It is the number one refuge for the Venezuelans, who go from all the corners of the country to enjoy their innumerable beaches, their multicolour landscapes, their exciting nocturnal life, its good assorted duty free stores and, mainly, of the warmness and hospitality of its people.
Margarita Island forms together with the islands Coche and Cubagua the State Nueva Esparta. It belongs politically and culturally to Venezuela, fact that distinguishes it to the Large and Small Antilles. A shellfish named Pinctada Margaritifera is to be hold responsible for its nickname Pearl of the Caribbean. This shellfish was an important factor for the local economy for more than 500 years – into the 60ies of the last century.
Margarita Island is about 40 km from the mainland. It is composed by two parts of different sizes: the heavily populated east with the central mountain range La Sierra and the touristy sectors as Playa El Agua, Pedro Gonzalez, Porlamar and Juan Griego and the almost unpopulated west, the peninsula Macanao with its mile-long cactus fields. Both parts are unified by a land bridge, that is the heart of National Park La Restinga, a 10.700 ha large salt water lagoon, where the mangrove woods have formed serpentine canals and tunnels, some of them covered by dense vegetation.
If you want to know the island and wish to spend the day in the different beaches, I recommend that you lodge at a city hotel. Generally breakfasts is included, but that’s the case don’t worry, because there’s nothing better than to have typical breakfast “empanada of Cazon”, that is obtained in all the corners of Margarita Island, or in market of called “Conejeros” - in the way that goes from Porlamar to Punta de Piedras-, you will find a section of small restaurants of typical food at very reasonable prices.
Porlamar The shopping center and the most attractive city on the island. Designers as Gucci, Dior and Tommy Hilfinger opened shops on the avenues 4 de Mayo and Santiago Mariño. The cheap mile with the bargains is located in the car free zone close to Plaza Bolivar, in the historic part of the city. Open air cafés, restaurants, a variety of discos and night clubs are here to entertain you. The free market Conejeros is a bit away from downtown. Not only fruit, vegetables, fish and meat is offered here along with delicious local dishes, but there is also a large flea market attached to it. Have fun shopping!
Porlamar Hotels Bella Vista Hotel www.hbellavista.comHilton Margarita & Suites www.hilton.comHoward Johnson Tinajeros www.hotelhowardjohnson.comThe Samanna www.lasamannademargarita.com Pampatar A picturesque and cosy fisher village, where the Castle San Carlos de Borromeo is located. This castle was the most important defense against the pirate attacks. Close to the castle you will find the church “Iglesia del Santisimo Cristo de Buen Viaje”. Legend tells that the cross over the altar was a gift by the sailors of a ship that was unable to anchor in the bay until the presented the locals with it. Not far along the fishermen beach there is the Cueva del Bufón, an underwater cave, where the pirates hid their bounty.
Pampatar Hotels Flamingo Beach Hotel www.flamingobeach.comLagunamar Hotel www.lagunamar.com.veMarBellaMar Hotelwww.la-isla.com/laisla/marbellamar If what you prefer is to rest, forget the meals and be calm in a single beach, then is preferable that you stay in the hotels on the coast, there is more than one alternative. Most of them offer "everything including".
Playa el AguaIf what you wants is to amuse yourself, to enjoy the beach and the nights then you must go to the
Hesperia Playa el Agua Hotel – 4 stars
www.hesperiaplayaelagua.com, one of the pioneers of the zone. In addition besides being the greatest hotel of the coast for its quality, comfortable facilities and their excellent food. There they have recreational activities during the day on the beach and its main swimming pool.
Miramar Village Playa el Agua -3 stars
www.miramarvillagemargarita.com Costa Linda Beach Hotel - 3 stars
www.hotelcostalinda.comCoco Paraiso Hotel - 3 stars
www.guiaturismo.com/hotelcocoparaisoPedro Gonzalez BeachAnother spectacular hotel is the
Dunes Hotel www.dunesmargarita.com, in the beach of Old Port, near Zaragoza beach, in the Valley of Pedro González. It is the prettiest and it is conceived in perfect harmony with nature, with great gardens and towards the border of the sea. It has gymnasium, several restaurants, and recreational activities during the day in the beach and in the swimming pool and excellent food.
