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about Margarita |
Margarita is
known as the 'Pearl of the Caribbean' and with good reason. It
is quite simply a treasure waiting for you to discover.
One of the most
beautiful islands in the Caribbean, just off mainland Venezuela, it
is in an ideal location. It is hot all year yet at the same time is
outside of the hurricane belt. Unspoiled virgin beaches, woods
and fertile valleys abound.
It has its own
international airport, shopping malls, markets, fantastic hotels and
restaurants and a great diversity of water sports and services.
History
The island was named La Margarita by the
Spanish
conquistadores who discovered it in 1498. It is the Greek
word for pearl because of the pearl beds that surround the
island. They decided to
settle there because the soil was so fertile and the island
was full of wealth.
The original inhabitants, the Guaqueri
indians, welcomed the Spaniards with open arms unaware that
they were in fact invaders. Freedom from invasion came in
1811 and Margarita became the first free province of the
Spanish domain. The main historical feature of Margarita
Island is
Castillo de San Carlos Borromeo - Pampatar. This 17th century fort protected
the town and harbour from foreign and pirate attacks. The
fort's thick stone walls and bronze canons still watch over
the beach, harbour and Caribbean Sea. Opposite the fort is
the
Inglesia de Santisimo Cristo del Buen Viaje. This church
had great significance for the sailors and fisherman of
Margarita. There is a legend that many years ago during the
colonial era a ship carrying a valuable crucifix was unable
to leave the harbour. It was finally left here as a last
resort.
Margarita island is 43 miles long. It is actually two
islands connected by a narrow Isthmus. The second Island is
called Península de Macanao which is largely unpopulated.
Unlike most other Caribbean Islands, Margarita has a gently
rolling terrain that gives it a distinction lacking in
nearby Aruba and other level vacation islands, perfect for
strolling or motoring. The weather is predictable all year
round; warm, sunny days offering 12 month swimming and
boating. The evenings are cool and breezy, the humidity low.
You are never far from the sea on Margarita. Even from the
fort in La Asunción and the church belfry in Santa Ana, the
sea can be seen. The beaches here are virtually endless as
they ring this enchanting island. Your only problem will be
to find enough time to explore even half of them. One
general rule: the best swimming in most areas is the early
part of the day.
The beaches are the reason for coming to Margarita, - but
what makes Margarita different from other Caribbean islands
is that it is much cheaper, less blatantly tourist and the
majority of the beaches are quite sun-catching white lines
of sand and are not riddle with attractions such as the food
stalls, wind-surfing outlets, scuba entrepreneurs, etc.
Margarita Island's popularity has been greatly kept
secret for decades now, due to the fact that so many people
like to keep what is known as "the best kept secret of the
Caribbean". |
