Things to see and do in Margarita Island

Margarita Island is the favorite tourist destination of beach lovers in Venezuela for its paradisiacal beaches, tropical climate and rich local culture. It also offers a unique blend of beautiful natural landscapes of coastline with crystal clear waters and lush mountains for hiking. But these are not all the things to do in Margarita Island. You can also enjoy its vibrant nightlife, its delicious Caribbean cuisine and the hospitality of its people.

If you are organizing a trip to Venezuela be sure to include this stop in your travel itinerary and we assure you that you will not regret it. The island is the perfect destination for both adventure lovers and those who just want to relax under the coconut trees on the beach. Below we will tell you everything you need to know before embarking on your trip, such as what to see, how to find accommodation or how to get to the island.

What are the best places to see on Margarita Island?

1. The beaches on Margarita Island

The wonderful beaches of Margarita Island are its main tourist attraction for the beauty of its landscapes and its calm and transparent waters. Here we leave you a list of some of the most popular of the island:

• Playa El Agua: is popular for its long stretch of golden sand and for all the tourist activities it offers. It is ideal for those looking for full beach services and a lively atmosphere.
• Playa Parguito: known for its strong waves, it is a favorite spot for surfers and water sports enthusiasts.
• Caribbean Beach: offers a perfect balance between services and tranquility. Its waters are calmer, which makes it ideal for swimming and for going with the family.
• Playa Punta Arenas: is located at the west end of the island, and is famous for its calm and clear waters, and for offering one of the best sunsets on the island.
• Playa La Restinga: It is part of the Laguna de La Restinga National Park and connects to a beautiful lagoon. It is known for its long boat rides through the mangroves and its unique natural beauty.

Other beaches that we also recommend you visit are Playa Guacuco, Playa Manzanillo, Playa La Caranta, Playa La Galera and Playa el Yaque.

2. Porlamar, the city in Venezuela

Although the official capital of the island is La Asuncion, Porlamar is the commercial capital, and the most populous and lively urban center. The city, in addition to being famous for its beaches, such as Bahía de Porlamar, La Caracola and Guacuco beaches, is the ideal destination for shopping.

The city offers a rich shopping experience with numerous malls and markets where tourists can purchase local handicrafts. And at night there is a variety of bars and nightclubs where to enjoy until sunrise.

We are organising a trip to Margarita Island

3. The Castle of St. Charles of Borromeo

The Castle of San Carlos de Borromeo is a historic fortress dating from the 17th century. It was built by the Spanish to protect the island from attacks of pirates and corsairs. The castle walls have stood the test of time and today it is a building that is preserved in fairly good condition. It can be visited, offering visitors the opportunity to explore its halls, bastions and enjoy panoramic views of the sea. The castle is open every day except Mondays, from 9:00 to 17:00.

Alongside this fortress there are other historic buildings on the island worth visiting, such as the Casa de la Aduana and the Fortín de la Carant.

4. La Asuncion, the capital of Margarita Island

La Asuncion is the capital of the state of Nueva Esparta, an archipelago formed by the Margarita Island, the Coche Island and the Cubagua Island. The city was founded in 1565 and stands out for its colonial architecture, cobblestone streets and ancient buildings such as the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. It represents the faith and tradition of the region. Otherwise, La Asunción is a quiet and picturesque town where you can stroll, enjoy the beach, have a drink or rest during your vacation.

5. Laguna de Restinga National Park

Restinga Lagoon National Park is famous for a large saltwater lagoon that connects to the sea through a narrow channel. It is surrounded by extensive mangroves that harbor a rich biodiversity. It is a true sanctuary for migratory birds such as flamingos and pelicans, crustaceans and fish.

Visitors can enter the park by boat navigating through the mangrove channels while discovering every corner of its picturesque landscapes. La Restinga is also famous for its peculiar sand formations that give rise to beautiful beaches

The price of the boat tour starts at $30, and increases if you decide to stay a few hours on the beach as they will have to pick you up later.

6. Basilica of Our Lady of the Valley

This neo-Gothic style temple is an emblematic sanctuary built in the 16th century in honor of the Virgin of the Valley, patron saint of sailors. This sacred place attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists every year, who come to pay homage and seek spiritual solace.

