La Isla Margarita is an island in the Caribbean Sea about 25 kilometers north of the mainland of Venezuela . The island is a very popular tourist center due to its climate and its beaches.
While mainland Venezuela, especially Caracas, has significant security problems for tourists, Isla de Margarita is relatively untouched by these problems and popular with European visitors.
Trips
Margarita Island International Airport offers a number of direct flights from the US from cities such as Miami and New York. In addition, connecting flights are available in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela.
Ferries are available from the mainland, although travel times can be slow, and the boats can be crowded and expensive. Numerous car rental agencies maintain offices on Margarita Island, and motorcycle rentals are also available for local transportation.
Taxis are fairly easy to find, and a public transportation system provides transportation around much of the island.
Climate
Margarita Island is located in the southern Caribbean Sea, only a few hundred kilometers from the equator. As a result, the island's climate is generally hot and humid throughout the year, with temperatures in the 80s and 90s.
Most of the island's rains occur between November and January, however, the area has about 320 days of sunshine a year. The island's peak tourist season is during the winter months, when Europeans and North Americans are desperate to escape the cold winter weather. However, the island is a year-round tourist hub for Venezuelan domestic tourists who want a quick beach getaway.
Attractions
One of the biggest attractions on Margarita Island is the beach. Thousands of tourists flock to the island to enjoy the white sand beaches and warm ocean waters. The eastern half of the island is where most of the populated beaches and tourist areas are located, while the western part of the island is arid and largely uninhabited.
The islands are full of historical sites, as many of the settlements were founded in the early 16th century, just a few years after Christopher Columbus arrived in the West Indies. Many of the island's cities still retain their colonial architecture, including historic churches, forts, and mansions.