UK Main Agent

El AGUA BEACH Club

Palamar

2 Bed /Bath 1 Parking space

Duplex

2/Bed/2/Bath/Penthouses

Fully furnished

Rental guaranteed 5% for 2 years

Author Nick Spicer is a London based consultant with a portfolio of overseas properties. He advises expats on purchase and relocation of real estate all over the world, with a special interest in Isla Margarita.

He can be contacted via email: nick@jdgroup.co.uk

Margarita Island Architecture

The Spanish invaders left their mark all over the island’s architecture.

The “conquistadors” are responsible for the colonial style that can be seen all over the island. Many native Margaritans today occupy old colonial houses, the Old Library of La Asuncion (today’s Nueva Cadiz museum of colonial pieces) is in a colonial house, and the churches and forts on the island tell a tale of conquest and the meeting and mixing of cultures. When visiting Margarita make sure to take in the Spanish influence that gives the island so much of its character and charm.

Founded in 1561 in the Valley, La Asunción, the island’s capital and the oldest town in the island, is one of the best places to see the colonial architecture of the island. Here you can admire the Nueva Cadiz museum, housed in a beautiful colonial house. Other marvellous architecture can be found in the capital, from the colonial period and before, including the Parish, from in the XVI century, and the old Convent San Francisco, also built in the XVI century, which now houses government offices but can still be admired for its beauty and grace. Another beautiful building to see is the Santa Rosa, constructed at the end of the XVII century. The castle is an awe-inspiring sight, built to defensively dominate the Santa Lucia Valley, which it continues to do to this day. Castle Church of Santa Lucia

Pampatar is another beautiful place to see the architecture of the island. Here you can see exquisite examples of the colonial buildings the Spaniards erected.

Margarita Island History

It was the Guaiqueri Indians who inhabited the Island when Christopher Columbus first discovered it in 1498. The natives were hospitable and kind to the Spanish conquistadors, not knowing that they would become slaves there later when the discovery of the Island became more noteworthy: while not wholly significant at the time Columbus arrived, when Cristobal de la Guerra and Pedro Alfonso Niño found a bed of pearls hidden in the Island years later, the Island became considerably more important. They returned to Spain with about 80 pounds of pearls, and it was from this point forward that the Island began to rapidly settle, becoming the first to do so in South America.

The Island needed to be protected from pirates over the course of its history. The castles and forts that were built to do so can be seen to this day, however they have fallen into disrepair over the years despite their historic value.

The movement for independence began in Caracas in 1810, and Margarita jumped on board immediately. The Island became the first free Venezuelan territory in 1814, following its people’s heroic struggle for independence. The “Libertador,” Simon Bolivar, became the Commander in Chief of the new republic, la Gran Colombia. He went on to contribute to the liberation of Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia from the Spanish Monarchs’ rule. Island

Margarita Island Neighbourhoods

Arriving in Margarita after your flight from Caracas, you will probably find yourself in a taxi on your way to Porlamar. The first section of the city that you will see is somewhat run-down: rusty apartments huddled closely together on the city limits.

As you enter the city itself, you will encounter lively streets filled to the brim with shops, homes, and people. The crowded atmosphere does not detract from the easy-going, friendly native feel.

If you travel east on Calle Igualdad or Calle Zamora, you will encounter several pedestrian shopping areas, before coming to the Hotel Bella Vista. Here the streets suddenly become much more spacious and less packed, and snazzy, touristy stores appear. Visitors line the street of this tourist section, and there are fewer residents going about their business. This part of the city has two main stretches: Avenida Santiago Mariño and Avenida 4 de Mayo. Both of these streets are crammed with shops selling international items, and restaurants. There are many high-end shops that give this area a classy, stylish feel. You can find brands such as Nike, Ralph Lauren, Polo, Finlandia, and Lindt, here. This may be a relaxing beach destination, but it is still a snazzy one, particularly in this neighbourhood.

If you follow Avenida 4 de Mayo east you will end up in Pampatar, and the north-east part of the Island, where you can find Margarita’s most excellent beaches. There is also a huge mall called Sambil, great for shoppers, nicely decorated and a large variety of goods. There is also a big supermarket called SIGO with many imported goods...it's really nice.

