Los Roques: coral cays in a Caribbean national park

Gran Roque

Every visitor lands on **Gran Roque**, the main island, where a small village of painted houses, sandy streets and posadas sits beside the runway. There is a small plaza, a few shops and restaurants, and a hill with an old lighthouse that makes a short sunset walk. Posadas usually include breakfast and dinner, and many also pack a cool box lunch for your day on the cays, so most trips are booked on a full board or half board basis.

The cays

Each morning, boats called peñeros take visitors from the Gran Roque beach to the cays, dropping you with a shade umbrella and collecting you in the afternoon. Favourites include:

• **Francisquí**, a group of cays close to Gran Roque, with a natural pool and good snorkelling.
• **Madrisquí**, with calm water and a few holiday homes.
• **Crasquí**, a long, quiet white beach with a simple fish restaurant.
• **Cayo de Agua**, famous for a sandbar joining two islands, often called one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. It is further away, so plan a full day.
• **Noronquí** and **Carenero**, quieter options for snorkelling and calm bays.

Things to do

Snorkelling and diving are excellent, with reefs, turtles, rays and plenty of tropical fish. Licensed dive centres operate on Gran Roque. Los Roques is also known for bonefishing on the flats, kitesurfing and windsurfing when the trade winds blow, and sailing trips on catamarans that spend several nights among the cays. The turtle conservation station on Dos Mosquises, run by a scientific foundation, has welcomed visitors in the past; ask your posada whether visits are possible.

Park rules

Los Roques is a national park, and visitors pay an entry fee on arrival. Rules protect the reefs and birds: do not take shells or coral, use reef friendly sunscreen, take your rubbish back with you and respect closed areas where seabirds nest. Fishing is controlled, and lobster season is regulated.

Getting there

Small airlines fly from the domestic terminal at Maiquetía to Gran Roque, usually in the morning, and some trips run from Isla Margarita. Planes are small, so luggage limits are strict: pack a soft bag and leave the rest in Caracas. Flights can be delayed or rescheduled with little notice, so avoid booking a tight connection on your international flight home. Many visitors book flights and a posada together as a package.

Money and practicalities

Cash in US dollars is essential on the islands. There are very few card terminals, no reliable ATMs and limited internet, so bring what you need for park fees, tips and extras, in small notes. Bring sun protection, a hat, reef friendly sunscreen, water shoes and any medicine you need. Fresh water is limited, so use it carefully.

Is it safe?

Los Roques is generally considered one of the calmer places to visit in Venezuela, partly because it is so small and remote. The main risks are sunburn, dehydration and boat safety. Choose established boat operators and check life jackets. Your exposure to wider risks comes mostly in transit through Maiquetía and Caracas, so read your government's travel advice and arrange transfers in advance.

Use the free trip planner to fit Los Roques into your route.