Isla Margarita Has a Lot to Offer Its Visitors

If you are looking for the complete Isla Margarita experience, be sure to visit some of the attractions listed below.

Cities and Towns

Porlamar- This is the biggest city on Isla Margarita and is known for its commercial center. It has a wide variety of shops and restaurants, sure to appeal to every taste. Boulevard Guevara, a narrow, store-lined road, is the best place to shop at good prices. Porlamar has the highest concentration of shops, restaurants, bars, and dance clubs on Margarita.

Pampatar- This is about 6 miles northeast of Porlamar but is much more picturesque and calm. Founded in 1535 around the island's most protected deep-water harbor, Pampatar still retains much of its colonial-era flavor and architecture. The main attraction here is the Castillo de San Carlos de Borromeo, which was constructed entirely of coral and built on the waterfront of the town center to protect the bay of Pampatar. Across from the fort, you'll find the Iglesia de Santísimo Cristo del Buen Viaje, a church of great importance to the sailors and fishermen of Isla Margarita.

La Asuncion- This is the oldest city on Isla Margarita and is the capital of the Federal State of Nueva Esparta. It is also the center of the commercial and manufacturing industries, which include the growing of cotton, sugarcane, coconuts, and cassava. The city's church, La Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, is said to be the oldest in Venezuela. A few minutes from the center of town is the Castillo de Santa Rosa, another of the island's historic and battle-worn forts.

Beaches

Playa El Agua - A long, broad, straight stretch of white sand with moderate surf, backed by palm trees and a broad selection of restaurants and shops.

Playa Parguito - Has begun to rival El Agua in terms of popularity. Both of these beaches can get packed on weekends and during peak periods.

Manzanillo – One of the least developed beaches, meaning it is often quite deserted. It also offers a great place to watch sunsets.

Playa Pampatar - One of the least attractive beaches on the island, but quite popular with locals. It is lined with a string of simple restaurants set on the sand, just a few yards from the sea.

National Parks

La Restinga National Park - This 26,429-acre park encompasses an area of mangroves, marshland, sandbar, and coral-sand beaches making a natural land bridge between the two islands that today are Isla Margarita. A visit to the park usually involves a boat tour through the mangroves, followed by some beach time on the 6-mile stretch of beach that forms the isthmus uniting the two sides of Margarita. You'll find some simple beachside restaurants and souvenir stands here as well.

Islas Coche & Cubagua - The entire state of Nueva Esparta is made up of Isla Margarita and two much smaller neighboring islands, Isla Coche and Isla Cubagua. The pearl beds off these two islands were major sources of wealth during the colonial period. Both islands are popular destinations for day cruises, which bring folks to their pristine and nearly deserted beaches. Isla Coche has some development and rolling hills, while Isla Cubagua is mostly barren, flat, and undeveloped.

Enjoy the Many Restaurants Near Caracola Beach and Spa Resort

Casa Caranta
Check out Casa Caranta, housed in a beautifully restored colonial-era house in downtown Pampatar. Italy, Asia, and America are the principal inspirations for the regularly changing menu, which is handwritten on a few large chalkboards and brought to your table. Options range from homemade pasta with shrimp and porcini mushrooms, to fresh grouper in a green curry sauce. With live entertainment most nights, this restaurant really turns into a fun meeting place around 10pm each evening.

El Pacífico
This is the best beachside joint of all the restaurants that line the strip of Playa El Agua. Get a table near the large windows overlooking the sea, or live dangerously and dine at a table under one of the tall coconut palms. Start things off with the plato de pescado ahumado (plate of smoked fish) and follow it with the fresh grilled red snapper or langostinos al parchita (jumbo shrimp in passion-fruit sauce).

Nikkei
This stylish restaurant serves up a wide range of traditional and fusion creations from the cuisines of Peru, Japan and a few of other Asian countries. The second-floor dining room is actually a large loft, with walls of solid glass on all sides. You may want to start with a Salad Nikkei, a small bowl of fresh mixed greens and seaweed in a ginger, honey-mustard vinaigrette, where bits of fried salmon skin take the place of croutons. It is recommended that you try to mix and match dishes for a Pan-Asian/Peruvian feast. Don't let the small sushi bar fool you; the sushi here is excellent.

Hard Rock Café
Looking for something a little more familiar? Check out the 5th Hard Rock Cafe to open in the Caribbean!

This 3,280-square-foot, two-story Hard Rock Cafe features an outstanding menu, collectible merchandise, and a world-renowned memorabilia collection for your viewing pleasure. Some of the many pieces of memorabilia on display include items from contemporary stars, as well as items from rock legends, including a costume worn by KISS guitarist Paul Stanley and Carlos Santana’s guitar.

Hard Rock Café Margarita was recently named Café of the Year in the Hard Rock International – Franchise Awards!

Isla Margarita is a ‘Top 10 Beach Resort Destination’!

Looking for the perfect South American beach resort destination?

Well look no further than Caracola Beach and Spa Resort on Isla Margarita!

Whether you are looking for a party or looking to relax, Isla Margarita is sure to provide you with exactly what you’re looking for.

Isla Margarita has even been named a “Top 10 Beach Resort Destination” by http://www.bigtravelweb.com/!

The best time to visit Isla Margarita is mid June to mid September, December to April, and during Carnival in February. For other helpful overseas travel tips, visit Helpful Travel Tips for Visiting Isla Margarita.