Caracola Beach and Spa Resort Opening in July 2011

Caracola Beach and Spa Resort, on Isla Margarita, is set to open in July 2011.

The resort will feature 1244 one and two bedroom luxury suites spread over 15 floors with nearly all having breathtaking views of the Caribbean Sea.

Each deluxe condominium will be constructed of the highest standards and will feature a fully-fitted modern kitchen, inviting living room, tranquil balcony, and climate controlled air conditioning system. These spectacular units will be the ultimate in comfort and luxury.

The resort will offer its guests many amenities including four pools with waterslides, lazy river, swim up bar, four restaurants plus a night club, high end duty free shopping, and a salon and spa.

Isla Margarita is located outside of the hurricane belt, placing it in a very comfortable environment which offers warm days and cool nights. This pristine location in the Caribbean provides guests with fairly consistent 80 degree days amongst dramatic mountainous terrain, lush vegetation, flora and fauna, and many spectacular sandy beaches.

For more information regarding Caracola Beach and Spa Resort and its amenities, please visit www.CaracolaBeachSpaResort.com.

Invest in Caracola Beach and Spa Resort

Looking for the perfect vacation home? Here is a list of ten reasons why Caracola Beach and Spa Resort, on Isla Margarita, will be your best Caribbean investment.

• All properties are sold fully furnished with air conditioning
• Isla Margarita is the only Caribbean Island outside of the hurricane belt
• Last apart-hotel directly on the beach in an area with a shortage of top quality accommodations
• Guaranteed minimum 7% per annum net rental return for 10 years, increasing to 8.25% for last 5 years, if resort occupancy reaches 75% in year 5
• Low deposit (only 30%) goes into ESCROW
• All properties are freehold, which includes no maintenance or service fees
• Pre-launch prices with excellent scope for capital growth
• World class rental and management company
• Best-in-class developer, proven track record
• Tax efficient ownership

Experience All of Margarita Island on a Jeep Tour

When visiting Caracola Beach and Spa Resort, an exciting way to experience Isla Margarita is by a jeep tour. One of the best jeep tours on Isla Margarita is Crusin-N-Style. Tours run from 4 to 8 hours and although there is a typical route in place, outlines can be adjusted according to preference.

Basic outline for a 4 hour tour: ($90 U.S. Dollars Total)

• Visit a historic castle
• Stop at an old fort (not necessarily for the historical value but for the scenic view)
• Visit a few famous churches
• Stop by La Sierra (El Copey), which is the highest mountain peak that can be driven to on the island
• Visit Botanical Gardens
• Stop at Margarita's most famous beach known as Playa el Agua
• Mini flea market shopping
• Drive through Juan Greigo (known for sunsets, shopping and beautiful beaches)
• Drive around the northern tip of the island where you can take scenic pictures.

Basic outline for a 6 hour tour: ($110 U.S. Dollars Total)

Includes what is stated in a 4 hour tour plus:

• Stop for lunch or snack (not included in price)
• Downtown shopping or flea market shopping
• Visit La Restinga National Park
o 30 minutes or 1 hour boat tour (not included in price)

Basic outline for an 8 hour tour: ($130 U.S. Dollars Total)
Includes what is stated in a 4 hour tour plus:

• Stop for lunch and try Margarita's authentic food (not included in price)
• Downtown shopping or flea market shopping
• Visit La Restinga National Park
o 30 minutes or 1 hour boat tour (not included in price)
• Visit Boca de Rio's Marine Museum
• Beach time
o 1 or 2 hours at a nice beach of your choice or a recommended one.

Top Restaurants on Isla Margarita

During your visit to Caracola Beach and Spa Resort, be sure to visit at least one of these fantastic restaurants during your stay.

Casa Caranta

Housed in a beautifully restored colonial-era house in downtown Pampatar, this creative restaurant is a must stop on any visit to Isla Margarita. 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 gets going after around 10pm each evening.
Location: Pampatar Cuisine: Seafood Main Courses: ($8.85-$20)

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).
Location: Playa El Agau Cuisine: South American Main Courses: ($5.00-$15.00)

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.
Location: Porlamar Cuisine: Japanese and Peruvian Main Courses: ($6.00-$13.00)

Experience Isla Margarita Through Gringo Rent-A-Car

While staying at Caracola Beach and Spa Resort, why not rent a car to better experience the island? Now you can do just that through Gringo Rent-A-Car.

Gringo Rent-A-Car offers an English speaking staff, exceptional customer service, documents in both English and Spanish, and an online booking service. When you reserve a Gringo Rent-A-Car you will be assured that your car will be waiting for you at the airport or at your hotel, depending on your preference.

Should you not have an island compatible cell phone, Gringo Rent-A-Car will lend you a phone to use free of charge. The phone will provide you with access to a bilingual customer service representative, which is an invaluable service should you be stopped by the authorities for any reason or need assistance with your vehicle.

All vehicles are dealer maintained and have full liability insurance. Prices start at $30.00 per day and include unlimited mileage.

For more information on Caracola Beach and Spa Resort and other amenities of Isla Margarita, please visit www.CaracolaBeachSpaResort.com.

Enjoy The Major Cities of Isla Margarita

When staying at Caracola Beach and Spa Resort, be sure to check out one, or all, of Isla Margarita’s major cities. Each city is sure to offer its visitors something different.

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. The city also has two major beaches: Playa Moreno and Playa Guacuco.

Pampatar- This is the home to most of the largest shopping malls on Isla Margarita, including Sambil Margarita, Rattan Depot, Centro Commercial Avenida Bolivar, and La Redoma. It also houses 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.

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.

Juan Griego- This city has small shopping centers and beaches but is well known for the fortress La Galera. La Galera is not far from the center of the city and it is where the fierce battle of independence was fought in the 1820’s.

