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Discover the top-notch beaches and laid-back South American
lifestyle on this lower Caribbean island. While the western side of the
island remains largely undeveloped, outdoor activities are plentiful on
the eastern end, particularly around La Asunción, Pampatar, and
Porlamar.
What to do: Beach, beach, and more beach! Margarita Island’s
position just off the coast of mainland Venezuela puts it outside the
path of hurricanes that can interrupt Caribbean life this time of year,
and makes it ideal for year-round oceanfront activity. Whether it’s a
quiet afternoon soaking up the rays or something a little more exhila-
rating — windsurfing is a trendy water sport here — options abound.
Where to do it: You’d be hard-pressed to find a beach that
doesn’t deliver in full here. If a lively scene both on and off the sand is
what you’re looking for, one of the city beaches in Porlamar, the
island’s most populous area, is ideal. Or if you want to take a crack at
windsurfing, plan a day-trip to Playa El Yaque; the near-constant sea
breezes found here make it the ideal spot for this popular activity.
Why go now: Margarita Island may deliver ideal beach tempera-
tures year-round, but as the mercury begins to drop up north, sunny
island life is a welcome respite.
Insider’s tip: Book a daylong charter with Magic Tours & Travel to
nearby Cubagua Island. The mostly uninhabited island was once a
hub for extensive (and excessive) pearl mining, and the ruins of 16th-
century port city Nueva Cádiz can still be explored.
IntervalWorld.com INTERVAL WORLD n Fall 2015 65
Ingolf Pompe 78/Alamy
ADDITIONAL
ANTICIPATED
international
destinations
September – November
Average High: 91°F
Average Low: 73°F 