Best Place to Catch a Sunset:
There is almost nothing better than watching a spectacular sunset while on vacation, and Isla Margarita is said to have some of the most stunning! The best place to catch one of these sunsets is around the town of Juangriego, which offers both the best sunset location and the best view of the sunset. To see one of these spectacular, colorful Caribbean sunsets, check out Bahia de la Galera Beach. This beach is located in a calm bay with miles of white sand.
Best Place to Look for a Handcrafted Souvenir:
The first place worth checking out is El Cercado. This is a remote town where most of the people are dedicated to handicraft manufacturing. El Cercado gives you the chance to buy the product directly from the supplier. Plus, you may be able to experience watching how it was made!
The second place to check out is Tacarigua. This town has kept its traditional handicraft stalls, which are lined along a paved road that crosses the center of the village. Tacarigua offers handicrafts, including: baskets, hats, sandals, ceramics, leather belts, folklore instruments and the best quality hammocks ever made in Venezuela.
Best Location for Shopping:
One of the best shopping locations is Guevara’s Boulevard, which offers a great variety of goods at reasonable prices. Stores line this boulevard as it extends to meet the Old Porlamar’s Harbor Side Market. Historically, this was the area where locals came to sell their goods, and others, to buy them. Watermelons, live animals, salt, and fresh, live fish, were sold in every conceivable corner. Stalls even extended onto the water where fish caught on that day was sold faster and at higher prices. Guevara’s Boulevard is located to the south of Bolivar Square.
Another great shopping location is 4 de Mayo, which is the city’s main avenue. 4 de Mayo (May 4th) was named after Margarita’s liberation from the Spanish which took place on this date. The fanciest and more expensive stores are located here, selling duty free, imported goods from all over world.
Best Location for Sightseeing:
Romulo Gallegos Pathway is a great sightseeing location which provides visitors with a nice place to walk close to the sea and to admire the colorful scenery. It is recommended to walk during daylight hours to get the most out of the area. This pathway begins in the Old Market and follows around the Guaraguao Coast until reaching Bella Vista Beach, with wooden fishing boats moored along its bay.
Bella Vista Beach is another great sightseeing location and offers a beautiful forest of palm trees. The beach here is almost a mile long and located on a calm bay. The water is not very deep here and the sand is very soft, making it perfect for families. This beach also has many services available.
Another great sightseeing location is La Caracola Beach in Porlamar. It is also Porlamar’s longest beach at about 2 miles long. This beach is mostly used by the guests staying at the group of hotels and resorts located right in front of it. To the southern end, there is a lagoon and a sand pit that separates it from the sea. You can drive along the beach on the coastal paved road, which takes you parallel to the sea at a distance of about 300 feet. There is strong surf and little shade here, but the breeze is very refreshing and the sea view is spectacular. You can also admire a small island on the horizon called El Farayon.
Showing posts with label Porlamar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Porlamar. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 2, 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.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Must See Sites when Visiting Caracola Beach and Spa Resort
Margarita Tropical Gardens and Labyrinth
Be sure to visit the Caribbean’s only multi-species labyrinth, Margarita Tropical Gardens and Labyrinth, open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Here you will be accompanied by monkeys and other entertaining species as you wander through a maze of tropical plants and unique trees.
This one-of-a-kind park is divided into four areas. The first area includes vegetation which grows between sea level and 400 m above sea level, including different species of cactus, spiny bushes, and the emblematic tree of Nueva Esparta, the Guayacan.
The second area, The Flower Garden, includes the greatest number of flower species on Isla Margarita. Here you will also come in contact with mango, native plum, bananas, sugar cane, and guava trees.
The third area includes plant species which grow above 400m sea level, which consists of bromeliads, orchids, callas, fern pal trees, and climbing ferns.
The fourth area consists of a pond where you can watch and interact with some of the tropical fauna, turtles, black spiders, royal parrots, a boa constrictor, and a Capuchino monkey named Pancho.
Kingdom of MUSIPAN
If you are looking for a way to entertain your children, be sure to visit The Kingdom of MUSIPAN.