Helpful Travel Tips When Visiting Isla Margarita

Transportation: The public transportation systems on Isla Margarita will take you around the island, but if you are in a hurry it is better to choose another alternative, such as a taxi.

Water: The consumption of tap water is not recommended, instead drink mineral or filtered water.

Travel: Isla Margarita offers many different ways to get to the island. The easiest way is by plane from Caracas, via the Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, using any major international airline to reach Caracas, and then taking a local airline to the island itself. Another way to get to Margarita Island is by ferry from Puerto La Cruz or Cumaná. Today the ferry company offers different types of ferries, some of them will take you in about 4 hours however the ferry express will only take you 2 hours.

Currency: US dollars are widely accepted in the commercial establishments, as well as traveler checks and credit cards. Almost any foreign currency is negotiable in banks or an exchange house, as well as in hotels.

Communication: On the island you can find newspapers, both regional and national; they have five TV channels as well as 9 broadcasting AM and FM stations. Isla Margarita has direct international calling, but if you prefer, you will be able to access an operator for assistance by calling 122. You can also find companies offering all types of communication services, fax, e-mails, satellite access, etc.
Documentation: In order to enter, it is necessary to have a valid passport, a tourist visa, or a tourist card that is given in the port of origin.

Public Telephones: You will find many public phones spread throughout airports, hotels, restaurants, and streets. These phones operate with prepaid phone cards, which can be bought in any library, drug store, newspaper stand and many other kinds of shops. Santiago Mariño International Airport also rents out cell phones for those looking to take a phone with them where they go.

Tipping: At the bottom of the restaurant and bar bills, you will notice a percentage added for service. Apart from that, and naturally depending on your satisfaction with the service, its custom to leave around an additional 5%. Tips are also very welcome at tourist excursions, bellboy services at the hotel, etc.
To learn more about Isla Margarita, please visit www.caracolabeachsparesort.com.

Enjoy One Of The Top Excursions on Isla Margarita

Excursions on Isla Margarita are definitely the best way to see the island, its surrounding areas, and overall, experience the enchanting beauty of the Caribbean when visiting Caracola Beach and Spa Resort.

Here is a list of the top 8 excursions:

Los Roques- The clear, calm waters and white sand beaches will surround you in this true paradise. The National Park of Los Roques is comprised of more than 350 islands and a number of coral banks, keys, and small desolate islands for enjoying and exploring.

La Blanquilla- Here you will be able to swim under cliffs and find backwaters of interior beaches whose pearly white sands and clear waters have made this destination a must see site. You will also find the perfect cliffs for wall diving in this area.

Coche- Spend your whole day kitesurfing on the super flat waters with a consistent offshore wind in this ideal location. Those who have visited Coche believe it is one of the most idyllic and tranquil places in the world to sail!

Cubagua- Thanks to the influence of a nearby ocean trench, the water of the bay stays in the upper 60s to low 70s year round and it is still possible to find oysters here. Ruins from the past can be found on the eastern side and provide guests with a perfect opportunity to explore the history of Cubagua.

Araya- The Araya Peninsula is famous for its salt production and in 1622, during the Spanish domination, a castle was built to protect what was then called "white gold". Visitors can experience the ruins of the Castle of Araya and enjoy its white beaches, take a stroll on the salt crusts of the Laguna Madre with its contrasting colors, and overall enjoy this incredible landscape.

Canaima- This is one of the more impressive tourist destinations around the area. The Canaima lagoon is fed by several small waterfalls, and all of which can be enjoyed from a Curiara (a long canoe) to provide you with a closer view. Something really surprising about this area is the color of the water and the sand. Due to the abundance of minerals, the water takes on red color and the sand is a beautiful light pink, because of the presence of quartz.

Delta del Orinoco- An extensive swimming region with an intricate vegetation growth of mangrove trees and tropical forest offers adventurers the opportunity to get acquainted with nature and with the indigenous communities.

La Gran Sabana- Landscapes of impressive beauty are what the tourist will find in this vast natural conservatory. The region is one of the more privileged places in the world with the famous Tepuys (flat top mountains), the oldest mountains on earth, and the world’s highest waterfalls, The Angel Falls. More than 9000 feet of height and 3000 million years of age is enough reason to visit this unforgettable place.

Visit Isla Margarita’s Plaza Bolivar

Isla Margarita, home to Caracola Beach and Spa Resort, is also the home to many other important sites located around the area, including the City of Porlamar.
In Porlamar, you will find the Plaza Bolivar named after Simon Bolivar, which is the most important public space and Ceremonial Square in Porlamar.

Plaza Bolivar is a pedestrian friendly area which offers visitors plenty of ubiquitous shops for exploring. This plaza is also the social center of the city where people meet to hang out, play a game of chess, or provide entertainment to other visitors of the area.

For more information regarding Caracola Beach and Spa Resort and other attractions in the area, please visit www.CaracolaBeachSpaResort.com.

Visit the Ruins of Caranta Fort on Isla Margarita

When visiting Caracola Beach and Spa Resort on Isla Margarita, be sure you have a chance to check out the ruins of Caranta Fort.

Caranta Fort is located on top of La Caranta hill and was built between 1586 and 1595. It was originally built to shut off access to the bay and shoreline but before it could perform this duty it was destroyed during an attack by Dutch pirates in 1626.

Today, the ruins of Caranta Fort still have a few original cannons pointing towards the ocean that visitors can experience. La Caranta hill also provides visitors with a world class view of the bay which is always filled with sailboats from around the world.

For more information on Caracola Beach and Spa and other local attractions in the area, please visit www.caracolabeachsparesort.com.