The basilica, located in the Valley of El Espiritu Santo, stands with an impressive colonial architecture built on a Latin Cross structure with two towers adorned by inlets and protrusions, and a main entrance flanked by protrusions. Its interior is famous for pointed arches supported by slender columns, with a dome on pendentives separating the central nave from the presbytery. Along the nave there are also oval arches, a two-level choir and the image of the Virgin of the Valley, which occupies a central place.

The basilica is open every day from 11:00 to 13:30 and from 17:30 to 21:00, except Sundays when it is open from 9:30 to 14:00 and from 18:00 to 21:00. It is worth a visit on December 8, when the Virgin is placed on the main altar and a special mass takes place.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

The best things to do in Margarita Island

Margarita Island is a perfect destination for nature and sports lovers as it offers beautiful landscapes and ideal weather conditions that invite you to practice a wide range of outdoor activities. Some activities you can do on your own if you have the necessary equipment, and if not, you can hire the activities from your accommodation, travel agencies or water sports schools.

These are some of the most popular activities on the island with their approximate price.

• Kite Surfing: the constant winds on Margarita Island make some beaches like El Yaque ideal for this sport. The best season is between December and April, when the winds are stronger and the weather is dry. Equipment rental costs $25 per hour. There are also 3 and 6-day courses whose prices range from $400 to $600.
• Windsurfing: for the reasons discussed in the previous section, the island is also the perfect destination for windsurfing. The prices are similar to Kite Surfing.
• Kayak: it is practiced mainly in front of the main hotels and in the Laguna de la Restinga. It is a very common activity that you can hire from your accommodation.
• Diving & Snorkeling: there are numerous spots around Margarita Island attractive for diving and snorkeling, offering memorable underwater experiences. While a snorkeling excursion can cost around $75, diving goes up to $150.

What to see in 3 days on Margarita Island

In Margarita Island it is usually recommended to spend at least 3 or 4 days to enjoy all the possibilities offered by the island. Here we leave you a 3-day itinerary with the main points of interest.

1. La Asuncion and Pampatar

• Start your trip in La Asunción. Visit the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, have a drink and stroll around the city.
• Then head to Pampatar. Explore the Castle of San Carlos de Borromeo, the Francisco Narvaez Museum of Contemporary Art and enjoy the nearby beaches. The afternoon is ideal for a stroll along the boardwalk and dinner at one of the local restaurants.

2. Laguna de La Restinga National Park

• Dedicate the day to visiting Laguna de La Restinga National Park. Take a boat tour through the mangroves and end your visit at the beach. If you have time to spare, visit the Musipan Hot Springs to relax.

3. Beach Day

• Organize an excursion to some of the islands of the archipelago, Coche Island or Cubagua Island

Where and what to eat on Margarita Island?

The gastronomy of Margarita Island is a reflection of its rich culture and the Caribbean location of the island. In its cuisine highlights local products such as fish, seafood and tropical fruits, and the influence of Creole cuisine is very present. These are some of the most popular dishes in the area: the dogfish empanada, sancocho, a fish broth, fried fish accompanied by tostones, egg arepas or Caribbean lobster.

Although it is possible to eat at the hotels, and many of them have a restaurant and buffet, we also encourage you to discover local restaurants such as the ones we recommend below:

• La Casa de Esther: is a small and cozy restaurant with coquettish decoration where you can taste the most typical dishes of the region for a good price in relation to quality. The service is attentive and everyone who eats there leaves delighted.
• Arepas de Los Hermanos Moya: You can’t leave Venezuela without trying their famous arepas. In Margarita Island we recommend this restaurant where you can choose from a variety of fillings for arepas for a good price.
• Restaurant Punto Criollo: This restaurant specializes in Caribbean seafood dishes. The portions are plentiful and the fish and seafood of high quality. You can’t miss it.

Where to stay in Margarita Island

Although luxury hotels and resorts abound on Margarita Island, you’ll also find more economical options as we tell you below. But first, we tell you what are the best areas to stay:

1. Playa El Agua: is one of the most famous and longest beaches of Margarita Island, ideal for sun and sea lovers. The area is full of hotels, inns, and vacation apartments to suit all budgets.
2. Playa El Yaque: is world famous for being an excellent spot for windsurfing and kitesurfing. It also attracts families looking for calm and shallow waters.
3. La Asunción: For those who prefer a quieter atmosphere and want to see the historic side of the island, La Asunción, the capital of Nueva Esparta state, offers colonial charm and a rich history. Although it is a little farther from the beaches, it is a good option for those seeking a more authentic and tranquil environment.
4. Costa Azul: this area is located near Porlamar and is known for its luxurious hotels and apartments.

