Margarita island and Venezuela, travel, information

On Margarita Island there are several different and beatiful beaches. Also if you have booked an all inclusive holiday in Playa El Agua for example, an excursion to one of the other beaches is a good idea to see more of the beautiful island. Taking a taxi on the island is not very expensive.

Some of the most interesting and famous beaches are:

Playa El Agua: the most known beach on the island. The water is warm and the sea is choppy. There are many shops, restaurants, exchange offices and car rentals. The area is very touristic.

Playa Parguito: it is right beside Playa El Agua, just a bit further north. The beach has some restaurants und the waves are big. It is an excellent beach for surfing.

Playa Manzanillo: it is a very calm and tranquile town situated in the north of the island.  The water is cold and calm. In the late afternoon you can see the fishermen coming in with the fish they caught that day.

Playa Puerto Cruz: Puerto Cruz is the beach near to the Dunes Hotel. The beach is long, the water is warm and choppy. There are only 2 little restaurants there, because most of the visitors are guests in the all inclusive hotel.

Playa Zaragoza: it is very nice beach located a few 100 meters from Playa Puerto Cruz. The sea is quiet and calm. There are a few restaurants in nice houses built in colonial style.

Playa Caribe: one of the most popular among the Margarita visitors. It is close to Juan Griego, in the north of the island. There you can see an amazing sunset. The water is warm and the sea choppy.

Playa El Yaque: close to the airport and famous for the good conditions to practise wind and kite surfing.

Playa La Caracola: this beach is in Costa Azul, between Porlamar and Pampatar. The beach is not great to go for a swim, but in the mornings and afternoons no traffic is allow on the beach which makes it a nice place for jogging, biking, etc.

Playa La Restinga: This long beach with warm water can be reached by boat in the Restinga Lagune. From there you will have a fantastic view of the north of the island and Macanao.

Playa Punta Arenas: Punta Arenas is the furthest beach on the island. It is at the end of the Macanao Peninsula. The beach is very long and big, but there are no amazing differences compared to the other beaches of the island.

The visit of the above mentioned beaches is part of our excursion program in Cela Spanish School on Margarita Island.

Margarita Island is a favourite destination for Venezuelans to spend their vacation. However, the island is also become a popular spot for visitors from all over the world.  There are several international airlines that fly to Porlamar on Margarita Island http://www.insel-margarita-venezuela.de/margarita-island/international-flights.html

Margarita Island is located at the north east of Venezuela 30 minutes by plane from Caracas, the capital of the country. The island has an aera of 1071 km2 and 315 kms of coasts. The capital is La Asunción, a small town in the center of the island. Margarita has 422.688 inhabitants. The island is part of the state of Nueva Esparta, consisting of the islands Margarita, Coche and Cubagua. The currency is the bolivar. 1 US$= 4.30 Bolívares.

Official Language is Spanish

The weather is warm and sunny the whole year. It does not vary much, 27º - 38 ºCelsius. In the winter (from November to January) the weather is more pleasent and fresh. During the rainy season there are some rainfalls at night or in the early morning, but close to the midday the sun comes out, so you can go to the beach every day of the year on Margarita Island.

The life on the island is quiet and tranquile. There is crime like everywhere else in latinamerica, but not at a high rate, as opposed to other cities in the country. It is recommendable to take care of your personal belongings and to be careful with people that you do not know well.

Margarita Island’s industry is fishing and tourism. It is a small but modern island with many shopping malls and oportunities for leisure and relaxation.

Venezuela has a new airline for domestic flights: La Venezolana. It offers flights from Porlamar (Margarita Island) to Caracas and also offers other destinations: Maturín, Cumaná, Maracaibo, Santa Bárbara, El Vigía, and Aruba.

You will find more info on the official website of the airline http://www.venezolanaonline.com

Soon they will offer other destinations: Barcelona, Puerto Ordaz, Valera, Valencia and Bogotá, Curazao, Lima, Panamá, Santo Domingo, and Trinidad.

The airline is on time and has good air fares.

Karl Weidmann was one of the most famous Venezuelan Landscape Photographers. He died last month in Caracas. Karl was born in Switzerland and came to Venezuela in 1946. His original plan was to travel to Brazil seeking the wonders nature hast to offer, but once he had seen the beautiful and varied Venezuelan imponent natural landscapes, he decided to live here, among us. Venezuela has been displayed through his lenses in a glamourous and beautiful way. His book “Venezuela” with photos of everything about the country, is the greatest souvenir. Written in three languages: English, Spanish and German, it makes the Venezuelan history and nature accessible to everyone. He knew every single small town in Venezuela and fell in love with the country. Gracias Karl

Karl Weidmann´s oficial web site http://karlweidmann.com

Your holidays in Venezuela are a very good chance to learn or improve the Spanish language. At Cela Spanish School on the wonderful Margarita Island you have the opportunity to choose among 5 different course levels and group or private lessons. Our school is located in Playa El Angel close to Pampatar and to shopping facilities. The school has students from all over the world and all ages. Excursions to the beaches are included in the course. You can get more information on our web site http://www.spanishcoursesvenezuela.co.uk/ 

Accommodation can be provided in local host families or apartments.

There are several charter airlines that fly directly to Margarita Island International Airport Santiago Mariño.
Germany: Condor Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
UK: First Choice every 15 days, Sunday
Netherlands: Arkefly, Wednesday
Czech Republic: Czech Airlines, Tuesday and Wednesday
Spain: Air Plus, Monday

There are also flights from Margarita Island to Trinidad and Grenada with the following Venezuelan airlines:

Conviasa, Trinidad and Grenada, daily
Avior, Trinidad, daily
Rutaca, Trinidad (new)

Most of this airlines offer online booking through their homepages - just click on the name of the airline and you will be directed to the main page.