AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Talk Belize Chat Area Isla Margarita

Rarotonga is really nice. Quite beautiful. Muri Beach is the best area. There's all different kinds of acco. I can recommend a place and warn you off of another, if you'd like.

The snorkelling is incredible.

The nightlife isn't what we are used to in San Pedro, but it can be found. Once found, it's more difficult to get to and from than in San Pedro, as well. I didn't find the food all that, though there were two restaurants that we did particularly enjoy, unfortunately, the prices were a bit outrageous.

During the day, it is quite easy to get around by bus. The main road circles the island and you can catch the bus going either way. It's a great way to tour the island too.

I've been to Isla Margarita a few times - in fact I returned from Margarita a couple of days ago.
The geography is absolutely stunning, and the beaches are generally picture perfect.
The dollar goes really far - I stayed in a lovely posada with AC, kitchen, pool & jacuzzi ......... for $20 a day.
On the down side ......... trash along roadsides and some street crime.
If you want a wacky fabulous trip to this area I suggest that you go to Margarita, rent a car and drive out to the Macanao section of Margarita island(western part of the island) - it looks like Arizona with mountains and red earth (really beautiful) - but the mountains plunge down to warm Caribbean seas, framing crecent beaches (most of which will be totally empty). There is a spa out there that is very clean, simple and a bit on the wacky artistic side - it's miles from anywhere and has what just might be the and massage treatment pavillion on the hillside overlooking the sea ......very rustic accommodations, but generally adorable and probably having 5 rooms max. Cost per person per day for room (double occ), three meals, massage and mud bath - 120,000 Bolivares (which on the black market is $45 USD. I can't find the brochure on it just now to give you the e-mail address, but I believe they have a website so you can probably search it out.
My favorite fishing-village beach is Manzanillo, with Zaragosa (Pedro Gonzalez beach) and Playa de Caribe following. Playa del Agua is popular and to my mind the best place to stay in that area is Costa Linda (lovely upscale single story compound with excellent food, pool, snuggly nooks and nice rooms. <www.hotelcostalinda.com>
The island of Los Roques is reputed to be sandy streets, few people and great snorkeling (sounds like San Pedro)....... people rave about it.
If you go to Margarita, rent a car so you can explore. You don't need to reserve one - there is a rental-car place with about 12 agencies competing for your business, located just outside the Porlamar (margarita) airport.
Give them your credit card for a guarantee, but pay in cash (Bolivares) as you will have negotiated a huge benefit in the exchange rate that away. Last week the official rate was 1,900 Bs to 1 US; but you could get 2,500 Bs for a dollar from just about anybody wandering around the Caracas airport.
Fly to Caracas, then walk about 1/4 (don't take the bus or taxi) to the National terminal where you pick up Aeropostal to Margarita.
When you go to Los Roques you will take a boat from Margarita.
Oh by the way - gasoline costs almost nothing - I filled up the tank of a mid-sized rental car for one dollar US.
Other suggestions of interest - I have friends who were recently raving about an out of the way place called Little Corn Island off the coast of Nicaragua. population 700, two places to stay, lots of diving and snorkeling.
All that being said - I like Belize better. But when you live here, you need a break from perfection and a change of scene too. So..... when I go away I like Margarita for that - it's beautiful, gritty, exciting and a good chance to learn spanish.

An oops - somehow a part of my post is missing - the spa in Macanao......insert this - "has what may be one of the most beautiful beaches on earth"...........

OK Laurie - I was at Club Med Moorea in 1982 and was there just after you in July - for Bastille Day celebrations. Which were very interesting - the parade consisted of beautiful Polynesian Women dressed in their native garb - and were topless Sounds like you had a more colorful time than I did - all I did was take a day trip on horseback up into the Pineapple Hills. I couldn't walk for three days after that! My butt hurts just thinking about it.

Roratonga is high on my list now. With perhaps a stop off in Tahiti or New Zealand. Next year. Wanna come?

So now, I have just 6 days to figure out what little to pack for AC - I'm very ready for the adventure!

Thanks Diane, that is great information!!
Flora

WOW Diane, that was good info, thanks a bunch!

Laurie, I'm available anytime your on Island! I'll call 007 and see if he's available too iffin ya want. I never did get that picture of you two from you.

Gela, if Ms. Vicki doesn't call me soon we will be heading that way! It is much closer don't ya know... hehe
but I'd much rather be on AC!!!

I took my family to Margarita by boat on an extended sailing trip. We were there for six weeks and enjoyed it a lot.

We took a trip to Angel Falls by plane and spent a day in the beautiful park deep in the heart of the Venezuelan jungle. It is well worth the time and money.

Los Roques is great for bird watching, fishing and diving and general water/beach activities.

There are several other small islands in the area that you can reach by boat in a day trip that have great beaches, diving, snorkling and other fun activities.

Margarita is a vacation destination for many Venezuelans, and therefore has a lot to offer in recreational activities.

There is a samll, deserted (except for five or six Venezuelan Coast Guardsmen) called Blanquilla that is awesome for diving, and just hanging out. We spent several days there and really enjoyed it. The water was warm, blue and clear with abundant fish and other water critters.

I would go back.