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 Cruisin-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
-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
-30 minutes or 1 hour boat tour (not included in price)
• Visit Boca de Rio's Marine Museum
• Beach time
-1 or 2 hours at a nice beach of your choice or a recommended one
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Thursday, August 12, 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Research Your Destination before You Travel
Traveling to a different country? Below are a few things you should know before you go.
1. Do some research and learn as much as you can about your destination.
2. Check to see what type of weather the area has so you can plan accordingly.
3. Check with the U.S. State Department concerning safety warnings for U.S. tourists at your destination.
4. Find out if you will need a passport to enter the country. Make sure your passport is up to date and valid. Some countries will not let you in if your passport will expire within six months of your return home, so extend it if you are close to expiration.
5. Find out if you will need any visas to enter the country.
6. Check to see what other type of paperwork and documentation you will need to travel.
7. Find out what type of diseases are common to the area you’ll be visiting and take actions to prevent your exposure to those diseases.
8. Find out what types of vaccinations you will need to enter the country, there may also be medications you’ll need to take before, during and even after your trip.
9. Find out what type of electrical outlets the country uses, you may need a special converter or adapter to use your electrical appliances.
10. Check your own medical coverage to see what type of coverage you’ll have when away from home. Consider purchasing trip insurance.
11. Do some research about the costs of local items so you can set your budget. Don't forget to budget for taxes and tipping, many governments charge high taxes for travel related services.
12. Check the financial section of your newspaper, they usually post exchange rates. Checking in advance can give you an idea of how much you’ll need to budget.
13. Do some research with U.S. Customs to find out what you can take with you and what you may bring back.
14. Build some basic language skills in the local language.
15. Check the dates of local major holidays, since services may be limited on those dates.
16. If you plan on driving, investigate the local road conditions, laws and other driving requirements.
17. Most of the world uses the metric system, so try to become familiar with this system. 1 kilometer = .62 miles so 100 kilometers per hour = 62 miles per hour.
1. Do some research and learn as much as you can about your destination.
2. Check to see what type of weather the area has so you can plan accordingly.
3. Check with the U.S. State Department concerning safety warnings for U.S. tourists at your destination.
4. Find out if you will need a passport to enter the country. Make sure your passport is up to date and valid. Some countries will not let you in if your passport will expire within six months of your return home, so extend it if you are close to expiration.
5. Find out if you will need any visas to enter the country.
6. Check to see what other type of paperwork and documentation you will need to travel.
7. Find out what type of diseases are common to the area you’ll be visiting and take actions to prevent your exposure to those diseases.
8. Find out what types of vaccinations you will need to enter the country, there may also be medications you’ll need to take before, during and even after your trip.
9. Find out what type of electrical outlets the country uses, you may need a special converter or adapter to use your electrical appliances.
10. Check your own medical coverage to see what type of coverage you’ll have when away from home. Consider purchasing trip insurance.
11. Do some research about the costs of local items so you can set your budget. Don't forget to budget for taxes and tipping, many governments charge high taxes for travel related services.
12. Check the financial section of your newspaper, they usually post exchange rates. Checking in advance can give you an idea of how much you’ll need to budget.
13. Do some research with U.S. Customs to find out what you can take with you and what you may bring back.
14. Build some basic language skills in the local language.
15. Check the dates of local major holidays, since services may be limited on those dates.
16. If you plan on driving, investigate the local road conditions, laws and other driving requirements.
17. Most of the world uses the metric system, so try to become familiar with this system. 1 kilometer = .62 miles so 100 kilometers per hour = 62 miles per hour.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Learn The History of Isla Margarita
Want to learn a little history about Isla Margarita during your vacation at Caracola Beach and Spa Resort? Below are just a few of the places you should visit.
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 often filled with sailboats from around the world.
Diocesan Museum
The Diocesan Museum is located next to the La Virgin Del Valle Church, showcasing a diversity of offerings granted by the faithful devotes of the Virgin.
Here guests can admire all the offerings from the parishioners, the dresses of the Virgin, objects that belong to the church, and paintings where numerous scenes depict the Virgin Mary and her miracles.
The museum is open from 9am to 12pm, and from 2pm until 5pm.
San Nicholas de Bari Church
The first church that was originally built on this site was looted and burned down by pirates in 1555. From there, worship was held in a home until San Nicolas de Bari Church was built 400 years later.
San Nicolas de Bari Church showcases the history of this island and is an important landmark to the locals, which makes this church a must see site when visiting.
DID YOU KNOW?
Christopher Columbus discovered Isla Margarita in 1498 during his third voyage to America.
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 often filled with sailboats from around the world.
Diocesan Museum
The Diocesan Museum is located next to the La Virgin Del Valle Church, showcasing a diversity of offerings granted by the faithful devotes of the Virgin.
Here guests can admire all the offerings from the parishioners, the dresses of the Virgin, objects that belong to the church, and paintings where numerous scenes depict the Virgin Mary and her miracles.
The museum is open from 9am to 12pm, and from 2pm until 5pm.
San Nicholas de Bari Church
The first church that was originally built on this site was looted and burned down by pirates in 1555. From there, worship was held in a home until San Nicolas de Bari Church was built 400 years later.
San Nicolas de Bari Church showcases the history of this island and is an important landmark to the locals, which makes this church a must see site when visiting.
DID YOU KNOW?
Christopher Columbus discovered Isla Margarita in 1498 during his third voyage to America.
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