buffett's real-life Margaritaville? The
singer won't say, but for us it fit the bill.
Fifteen years ago, the only Americans who knew of
this island, about halfway between Bonaire and Trinidad, were
sailors dashing south of the hurricane belt to wait out stormy
summers. They provisioned up and made repairs while enjoying
absurdly low prices and 100 miles of shoreline endowed with so many
beaches that no one can agree on the number (anywhere from 24 to
more than 50.)
Now, 20 percent of Margarita's visitors come from
the United States -- mostly the East Coast -- joining the Venezuelan
German, French and Italian vacationers who discovered it long ago.
Most of the hotels and condos and malls that have
sprung up to meet the sun worshipers and duty-free bargain shoppers
are in Porlamar.
[more
at sfgate.com] |
Backpacker's week:
"It was a little vacation for me, going to beaches everyday and
going to bars at night. I initially planned to study Spanish in a
language school, but I decided not to, finding out that talking to
locals is so easy and more fun to do than staying in a classroom."
[more] |
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Consider
Margarita Island a main entrance to Venezuela and South America,
close to the Venezuelan mainland with easy ferry and air-plane
access.
Just a short 40 minute flight
from Caracas is the sun-drenched isle of Margarita,
where
pearls the size of pigeon eggs were once found. Columbus landed
here on his third voyage in 1498, and every self-respecting
pirate marauded here at least once in his career, giving rise to
numerous forts around the island.
Located just 25 miles off the South American coast and roughly
halfway between Trinidad and Bonaire, the
flavor is definitely Latin American.
Find cosmopolitan cities and quaint
villages with their
 customs and traditions still intact. The
island is filled with unspoiled beaches and natural excursions.
The larger
eastern side boasts three principal cities -- Porlamar,
Pampatar, and La Asunción.
Porlamar is the main city,
once a quiet fishing village and now a booming town with many
shops, wide boulevards, good restaurants and nightlife, all at a
fraction of the cost of the traditional Caribbean resort areas. Porlamar may be the most
important city, but inland Asuncion was the island's
strategic center in its defense against pirates and local
Indians, and today still retains colonial charm.
Margarita boasts
world-class windsurfing (at El Yaque) and some of the best diving in the southern Caribbean. The town of Juan Griego is famed for its
spectacular sunsets. La Restinga Lagoon and National Park offers wildlife
viewing along the canals, and miles of unspoiled beaches with
thatched roof eating establishments. Ride a
horse on one of those majestic beaches, go deep sea fishing or golf.
Wherever you go, Margariteños love foreign
tourists from all parts of the world and are very helpful and
friendly.
The island is dotted with historical sites
and forts, but it is the many pristine beaches and the affordable prices
that draw most visitors.
Because the island is small (28 miles wide
at the widest point and only 80 miles long) it is easy to get around and
do a different beach each day.
|
On-Line Guides
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Getting Visitor Info
There
|
The Margarita Island Tourist Guide - Tour
and Hotel Reservation Center Phone: +58 295 2621333
2628665 2629306 Fax: 58 295 2629753
Porlamar - Isla de Margarita - Venezuela
islamargarita.gob.ve
[espanol only, but visitor oriented]
There is an information desk at the
airport in Polomar for very basic needs, but using the many major tour agencies in
Polomar, Pampatar, or at large hotels is a good bet. |
|
Places to Stay
|
|
Over 10.000 rooms in nearly 200 hotels.
Most of Margarita's lodging is in Porlamar, which is also where
the cheapest places to stay are located. |
Best Western Margarita Dynasty
$130
Calle Los Uveros Urbanizacio | Urbanizacion Costa Azul, Porlamar,
Margarita Island 58,
kitchenettes in
both studio and suite apartments. Location--10 minutes from
Porlamar; 20 minutes from the airport. Services--12 two bedroom
suites, 120 studios, International restaurants, snack bar, pool |
casaRita.com.
Hotel Casa Rita, Playa [20 air-conditioned rooms] El Yaque,
Isla de Margarita. 011-58-295-26-36-553, Doubles from $40
US, including breakfast.
"Casa Rita is away from the
beach - about 10 mins walk uphill. We loved the fact
it was away from the beach, as it is a happening
beach with full on windsurfing and beach bars.
