A PRISTINE PARADISE OF PERFECTION
FEW PLACES ON THE PLANET CAN OFFER HUMAN EYES SUCH AN EXTRAORDINARY AND SINGULAR BEAUTY AS THAT OF ARCHIPELAGO LOS ROQUES NATIONAL PARK...
Are you looking for Paradise, right now? Los Roques is it. A wonderful place with a huge extension of peaceful waters, the presence of lagoons and beaches with white sand (from coral origin), and crystalline waters with incredible colours.
Los Roques Archipelago National Park was created in 1972 to protect a marine ecosystem of exceptional beauty and ecological value dominated by coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds. It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful natural areas of Venezuela. The park, located about 80 miles (128 km) north of the port of "La Guaira" in Caracas, covers 221,120 hectares (546 acres), making it the largest marine park in the Caribbean Sea.
The coral reefs host some of the most beautiful underwater fauna and flora of the Caribbean. The park has exceptionally beautiful beaches of white sand and multicolour, crystalline warm waters which make it a diving, sailing and fishing paradise.
Biodiversity
This national park protects one of the highest-quality coral reefs with respect to species diversity, area of live coverage, and low incidence of diseases in all the Caribbean. Los Roques harbours about 61 species of corals, 200 species of crustaceans, 140 species of molluscs, 45 species of echinoderms, 60 species of sponges, and 280 species of fish. In addition, 92 bird species, 50 of which are migratory, can be seen in the park. Four globally endangered sea turtle species nest regularly on the islands, including the most important nesting site for Eretmochelys imbricata in Venezuela
Activities
Los Roques Archipelago attracts a number of visitors that come to do many different activities. The natural beauty of the beaches attracts most tourists. Coral reefs are of special interest to professional and recreational scuba divers. Sport fishing and windsurfing are also practiced in Los Roques, and it is even possible to go for a ride in an ultralight. Among other tourist attractions are the Virgen del Valle celebrations in the second week of September, and the Lobster Festival at the beginning of the lobster-fishing season in November. Sailors and pilots also consider Los Roques to be a very interesting place due to its distance from the mainland. It is considered by many as one of the top archipelagos in the Caribbean.
Accommodation in Gran Roque
It is possible to stay at Los Roques and enjoy the spectacular sights and beaches at one of the 60 posadas or inns present on the island. These posadas were once fishermen's homes which have now been transformed and renovated to host tourists, offering rooms to rent. Lodging generally includes breakfast and dinner and prices range from US $50-200 per night per person. Some lodges also include transfers to the nearby islands, lunch, beach chairs, sun umbrellas and snorkelling equipment. Staying on a sailboat is another option for about US $150 a day per person. The cheapest option is to camp in designated INPARQUES areas. Even though Los Roques has a variety of lodging options, 96% of the tourists stay in the posadas, 3% in sailboats and less than 1% camp (AUA 2000). The park is famous for underwater immersions, kite surfing and sport fishing. You can also fly over the archipelago with an ultralight glider.
Scuba diving trips to the Los Roques reef can be organized through one of the three diving centres on the island. All of them offer the same rates for two immersions a day, including all equipment. Special offers are available if you are interested in diving on more than one day.
Los Roques is the ideal place to practice kite surfing because there are always constant winds. It is possible to practice kite surfing on all islands. A "sailing" centre offers lessons and equipment rental for kite and wind surfing.
In Los Roques it is also possible to practice two kind of sport fishing: fly fishing and trolling. Fly fishing takes place in the "flat" areas where you can find Bone Fish and Tarpon. Local guides guarantee 15 catches a day. Trolling instead takes place close to the big barrier where you can catch big barracudas, wahoos, snappers and tunas. In both cases, a rental boat and local guide are necessary.
