'''Margarita''' is a Venezuelan island in the Caribbean Sea and is part of Nueva Esparta state.

Regions

Cities

  • Porlamar
  • Other destinations

  • '''La Asuncion''' - Officially the island's capital, La Asuncion boasts a fine colonial era pink cathedral.
  • '''Punta de Piedras'''
  • Juangriego - A small town with a beautiful bay and spectacular sunsets that can be seen from the hill of La Galera fort.
  • Understand

    Get in

    Via flights from Del Caribe International General Santiago Marino Airport [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Del_Caribe_International_General_Santiago_Marino_Airport] with service from several airlines.

    Via ferry from mainland Venezuela at Puerto La Cruz with Conferry [http://www.conferry.com].

    Get around

    A hire car is a good way to see the island, though there are also local bus services and taxis. A reputable car hire company that help visitors who are Spanish challenged is Gringo Rent a Car [http://www.gringorent-a-car.com]. Their contracts are in English, they give the customer service travelers are use to and they have new and late model vehicles at competitive prices.

    See

    Margarita Island, the Pearl of the Caribbean, lies a short distance off the northern coast of the mainland of Venezuela. It_fs easy to live here, and it_fs easy to get here just 10-11 hours from Frankfurt. U.S. and EU citizens don_ft need a visa to visit Venezuela. The climate is warm and steady_cvacationers visit Margarita all year long! Dozens of beautiful beaches await you, from pristine, isolated beaches on the west side of the island, to long, tropical beaches full of interesting people_cartisans, surfers, golfers, fishermen, businessmen, natives and visitors. The east side of the island is full of tropical trees and flowers; the west side is an isolated desert that contains several breathtaking beaches.

    Many visitors enjoy the island_fs duty-free shopping, and in the evening , a sparkling nightlife awaits you, full of beach bars and discos, salsa clubs and fine restaurants.

    From here, you can plan a day trip to the nearby islands of Coche or Cubagua, or to other destinations on the island. Or perhaps you_fd like to visit some of the breathtaking natural wonders, such as the stunning, colorful waters of Los Roques islands, Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world, Canaima, an indigenous village with breathtaking jungle, waterfalls and land formations, or the Andes Mountains, clean and crisp.

    Whether it_fs for hiking in the mountains, exploring the mangroves of La Restinga National Park, visiting Spanish Colonial historical sites, swimming with dolphins, horseback riding, exquisite spa treatment, a shopping trip to buy a hammock made on the island, a visit to a charming maritime museum, fishing or sailing, you will find it quite easy to arrange your daytrips. You will enjoy the calm pace of the island_fs inhabitants, the lively stories of those who have moved here from other countries, and the intellectual stimulation of those Venezuelans who have moved here from the mainland to live a more peaceful life_cyou will feel!

    Do

  • Kite- and windsurfing at '''Playa El Yaque'''
  • People-watching at '''Playa El Agua''', the most popular beach on the island and with numerous nearby bars and nightlife.
  • Visit '''La Restinga''' National Park, which consists of a sandbar that unites the eastern part of Margarita with the Macanao Peninsula and is home to interesting flora. 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.
  • Visit '''Isla de Coche''', a quiet fishing island with around 7,000 inhabitants. The island offers windsurfing and kitesurfing. Take a ferry from Punta de Piedras or a ''lancha'' from El Yaque. The most popular beach on the island is Playa la Punta.
  • Horseback riding tours on the north end of Isla Margarita near Playa El Agua. CabaCaribe is a private horseback riding adventure company that specializes in custom tours of the beaches and mountains. Groups are limited to 5 people and all levels of experience are welcome. This is a "private only" tour company and you will not be paired with another group unless requested. There are 12 horses at the ranch, 6 American Quarter Horses and 6 Criollos. The horses are all well fed, conditioned and cared for. Because the horses are in such fine shape, this won't be a typical trail ride with horses walking nose to tail. You will be able to canter and trot to your heart's content in the most amazing scenery imaginable. [http://www.cabacaribe.com]
  • Go for a night out at Kamy Beach, a great club where the rich Caraqueno tourists go.
  • Learn

    On Margarita Island you can learn the Spanish language in Cela Spanish School in Playa El Angel. The school is owned and managed by Sabine Loffler, PhD in Linguistics and specialist in teaching Spanish as a foreign language. The school has also a free on-line version where you can learn Spanish for your travel to Venezuela.

    Another Spanish language school where you could learn Spanish, or pick up the first words necessary to get around while on the island is Academia Peter [http://www.academia-peter.com.ve] That School is owned and run by their teachers. You also could do a tandem language course, teaching English or German in the time you take a Spanish course. On their site you'll find some spoken examples of Spanish.

    Eat

    El Pacifico restaurant (Playa El Agua) has good seafood. Pretty and located on the beach.

    Drink

  • '''Kamy Beach''', just outside Porlamar, where the rich Caraquenos party.
  • '''Woodys''' in Playa El Agua is free drinks for ladies all night with a door cover fee of 5000Bs (__1.30).
  • '''Panare''' in Playa El Agua is more popular for locals, especially on a weekend.
  • Sleep

    Keep in mind that the beds in many hotels (mostly up to the mid-range levels) are nothing more than mattresses on concrete slabs that resemble box springs. Depending on what your sleep preference is, they may not be the most comfortable for you. Something for you to consider when looking for a hotel to stay at. Many are opting for a self catering condo over a hotel. When one compares prices they may learn that a self catering condo is preferred over a hotel. In a condo one pays a per night fee, not a per person fee. In addition, when staying in a self catering condo one has the option of eating in or eating out.

    '''Casa Perla''' is a cosy pension 100 mts from the famous Playa El Yaque

    Stay safe

    Avoid walking too slowly and be wary of trusting new friends, particularly at the beaches. Walking drunkenly into shady areas is not recommended anywhere. Don_Lt go to the beaches at night. Be careful in Porlamar downtown area at night, you could get mugged.

    Get out

  • '''Coche Island''' - several kite-surfing schools are based here.
  • '''Cubagua Island'''