Wakacje Margarita - holidays and trips
In brief
- fairytale landscapes of the "pearly" Margarita
- golden sand of Caribbean beaches and crystal clear turquoise sea
- the world's highest waterfall Angel Falls
- one of the best places in the world for windsurfing - delta Orinoko
- a land of water and exciting trips into the depths of the jungle
See offer
Also referred to as the Caribbean Princess and Hawaii of Venezuela, it was discovered by Christopher Columbus during his third expedition. Is the largest island of Venezuela, approx. 67 km long and 32 km wide, and approx. 40 km from the Mainland. Tourist season lasts here all year round. An average temperature of approx. 29°C, 320 days of sunshine a year and a pleasant sea breeze is the perfect weather for a holiday. Thanks to its location, the island is beyond the reach of hurricanes.
The main cities of the island are Porlamar and La Asunción. In the capital of the island, La Asunción, with colonial buildings, it is interesting to see the Santa Rosa fortress. The little Juan Griego bewitches with its charm, where you can enjoy the most beautiful sunsets on the island. In El Valle is the famous sanctuary of Virgen El Valle, to which every year in September, pilgrims arrive from all over Venezuela. Margarita has as many as five national parks, the most popular among tourists is Laguna La Restinga with mangrove forests. However, the most famous in Margarita are the beaches. On the 160-km-long coast extend as many as 72 beaches for kilometers, which attract tourists from all over the world. One of the most beautiful and the most popular is Playa El Aqua. Sandy, framed with coconut palm trees, it is approx. 4 km long and has an average width of approx. 30 m. Along the beach there are numerous hotels, apartments, shops, cafes, restaurants and clubs in tropical style, offering live music. Playa El Yaque, located in the south, offers completely different attractions. This is the world-famous meeting point for enthusiasts of windsurfing and kitesurfing. There are plenty of hotels, apartments, shops, restaurants and equipment rentals here. This Caribbean beach is considered one of the top 10 locations in the world for wind- and kitesurfing. There are excellent conditions for both beginners and the advanced, and the friendly winds never stop blowing.
Fans of these sports also gladly go the small island of Coche, perpetuated by Arkady Fiedler in the novel "Robinson Crusoe's Island". A true Caribbean paradise with a wide beach with bright sand, contrasting with the blue of the sea, it is the ideal place to get away from reality. Playa El Tirano is located to the south of Porlamar, where you will find shopping centres, restaurants, bars and Margarita's largest aqua park. Playa Puerto Cruz also has many fans.
All of Margarita is covered by a duty-free zone, therefore, many goods have extremely favourable prices: cigars, rum, handicraft products and pearls. Be sure to taste the Venezuelan rums, on the basis of which fantastic exotic drinks are prepared on the island.
Pilot: tourists are looked after by a resident, whose tasks include help upon stay, as well as registration for local trips. Pilot is also present during trips.
Visas: Polish citizens do not have to have visas to be on the territory of Venezuela. At the border they receive a so-called tourist card. This concerns persons going to this country for tourist purposes. The required validity of a passport upon entry is 6 months.
Flight duration: Poland – Margarita – approx. 11 h.
Local time: GMT-5.5 h. Official
Language: Spanish, communication in English possible.
Capital city: Caracas.
Currency: bolivar (VEB). 1 VEB = 100 centimos; 1 USD = 4 VEB.
Voltage: 110 V (60 Hz); you should take an adapter with you.
Local trips: organised by local tourist agencies on terms specified by them. There is a possibility, that if there are too few participants, a trip may be cancelled.
Customs regulations: do not differ greatly from the regulations of other countries. Sanitary control at the airport - you cannot import food. There are no limits in importing money. The money amount declared upon entry can be exported. VAT return is not possible.
Currency: The most popular foreign currency in Venezuela is Amercian dollars (USD). Noted are many cases of problems with ATMs that keep cards or do not issue money, burdening the account with an incomplete transaction. Therefore, it is recommended to use them with extra caution (commission in some cases may be 30%). It is best to withdraw cash using Visa or MasterCard cards.
Climate: Margarita island lies in the sphere of the equatorial climate: warm and tropical with minimal fluctuations of temperature for the entire year. The average temperature is approx. 29°C. At night the temperature drops a few degrees (3 to 5°C). Rainfall occurs mostly at the turn of August and September. Tourist season lasts here all year round.
Health: upon entering Venezuela, no obligatory vaccinations are required. It is recommended to vaccinate against hepatitis A. On lower situated terrains occur many insects, therefore, you should supply yourself in anti-insect agents. You must not drink unboiled water or eat unwashed vegetables and fruit. There are frequent cases of burnt skin caused by being in the sun for too long, and disorders of blood circulation caused by high air humidity and high temperature, as well as sudden jumps of blood pressure.
