Has anyone been to Margarita Island? Would it be nice for a honeymoon?

Don't waste your time or money. <BR><BR>There's nothing there..it's dry, poor, isolated, poor food, and dirty. <BR><BR>Just there on a cruise a few weeks ago. <BR><BR>Aruba would be a better choice for a honeymoon.

Chrissy,<BR><BR>I agree with Jenna's comments. I went there on business a few years ago. I would never go there for a vacation.<BR><BR>

The only reason to go to Margarita Island is if you're an avid windsurfer.

I disagree. We were there 3 years ago and had a great time! Flew into the Amazon and did a 3 day trek to Angel Falls. A life time experience. The rest of the 2 weeks we spent relaxing at the (now) Allegro Dunes sipping pina coladas and working on a tan. Historic tours of the island, 4 - wheeling, great deals on both black and white pearls! After dealing with higglers in Jamaica several times, I wouldn't hesitate to go back to Isla Margarita.

Re: Margarita Island<BR>1) Viasa airlines lost our luggage upon arriving.<BR>2) arrived at Allegro,guard who opened gate carring gun on his shoulder.<BR>3) Hardly anyone spoke English and did not recieve 0ur luggage untill next night<BR>4) could not swim in ocean,red flagg out ever day,but not to worry they had 9 pools I think<BR>5) Had a 6:45am flight home with Viasa which did not depart untill almost midnight!!!<BR>6) we all missed our connecting flights<BR>but were assured that someone from Viasa would meet us upon return, wrong!<BR>7) They lost our luggage on the return trip.<BR>8) Go to Anguilla <BR><BR>

wow !<BR>that must have been some vacation

May I suggest instead the Tamarindo Estates on Culebra Island (named one of the best beaches in the world by Discovery.Com-Travel Channel), Puerto Rico --very quiet cottages on beautiful beach (Tamarindo named one of the best resorts in the Caribbean under $200-Travel and Leisure). See tamarindoestates.com. <BR>Also, the all-inclusive Allegro Cozumel & Spa on San Francisco Beach by the Palancar Reef in Cozumel Mexico is set in a polynesian style--seeallegroresorts.com

Spent two weeks there once. Worst trip of the 30 some we have made to the islands. I wouldn't go back and I wouldn't recommend it. It truly was the vacation from hell.

It all depends on what you are looking for. I have spent three weeks a year on Margarita for the past 4 years and have had very few problems. This is also because these are solely windsurfing/kitesurfing vacations. We always stay in El Yaque. It is a very small area, but the people are nice and the hotels are clean. The biggest problem is having to go through Caracas. Brian stated having problems with an airline...he flew an airline I have never heard of. We alwasy fly American Airlines into Caracas and then Servivensa into Porlamar and haven't incurred any problems--we were transporting gear as well. This is a huge vacation spot for Venezuelans and other South Americans and they do not cater to Americans like most Americans expect. You may want to do more research before you jump into Margarita as your honeymoon destination.

The airline Brian referred to is a well known one in that part of the world. I would think that is you have gone down there as often as you claim you would have heard of it. I'm not sure if it's still operating today tho. I wish we could have taken them because Servavenza lost our seats twice and we were stuck in a hell known as Caracas for a couple days. Even tho we had tickets in hand they wouldn't budge. Finally a nice man with Laser Air got us to Porlamar.<BR><BR>The beaches and water in Margarita are not as nice as the other islands in the Caribbean. You are right, surfing and wind surfing, not very good for floating and snorkeling. Kind of reminded me of Curacao...

Thanks everyone! Now it's down to Antigua or the Mayan Riviera!

My vote is for the Mayan Riviera. Much, much more to do (that is, if you'll be looking for that). Chances are, a quicker flight too.

Either one would be lovely.

Hi Chrissy!<BR>Went to Margarita Island only once. I have never returned. It is definitely not a place for a honeymoon. I am quite sure you received a low package rate for this destination. I agree with previous reports - check out other islands unless you won the trip to Margarita Island. Very poor and my travel companion was food poisoned - not too clean. Also attempted to pickpocket my friend while shopping. Good Luck, Susan

hi....wow this is a real old post.

The Island has changed since then and here is a nice link to a lady who got married here a few years ago. It's her personal page.

http://uk.geocities.com/whiskey2402/wedding.html

Margarita truly was not a great place to come many years ago but I have found that more and more people that once came and gave it another try now in 2005 or even 2006 have a world of a difference opinion now about Margarita. Really !!

hope you like her pics.

My wife and I spent a day on Margarita Island back in 2005. We loved the place and wouldn't hesitate to go back there for a proper vacation.

The people are friendly, the weather is fantastic, the beaches are great, and best of all, the food and beverage bill was laughably low.

My neighbor goes there on business several times a year and loves it for the same reasons.

The only downsides are getting there and Chavez. Unless you can hook up with the charter from Toronto direct to Porlamar which I believe is a once a week RT you need to go through Caracas. This isn't highly desireable.

The geopolitical thing is another story. In 2005 his anti-US rhetoric was prety much laughed at by the people we spoke to. But as he fails to come across with his promises to the people, he will increase his fervor as he builds his &quot;Unite against a common enemy&quot; platform that's so popular with Dictators.

I just had to reply. My dad, a sun worshiper and island fanatic, took me away to the islands every opportunity he had. The more deserted and remote, the better. He was always up for an adventure. Unfortunately, it was usually boring for me as a kid, but now, as an adult, I have great memories of being immersed in the culture of so many different, wonderful, beautiful places. We went to Isla Margarita more than 20 years ago, before there was any development. I think it was in the mid '80s, maybe 1985 or so. There was maybe one hotel and I remember seeing a lot of construction sites, but it didn't seem like any work was actually getting done. We actually stayed with a family and ate with them in their dining room every night. I remember awsome seafood and superb hospitality. From the previous posts, it sounds like there hasn't been much more development! Nice to reminisce.