Feb-2005
 |
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casaTrudel.com friendly
two-story villa just off the less-enchanting hotel strip ($33
per couple). The knowledgeable proprietors also rent out private
garden homes for $55 during high season (tel.
011-58-295-249-0558 Also |
hotelcostalinda.com/
[25 rooms] Venezuelan colonial style
house, located on the east coast of Margarita Island, 30
minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from the city of Porlamar and
Playa El Agua is just one block
away
Miragua street, Playa El Agua,
Telfs.: (58 295) 415.99.61 / 249.13.03
 |
|
#5
of 93 |
| nice, very clean, big room
colonial style with a hammock, perfect location,
good restaurant with cheep prices then this is the
place |
|
dunesmargarita.com/ 258
Rooms Dunes Hotel & Beach Resort, Valle de Pedro González,
Sector el Pueblito, al lado de Playa Zaragoza, Isla de
Margarita, Estado Nueva Esparta Venezuela. Teléfono: (58) (295)
250-00-00 4-star all-inclusive property
Since 1993 dedicated to the enjoyment of
the whole family. Enjoy the wide“Puerto Cruz” beach and
surrounding gardens
110%
price guarantee at cdaytravel
|
#1
of 93 |
| Well
worth the money,another great family holiday-- 10
out of 10 . Go to Margarita, that is all I can say,
before it gets too commercialized. |
|
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elmilagro.compucen.com
Hotel El Milagro, an attractive family-run B & B near downtown
Porlamar ($40; tel. 011-58-295-264-3256 |
elyaquemotion.com/
Managed by two Germans, Mike & Bernd,
this location offers all the requirements for a perfect
surfholiday.We are multilingual (German / English / Spanish)
and take carefor a relaxed atmosphere, as well we help you with
all your problems during your holiday. |
elcaney.free.fr Next
to Juan Griego beach and within easy reach of others beaches
Situated in the heart of Venezuelian culture and services |
|
elyaquemotion.com/ at the entrance of El Yaque,
directly in front of the seaside, approx.500 meters from the
mainbeach. Has been known for many years by wind & kitesurfers and
travellers. It is managed by two Germans, Mike & Bernd. |
Flamboyant Hotel situated on Playa El Agua, the most beautiful and popular beach
on Margarita Island, just 35 minutes from the international
airport. The 72 rooms at the Hotel Flamboyant, which are
elegantly furnished and equipped with great taste include wicker
furniture, air conditioning, mini-fridge, phone etc. For
recreation, there is a swimming pool, aerobics, volleyball and
dance lessons.
|
hesperiaplayaelagua.com
[355 units]
Small village feel. Rooms are either in small
duplex or triplex bungalows, or one of the hotel's four
seven-story towers. The great location offers plenty to keep you
busy. |
Hotel Patrick [10
double rooms]
Juan Griego
is a small fishing town in the northwest of the island, situated
close to beautiful Playa Caribe beach. Juan Griego is THE
backpack town of Margarita. Only 20 minutes from the airport and
30 minutes from the ferry, it's the best place to start on this beautiful
Island.
All the rooms have a
bathroom with a shower and
toilet. Eight rooms have air conditioning and the other 2 rooms
have an electric fan. Guest house run by a young Dutch couple,
and they really want you to have a great holiday.
|
HesperiaIslaMargarita.com/
295
luxury rooms and 17 suites
5-star Golf, Spa, Casino & Beach Resort
located on the northern
end of the island, near Pedro González. The hotel has the only
operational 18-hole golf course on the island, a well-equipped
and luxurious spa, and a lovely little section of semi-private
beach. About a 30- to 35-minute taxi ride from either Porlamar
or the airport
|
Compare
& Save |
|
#5
of 93 |
| "nice, very clean, big room colonial
style with a hammock, perfect location, good restaurant
with cheep prices then this is the place |
|
Laguna Mar [406
rooms] All inclusive, casino
From the wave
pool to the water-slide pool to the private watersports lagoon,
the installations here make it a great choice for families with
children and anyone looking for constant activity
|
#2
of 93 |
| The pools, the weather, the
beach, the food are all great, what more do you
need? .... This place is so big you can more or less
find everything you want - peace and quiet or noisy
activities all day depending on your own choice.