Beaches: sandy, with bright sand, turquoise sea, public; beach service is not everywhere.
Car rental: an international driving license is not required, it is obligatory to have a valid doctor's examination allowing to drive vehicles. This examination can be conducted on site (cost approx. 15 USD).
You can always find up to date information about security in this country on your Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Jeep Safari - a trip to the south of the island, where there is Macanao Peninsula, characterised by a hilly, semi-desert landscape. Here is one of the greatest attractions of the island - La Restinga lagoon, which area is a national park which is home to flamingos, herons, parrots, pelicans and hawks, as well as marine species, such as sea horses and oysters. Along the coast extends the largest on the island 22-km strip of sandy beach. The programme includes a boat trip on the calm, beautiful lagoon, bathing by the beautiful Punta Arenas beach and lunch (in the afternoon hours). Passage through the La Sierra mountains, from where there is a wonderful view of the entire Macanao Peninsula. Day trip, in 4WD vehicles. Price – approx. 65 USD (includes dinner and local soft and alcoholic drinks all day).
Coche Island - a trip to the neighboring islet of Coche. After breakfast, transfer to the port from where a catamaran sails out and a pleasant, approximately 1-hour cruise to the scenic, snow-white Caribbean beach of the island of Coche. Relaxing on the beach (umbrellas, sunbeds, lunch and local soft drinks included in the price of the excursion). Day trip Price - approx. 75 USD (includes umbrellas, sunbeds, lunch and local soft drinks; additionally payable: exit tax from Margarita: approx. 1 USD).
Cubagua Island – a trip to the island situated to the southwest of Margarita, a place of the earliest settlement of the Spaniards, famous in the past for pearl fishing. The island is desert-like and only fishermen and pearl and oyster fishermen live here. Sail out by boat from Punta de Piedras. After approx. 40 min stopover by a shipwreck and snorkelling while exploring the reef that has overgrown the shipwreck. Arrive in Cubagua and swimming in the crystal clear sea. Lunch prepared by the crew of the boat. Mud therapy. Day trip Price - approx. 65 USD (includes snorkelling equipment, snacks, lunch, alcoholic drinks and soft drinks).
Canaima National Park – an airplane trip to the place of the oldest geological formations on Earth. This is one of the most beautiful places in Venezuela. Over the dense wilderness dominate bare table mountains, from where numerous waterfalls flow, and among them the world's highest waterfall - Salto Angel. If weather conditions permit, you will be able to admire it from the windows of the aircraft. An exciting trip to El Sapo or El Hacha waterfall, a cruise on the lake in an Indian canoe - Curiara - and lunch. Rest and fly to Margarita. Day trip Price - approx. 370 USD (includes: airfare, lunch, soft drinks; additionally payable: exit tax from Margarita approx. 10 USD, entry to Canaima National Park: approx. 20 USD).
Delta of the River Orinoco and Canaima National Park – the greatest attraction of Venezuela during a two-day trip. Flight from Porlamar airport to Tucupita and boat cruise through the channels of the delta of the River Orinoko to the hotel. During the cruise you can admire the views of the unspoilt tropical forest. Short rest at the hotel. Sail out to the delta and enter the jungle, fishing for piranhas, observation of flora and fauna, a visit to an Indian village, where you will be able to buy Indian handicrafts of the Warao tribe. Overnight stay in the hotel. Breakfast. Flight to Canaima National Park and an exciting excursion to the El Sapo or El Hacha waterfalls (if weather conditions allow), fly over the highest waterfall in the world Salto Angel. A cruise on the lake in an Indian canoe - Curiara. Lunch. Rest and fly to Margarita. Price - approx. 490 USD (includes: airfare, transport to the site, flight over
Salto Angel - if weather conditions allow, full board: breakfast, lunch, dinner, soft drinks; additionally payable: exit tax from Margarita approx. 20 USD, entry to Canaima National Park: approx. 20 USD). Los Roques National Park - true paradise on Earth. The archipelago consists of small, mostly unpopulated islets, coral reefs, and beaches of white sand, and the sea sparkles with all the shades of blue. The flight over the main island of the archipelago takes approx. 45 min. During the 2 days an unforgettable catamaran cruise amidst the picturesque islands, enjoying the fabulous underwater world while snorkelling. Overnight stay in one of the inns in true Caribbean style. Flight to Margarita after breakfast. Two-day trip. Price - approx. 370 USD (includes: airfare, catamaran cruise, accommodation, board: breakfast, lunch, dinner, soft drinks; additionally payable: exit tax from Margarita approx. 20 USD, entry to Los Roques National Park: approx. 20 USD).
