Isla Margarita Travel Guide
Fondly known as the 'Pearl of the Caribbean', Isla Margarita is part of the Nueva Esparta state, which includes three islands off the north coast of Venezuela, namely Margarita, Coche and Cubagua. The destination features palm-fringed beaches, crystal-clear azure waters, and vast sugary white sands set against high mountains, and is a favourite for many tourists.
Year-round sunshine and a tropical climate create a laid-back atmosphere full of distinct character, and visitors can enjoy world-class scuba diving, kayaking, windsurfing and hiking. Two land masses make up Isla Margarita, and are connected by a stretch of sand where the breath-taking Restinga Lagoon National Park is located.
Many travellers come here on shopping sprees thanks to Isla Margarita's duty-free status. The capital, La Asunción, features magnificent colonial Spanish architecture dating back to the 1500s and, to the west, the Macanao Peninsula has some of the most pristine and isolated beaches in the Caribbean. Visitors can enjoy coconut ice cream while relaxing on sandy shores or sip their favourite cocktail at a local beach bar as the sun sets.