Beach was lovely and plenty of sunshades. Little
buses to take you back and forth all day. |
|
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La
Samanna
Strategically located on Avenida Bolívar with Avenida Gomez, in
Urb. Costa Azul |
 Margarita Hilton -
[336 rooms]
5-star
beachfront hotel in Porlamar.
5 bars/restaurants including: Las
Marinas with ocean and pool view.
A more elegant feel than the all-inclusive
resorts that dominate the island.
Dive into the 590-foot freeform
swimming pool at the Hilton Margarita & Suites hotel or try your
luck at the largest casino on Isla Margarita. Work out in the
gym or unwind on the Caribbean beach in front of the hotel.
The hotel is a quick
taxi ride away from both Porlamar and Pampatar. This hotel is
extremely popular with business travelers.
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margarita-caboblanco.com
[8 luxury apartments, 2 rooms
and one house] at
Parguito beach here "the St-Tropez
of Margarita Island", ½ miles long and this beach is the
rendezvous of the connoisseurs; |
|
Margarita Lagunamar - 5-star
resort complex located near Pampatar |
Miramar
Village [42 air-conditioned rooms and 7
Junior Suites. ]
Located in the heart of Playa El Agua, right opposite the beach, this
charming, picturesque construction comprises
Restaurant; bar; tiny outdoor
pool; tour desk; laundry service |
|
mollyoasis.com/ [6 rooms] Oceanfront bed and breakfast/hotel/posada An ideal spot
for lovers of nature and ecotourism.
|
Posada Aguazul
Calle Primavera, Urbanizacion Playa.
Each bedroom has an in-suite bathroom, cable TV and air
conditioning. The Posada also has a kitchen area for all the
guests, porches, living room, Bar BQ area, parking space and
daily cleaning service. Next to Boulevard Playa El Agua, which
has more than 40 restaurants, internet cafe, phone
booths, a local market, supermarket, taxi stops and police
station.
|
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HOSTELS
|
Margarita Island by hostelworld
4+ options from USD $10.00. Offering
free
luggage storage while you travel to mainland, Latin American
rhythm and unforgettable holidays. |
|
Book Margarita Island, Venezuela with Hostelbookers Search
all offerings for popular dates. Posadas, hotels, homes and
hostels for savvy international travelers |
|
More Options:
Compare prices at Cday-travel |
|
Getting Around There
|
You can rent a taxi for a day to
visit the Island for little more than the cost of renting a car - $ 40 US.
Public transport in Margarita will take you everywhere on the island at a
real moderate cost. It is the best way to move within the city of Porlamar
(Fares from 170 Bs. To 200 Bs.), but it is very slow to travel from one town
to another, because the driver stops with great frequency for pickup and
drop-off.
Taxis (Cabs) Plentiful.
Most taxi lines have fixed rates and are usually inexpensive priced.
It will cost you around
10,000Bs ($6.25) to travel between the airport and Porlamar; 3,000Bs
($1.90) between Porlamar and Pampatar; 12,000Bs ($7.50) between Playa El
Agua and either Porlamar or Pampatar; and 18,000Bs ($11) between Playa
El Agua and the airport.
Buses - old
models, schedule are not fixed. Pay as you leave.
Por Puesto taxi for up
to 5 people on a fixed route. An inexpensive and excellent
alternative to a conventional taxi.
Typical service hours are daily from
6am to 8pm. Fares range from 250Bs to 1000Bs (15¢-63¢).
Car Rental at the
Airport. Find Budget
(tel. 0800/283-4381 or 0295/269-1047; budget.com.ve),
Hertz (tel. 0800/800-0000 or 0295/905-0400; hertz.com), and
Margarita Rentals (tel. 0295/263-2711
MAPS:
margaritainfo.webcindario.com/maps.htm |
|
Eat & Drink
|
|
Porlamar
has the highest concentration of shops,
restaurants, bars, and discos on Margarita. Many visitors stick to their
all-inclusive resort, which usually has a disco and perhaps a nightly
entertainment revue. Others like to barhop sections of Avenida 4 de Mayo
and Avenida Santiago Mariño.
