LAGUNAMAR RESORT-MARGARITA ISLAND, VENEZUELA

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Author: Viga Boland, webmistress Vigaland

This was our 5th trip to Margarita Island. We've come back year after year because unlike most folks, we do look for a surf that has some good wave action. And Margarita has some great beaches for that. It's also one of the most beautiful islands with it s mountains forming a lovely backdrop to its oceans.

Unfortunately, our timing might not have been the best in going to Lagunamar on Feb. 13th. The waves were there alright but they were falling all over each other: no good for what my husband wanted to do most: body surf! There were two deep channels within 15ft of entering the water and the waves just dumped there. So this trip wasn't a body surfing success. Thankfully, Lagunamar had so much to offer it didn't matter all that much!

I can't believe the number of negative reviews I read before we decided on Lagunamar. I'm still wondering what on earth folks are complaining about. We were in the South Tower. Our room was huge and very pleasing to look at with its all white duvets and 2 queen size beds. For once, we didn't feel cramped! And it was so quiet. I don't remember hearing anyone in the adjoining rooms though they were both occupied. Halls and foyers were spacious and offered plenty of spots to sit quietly and read away from everything if you didn't want to sit in your room.

And why would you want to do that anyway? The temperatures were fabulous. I usually can't take the heat but I didn't break a sweat once. Lovely breezes all day long. And on the grounds of Lagunamar, there was so much to do if you enjoy the outdoors. I'm a swimmer so my heart soared when I first spotted that 10-lane 50m. pool. What a workout I got every day, and I never had to share a lane with anyone else. There are so many pools at Lagunamar that you don't have to worry about hopping in before all the kids start dive -bombing and splashing. If you don't want to do lengths, you can laze around the huge pools located near both the North and South Towers. Feel like having some fun? There's the awesome waterslide pool; or the wave pool. And for the children there's the fabulous kiddies area with so many wonderful water fun treats for the children. I've never seen a children's area like this one!

Though I rarely saw anyone using them, there were 4 tennis courts and a couple of other ball courts (basketball, squash) and tucked away near the gym were tables for table tennis and billiards. The animation team kept activities going both on the beach and in the sports pool (a separate pool again) all day long.

For the money, Lagunamar is terrific value. We couldn't help but wonder how they keep it going. Maintenance on all those pools and grounds must cost a fortune! As for the casino, we found out that this was the second time it's been closed and this time it'll stay that way...something to do with unpaid taxes and dealers ripping off management.

I would hate to see this resort close as it has so much to offer. If it stays open, it won't surprise me that it becomes impossible to get in there in years to come: it's perfect for sports teams and training in various skills, especially of course, swimming.

The walk to the beach was a pleasant 10-15 min stroll over the bridge across the large lagoon on which other water sports like wind-surfing and canoeing take place...all included in the cost. If that walk was too much, little buses come every 10 minutes or so to take you anywhere in the complex.

And for those who do nothing more than sit around a bar, there were more than enough to choose from. We liked the beach bar best as it had a nice little grill restaurant for lunch and we could spend our afternoon enjoying the sound of the waves breaking. After all, we only had one week to listen to that before heading back to freezing, snow-covered Canada.

As for the food, well if you've been to South America often enough as we have, you get used to having last night's dinner reappear in a different form at breakfast or lunch. There really was a lot of variety if you looked at it objectively. Breakfasts offered eggs, bacon, cereal, pancakes, waffles, fruit, cheeses. ... gosh at home all I have is a bagel with cheese. We had our dinners primarily in the South Tower restaurant. Always lots of different salads, meats of all kinds, including roast beef, lamb, even roast duck! The soups were outstanding. Only one thing didn't quite cut it: desserts. I don't care about dessert but those who do were probably dismayed at finding the same types of layer cakes every day. No ice cream; no rice pudding. Funnily enough, in our last 48 hours some different desserts appeared and they were great.

As for the folks who waited on us, I can't praise them enough. They bent over backwards to serve. Wine, red and white, was immediately offered as soon as we were seated. Water was immediately refilled. And by the end of the week, I had several "trained" on how to bring me my pot of tea. They were delightful, always smiling and eager to please.

Other things of note: super cheap internet! Very slow but I got on every day for nearly an hour and entire week cost me about $10!! Entertainment in the evening was a bit hit and miss but the dancers were superb and one of the animation team, Sally, is a great singer. Make sure you ask her to sing for you. She stars in their animation of "Grease' and is planning to try out for South American Idol. With her looks, body and voice...wow! See photo!

While our favourite beach at Margarita is still Playa El Agua, and we've stayed at Hesperia Playa El Agua twice, Lagunamar is by far the better resort. All said, you get out of a holiday what you put into it. You have to go to these places expecting that it won't be like home because it isn't home: it's a different country with a different culture, different foods and different moods. We love Margarita Island and the only reason we might not return is that we'll always be looking for a good body-surfing beach. Except for that, Lagunamar would be our resort of choice. Oh,by the way, I spoke with some otther Canadians there who were down there for 2 months! This was their 7th year at Lagunamar. Now that says it all right there!

Read more reviews of Lagunamar and see more of our photos at TRIP ADVISOR.

Viga Boland is the webmistress of VIGALAND and operates many informative websites on a variety of topics. She also runs a vintage jewelry business from her online shop at RUBY LANE.