Here we leave you a selection with some of our favorite accommodations on the island:

• StevieWonderLand Playa El Yaque: is a simple but very comfortable and cozy accommodation that offers family rooms, barbecue, terrace, bar, garden and airport transfer. And the best thing is that it is really economical. The price per night is around 50€ and breakfast is included.
• Hotel Margarita Dynasty: This four-star hotel is located in Porlamar, 1.9 km from Playa Moreno, and offers an outdoor pool, free private parking, garden, terrace, restaurant, kids club and room service, plus free wifi. Nightly rates start at €40 and breakfast is included.
• Hesperia Isla Margarita: if you are looking for a true luxury experience you can not miss this five-star hotel located in front of La Playa. The accommodation has a swimming pool, gym, disco, children’s club and garden. The rooms are fully equipped with air conditioning, desk, safe, flat screen TV and private bathroom with bidet.

How to get to Margarita Island

There are different ways to get to Margarita Island depending on your place of departure.The most common is to fly to the International Airport of Maiquetía Simón Bolívar, the main entrance to the country, and from there take a local flight to the International Airport of the Caribbean Santiago Mariño. The plane ride takes just 40 minutes.

If you are in South America, you can also travel by boat. From Puerto La Cruz or Cumaná you can take a ferry to the port of Punta de Piedras on Margarita Island. This option is popular with those who wish to take their vehicle to the island or are looking for a cheaper alternative to flying. The price ranges between $70 and $110.

Once on the island you can rent a car, take cabs, use public transportation or rent bicycles. Another option is to book excursions offered by the hotel that include transportation. When in doubt, check with your accommodation for the safest options.

What should I consider before traveling to Margarita Island?

• The currency of Venezuela is the Venezuelan bolivar
• Hedge against medical emergencies: travel insured. Choose good travel insurance, such as Mondo.
• We recommend that you exchange money before your trip to Margarita Island, as it will be cheaper than at the airport.
• Margarita Island is a safe destination for luxury and exclusive tourism in the Caribbean.
• The high season is between December and January, during the dry season.
• Always drink bottled water.
• Take sunscreen with you, especially in the summer months, as well as light clothing that covers you from the sun’s rays and stay hydrated.
• Respect the environment, the beaches and the biodiversity of Margarita Island.
• Get an eSIM card to have internet connection on your trip to Venezuela

Do you want us to help you organize your trip to Margarita Island?

Are you one of those who prefer to travel on your own? In that case you have at your disposal our free app where you can discover different travel itineraries that will help you organize your visit. And if on the other hand you understand that vacations are for resting and you don’t want to have to worry about anything, we also have the solution.

At Passporter we also help you with reservations and all the travel arrangements so that you only have to worry about packing your suitcase and not forgetting your camera. As you have already seen throughout the post, Canaima Park is one of our favorite destinations, so we have designed a trip that will exceed all your expectations and allow you to enjoy the incredible landscapes and exciting activities without having to organize anything. We take care of everything!

Book your trip to Margarita Island with Passporter Here

We leave you a summary of the trip we organized to Venezuela told by one of our travelers @guille_what:

How to plan your travel itinerary to Margarita Island

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
• Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes presented in the post)
• Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers things to do in Margarita Island.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

What to see around Margarita Island

1. Cubagua Island or the island of pearls

This virtually uninhabited island is an interesting destination for a day trip because, although it has little infrastructure, it offers visitors the chance to see the ruins of Nueva Cadiz, the first pearling settlement in South America. In fact, it was christened Pearl Island by Christopher Columbus when he reached it on his third voyage across the Atlantic.

2. Coche Island

The Isla de Coche is a small refuge in the middle of the Caribbean Sea, and one of the favorite excursions for tourists staying on Margarita Island. This island is characterized by its tranquility, its natural beauty and its white sand beaches and crystal clear waters, which are perfect for kitesurfing and windsurfing thanks to the constant wind.

To get to the island you can take the ferry from Punta de Piedras or go by boat from Playa El Yaque and La Isleta. You can also book a full-day excursion that includes lunch in addition to transportation.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Margarita Island