At night Pampatar offers a series of good restaurants and bars

The most visited beaches are about 30 kilometres away from Porlamar. The most popular ones are Playa Parguito (with great waves for surfers), Playa El Agua, the longest beach of the island (great for people watching during the day and full with restaurants, and a decent night life) but according to many visitors the most beautiful beaches are Playa Puerto Cruz (quiet waves during the first six months of the year and rough from July until November) and Playa Caribe, located very close to an important town called Juan Griego (where the conquerors fortresses and castles are located). If you are up for more deserted beaches you should head to the Macanao, which offers nice beaches almost untouched, horse riding and jeep safari tours. Peninsula

Margarita Island Weather & When to Go

The average temperature on Margarita is 85 F. It has sparse rainfall from June-October. There is no hurricane season. Island

At Playa El Agua, a major tourist spot on the island, the daytime temperatures range from 78ºF in January to 87ºF in September. At night, the temperature drops 3 to 5 degrees. Because the island is essentially a desert island, there can be long stretches with only negligible rainfall. In both 2003 and 2004, 93% of days on the island had 6 or more hours of sun, making these very dry years.

Spring of this year was almost entirely sunny, and early summer of 2006 has been the same, thus far

How to get to Isla margarita

The Island can be reached by air or by sea. You can find flights to Margarita from many major European cities or from several US and Canadian cities: Toronto, Montréal, Miami, and New York.

If you are leaving from Venezuela to get to the Island, you can take one of a couple dozen flights a day. The following carriers fly between Caracas's Simón and Isla de Margarita: Bolívar International Airport

Aeropostal 0800/284-6637 or 0212/708-6211; www.aeropostal.com

Aserca 0800/649-8356; www.asercaairlines.com

Avior 0212/202-5811, OR 0501/284-67737; www.avior.com.ve

Lai 0212/355-2322; fax 0212/355-1296

Laser 0800/237-3200 or 0212/232-6533; www.laser.com.ve

Airfares are usually between $30 and $75 each way, depending on the day of the week and the season (aim for the middle of the week and the off-season for the cheapest flights).

The Ferry is still considered to be the Island’s main link to the mainland of Venezuela. The primary ferry station can be found at Punta de Piedras, on the southern end of Margarita. The two primary ferry departure points from the mainland to the Island are La Guaira (30 minutes from Caracas, on the coast), and Puerto La Cruz and Cumana (a few hours east of Caracas, on the northern coast). You can take a bus at almost any time of day to get to the ferry terminals from Caracas. It takes about 5 hours from Caracas to Puerto La Cruz ($4-$7), and 7 to 8 hours to Cumana ($3-$6).

 Once at the ferry terminal, you can choose to take an older ferry, which makes the trip in 3-4 hours, or you can take an express ferry, whose trip is closer to 2 hours. Contact Conferry 0212/782-8544 or 0295/261-6397, or Gran Cacique Express 0800/227-2600 or 0295/239-8339 for schedules and fares, which change frequently.

Sunset view, as the day's water traffic settles down.

Margarita Island Public Transportation

Local buses, vans, and taxis essentially make up the public transportation on the island. Many people make use of Por Puesto, which is essentially a taxi for 5 people that goes on a fixed route. It is inexpensive and many say it is an excellent alternative to a conventional taxi. Take note, however, that the Por Puesto stops to pick up and drop off passengers frequently, often making the going quite slow.

To get a conventional taxi as your primary source of transportation is cheap and generally considered to be dependable and safe. For the low cost of a cab you could rent one for an entire day and it would still be a relatively cheap form of public transportation.

However, if you want something fast, with the freedom to venture out on your own at your own pace (especially if you want a quicker pace), then renting a car may be a better option.

Travellers should also note that the cheap petrol that makes taxis inexpensive affects the price of domestic flights as well – so a brief trip to Venezuela can be done fairly easily and without breaking the bank.

www.signatureoverseasproperties.com

http://www.firstchoice.co.uk/margarita/ 

The following is a list of National Parks in Venezuela:

·                      Canaima National Park

·                      Cerro Saroche National Park

·                      Chorro el Indio National Park

·                      Cueva de la Quebrada del Toro

·                      Cueva del Guácharo National Park

·                      Ciénagas del Catatumbo National Park

·                      Cinaruco-Capanaparo National Park

·                      Delta del Orinoco National Park

·                      Dinira National Park

·                      El Guache National Park

·                      El Tamá National Park

·                      Guaramacal National Park

·                      Henri Pittier National Park

·                      Mochima National Park

·