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Margarita Island: Venezuela's Pearl in the Caribbean!

Margarita Island, located about 40 minutes off the Venezuela coast in the Caribbean Sea, is just the place to go if your plans include relaxing in the sun, or indulging in island related activities. The "Pearl of the Caribbean" is just over 40 miles long and 11 miles at its widest point, and is small enough to see on a day's excursion, but large enough to keep the crowds at bay as you seek solitude on some secluded beach. The interior of the island is a conglomeration of forested hillsides and desert-like moonscapes that will make hiking and horseback riding enthusiasts giddy with excitement. The beaches and beckoning sea call to those looking for sunbathing, scuba diving, parasailing, wind surfing, snorkeling, and fishing opportunities.

The Spanish Conquistadores landed on Margarita Island in 1498. The island is as rich in history as it is in scenic beauty. Those with a passion for bygone eras will want to visit Castillo de San Carlos Borromeo, a 17th-century fort that protected the town and harbor from foreign and pirate attacks. The fort's thick stone walls and bronze cannons still watch over the beach, harbor, and Caribbean Sea. Across from the fort is the Iglesia de Santísimo Cristo del Buen Viaje, a very important church to the island's sailors and fishermen. Rumor has it that the church's crucifix was left as a last resort when the colonial-era vessel transporting it was unable, after repeated attempts, to leave the harbor.

Margarita Island's beaches are famous for their white sand and the clarity of the waters splashing on shore. Probably the most popular beach on the island is Playa el Agua, a long, broad stretch of beach backed with palm trees and surrounded by a huge selection of restaurants and gift shops. Surfers flock to Playa Parguito looking for that perfect set. Manzanillo Beach is for those who want a beach less traveled. This is one of the most scenic beaches on the island, and one of the least visited. A sunset on Manzanillo cannot be beat! Playa Guacuco is another surfing choice. It got its name from the abundance of Guacuco (clams) that wash up on shore.

Being in the Caribbean has its advantages, including crystal blue water that is perfect for scuba diving enthusiasts. Margarita Island offers enough reef dives, wall dives, drift dives, wreck dives, and blue hole dives to please divers of all skill levels. One of the most popular dives on the island is the Los Frailes Rocks, a series of rock formations about 7 miles offshore. The Cueva el Bufón, off the coast near Pampatar, is a system of caves that supposedly still house pirate treasure. The caves can only be reached by those with scuba gear.

The interior portion of the island is an ever changing landscape offering terrain as varying as forested hills and barren desert areas. One of the most popular ways to see the inside of Margarita Island is on the back of a horse. Numerous stables dot the island, offering guided tours, or just a trail map for those who want to strike out on your own. Active vacationers may also want to rent a mountain bike and take advantage of the multi-hued terrain.

Margarita Island is for those people who want a vacation filled with as much, or as little outdoor activity as possible. Relax on a pristine beach as you peruse the latest best seller. Hop in a jeep and go "off-roading" into the island's outback. Jump on a sailboat and take a moonlight cruise up and down the coast. Tee it up at one of the island's two golf courses. Climb on an ultralight plane for a view from above the island. Scour the beaches looking for that perfect sea shell souvenir. Margarita Island is a tropical paradise that will leave lasting memories and dreams of future visits!