Los Roques, Venezuela

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Venezuela is home to one of the most exquisite places on earth, boasting a sea that varies between turquoise and emerald, and bordered by sandy white beaches.

Los Roques is an archipelago with more than 340 islands distributed over 220 thousand hectares some 180 kilometres north of Caracas has become one of the most exclusive places in all of Venezuela.

There are only two ways of accessing this natural paradise. One is by sea, from the La Guaria port, in a boat ride lasting about seven hours. The other is by air, in small planes that take exactly 35 minutes. Each option has its own charm, be it incredible views from above, or the thrill of skimming over transparent waters resplendent with coloured fish.

Upon arriving, there is no denying that this is a special place. One special bonus is that from there, visitors can create their own personal itinerary by renting a cruise or ship, by the day or week, to investigate the neighbouring islands. The service includes a captain, crew and cook, although for a more intimate voyage, the crew is optional.

Besides the magnificent views, one of the highlights of such a trip is the taste of recently caught lobster accompanied by a salad and good wine. The advantage of navigating in a personalized cruise is that any of the tiny islands can be visited on a whim, allowing tourists to indulge in fantasies of owning one of these exclusive jewels of the Caribbean.

A visit to the Gran Roque island, the only one inhabited, can also be made. Here, 900 people live in houses strewn about the beach, without the luxury of cars or paved roads. The colours of their homes range from turquoise to fuchsia to yellow; shocking blots of colour over white sands.

In fact, the architectural integrity of the place is preserved by laws that forbid the construction or remodeling of houses, so perhaps the only option the locals have for stylistic novelty is to paint their houses different hues.

Many of these homes have been converted into posadas that not only bestow warm Caribbean treatment on guests but also offer them delicious food, including barbecued barracuda with vegetables and tropical fruit.

This island is full of small-town allure. Everyone knows each other, and for this reason, it is not surprising that they are generally solitary people. An enchanting fact is that all birthdays are celebrated in the streets by anyone who wishes to join in to the festivities, which include dancing until dawn to the spicy beats ranging from the merengue to the salsa.

In addition to the seductions of Gran Roque, there are other islands that beg to be visited. One of these is Francisqui del Medio. Here, a coral reef has created a natural pool in which hundreds of species of fish and coral dwell. Snorkeling here, as well as in any other part of Los Roques, is an unforgettable experience.

In order to preserve this natural beauty, the entire island zone has been declared a national marine park since 1972, and is jealously guarded. The State itself is in charge of all excursions to ensure that no one takes any natural "souvenirs." Even the removal of coral washed up on the shore is prohibited. This natural paradise preserves its gifts as they were upon creation.

It is also worth mentioning that temperatures here hover around 28 degrees all year round, making conditions perfect for any water sport, be it snorkeling, wind surfing, sailing, or underwater photography.

Los Roques is, without a doubt, an obligatory destination for all those who appreciate contact with the beauty of nature.


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