Around Playa El Agua there are a number of the beach restaurant/bars
that have music & dancing at night.
Casinos are at the Margarita Hilton, Laguna Mar and
Marina Bay hotels.
|
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Cities
|
|
Porlamar |
Most of Margarita's lodging is in
Porlamar, along with just about all of its nightlife, shopping and
traffic.
Porlamar holds about one-third of Margarita Island's
population, and it is also the island's center of commerce. Since it was
granted free-port status in 1973, its boutique-lined avenues have been
crowded with tourists. In the early '90 the economic downfall of the oil
prices also hit Porlamar. Other free ports in Venezuela now offer the
same goods as well. |
|
Pampatar
|
|
Pampatar has achieved a pleasant
mix of preservation and change, and as the island has grown much in the
last two decades has it merged into Porlamar as a suburb. The ruins of
La Caranta fort on the eastern bluff support a world class view of
the bay filled with sailboats from around the world and San Carlos de
Borromeo fortress. There are many old houses with tall doors and
windows with decorative grilles. The town was founded in 1580 and named
after an Indian word meaning "House of Salt" |
|
Playa El
Agua
|
While it has no
central square, Playa El Agua is a small community unto itself. It is
the most visited area, and at 3 kms long is the island’s longest,
widest, busiest and most serviced beach. It has kilometres of fine white
sand lined with coconut palms, shallow water and gentle waves. El Agua
supports a considerable international expatriate community, which is
primarily German, French, and Italian.
In Playa El Agua and its outskirts (from Paraguachi to Manzanillo) you
can find everything necessary without the need to travel much: bungee
jump, ultra light plane rides, music concerts and many sport activities.
In the area you can also rent a car , bicycle or a scooter.
Its the Atlantic, so beware of the occasional powerfl waves and
undercurrents.
|
|
Juan Griego
|
Located on the Northeast part of Margarita
island. There's no better place to watch the sunset. Juan
Griego is placed in a small bay long used by fishermen, and has a small
Spanish fort known as El Fuerte, el
Calvario, or the hill of the Crosses.
It is the second commercial port on Margarita
Island. The majority of the stores located in its downtown area offer
the best in international brands: perfume, footwear, clothing and
jewellery stores with excellent prices.
The town has many duty free bargains and several restaurants where you
can enjoy the famous sunset.
The two large resorts are the German owned all-inclusive hotel Dunes
Hotel & Beaches Resort with an impressive pool area, and the Spanish
owned Hesperia Isla Margarita, which has a huge spa and a 18-hole golf
course. The guarded gates insure a tranquil holiday here.
GETTING THERE: an hour bus ride from Porlamar |
|
La Asunción
|
Do see La Asunción's traditional square,
with a fine colonial era pink cathedral and Castillo de Santa Rosa
high above the square. The is one of the island's seven Spanish forts
built to ward off pirates.
Laberinto Tropical is a park where ficus are trimmed into a maze
and giant bamboo creates a humid microclimate for bromeliads, orchids
and palms. There's also a zoo with local animals like caiman, boa
constrictors, parrots and iguanas.
|
|
Shopping
|
Venezuelans come here in droves to take
advantage of the island's status as a duty-free port.
With no import tax because and free trade everything is cheaper.
Porlamar
has duty-free status, but its got a charm bypass, and is
having a difficult time keeping shoppers from heading to the large,
modern malls on the outskirts of the city.
However, you may prefer
Quatro de Mayo, Porlamar's main street where
you'll find Jumbo plaza mall with a Movie Theatre.
Santiago Mariño is the other main shopping avenue and it gets
crowded and noisy.
Sambil mall on Avenida
Jovito Villalba in Pampatar offers
world-class shopping. Other
popular malls include the Centro Comercial Rattan Plaza, Avenida
Jovito Villalba, Los Robles; and
Centro Comercial Jumbo, Avenida 4 de Mayo.
