Isla Margarita
Pearl of the Caribbean

Three big shopping malls on a duty-free island

When a tropical shower rolls in or you simply crave air conditioning, it makes a perfect half day. On top of that, Margarita is a free port with lower prices.

La Vela

The newest and most elegant mall on the island: more than 120 shops, restaurants and a cinema on three levels (Arena, Mar, Sol). You will find adidas, BOSS, Calvin Klein, Nautica, Clarks, Cotton On, Bath & Body Works and Claire's.

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Parque Costazul

Fashion, cinemas and restaurants under one roof, on Avenida Plácido Maneiro.

Mangroves, pelicans and turtles

Mangroves you glide through by boat, pelicans and flamingos up close, and giant turtles that lay their eggs on our beaches.

Turtles weighing almost 1,000 kg lay their eggs on our beaches

Giant sea turtles come to the beaches of Margarita to lay their eggs. The leatherback turtle weighs almost 1,000 kg. Local volunteers mark and guard the nests, and at the hatchery near Parguito they help the hatchlings reach the sea safely. Juntos podemos cuidarlas – together we can protect them.

Hiking in the green hills

The mountains in the middle of the island form Cerro El Copey National Park. From the hills you look out over the sea, the beaches and Hotel Hesperia below.

Islands

Come to Coche for pale sand and water sports, or to Cubagua for quiet shores and a history of pearl fishing. Both islands are a boat trip from Margarita.

Cubagua – little wonders of the Caribbean

On Cubagua, hammocks and loungers hang right above the turquoise water. You lie over the sea with nothing around but white sand and silence. The deserted island, with its Virgen del Valle chapel and pearl-diving history, is a short boat ride from Margarita.

Fancy a hard-to-reach beach? Take your pick of dozens.

Secret coves in the north, the wild west of Macanao, the deserted island of Cubagua. Some you reach only by boat and you are the only ones for miles. A different beach every day – and back to the pool and BBQ in the evening.

No snow? We have sand!

While you scrape ice off the windscreen at home, breakfast is served outdoors on Margarita. Around 32 °C by day, 26 °C at night and plenty of room on the beach.

I want sand

Virgen del Valle, Our Lady of the Valley

On Margarita, many people know her affectionately as La Vallita. Families and fishermen honour Our Lady of the Valley, and on 8 September pilgrims visit her basilica in El Valle del Espíritu Santo. If you know the traditions of Medjugorje or Guadalupe in Mexico, here you can discover what Marian pilgrimage looks like in eastern Venezuela.

Empanadas, oysters, fish from the fisherman and a homemade beef steak

Start with coffee overlooking the sea, order fresh fish or seafood for lunch and find a good steak for dinner. If you get hungry on the road, stop for a hot empanada. We’re happy to share our favourite spots.

Fish straight from the sea

In the morning the fishermen pull their boats onto the beach south of Parguito and fillet the catch right on the sand, while the pelicans wait for their share. If you would like to go fishing yourself, ask us about a trip with the local fishermen.

Swimming with dolphins

Stroke a dolphin, get a kiss from it and swim alongside – an experience children never forget (and adults neither). On Margarita it is about 20 minutes by car from Country Club, and we are happy to arrange the trip.

I want to swim with dolphins

San Carlos de Borromeo fortress – Pampatar

The island's best-preserved fortress, built by the Spanish in 1664–1684 after Dutch pirates burned the earlier fort in 1662. Walk the walls among old cannons with a view over Pampatar bay.

Punta Ballena lighthouse – Pampatar

Punta Ballena lighthouse in La Caranta, Pampatar – about 28 m tall, with a lookout over the sea and Pampatar bay. The colonial fortress of San Carlos de Borromeo and the seafront promenade are close by.

Go-karts under the stars

A few laps on a floodlit track in the evening, then a burger and a cold drink on a terrace strung with fairy lights.

La Restinga beach – 23 km of sand

Next to the La Restinga lagoon stretches a 23 km beach. There is more than enough room for your towel.

Margarita’s beaches at a glance

From Playa el Agua, 200 m from Country Club, to surfy Parguito, the secret coves of the north and the deserted islands of Cubagua and Coche. No towel reservations, kilometres of sand and often not a soul.

No snow? We have sand!

A video from a sand dune above a hidden cove.

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Castro, Chávez and a glass of Santa Teresa

In the green hills above Pedro González, there’s a story that Castro and Chávez lit up a cigar and raised a glass of Venezuelan Santa Teresa rum at the Hesperia hotel. The story leaves out what they talked about, but remembers the rum. For a hike in Margarita’s green hills, head to Cerro El Copey National Park.