Isla La Tortuga Travel Guide

There's nothing to see in la Tortuga, except the most exceptional deserted beaches! The water is turquoise near the second barrier reef, between the first and the second is green, and near the shore is basically so transparent and clear that it looks white. Little white fishes swim all around you - and if you look far and away, you will see no one else... a paradise just for yourself.

As there's no restaurant on La Tortuga, your only eating opportunity doesn't have a name. Just talk to the first fisherman you'll see and ask him to cook you some fish. You can pay a small price for it, or trade it with some chicken (see cultural tips).

Favorite Dish: On both occasion we had delicious lobsters and red sea bream: once cooked in a pot, once on charcoal... both times delicious! if you want to have salad or rice with it, you'll have to bring it yoursel... if you share it with the fisherman, you'll make him a very happy person, as he doesn't often have the chance to eat anything else except fish... fish... fish...

Sunsets and then... nothing else. There's definitely no entertainment on La Tortuga, which I liked. The highlight of your nightlife is really the sunset... a most amazing sight. From then on... nothing else, except the one you can provide.

Dress Code: Whatever.. or nothing!

One of the two ways to get to Isla La Tortuga is by private plane... which I don't own. The other is by yacht, whichI don't own either, on top it takes about 4 hours to get there and costs a fortune. A trusted friend recommended a the aerotaxi of a charming Frenchman based in Puerto La Cruz: Jean-Luc Tersin. He flew us in his wonderful 6-seater Cessna 2006 and treated us to a low-flying tour of the island before landing on the sandy airstrip: an experience I'll never forget. Jean-Luc charges 200$ per flying hour, which is the necessary time to get to la Tortuga and back.

What's a puri puri? A really tiny insignificant midge which bites... so small that when it bites you you think that such a creature can't harm you! How false! Right after you're bitten you don't feel anything but... the puri puri is vicious: wait 24 hours and its bite will drive you mad for the following 72... you simply won't be able to stop scratching courself, and you'll soon be covered by red dots as if you had some disease. ot dangerous at all

Clothing/Shoes/Weather Gear: long trousers and a light long-slieved blouse to prtect yourself from puri-puri's if you stay overnight (see warning tip)

Toiletries and Medical Supplies: toilet paper is quite important. bring also the medicines you may need.

Camping/Beach/Outdoor Gear: swimsuit and towel are essential. And sunblock: lots of it.

Miscellaneous: bring plenty of water - more than you'll think you'll need: there's no fresh water on the island.

Relax and swim... swim and relax... that's all you can do on La Tortuga. Maybe eat something in between but that's it!

Equipment: Bathing suit (optional, I would say, as there's really no people except a fisherman or two) and a towel. Fin and a mask are a good bet, too, so that you can snorkel around and enjoy the colourful fishes.

Favorite thing: Isla La Tortuga is a deserted heaven halfway between Isla Margarita and Puerto La Cruz. It's 1big island (the second biggest in Venezuela) and 3 smaller ones of real paradise. The islands are uninhabited, with the exception of a handful of fishermen during the lobster season. It's a perfect hideout, but apparently I have not been the first person to think so: in the 17th century pirates used it as a cove, and later on, at the time of Simon Bolivar's revolution, rich Spanish families used the island to hid their treasures.

Fondest memory: The clear transparent waters... from turquoise to light green to white. And then it's perfect quiet and the fact that it's truly unspoilt. Beaches are white and as clean as they could be. There's no transportation there: you either need to rent a yacht or a private plane to get there - and once there you need to be completely self-sufficient. Twice I went there, and twice I had the beaches to myself only.