About island Margarita
Island was discovered by Christopher Columbus and named after Princess Margaret of Austria. It is one of the true pearls of the Caribbean.
Margarita Island is located just about 11 degrees north of equator. It is below the usual hurricane routes which gives it a nice advantage over the rest of Caribbean islands.
Margarita and two smaller islands (Coche and Cubagua) comprise the Venezuelan State of Nueva Esparta.
Total area - 932 km2; distance from the mainland - 22 km; coastline 315 km; the length of the picturesque beaches - 152 km.
The island has a very comfortable climate. The average temperature all year long is 26 degrees C and water temperatures are just as comfortable.
The island has two national parks and three nature reserves with numerous species of birds - flamingoes, pelicans, parrots, and many others.
There are quite a few interesting examples of old architecture - castles, cathedrals, churches and much more.
There are plenty of beautiful beaches for every taste – quiet, windy, perfectly calm and really rough. There are hotels here for every budget – from very affordable to luxurious. Enough room to accommodate big international events, such as meeting of the Heads of States of Latin America, Spain and Portugal (Iberoamerikana) in November 1997.
Margarita is a favorite shopping destination for Venezuelans and other South Americans, thanks to its duty free status.
 Porlamar - the shopping and commercial center of the island, fast growing town. You can see offices of many companies which are household names all over the world.
Commercial centers are located along the Avenues 4 de Mayo and Santiago Marino and surrounded by restaurants and cafes, which can satisfy any preferences of our guests. There is plenty of room for those who like to explore the area on foot.
Evenings are great for a pleasant walk, delicious meal and a little casual shopping - leather goods and inexpensive jewelry produced and sold by local craftspeople right there, on the sidewalk.
Porlamar has good infrastructure, able to accommodate many tourists coming from all over the world and Venezuela mainland.
 Pampatar - located only 9 km from Porlamar it is a fast growing town which managed to preserve the old traditions and attractions of its fishing village past.
Make sure to visit the castle of San Carlos Borromeo - an example of military architecture of Spanish colonial times. Now it is a Historical Museum.
Customs House - a wonderful building in neoclassical style. It served as headquarters of the first republican government of Margarita Island. El Morro del Vihiya provides a great viewpoint where you can observe most of the southern coast of the island. Do not forget to visit Fort La Karanta.
Pampatar is also home to the very modern Sambil mall, rumored to be the largest in the whole South America.
 La Asuncion - the capital of the State of New Esparta, located in the valley of Santa Lucia.
We recommend you visit the house Kapitular. It is a beautiful, elegant building. It served as the seat of colonial government and now is the home of the New Museum of Cadiz.
Also worth visiting the St. Francisco monastery, built in XVI century. You will find there a stone clock made about four centuries ago.
Despite being the seat of the local government as well as the government of the state (New Esparta),
La Asuncion is not growing as much and as fast as Porlamar.
 Santa Ana - this beautiful town called Garden of Margarita. It is hiding in lush gardens and parks, small squares and walkways. The air is delightfully cool and refreshing. The city church dates back to the XVIII century and is a fine example of Venezuelan colonial architecture.
Near Santa Ana, there are artillery batteries of Espana fort, located on the mountain with a panoramic view of Juan Griego and Peninsula Makanao.
El Serkado - very close to the Santa Ana. It is a village of clay artists. They use natural materials to make household utensils and pottery. Baked in wood-burning ovens, they become true masterpieces of folk craft.
 Juan Griego - located by a beautiful bay, with clean water and cool breezes.
The beaches are peppered with colorful fishing boats.
On one of the hills surrounding the bay are fortifications of Fort La Galera. Local children will tell you about the battle Mata Siete that took place in the area around Juan Griego.
Along the bay there are many small restaurants and eateries, where one can order Empanada Kason. These restaurants are patronized by local people and tourists alike, especially in the evening hours. Sunsets in the bay of Juan Griego are spectacular, picture perfect, and leave one breathless and speechless.
 La Restinga - a beautiful lagoon, located on the isthmus connecting the eastern and western parts of the island. It is a national park. This place is a haven for marine life.
Thick mangroves are home for many different types of marine fauna and flora. A boat is needed to explore the lagoon. There are many available at the park pier. Via Restinga one can get to a beautiful sandy beach. A close look tells the true nature of this “sand” - billions of tiny sea shells.
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