El Mercado de los Conejeros:
Located on the northwestern outskirts of Porlamar, it is your best bet
for local bargain shopping
Consider taking back a
chinchorro, the local hammock made of thin strands of natural fibers |
|
ATTRACTIONS
|
|
The airport and
mucho multi-lingual travel agencies can serve as your base to explore
the best of Venezuela
Forts & Churches
Castillo de San
Carlos Borromeo, a 17th-century fort that protected the town and
harbor from foreign and pirate attacks. The fort's thick stone walls and
bronze cannons still watch over the beach, harbor, and Caribbean Sea.
The fort is open Monday through Saturday; admission is free. Across from
the fort, you'll find fishermen. La Asunción is the capital of the
island and the state of Nueva Esparta. The city's church, La Catedral
de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, is said to be the oldest in
Venezuela. A few minutes from the center of town is the Castillo de
Santa Rosa, another of the island's historic and battle-worn forts.
|
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BEACHES
|
There is an amazing collection of white-sand
beaches.
There are so many beaches, there is one for
everyone. Some have great waves, some have white sand and blue water,
some have sea shell and sunsets, and most serve pina colodas and beer for
little money.
East:
Margarita's most popular beaches are here.
The water north of Porlamar is the cleanest, and Playa El Agua the strip everyone gravitates to. Find
a broad expanse, 2.5
miles [5 km] long, of perfect white sand packed with all
manner of attractions developed along most of its length, including
restaurants and resort-style hotels. Have fun with activities such as
wave runners, body surfing and ultralight planes, or you can have a
delicious lobster or red snapper in any of the restaurants along the
shore. Most of the
restaurants offer showers and toilets, as well as a long list of tempting
local and international dishes. A cool and shady boulevard runs along
the beach. Located at the beginning of the
boulevard is a small picturesque free market where you can by beach
towels, sun glasses, sandals, beach wear, tanning lotion and much more
at reasonable prices.
Playa Parguito, next
door, is the best surfing beach and
sometimes hosts international competitions.
playaelagua.info
Playa El Tirano
(15)1,050m
long and 30m wide. There is strong surf, few palm trees, white sand and
limited services.
Northeast:
fishing catches are unloaded at beaches such Manzanillo
(at the northeastern tip), a great place to
watch sunsets often nearly deserted
Northwest:
For excellent sunsets and no crowds, try Playa Caribe,
Playa Puerto Cruz, and the lovely string of remote beaches north
of the dusty town of Juangriego. There are
less-developed yet excellent beaches, including Playa Caribe,
Playa Pedro González, and Playa Puerto Viejo. The road
is rough, so mind the potholes along the way.
South:
El Yaque is a windsurfing and kitesurfing nirvana, with reliable
30-knot winds to send sailors skimming over a waist-deep lagoon, and
water temps in the 80s. One of the main international tourists
destinations in Margarita Island. White sand, warm and calmed waters
besides strong sea winds are the main features of this paradisiac place.
The best daylight beach parties are found here.
windsurfing by exploremargarita.com
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parqueelagua.com
pools, slides, and rides. open daily from 10am to 6pm. |
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parquediverland.com
Diverland, Isla Aventura near Pampatar (tel.
0295/262-5545; combination amusement park and water
park, open from 10am to 11pm daily throughout the high season
and most weekends the rest of the year. Dolphin and seal shows,
as well as the chance to swim with captive dolphins. |
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Scuba & Snorkle
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Two of the more popular dive
sites close to Margarita are Los Frailes, a group of small rock
islands about 11km (7 miles) offshore that are good for both snorkeling
and scuba, and the Cueva el Bufón, a small cave near Pampatar
thought to be a hiding place for pirate loot that can only be visited
with scuba gear. Off Isla Cubagua, you can dive the wreck of a
sunken ferry, with intact cars still aboard.
SAILING More than 300 islands are
scattered across Venezuelan waters, and Margarita is the perfect hub for
a sailing adventure. To the south lie a pair of islands a half-day’s
sail away: Coche (quiet getaway with empty beaches and a couple of small
hotels) and Cubague (good diving).
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Fishing
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margaritaislandfishing.com
La Blanquilla and Las hermanos Islands, 50 Miles
north east of Margarita all inclusive package. Find many
different adventure packages including Canaima National
Park, jeep tours,
sailing, & scuba trips |
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casatrudel.com/Fishing.htm use trolling tackle and will go
over the same areas that locals fish. A chance to see dolphins
or whales and thousands of sea birds that frequent the Islands
of Los Frailes. |
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Kitesurfing
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Kitesurfing, the latest
extreme water sport, and wakeboarding instructions and opportunities on
El Yaque beach and nearby lagoon.
