El Caribbean It is one of the best tourist destinations in the world when it comes to sun, sea, heat, dream beaches and romantic getaways. Here there are many islands that can be visited and one of them, and one of the most popular, is Isla Margarita.
This island belongs to Venezuela and the title refers to the political and economic crisis that, devastating the country, does not stop having effects on this Pearl of the Caribbean. But nothing has been lost and the island is still as beautiful as ever. Let's find out.
Isla Margarita
It is southeast of the Caribbean Sea and along with two other islands they are the only island territory that Venezuela has, Nueva Esparta. The island was baptized by Columbus as La Asunción, since it was sighted on August 15, which is the day of the Assumption of Mary. A year later she was renamed Margarita. Why?
Is that the name derives from the Greek daisies which means pearl and many pearls were found here at that time. Or so they say. But how did the natives call him? umbrella, abundance of fish or seafarers. Good to know.
Isla Margarita is the largest of the three islands that Venezuela has in the Caribbean: has 1070 square kilometers of surface and it is crossed by two mountain ranges linked by an isthmus, a cluster of brackish water separated from the sea and a thin white line of the beach. One massif is called Paraguachoa and the other Macanao Peninsula. The highest peak on the island is here and measures 760 meters.
The climate is tropical dry with a lot, a lot of sun (don't forget a protector), and a average temperature of 27ºC. The minimums do not drop below 22 ºC, so heat is guaranteed all year round. There is a rainy season from November to February, although they are rather few.
Many foreigners from both Europe and the rest of America live on Isla Margarita. The capital of the island is La Asunción but the biggest city is porlamar, this is where most of the almost half a million people live on the island and, obviously, they vary according to the season.
What does the island live on? Well, tourism, which has stimulated other areas of the economy such as construction, gastronomy or the world of entertainment. What's more, It is a free port.
Things to do in Isla Margarita
Here it is about enjoying nature: sun, sea, beach. It has many very long beaches, sometimes 300 to 900 meters long, all public, which are located in four zones: North Coast, South Coast, East Coast and West Coast. What are the best beaches?
Specialists say Puerto Viejo, Bella Vista, El Agua, La Restinga, Moreno, El Yaque, Parguito, Caribe, Manzanillo, Punta Arenas and Salinas. Obviously these are white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. In addition, there is the Coche Island where are the beaches of Punta Blanca and Amor.
Punta Arenas it is the favorite beach of many tourists. It is located at the end of Macanao, one hour from the city of PorlamarIdeally, combine the trip with a visit to the sensational Marine Museum. The tip of the beach is the very southwestern tip of Isla Margarita and there is sand on either side. On the south side there is a small fishing village and facilities for tourists and on the other side it is quieter but also more expensive to eat.
The ideal thing here is to stay until sunset because the sun falling into the sea and the colors that are awakening are simply beautiful. The El Agua Beach It is very famous with its four kilometers long and 30 wide, golden sand and palm trees. There is a beautiful boulevard that runs for three kilometers and many restaurants to eat overlooking the sea. The El Yaque BeachOn the other hand, it is in the south of the island about three kilometers from the airport, it has shallow sea and a constant wind that makes it perfect for windsurfing.
Around here there are also restaurants, hotels and inns, as well as surfing and windsurfing schools. A long beach is the Parguito, a thousand meters long and 20 wideor, to the northeast of the island. With a more oceanic profile, it is ideal for sports that require waves and wind. It is a beach that lives all year round although it is not as popular as El Agua.
These are some of the beaches on Isla Margarita, but obviously not the only ones. Anyway, if life under the sun only complements your vacation and you like it Do other things then you can make a list:
It is La Restinga which is the bridge that connects the two parts of the island and is a National Park. It is only 10 minutes from the Punta Piedras ferry port, half an hour from Porlamar and a further 15 minutes walk from the airport.
Once the park entrance fee has been paid, there are boats that take visitors through the mangroves and canals, and afterwards, yes, one can enjoy the beach that is 22 kilometers long, coarse sand and waves. You stay for the day, if you want.
The city of Porlamar is the largest on the island and it has its attractions, especially if you like purchases. About him Guevara Boulevard there are many shops and the same on avenues Santiago Mariño and 4 de Mayo. On the other side of town, towards pampatar, there has been a lot of growth and it is where today is the Sambil shopping center, La Redoma and Rattan Plaza, all very popular.
How is free port the prices are unbeatable, without taxes. There are also good prices in the municipal market of Conejeros, previously a simple market but today a very popular place that has managed to keep prices low.
La Asunción is the capital of the island and is also touristy. Here you can visit the Castle Santa Rosa de la Eminencia, from the 9th century, built after a French looting and open to visitors from Monday to Sunday from 6 am to XNUMX pm. Other interesting places can be found in the surroundings of the Plaza Bolívar: the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, also from the XNUMXth century, for example.
About Juan Griego Bay, in the city of the same name, is the Fort La Galera, something later, ideal to contemplate the sunset, or the Punta Ballena lighthouse, not far and free to enter. Add churches, the Cerro El Copey National Park, with beautiful observation decks and many trails, the Marine Museum and everything else that the island offers and you will surely include it in your list of Caribbean destinations.
But what happens today on Isla Margarita? Well the economic crisis has splashed her and the arrival of Venezuelans on vacation has decreased a lot, the same air frequencies, so in short, the last few seasons have been a tear, I hope things improve because the tourist infrastructure is still standing waiting for better winds to blow.