| Population | 300,000 |
| Language spoken | Spanish |
| Currency | Venezuelan bolivares (VEB) |
| Average temperature | Summer: 82°F year-round |
| High season | Easter, 15 July -- 15 September, Christmas, New Year |
Just off the South American coast is the Caribbean's best-kept secret. It's lush, it's warm, it's fun, and it's crawling with beautiful, playful women. Welcome to Isla Margarita, a tropical haven a heartbeat away from Venezuela.
With miles of serene sandy beaches, thrilling water sports, unforgettable eating, and the palpitating potential for romance, it's a place that you'll hope remains off the beaten track, if only to preserve its magic.
Take this three-day guide and enjoy the best of "The Caribbean Pearl."
Day 1: Surfing & local shopping
A 30-minute plane ride from the Venezuelan capital of Caracas will get you to El Yaque. This beach is marked with a fat thumbtack in the windsurfing maps of the world, as its good wind, shallow water and persistent sunshine make it the site of international tournaments. It'd be crazy to pass up on these ideal conditions, so rent a board, take some lessons and zip across El Yaque's palm-lined shore.Its calm conditions make El Yaque a good place to ease into the wilder waters surrounding Margarita. But if you can't wait for action, take a catamaran trip to Coche Island, a nearby chunk of land with excellent scuba diving and equally nice beaches. Your first glance of the docked yachts packed with bikini beauties will prove that the trip was worthwhile.
When you feel the afternoon sun waning, head to Porlamar, the biggest and liveliest city on the island. Transport to Porlamar, whether by bus, taxi or car rental, is cheap and accessible, and Margarita's best restaurants, stores and dance clubs are found here. It's a good place to set as your home base at the end of the day.
For good shopping, check out the duty-free stores on Santiago Mario and 4 de Mayo Avenues. The flea market on the northwestern skirts of Porlamar is worth a peek too.
When it comes to nightlife, you'll find the best clubs on 4 de Mayo Avenue or Costa Azul beach. There's also a casino at the Hotel Margarita Hilton. Place your bets.
Day 2: Northern beaches
Don't sleep in because you'll want to soak up as much of the as you possibly can. The best beaches in Porlamar are on the north coast, so head up to Playa Parguito, a favorite among locals. Bouncy waves here are perfect for surfing, and you can practice your Spanish with the chicas at the drink cabanas. Then grab a bite at Keops, a restaurant owned by local celebrity Ricardo. You'll have the best meal of your stay.While Parguito is a local hot spot, its next neighbor, Playa El Agua, is considered the best and most popular beach on the island. In addition to the lovely, curvaceous creatures you'll see walking around, you can bungee jump, Jet Ski, ride an ultra light plane, and chill out in El Agua's beachside bars. There's good shopping there too, if you missed it back in Porlamar.
Catch the day's last rays in Puerto Cruz. Noted for its spectacular scenery, Puerto Cruz has been the setting for many Hollywood productions -- in fact, you might get lucky and catch a film being made. Don't miss the chance to parasail and see the coast from above at sunset -- it's unlike anything else. And be careful swimming. The waves here are ruthless.
Day 3: Tip of paradise
Margarita's western tip is in a class of its own. Remote and underdeveloped, it offers a glimpse of pastoral Venezuela. If you've had your fill of beaches, take a Jeep safari through the peninsula's bush. You'll ride through the La Restinga National Park area, a place filled with mangroves and wildlife, then pass by the colonial town of La Asuncin. Convince the rest of your party to go up to the historical prison with cannons pointed at the sea.At the westernmost point of Margarita is Punta Arenas beach, where you can get off your Jeep and mount a stallion. Horseback rides are popular here, and allow a more up-front view of the region.
Head back to your home base at Porlamar and bid this little paradise good bye -- and, as many do, add, "see you soon."
tips for the trip
Resources:
http://www.islamargarita.com/islamargaritaa.htm
http://www.playaelagua.info/
http://www.venezuelatuya.com/margarita/porlamareng.htm
http://www.ilemargarita-venezuela.com/home.ing/home.htm
Vacation Packages
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