thank you very much for the information can't wait only 5 weeks till i go!!

hi hhsegibs and greyman,
I am sure you will both have a fantastic holiday, I enjoyed it so much that as the planes took off towards home, I had a few tears....We will go back again, I had hoped for this year, but we are going to Goa instead....so perhaps next year.

April/May time I think you will find that the turtles come up to the beach.

Let me know how you both get on.

Paula

Just over 9 weeks for my party of 8 to hit Margarita , already thinking of next year though as its our 30th wedding anniversary next March.

Hi hhsegibs

We are of to MI in July so I have been taking a look at the Margarita message board and I found this post about the Dunes.

http://www.margaritaislandguide.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=170

There is a lot of good inforrmation on this board.

Hope it is of some help to you.

Graham

Hi Monkey1

We are also going in July (the6th) and I have been taking a look at the Margarita message board and this new post has just been posted which gives a lot of good info and also a link to some pictures.

Graham

Kiltman-Graham, i`m a member on there already is that you on there?.

Just checked today with First Choice Airlines and the NEW 767 will used on the Manchester to PMV so are we . 33" seat pitch as standard.

Hi greyman

Yes that is me that pops up on that board.
Just waiting on Demayo getting back to his normal self, he seems a bit subdued after his vacation.

The new 767 is due to start in May (the last I heard) so you should hopefully get a nice wide seat.

Graham

We are booked to travel to Margarita Island for 2 weeks at the end of June - any info on Margarita would be great. We are staying at Hesperia Isla Margarita.

Hi

We are also first timers to Margarita going July. A good site to get info is http://www.margaritaislandguide.com and there is also a very good discussion forum on this site. I have got Trip Advisor looking out for reviews on the hotel we are staying at and they keep me up to date. We are at the LTI Costa Caribe.

We stopped at the Hesperia Margarita two years ago and had one of the best holidays we have ever had.

The hotel staff were brilliant, unobtrusive but really helpful. We were AI and unlike other places there were no issues about getting served any number of drinks during the day, probably because the local Rum is so cheap $2 a bottle when we were there and always seemed happy.

The animation team were lively and tried to get you involved but left you alone if you didn't.

The food in the buffet restaurant was varied and always tasted great. Don't be too put off if you see goat and rabbit, its what the locals also eat. You can also get a steak or fish cooked whilst you wait. There is also a pizza/burger bar and an al a carte (although we did not use this). You can also get snacks at the beach bar during the day.

The beach is a short stroll from the main hotel and is clean and uncrowded.

Trips - we did the overnight in the Orrinoco Delta/Sabo Falls. It involves a lot of travelling by plane bus and indian canoe but was brilliant. Also did the catamaran trip to Coche Island (lots of sun, rum, and food) and the historic tour of the Island. Bit rushed but again interesting. We booked our trips through the travel company.

However, the discussion board mentioned in the other post is run by a guy called Walter. He operates a tour company on the Island and will offer you these and other trips. He will come out to the hotel to see you, and will respond to any e-mail you send him before you travel. Lots of people recommend him.

Couple of things to point out about the hotel - 5star Venezuela is not 5star Europe. You may notice a musty smell at times. This is just the humidity and not backed up pipes. The water that comes out of the taps is slightly brown coloured. This is because all the water has had to be pumped over from the mainland and is not filtered on the island. It is perfectly OK to wash in, and to be honest my wifes skin (she has excema) seemed to inprove. The golf course is free to guests, but if you do play take plenty of water with you because it gets V HOT.

Brouchers go on about the tax free status of the island. This really only makes a difference if you live on the Venezualan mainland. Prices are not too different from UK.

We had brilliant weather, it rained for an hour in all the time we were there and that was unusual for the Island.

Have a really great time. We loved the place. If you want some further info get back to me.

Thanks for all your info - it sounds great!! Can't wait to go. How did you find the actual accomodation - hotel rooms, dining area, bars etc?

Just one more question - what time of the year did you visit Margarita?

Whatever you do make sure you do the excursion to Angel Falls. Not to see Angel Falls particularly but to visit Canaima Falls, it is one of the best experiences of my life, truly spectacular.

Jim

Sorry about not getting back sooner.

We went in July, but there is very little variation in temperature through out the year.

The hotel was excellent. Rooms were big (as was the bathroom). Cleaned everyday, staff were helpful.

It is on the north side of the island so is a little isolated, but beautifully peaceful.

Like I said although it is classed as five star, it probably lacks the trimmings of a european five star. But that does not detract from the fact that it is a really nice hotel to stay at.

Couple of more pointers.

Use plenty of suncream. There is often a breeze blowing into the hotel, but the sun is v. strong.

If you go up jungle use the Jungle Strength insect repellant, available from most Boots/Super Drug. Do not buy a cheap one. My wife and I came back without being bitten. others on the trip who used cheap and nasty spray were covered.

Go to Juan Griego for the sunset, be there well before 5.30. Brilliant views, and ou can watch the pelicans feeding in the harbour.

Get back if you want further info

Any further in

Hello all - we are going to Margarita on 23rd June staying at the Hesperia Isla Margarita - has anyone just back with any up to date info? Or anyone just about to leave & getting excited like us?

been back 2 weeks now ,we stayed at the Dunes which is next door, Margarita is fabulous, if you want to see my photo`s take a look here,

http://community.webshots.com/user/greyman109

Greyman (Graham) I will have to report you to the other site for posting here

Kiltman Graham

With 3 weeks to go, love the pics by the way.

Just spreading the word about Margarita Kiltman-Graham,now if fabhols wants to try `the margarita site` just P.M me and i`ll show wherer to go to .