Local excursions are organized by local travel agencies under the conditions fixed by them. It's possible to disorganize trips due to low number of applicants.
Jeep Safari - a trip to the south of the island, where there is Macanao Peninsula, characterised by a hilly, semi-desert landscape. Here is one of the greatest attractions of the island - La Restinga lagoon, which area is a national park which is home to flamingos, herons, parrots, pelicans and hawks, as well as marine species, such as sea horses and oysters. Along the coast extends the largest on the island 22-km strip of sandy beach. The programme includes a boat trip on the calm, beautiful lagoon, bathing by the beautiful Punta Arenas beach and lunch (in the afternoon hours). Passage through the La Sierra mountains, from where there is a wonderful view of the entire Macanao Peninsula. Day trip, in 4WD vehicles. Price – approx. 65 USD (includes dinner and local soft and alcoholic drinks all day).
Coche Island - a trip to the neighboring islet of Coche. After breakfast, transfer to the port from where a catamaran sails out and a pleasant, approximately 1-hour cruise to the scenic, snow-white Caribbean beach of the island of Coche. Relaxing on the beach (umbrellas, sunbeds, lunch and local soft drinks included in the price of the excursion). Day trip Price - approx. 75 USD (includes umbrellas, sunbeds, lunch and local soft drinks; additionally payable: exit tax from Margarita: approx. 1 USD).
Cubagua Island – a trip to the island situated to the southwest of Margarita, a place of the earliest settlement of the Spaniards, famous in the past for pearl fishing. The island is desert-like and only fishermen and pearl and oyster fishermen live here. Sail out by boat from Punta de Piedras. After approx. 40 min stopover by a shipwreck and snorkelling while exploring the reef that has overgrown the shipwreck. Arrive in Cubagua and swimming in the crystal clear sea. Lunch prepared by the crew of the boat. Mud therapy. Day trip Price - approx. 65 USD (includes snorkelling equipment, snacks, lunch, alcoholic drinks and soft drinks).
Canaima National Park – an airplane trip to the place of the oldest geological formations on Earth. This is one of the most beautiful places in Venezuela. Over the dense wilderness dominate bare table mountains, from where numerous waterfalls flow, and among them the world's highest waterfall - Salto Angel. If weather conditions permit, you will be able to admire it from the windows of the aircraft. An exciting trip to El Sapo or El Hacha waterfall, a cruise on the lake in an Indian canoe - Curiara - and lunch. Rest and fly to Margarita. Day trip Price - approx. 370 USD (includes: airfare, lunch, soft drinks; additionally payable: exit tax from Margarita approx. 10 USD, entry to Canaima National Park: approx. 20 USD).
Delta of the River Orinoco and Canaima National Park – the greatest attraction of Venezuela during a two-day trip. Flight from Porlamar airport to Tucupita and boat cruise through the channels of the delta of the River Orinoko to the hotel. During the cruise you can admire the views of the unspoilt tropical forest. Short rest at the hotel. Sail out to the delta and enter the jungle, fishing for piranhas, observation of flora and fauna, a visit to an Indian village, where you will be able to buy Indian handicrafts of the Warao tribe. Overnight stay in the hotel. Breakfast. Flight to Canaima National Park and an exciting excursion to the El Sapo or El Hacha waterfalls (if weather conditions allow), fly over the highest waterfall in the world Salto Angel. A cruise on the lake in an Indian canoe - Curiara. Lunch. Rest and fly to Margarita. Price - approx. 490 USD (includes: airfare, transport to the site, flight over
Salto Angel - if weather conditions allow, full board: breakfast, lunch, dinner, soft drinks; additionally payable: exit tax from Margarita approx. 20 USD, entry to Canaima National Park: approx. 20 USD). Los Roques National Park - true paradise on Earth. The archipelago consists of small, mostly unpopulated islets, coral reefs, and beaches of white sand, and the sea sparkles with all the shades of blue. The flight over the main island of the archipelago takes approx. 45 min. During the 2 days an unforgettable catamaran cruise amidst the picturesque islands, enjoying the fabulous underwater world while snorkelling. Overnight stay in one of the inns in true Caribbean style. Flight to Margarita after breakfast. Two-day trip. Price - approx. 370 USD (includes: airfare, catamaran cruise, accommodation, board: breakfast, lunch, dinner, soft drinks; additionally payable: exit tax from Margarita approx. 20 USD, entry to Los Roques National Park: approx. 20 USD).
Local excursions are organized by local travel agencies under the conditions fixed by them. It's possible to disorganize trips due to low number of applicants.