Reached from Caracas via an hourlong flight, the “Pearl of the Caribbean” is Venezuela´s main beach resort destination, and still manages to feel largely disconnected from the hardships in the rest of the country. You´ll find great strands like Caribe, El Agua, El Tirano, Parguito, and Puerto Cruz; plenty of resorts and hotels, and a lively Caribbean scene in Porlamar (founded in 1538 and the island´s biggest population center, with around 145,000 people), which has great dining and shopping (including the Conejeros traditional market). The actual capital is La Asunción (pop. 28,000), just 15 minutes from Porlamar, whose colonial old town dating back to 1565 has landmarks like the cathedral and the late-17-century for Santa Rosa de la Eminencia, Other Margarita spots to visit include the town of Pampatar (home to the San Carlos Borromeo fortress, built in 1685, and known for its shopping and dining); the colonial town of El Valle del Espíritu Santo, and The Laguna de la Restinga National Park, centered around a coastal lagoon with mangroves, beaches, and great snorkeling and diving.
Read more in my post Can Venezuelan Tourism Bounce Back? If It Does, Here Are 9 of Its Top Destinations to Visit.
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