Margarita Island. With a name like that, it’s no wonder that it’s one of the most popular spots for relaxing vacations. I mean, a tropical island named after my cocktail of choice – what could be better?
A relatively small island just off the coast of Venezuela, Margarita Island offers a variety of beaches. There are so many great ones that you could easily visit a new one on every day of your weeklong stay.
Here are my five favorite beaches that I discovered while vacationing on Margarita Island.
Playa El Agua Beach is one of the busiest beaches on the island, but for good reason. It boasts beautiful white sand and cool, clear water. Although it was a little busier than I expected, I really enjoyed the afternoon I spent at the beach and the many nearby cafes and shops. There are also plenty of bars to drop by and have a cocktail and an amazing margarita (of course).
After visiting Playa El Agua Beach, I really wanted to find a quieter beach for something different. Playa Juventud fit the bill – located just 12km away from downtown Porlamar; it was much more relaxed than Playa El Agua, although it still had a nice selection of cafés and shops.
Okay, so it’s not technically on Margarita Island, but it’s an easy (and fun) day trip. It does require a bit of an early start, but once you set foot on the island, you’ll be glad you did it. It’s such a beautiful, untouched beach that it really feels like a lost island paradise. There’s also a great restaurant on the island with friendly and helpful staff. The boat ride to the island is also a lot of fun, as it gives you the chance to meet other travelers and make some new travel buddies.
If hidden and untouched beaches are your thing, you’ll love Manzanillo Beach. Getting there is a bit of an adventure in itself, and it is one of the more difficult beaches to access - however, this means that the crowds stay away and you’re likely to have plenty of space to spread out and enjoy yourself. As an old fishing village, there are also great seafood shacks to enjoy a fresh meal. It’s not fancy, but that’s all part of its charm.
I love watersports, so during my stay I spent two days at famous Playa el Yaque. Although it’s not Margarita Island’s best swimming beach due to the strong wind, it is arguably the best for water sports such as windsurfing, stand-up paddle boarding, and kite surfing. You can also swim there, although young families and novice swimmers should be careful in the water.
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