Margarita offers more choices for fun than most Caribbean Islands, and even though I have already mentioned quite a few of those attractions, I would like to briefly summarize.
Dining: Not only are the prices extremely reasonable in Margarita (as compared to all the other Caribbean Islands), but the extremely wide variety of restaurants and types of dishes served will allow the visitor to experience local cuisine as well as gourmet fare. There are literally hundreds of places to eat, but the very best are generally located in either Porlamar, Juan Griego, or near some of the most popular beaches such as Playa El Agua, El Yaque, or Playa Caribe. Ask other tourists you encounter for the most current recommendations.
Shopping: For a very high-class shopping experience, visit the Sambil Mall, the Roatan Mall (near Diverland), or tour the shops located on 4 DeMayo. If you are interested in souvenirs, clothing (knockoffs such as various name brands of jeans, etc), or hand-crafted items, visit the huge flea market located near the outskirts of Porlamar. Be sure to bargain with the vendors if you do not like the prices.
Craft Shops: Many of the small towns in the interior of the island feature local arts and crafts. Check at the International Airport information booth for a free map and advice on where to go for your particular treasure. I am not giving recommendations here as the locations of various artists/crafts-people change from time to time. For example, when we stayed at the Allegro Lagunamar resort, Tuesday evenings featured many of the local artisans and their various wares. Be advised that could change however.
Surfing: While Margarita does not offer really good surfing conditions regularly, there are times when the surf is fairly decent on the northeastern side of the island.
Windsurfing: El Yaque beach features (as we noted in one of our previous chapters) some of the best windsurfing in the world, and conditions are generally ideal for ten to eleven months out of the year. Contact one of the resorts at El Yaque for recommendations before booking your trip.
