Beaches in Venezuela
With the longest stretch of Caribbean coastline of any country in the Americas, Venezuela is a destination that is often overlooked but should be considered by those seeking a tropical beach vacation. From pristine undeveloped, secluded beaches to resort-lined beaches bustling with tourists, Venezuela's coastline has a variety of destination options for sun worshipers and beach bums.
Margarita Island
Margarita Island is Venezuela's most popular international resort area, and visitors flock here from all over the world to enjoy many of the same attractions of neighboring Caribbean islands at a fraction of the price. The white sands of the beaches are legendary; and the three main cities, Porlamar, Pampatar and La Asuncion, all have hotels and resorts right on the sand. The island's two national parks and three nature reserves offer wildlife-viewing opportunities and picturesque, undeveloped Caribbean beaches. Margarita has an international airport with direct flights to and from major cities in North America and Europe.
Los Roques Archipelago
A string of more than 40 coral reel islands and hundreds of cays and islets that lies due north of Caracas in the Caribbean Sea, Los Roques Archipelago is a Venezuelan National Park with dozens of pristine white powder beaches gently lapped by clear turquoise waters. Most of the accommodation options are located in El Gran Roque and are in family-run inns. The islands are popular with sport fishers and scuba divers, as well as beach lovers looking for the perfect playa. Daily flights leave Caracas and Maracaibo for El Gran Roque.
Henry Pittier National Park
Located less than 50 miles west of Caracas where the coastal foothills of the Andes Mountain range meet the Caribbean Sea, Henry Pittier National Park is the country's oldest and contains some of the its most scenic beaches. Dramatic coves carved out of the hillside have clear blue water and are surrounded by deep forest that is home to monkeys and jaguars. Several of the beaches along the highway from Caracas, including Bahía de Cata, offer dining and simple accommodation options.
Caura River
Although the Caribbean beaches of Venezuela are amazing, they are not the only beaches worth visiting in this multifaceted country. The Caura River is a wild, pristine river that runs through Venezuela's Amazon rain forest region and is home to a wide white sand beach called El Playon that is surrounded by lush jungle. The Caura River and El Playon are popular stops on many Amazon tours in Venezuela as a part of multiday excursions.