Bart

My name is Bart. I am a 26year old adventurous guy from Belgium, a small rainy country in Europe. I came across a lot of your postings on the message board of www.fodors.com and I have to say that both the valuable information that you keep giving on the board &aacute;nd your genuine kindness are without comparison. I have some questions and I was hoping that maybe you could help me out.<BR><BR>Like yourself my best friend and I very much like travelling... exploring new countries, getting to know the beauty of different cultures, meeting new people, making new friends... Last year for example we spent 8 weeks travelling through Brazil: that was the first country in South America that we visited but it will certainly not be the last! As a matter of fact we are thinking of coming to Venezuela next year... Right now we've only just (5 weeks ago) come back from an amazing round trip through Laos, Vietnam and Cambodja ... in 1 word enchanting! My friend and I are now planning to spend 2 weeks on Isla Margarita at the beginning of October. Since we already had our 'cultural' trip this year (Asia) and most of all, since we only have about 2 weeks of holiday left, this will be a relaxing vacation. We are particularly looking for sun, beautiful beaches, the possibility to make some nice excursions and... a great nightlife. I found a couple of message boards on Margarita Island, 1 of them being fodor, and I must say: GREAT INFO! However, I am really confused now... I posted some questions on those boards, asking about Isla Margaritas nightlife, accomodation, environment, etc. but got some very contradictory reactions. And this is where I hope you can help us out, Ana. I find your answers on the fodor-board honnest and objective and hope that you can share some of your experiences with us as well...<BR><BR>Will Isla Margarita live up to our expectations?<BR>Is there a little bit of a party atmosphere?<BR>Is October a good time to visit the island or can we expect some rain?<BR>Will there be a lot of young people (both locals and tourists) at that time of the year or will we simply get bored there, as some posters already said (a couple of them even suggested to just forget about Isla Margarita and travel to Mexico instead...)?<BR><BR>Another point of confusion: ... accomodation ... I already read dozens of comments on the resorts/hotels on Isla Margarita, but every single one contradicting the other! What is high class luxury for one poster is regarded as a regular pigstall for another one, and the other way around...<BR><BR>If you had the choice between:<BR><BR>1)Barcelo California Surf (Playa el Yaque)<BR>2)Golden Paradise (Playa el Agua)<BR>3)Tropical Refuge (Playa el Agua)<BR>4)Puerta del Sol (Playa el Agua)<BR>5)Flamenco Beach Club (Playa el Agua)<BR>6)Portofino/Portobelo (Playa el Agua)<BR>7)Hesperia Playa el Agua (Playa el Agua)<BR>8)Barcelo Pueblo Caribe (Playa Tirano)<BR>9)Margarita International Villages (Porlamar)<BR>10)Hilton (Porlamar)<BR><BR>... where would you advize 2 young guys who are looking for some sun&fun to stay? Any additional tips maybe?<BR><BR>I would really appreciate it if you could help us make up our minds, Ana. I believe that at least from you we will get some information which we can really rely on ...<BR><BR>P.S. Also many thanks to eveyone else who's willing to help...<BR><BR>Thanks a lot for your reaction!<BR>Bart.<BR>

Pedro

I think Margarita will live up to your<BR>expectations, it has great beaches, and wonderful night live. I will sugest you stay close to Porlamar were all the nightclubs, bars and restaurants are. I strongly sugest you do a 1 day tour to Los Roques, I think there are charter flights from Porlamar to Los Roques. Book in advance because they use small planes (20 people). You should not expect too much rain in October. In October Margarita won't be as crowded like in August, but you won't be bored.<BR>I think Ana might give you better advice on places to go and accomodations but I will say Margarita International Villages (Porlamar)<BR> or Hilton are good choices.<BR><BR>Enjoy

tkandmass

Hi Ana,
I found your name in a posting about venezuala. Can you assist re the present situation in Caracas, we intend staying there for a couple of days and arrive during the day next thursday. Also can you recommend a clean cheap hotel or posados.Many thanks Terry M

ParrotMom

Ana no longer reads these posts. She is too busy marching and protesting and trying to protect her country from being another Cuba.

yubi

Hi Bart, I just jump into your message, I live in Venezuela, I just want to help you a little bit with your trip planning to Margarita Island... if it is two weeks you may think to visit also Caracas, its night life is awsome, I have many foreing friends which just loved being here, and they loved night life, you may see a little bit at: www.rumbacaracas.com and www.beerstation.com.ve. During the day you may go to La Guaira wich beaches are not the best in Venezuela but there are just 45 minutes from Caracas, try it to be on weekend is the best time... the place where are located most of nightclubs is called Las Mercedes. Now, talking about Margarita is the place where everybody goes on holidays it gets very crowded but people just love it, and can't wait to go there every time they can for night life and sun... there's a lot of young people... beaches over there are very good... I found a web page which information I found very good: www.caribbean-trip.com.
I don't know anything about hotels in Margarita, but I can tell you that the ones in Playa El Agua are located in this beach which is the most popular and where the party goes on... but it is far from night life which is located at Porlamar (you may rent a car also). I highly recomend you to be on Margarita on october 12, party will be huge because venezuelans take what we call &quot;the bridge&quot;. the 12 is a holiday so people will take also monday and will spend the whole weekend till wednesday... (if you do so make reservations in advanced, it is really hard to find domestic flights to margarita cause every takes the &quot;bridge&quot;. There will be indeed a motorcycle event where bikers from all venezuela will go to Margarita, I'll may go with a motorcicle club from Caracas. Here is a webpage with nightlife info about Margarita: www.rumbamargarita.com/. I agree with everithing Pedro told you about Margarita, specially about visiting also Los Roques wich beaches are a dream, the best I ever seen, they are awsome, visit: www.posadaarrecifelosroques.com.ve to give you an idea... hope my info is usefull, good luck with your trip and I hope you enjoy a lot!!!

ParrotMom

Will forward this on to Ana right now.