The Kingdom of MUSIPAN is a tourist based theme park based on the descriptions of Benjamin Rausseo, who is a well-known humorist of the area. The theme park offers its guests a variety of different swimming pools, waterslides, and restaurants to enjoy. The park also offers an animal farm, children’s play area, theater, and cinema.
While there, don’t miss the professional greased pig capturing contest, which is the official sport of the kingdom.
Porlamar Lighthouse
When visiting Isla Margarita, be sure to visit the Porlamar Lighthouse, which is one of the city’s most impressive historical landmarks.
The Porlamar Lighthouse, also known as El Faro de la Puntilla, is located east of Calle la Marina on the waterfront of Porlamar. This octagonal masonry tower, painted with pink and white horizontal bands has been located here since 1896.
The best time to visit is in the late afternoon because you’ll be assured of a great sunset and the spectacle of seeing hundreds of pelicans settling on the beach.
Isla Margarita Golf Club
Avid golfer? You will be happy to know that there is in fact a golf course on Isla Margarita, the Isla Margarita Golf Club.
The course features 18 holes and is a par 70 course. This course does not offer tee times, instead it works on a first come, first serve basis. However, there is usually no problem getting on this course except during busy national holidays like Christmas and Easter. During the low season months of April, May, June, October, and November you will most likely even have the course to yourself.
Course fees run anywhere from US$40 to US$80 depending on the time of year, but by paying in Bolivars you can reduce this cost and save yourself some money.
Caddies, pull carts, electric carts, and rental clubs are also available for your convenience.
Be sure to visit the Caribbean’s only multi-species labyrinth, Margarita Tropical Gardens and Labyrinth, open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Here you will be accompanied by monkeys and other entertaining species as you wander through a maze of tropical plants and unique trees.
This one-of-a-kind park is divided into four areas. The first area includes vegetation which grows between sea level and 400 m above sea level, including different species of cactus, spiny bushes, and the emblematic tree of Nueva Esparta, the Guayacan.
The second area, The Flower Garden, includes the greatest number of flower species on Isla Margarita. Here you will also come in contact with mango, native plum, bananas, sugar cane, and guava trees.
The third area includes plant species which grow above 400m sea level, which consists of bromeliads, orchids, callas, fern pal trees, and climbing ferns.
The fourth area consists of a pond where you can watch and interact with some of the tropical fauna, turtles, black spiders, royal parrots, a boa constrictor, and a Capuchino monkey named Pancho.
Kingdom of MUSIPAN
If you are looking for a way to entertain your children, be sure to visit The Kingdom of MUSIPAN.
The Kingdom of MUSIPAN is a tourist based theme park based on the descriptions of Benjamin Rausseo, who is a well-known humorist of the area. The theme park offers its guests a variety of different swimming pools, waterslides, and restaurants to enjoy. The park also offers an animal farm, children’s play area, theater, and cinema.
While there, don’t miss the professional greased pig capturing contest, which is the official sport of the kingdom.
Porlamar Lighthouse
When visiting Isla Margarita, be sure to visit the Porlamar Lighthouse, which is one of the city’s most impressive historical landmarks.
The Porlamar Lighthouse, also known as El Faro de la Puntilla, is located east of Calle la Marina on the waterfront of Porlamar. This octagonal masonry tower, painted with pink and white horizontal bands has been located here since 1896.
The best time to visit is in the late afternoon because you’ll be assured of a great sunset and the spectacle of seeing hundreds of pelicans settling on the beach.
Isla Margarita Golf Club
Avid golfer? You will be happy to know that there is in fact a golf course on Isla Margarita, the Isla Margarita Golf Club.
The course features 18 holes and is a par 70 course. This course does not offer tee times, instead it works on a first come, first serve basis. However, there is usually no problem getting on this course except during busy national holidays like Christmas and Easter. During the low season months of April, May, June, October, and November you will most likely even have the course to yourself.
Course fees run anywhere from US$40 to US$80 depending on the time of year, but by paying in Bolivars you can reduce this cost and save yourself some money.
Caddies, pull carts, electric carts, and rental clubs are also available for your convenience.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Enjoy Exploring 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.
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.
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