Margarita's history really starts with Spanish invaders who left their influence on the island´s architecture. Being discovered in 1498, the "conquerors" found an island full of wealth and rich soil, where they settled to live. The discoverers baptized the island "La Margarita", which means "pearl". The island was, and still is, rich with pearls which was more than what they had expected to find in this part of the world. The original inhabitants, the Guaiqueri Indians; received the Spaniards with open arms unaware that they later would become slaves of their own wealth. However, the feelings of hospitality remained throughout the times, making Margarita a warm and open house for all visitors, a place to find the most friendly people and satisfy the hunger for spectacular sights. During colonial times, the governing systems were founded and administrated in the capital city, La Asunción. Margarita didn’t escape the pirates whom in the 16th and 17th centuries, as they scavenged the whole region in the Caribbean.

Today the happy children of Margarita tell the tourists how the island was victim of the ferocious invasion of Lope de Aguirre; how Margarita was an easy target in the Caribbean, and of how the natives had to defend their shores with fortresses to confront the invaders.   On Margarita you will find the walls of the Fortín de la Galera in Juan Griego; the castle Santa Rosa in La Asunción and the castle San Carlos Borromeo in Pampatar. They all speak for themselves about the islands history. Finally freedom came in May 04, 1811 making the island the first free province of the Spanish domain.

Today, Margarita's more than 70 gorgeous beaches offer something for everyone from windsurfing to micro-lighting!  Enjoy your stay and we hope to see you soon!

Margarita island map