Venezuela: Any other places besides Los Roques

Am going in Feb for 3-4 weeks (depends) and need to spend 10-14 days after (end Feb/early Mar) to do nice touristy sight seeing stuff, preferably with a comfort angle since I'll be slumming the weeks before.

Not sure if it's worth doing 7 days in the national parks, especially Caimania since it's dry season and the river canoe ride won't be fun. I went to Venezuela more than 10 years ago. So would be nice to revisit the parks with digital cameras instead of film and SD video. But need some ideas?

Is Los Roques a lot more developed 10 years ago? Isla Margarita is already planned for some beach and kite surfing. Wondering if I should just stay to the coast and return another time for the inland stuff.

Thanks for any ideas.

Quite frankly, to me the diving at Margarita is way better than at Los Roques. At Los Roques all you see is the typical Caribbean fauna, exactly the same as if you were diving say at Bonaire. Margarita, with it's upwelling and much cooler waters has a much more unique and different fauna. Try a place called Los Frailles, very nice diving with animals that you don't see anywhere else in the Caribbean. As far as development goes, Los Roques is exactly the same as it was 10 years ago, and I think this is a good thing

Since you will be at Margarita , don't miss Isla Cubagua that is located about 5 kms far from Maragarita .

Water can be cold and murky but there you will find some colorful endemics , specially gobies and blennies . I've not been there yet , but have the info from a reliable source .

I want to go there since some years ago .

Good luck with Mr. Chavez and if you go to Cubagua pls. let us know your comments.

JA

Thanks for the suggestions. Not really looking to dive, just want to have touristy holidays with the gf.

Also I assume the water temps are about the same as up north in the gulf?

There is a lot of upwelling in the Margarita area, especially between December and March. Water temp can drop down to 22-24C (normally 28C elsewhere in the Caribbean). Los Roques is warm as there is no upwelling there.

Thanks Luiz. I'm beginning to rue the day I planned this trip.

Finally a question I can answer properly!

Drew, Los Roques is kind of the same, I love Los Roques because is really seclude and pristine. Canaima and the Angel falls is really sweet to visit, but be aware you are going into a jungle style trip with all the bugs and discomfort included. A different approach to Canaima National Park is “La Gran Sabana” (The great plains), really cool stuff there, waterfalls and nice sights and plains (you can get a chopper ride here, is awesome!)

http://www.google.co.ve/images?hl=es&q...360&bih=578

“Morrocoy National Park” is a series of keys 4 hours from Caracas, so that may be worth it to visit, but is not a big deal… I concur with Luiz about diving Los Roques, is the same as Bonaire but plenty more fauna.

Margarita is a must if you pick a nice hotel near the nicest beaches. Rent a car here is a must, go with Hertz or any other rental, familiar to you. “El Yaque” beach is the sweetest place for kiting, and also is the only one with proper stores for rentals and related stuff. BTW I´m not a big fan of Margarita diving and specially “Los Frailes” diving as Luiz is. Neither the neighbor islands Coche and Cubagua.

Of course I am biased, but you can ask Jean Bruneau (Aquatica) what he think about places to visit, I took him for several places (diving ones) a couple of years ago, and he had visited Venezuela a few times.

If you need a ride or a safe drive trough Caracas, I´ll be more than happy to take you guys out anytime you like. Also if you want to try local cuisine or fancy a nice gourmet / fusion cuisine.

In my opinion, this could be your tourist list:

-Los Roques (with a nice accommodation) try this ones: http://www.macanaolodge.com/ or http://www.posadaacuarela.com/

-4 days Canaima trip (Salto Angel)

-7 days Canaima trip (La Gran Sabana) I recommend combining this two…

- Margarita (with a nice hotel) Check it out Chana´s (One of my favorites) http://www.chanahoteles.com/galeria/?modgal=suitgal

- Morrocoy National Park

-Puerto Ayacucho (“Venezuelan - Amazonian/Indian town”) In this town recently opens a restaurant where the chef includes tarantula, and many bugs including red ants in their menu!! So cool…

- Mérida (City) Kind of cold weather mountain city, for romantic walks with the gf …

I think with 10 to 14 days between margarita and one other pick, you are set. If I were you, I probably visit Canaima's Angel falls and “La Gran Sabana” as a package, and expend a couple of days in Los Roques.

There are several tips you must know, including exchange of currency (this can be very tricky and you can get scam), so through me an email (rodriguezfelix1@hotmail.com) every time you need to know something. I´ll be pleased to help you planning your trip.

Oh! I forgot.. avoid Margarita the first week of march, is spring break chaos over there!!! Traffic jam is like one hour per mile dude! Beaches are crowded and restaurants overbooked. It´s Carnival Time!

Thanks so much, Rodriguez. Unfortunately I'm cutting short the extension to 8 days. I might squeeze in Canaima. We'll be staying with friends in Caracas but would be nice to have a WP Caracas get together. I'll contact you as the days get closer.