The other popular locatation is on
Isla Coche
Kiteboarding
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islamargarita.com/horsebackriding.htm The best way to
explore Macanao, the far west of Margarita Island |
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guacuco.com/einsel.htm beach
photos tips about windsurfing (and kite-surfing) diving, and
shopping. |
| cabatucan ranch:
Saddle up at the best little dude ranch in Macanao (tel.
011-58-416-695-2170). |
| Altralight Flight:
dirt airstrip at Playa El Agua, or call Fun Flight Margarita
(tel.
0295/262-8863) |
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Parks
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Laguna la Restinga National Park:
Margarita's most
popular visitor attraction encompasses more than 25,000 labyrinthine
acres of wetlands. Laguna de La Resting is located in the isthmus that
connects Macanao Peninsula and east Margarita Island in the state of
Nueva Esparta. It was created in 1974 to protect the island's most
important coastal lagoon, mangrove forests and a xeric vegetation zone.
Wind through the mangroves to the island's longest beach and its best $1
oyster lunch.
In Boca de Rio visit El Museum
Marino to learn about the marine flora and fauna around the
island.
GETTING THERE: The park's
mangrove-covered natural canals can be accessed by boat from El Indio
sector; boats also pass along the coastal area from El Saco to the town
of La Guardia, or the park can be crossed by car on the road to San
Francisco. Local watercraft (peñeros) leave from Embarcadero El
Indio for the park.
The west end of Margarita Island is
the
Macanao Peninsula, an arid, undeveloped region with mountains in
the interior and ringed by sandy beaches. Cross the bridge onto the
Macanao Peninsula and enter a whole different world.
At the middle is a stretch of sand, mangrove, and marsh
that make up
La Restinga National Park. Peninsula de Macanao is largely
undeveloped. It's an extremely arid and dry area, crisscrossed with
rugged dirt roads and horse trails, and home to the endemic
yellow-headed and yellow-shouldered Margaritan parrot.
Laguna la Restinga National Park by parkswatch.org
Cerro El Copey National Park -- This 7,130-hectare
(17,611-acre) park occupies the high ground in the center of Isla de
Margarita, near La Asunción. The mountainous terrain is some of the
lushest on the island, somewhere between tropical cloud and rainforest.
There are several hiking trails through the park, a lookout near the
park entrance, and even better views at Las Antenas (920m/3,017 ft.),
the highest point on Margarita. If you're lucky, you'll see some
white-faced capuchin monkeys.
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Tours
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margarita-caboblanco.com/tours.html
Villa Cabo Blanco - Playa Parguito - Margarita Island -
Venezuela Teléfono: +58 414 794 6757 Fax: +58 295 234 8631 |
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lltoursvenezuela.com/en/index.html
L&L TOURS is a travel agency located Margarita Island
managed by two tourism specialists. |
ilemargarita-venezuela.com
Scaramouche C.A. e-mail or complete trip form for more info |
holidaymargarita.com/
Holiday Tours Calle J. M. Patiño, Centro Empresarial Santigo
Mariño,
Porlamar - Margarita Island - Venezuela
Phone: (58-295) 261.1311 / 264.1311 Fax:(58-295) 264.2992
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margaritaislandguide.com/
covering a wide area of the country, thanks to my personal
relationship with a team that I partially put together and whom
I believe are among the best. On the other hand, I'm stationed
on Margarita Island and while you are here, I can join you on a
"Swingin' " Jeep Safari or an Island & Shopping Tour. |
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margaritaislandtours.net
Len and Margaret Clementi are British citizens who are retired
on the island and offer visitors personalized tours of the
island in their jeep Cherokee. |
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exploremargarita.com/ Visit our
office and internet cafe in the heart of Playa El Agua. Six
years ago the
Orinoco Delta Lodge introduced the so
called Delta Canaima Excursion 2 Days / 1 Night from Margarita
Island in Venezuela. |
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