Cidade Turismo
Venezuela
Ilha Margarita

Nova Esparta · Venezuela

Ilha Margarita

The largest island of Venezuela, in the Caribbean: palm-lined beaches like Playa El Agua, Spanish castles in Pampatar and La Asunción, the sunset at Juan Griego and the mangrove channels of La Restinga.

Oriente e Ilhas

In the photo: Playa El Agua

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

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Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Margarita is the largest island of Venezuela, in the Caribbean Sea, about 40 km off the coast of the state of Sucre. Together with Coche and Cubagua it forms the state of Nova Esparta. The island has two parts connected by a narrow sandy isthmus: to the east, the more populated area with towns, beaches and castles; to the west, the Macanao peninsula, drier and wilder. Between them lies the Laguna de La Restinga, a national mangrove park.

Columbus passed by the island in 1498, and the name comes from the pearls that the Spanish exploited in the 16th century. From that past remain the forts built against pirate and Dutch attacks: the Castillo de San Carlos Borromeo on the waterfront of Pampatar, and the Castillo de Santa Rosa high above La Asunción, the state capital. The island's resistance during the independence period, remembered at the Fortín de La Galera in Juan Griego, gave the state the name Nova Esparta.

Porlamar is the largest city and the island's commercial center, with hotels, restaurants and shops, and Pampatar, 10 km away, is the neighboring colonial port, now surrounded by hotels and shopping centers. The beaches stretch along the coast: Playa El Agua, with kilometers of sand and coconut trees on the northeast coast, and the bay of Juan Griego in the northwest, known for its sunset. In the valley north of Porlamar, the Basílica da Virgem do Vale houses the patron saint of eastern Venezuela.

You can get there by plane from Caracas and other cities, or by ferry from Puerto La Cruz and Cumaná.

This destination brings together 1 city: Porlamar.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Ilha Margarita is
Porlamar

Contornos: INE da Venezuela e OCHA, via geoBoundaries (CC BY 3.0 IGO). Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Ilha Margarita

✈ Aeropuerto Internacional del Caribe Santiago Mariño (PMV) · 20 km to Porlamar

Check before you buy. Margarita's airport is in the south of the island, about 20 km from Porlamar, with flights from Caracas and other cities. By ferry, crossings depart from Puerto La Cruz and Cumaná and arrive at Punta de Piedras.

The local experience

Things to do in Ilha Margarita

Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Valle
Porlamar · Nova Esparta · Church

Basílica de Nuestra Señora del Valle

The sanctuary of the Virgem do Vale, patron saint of eastern Venezuela and of fishermen, in El Valle del Espíritu Santo, 5 km from Porlamar. The neo-Gothic church, pink and white, receives pilgrims year-round and holds a major festival on September 8.

Castillo de Santa Rosa
Porlamar · Nova Esparta · Fortress

Castillo de Santa Rosa

The Spanish fort atop a hill in La Asunción, the capital of Margarita, completed in 1682. The walls protect the cell where the heroine Luisa Cáceres de Arismendi was imprisoned and open out over the valley of Santa Lucía and the east coast.

Playa El Agua
Porlamar · Nova Esparta · Beach

Playa El Agua

The best-known beach of Margarita, on the northeast coast: about 4 km of light, fine sand, coconut palms, fish restaurants under the palms and open sea with waves. It is about 25 km from Porlamar.

Fortín de La Galera
Porlamar · Nova Esparta · Fortress

Fortín de La Galera

The fort atop the hill overlooking the bay of Juan Griego, in northwest Margarita, linked to the island's independence history in 1817. It is the island's most popular viewpoint for the sunset.

See 2 more places in Ilha Margarita
Parque Nacional Laguna de La Restinga
Porlamar · Nova Esparta · National park

Parque Nacional Laguna de La Restinga

The mangrove lagoon that connects the two parts of Margarita, protected as a national park since 1974. Fishing boats travel the channels under the mangrove branches to a beach of more than 20 km, with shells and fish and oyster kiosks.

Castillo de San Carlos Borromeo
Porlamar · Nova Esparta · Fortress

Castillo de San Carlos Borromeo

The 17th-century Spanish fort on the waterfront of Pampatar, built of coral stone to protect the port from pirates and privateers. It has star-shaped walls, a moat, cannons facing the bay and, opposite it, the church of Cristo del Buen Viaje.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

The climate is warm and dry year-round, with temperatures around 27 °C and plenty of sun. Rains are few and brief, more common between June and August and between November and January. Venezuelan holidays, from July to September, and the holidays in December, Carnival and Holy Week fill the island. On September 8, the feast of the Virgen del Valle attracts pilgrims to El Valle del Espíritu Santo.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Four days are enough for a tour of the island: Pampatar and La Asunción in one day, Playa El Agua and Juan Griego the next, La Restinga on a third day and one free beach day. With a week there's time to include the Macanao peninsula and extra days by the sea.

Which city to stay in

Porlamar concentrates hotels, restaurants and shops, with shopping avenues and the Bella Vista waterfront. Pampatar and the coast between the two towns have beachfront hotels and resorts. On the northeast coast, Playa El Agua and Pedro González have guesthouses and beach hotels, more tranquil. In El Yaque, to the south near the airport, are the guesthouses for windsurfing and kitesurfing enthusiasts.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Ilha Margarita

Do I need a car in Margarita?

It helps a lot. The beaches, the castles and La Restinga are spread out, 20 to 40 minutes from Porlamar. Without a car, you can use a taxi with a driver for the day or take excursions that circle the island.

How do you get to Margarita?

By plane, to the airport in the south of the island, about 20 km from Porlamar, with flights from Caracas and other cities. By ferry, from Puerto La Cruz or Cumaná, to Punta de Piedras.

How many days should you stay on the island?

Four days to see Pampatar, La Asunción, Playa El Agua, Juan Griego and La Restinga, with one beach day. A week to include Macanao and additional days of relaxation.

Which is the best beach in Margarita?

It depends on what you're looking for. Playa El Agua is the most famous, long and lined with coconut trees; Juan Griego has a calm bay and sunsets; the beach at La Restinga is long and empty; El Yaque has winds for windsurfing and kitesurfing.

Why is the state called Nova Esparta?

Because of the islanders' resistance during the independence era, remembered at the Fortín de La Galera in Juan Griego. The name compares the people of Margarita to the Spartans of ancient Greece.

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