National park · Venezuela
Laguna de La Restinga National ParkParque Nacional Laguna de La Restinga
Enter the park for VES 5,000–10,000 (≈$0.5–$1) and take a 40‑min boat tour (US$40‑50) to see mangroves and birds; hike the short mangrove trail (≈1 km (0.6 mi)) in the dry season (Dec–Apr) for the best experience.Enter the park for VES 5,000–10,000 (≈$0.5–$1) and take a 40‑min boat tour (US$40‑50) to see mangroves and birds; hike the short mangrove trail (≈0.6 mi (1 km)) in the dry season (Dec–Apr) for the best experience.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
107 km² (41 sq mi)41 sq mi (107 km²)
approximate
Established
1974
Best months
Dec–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…Check your own government travel advice for Venezuela bef…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Venezuela ↗Check your own government travel advice for Venezuela before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Venezuela ↗Entry rules depend on your passport and how you arrive (air or land); confirm with a Venezuelan embassy or consulate and your airline before booking.
- Venezuela ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Venezuela before you rely on it.
At a glance
- Country
- Venezuela
- Area
- 107 km² (41 sq mi)41 sq mi (107 km²)
- Park area 10,700 ha (2,500 ha lagoon) per source.
- Established
- 1974
- Best months
- Dec–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
Laguna de La Restinga National Park protects a 10‑km salt‑water lagoon, surrounding mangrove swamps and a 15 km beach on Isla Margarita. It offers birdwatching, endemic fish and a short boardwalk through buttonwood mangroves, plus guided boat tours that navigate the lagoon’s channels.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Ramsar wetlandListed as a Ramsar wetland.
Size and age
107 km² (41 sq mi)41 sq mi (107 km²) · national park since 1974
Park area 10,700 ha (2,500 ha lagoon) per source.
Why go
- Explore a large salt‑water lagoon with mangrove channels and abundant birdlife.
- See endemic fish, oysters and starfish in clear water.
- Walk a short mangrove trail to experience Caribbean swamp forest.
When to go
- JanBest
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayGo
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecBest
- JanCooler, less rain.
- FebDry, comfortable.
- MarWarm, still dry.
- AprEnd of dry season.
- MayHeat rises, occasional showers.
- JunHot, more rain.
- JulPeak heat, humidity.
- AugHot, occasional storms.
- SepRain increases.
- OctHeat eases, still dry.
- NovMilder, less crowd.
- DecCooler, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquatic birds (herons, pelicans, cormorants, egrets, frigatebirds)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Endemic white‑tail deer subspeciesAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Red snapper, gruntfish, sardines, black mulletAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Embarcadero La Restinga | Public dock, ticket office, parking, restrooms. | Open daily; cash accepted. |
| Mangrove trailhead | Short boardwalk through buttonwood mangroves. | Free after entry ticket. |
| Lagoon area | Boat routes to mangrove channels and beach. | Guided boat tours only. |
Sketch map
- 1Embarcadero La Restinga · Gate≈10.983, -64.166Main dock, ticket office and parking.Map ↗
- 2Mangrove boardwalk start · Trail≈10.985, -64.150Short boardwalk through buttonwood mangroves.Map ↗
- 3Playa la Restinga · Beach≈10.970, -64.18015 km (9.3 mi) sandy beach; vendors sell oysters.9.3 mi (15 km) sandy beach; vendors sell oysters.Map ↗
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates based on park centre and dock; approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | VES 5,000–10,000 | person | Approximate; official rate not published. |
| Boat tour (lagoon only) | US$40 | person | US$40 per person, cash preferred. |
| Boat + beach tour | US$50 | person | US$50 includes beach stop. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- VES 5,000–10,000
- US$40
- US$50
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Pets
- Not allowed in the mangrove trail or boat tours.
- Camping
- No camping inside the park; stay in Porlamar or other island towns.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; only use designated grills on the beach.
Where to stay
Near the park
Porlamar
Hotels, hostels and resorts 20 km (12 mi) from the park.Hotels, hostels and resorts 12 mi (20 km) from the park.
Near the park
Pampatar
Budget guesthouses and backpacker options.
Safety
Heat and sun exposure medium
Boat safety low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Dock and boardwalk are wheelchair‑accessible with ramps.
- Boat tours have limited space for mobility devices.
Visiting lightly
- Use reusable water bottles; avoid single‑use plastics on the beach.
- Support local vendors selling sustainably harvested oysters.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Laguna de La Restinga National Park?
Entry is about VES 5,000–10,000 per person (≈$0.5–$1); boat tours cost US$40 for lagoon only or US$50 with a beach stop.
What are the best hikes in Laguna de La Restinga National Park?
The short mangrove boardwalk (≈1 km, easy) is the main trail; it can be combined with a 40‑min boat tour of the lagoon.
When is the best time to visit Laguna de La Restinga National Park?
Visit in the dry season, especially December to April, for cooler temperatures and fewer rain showers.
Are there any accommodations inside the park?
No lodging or camping is allowed inside; stay in Porlamar or Pampatar, both a short drive away.
Can I bring my own food to the beach?
Yes, but bring no glass and pack out all waste; many vendors sell fresh oysters on site.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Laguna de La Restinga National Park
Loading…
Was this useful?