Hotel Hesperia Isla Margarita www.hesperiaislamargarita.com a 5 stars De Luxe Hotel with Golf Course, surrounded by natural swamps.
Other places of interestJuan Griego This town is a smaller version of Porlamar. In spite of the many shops, the hectic is absent. Juan Griego is famous because of its picturesque bay, Juan Griego bay, its spectacular sunsets and its fort “Fortín de la Galera” with its breathtaking view over Juan Griego Bay.
La Asunción The capital is located in the valley of Matasiete, at the foot of the highest mountain of the Island, Cerro El Copey, with an altitude of 980 m. During the flowering season of the Venezuelan National Tree Araguaney, the observer will encounter an amazing jungle he never expected to find on the Island. The town itself is more like a village. The cathedral is one of the oldest churches in South America and the castle Santa Rosa offers a great panoramic view.
Boca de Rio The largest village on the desert-like peninsula Macanao. The University Del Oriente runs an Ocean Investigation Facility here as well as the Mueseo del Mar, where numerous conserved sea animals and skeletons are shown. There are also a few aquariums and a contact aquarium.
El Valle The well-groomed village with its church in the middle of a nice place is a place of pilgrimage for the fishermen. The statue of the Virgen del Valle, the local patron, is in this church. Each year, on the 9th of September, a procession is made to honor her.
Santa Ana This town has more historic than touristy importance. Simón Bolivar signed the end of the war on 6th of May 1816 in the plain, white church and proclaimed the 3rd republic, becoming the chief of Venezuela officially. Venezuelan currency is named in his honor and each village and town has a Plaza Bolivar.
San Juan Bautista San Juan Bautista is a small village surrounded by many prospers fields in the center of the island. Each 23 and 24 of June a fiesta is celebrated to honor its patron. Close to San Juan Bautista is the village Fuentidueño, set in a green valley. It is starting point for trekking tours to the parts of the island with thick vegetation. It also is famous for the making of hats of palm leaves and its sweets from sugarcane.
Recreation There are different recreational alternatives in Margarita. Parque El Agua or Water Park
www.parqueelagua.com is an aquatic development of water slides and swimming pools, that have become very popular among tourists.
The Kingdom of Musipán
www.musipan.net is a thematic park.
Take the opportunity to make the excursion that is called "Jeep Safari"
It’s the most recommended excursion to know the entire island, by visiting the Copey Hill and the basilica of the Valley and Holly Spirit, passing through the Macanao Cape and the swamps of the lagoon of the Arestinga, until dazzling yourself with the beautiful sun sets of Juan Griego, that are spectacular.
Another recommended excursion is of a “full day" to Coche, a nearby island. It will be incredible. You can snorkel on your way there and soon you arrive to the island you can enjoy its incredible beaches.
All these excursions can be acquired directly through your favourite travel agency or in the island.
ShoppingIf what you really want is shopping, then we recommend The Sambil on Margarita Island, in the avenue Jóvito Villalba; Sigo, in the Conejeros Sector; Rattan, in avenue 4 of May in Porlamar; and Rattan Plaza, in the way between Porlamar and Pampatar.
Nights LifeAt night you can not avoid going to the Charaima Bingos in and Reina Margarita, in avenue 4 of May or the Casino at the Hilton Hotel or the one of the Lagunamar.
Mr. Frog´s, located in the avenue Bolivar of Porlamar, is the place to be for party and drinks. Also go to “Eye”, Mosquito Coast, Doddy’s,
Kami Beachin Varadero Beach, there is a discothèque for young crowd.
Thai Beach in Pampatar, is ideal for the contemporary adults.
Guayoyo Coffee is a place to have a drink and maybe have a nice
conversation.
Trattoria the Caranta is a colonial house in Pampatar, where the food it’s exquisite and is in an atmosphere extremely refined.
The Tourist Corporation of Venezuela
CORPOTUR, which is located in the Av. Jóvito Villalba, Centro Artesanal Gilberto Menchini in the Robles area, can give you information that you may need about Margarita Island. Phone: +58 295 262.23.22/262.36.38/ 262.25.14.
Email is: corpoturmargarita@cantv.net
