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.