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Margarita Island Property Search

The island of Margarita is situated to the north of Venezuela and is one of the most southerly Caribbean Islands, along with the small neighboring islands of Conche and Cubagua. Lying just off the northern coast of Venezuela and outside of the main hurricane belt, this sun kissed island is the favorite getaway destination for Venezuelans from the mainland, who come for weekends and holidays, to enjoy tax free shopping and great beaches. With average daily temperatures of around 32ºc, relatively low humidity and very little rainfall Margarita, at least the eastern side, is surprisingly verdant and fertile. The island is divided into two parts by an 18 km isthmus which forms the Parque National Laguna La Restinga. The spotless beach and the lagoon with its dense growth of mangrove trees is home to over a hundred species of birds, along with marine turtles, dolphins, sea horses and oysters. The western Peninsula of Macanao is by contrast arid and desert like. This side of the island is very lightly populated, so long swathes of deserted, golden beaches are easy to find. The best way to explore the peninsula is by horse or in a 4 wheel drive vehicle, while a boatmen´s union has a concession to carry visitors on a tour of the canals cut through the mango trees in the lagoon. The vast majority of the population lives on the green and fertile eastern side of the island, which is where the main commercial center Porlamar and the capital La Asunción are located. The colonial capital La Asunción was established in 1565. It was set just far enough inland to make it inaccessible to pirates and rebellious Caribe Indians. Today, it is the political seat of Nueva Esparta, but still retains plenty of charm with its colonial buildings, the Castillo de Santa Rosa which has a bottle dungeon and wonderful views, and the oldest church in Venezuela the Catedral de Nuestra Señora.

The largest, busiest town in Margarita is without doubt Porlamar. Once a quiet fishing village it is now a dynamic town of 450,000 residents, boasting wide boulevards lined with designer label shops, markets offering bargain basement goods, fine hotels and restaurants and an active night life. For those who want to shop till they drop in the cool there are several large, chic, very modern, air conditioned shopping malls. The best of these Sambil and Rattan Plaza are located between Porlamar and Pampatar. Here you can find just about everything from a 6 screen cinema to 10 pin bowling as well as the usual designer shops bars and restaurants. In fact whatever you are looking for on holiday you will probably find it on Margarita.

For glorious sunsets overlooking a picturesque fishing bay go to Juan Griego. For beaches there is something for everyone. Wind surfers will enjoy the internationally famous Playa El Yaque, wind surfers will prefer the best breakers on the island at Playa Parguito. Then there is the popular Playa El Agua, which is lined with palm trees, beach bars and restaurants. When you tire of shopping and beaches there are plenty of other activities to keep you amused: 10 pin bowling, cinemas, several nature reserves, bird watching, handicrafts of all sorts, a funfair, scuba diving, snorkeling, horse riding, go-carting, and colonial towns to explore are just a few of the attractions on offer. If this is not enough then Margarita is a great jumping off point for trips to the mainland maybe to see the highest waterfall in the world - Angel Falls, or some of the other Caribbean Islands