El Yaque Destination Guide
Everything you need to know about Playa El Yaque -- from the beach and kitesurfing to where to eat and how to get around.
Everything you need to know about Playa El Yaque -- from the beach and kitesurfing to where to eat and how to get around.
Playa El Yaque is a wide, flat beach on the southern coast of Margarita Island. The sand is golden and fine, and the water is shallow and warm -- you can wade out 100 meters and still be waist-deep. The beach stretches for about 1.5 kilometers, with the western end being the main tourist area (restaurants, hotels, kite schools) and the eastern end quieter and more local.
The beach faces south-southwest, which means it catches the trade winds perfectly and offers some of the most spectacular sunsets in the Caribbean. The water is generally calm with no significant waves, making it safe for families and ideal for kitesurfing.
Beach chairs and umbrellas are available for rent ($5-10/day) from various vendors, or you can bring your own. There are several beachfront restaurants where you can eat with your feet in the sand.
El Yaque is consistently ranked among the top 5 kitesurfing destinations in the world. The trade winds blow side-onshore from the east at 15-30 knots almost every afternoon from November to July. The flat, shallow water creates ideal conditions for both beginners learning their first water starts and advanced riders practicing tricks.
There are at least 5 certified kite schools at El Yaque, offering lessons in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and German. A typical 3-day beginner course costs $250-400 and includes all equipment. For experienced riders, equipment rental runs about $50-80/day.
The annual El Yaque Kite Festival attracts professional riders from around the world and features competitions, demos, and parties. It usually takes place in March or April.
Windsurfing is also popular at El Yaque, and the beach was actually famous for windsurfing before kitesurfing took over. Equipment rental and lessons are still available.
El Yaque offers surprisingly good dining for a small beach village. The beachfront restaurants serve fresh seafood caught daily by local fishermen -- grilled whole fish, ceviche, and fried calamari are staples. Prices are very affordable by international standards: a full seafood meal with drinks typically costs $10-20.
Venezuelan staples you must try include arepas (corn bread stuffed with various fillings), empanadas, cachapas (sweet corn pancakes), and pabellon criollo (shredded beef, black beans, rice, and fried plantain). Fresh tropical juices and batidos (smoothies) are available everywhere for about $1-2.
The beach bar scene is lively, especially around sunset. Cocktails cost $3-5, and local beer (Polar) is about $1-2. Several bars have live music on weekends. The nightlife is casual and social rather than clubby -- most people are there to share stories about their day on the water.
El Yaque itself is small enough to walk everywhere -- from any hotel to the beach is no more than 10 minutes on foot. However, you may want to explore the rest of Margarita Island during your stay.
From the Airport: El Yaque is just 5km (10-15 minutes) from Santiago Marino International Airport. Taxis cost $10-15, and many hotels offer free airport shuttles.
Local Buses (Por Puesto): Small vans and buses run along the main roads and connect El Yaque to Porlamar (30 min, $0.50), the airport, and other beach towns. They're cheap but can be confusing for first-time visitors.
Taxis: Available throughout the day. Negotiate the fare before getting in. A trip to Porlamar costs about $10-15.
Rental Cars: Available at the airport from $30-40/day. Having a car is convenient for exploring the island's many beaches and towns. Roads are generally decent, though signage is limited.
Scooter/Motorcycle: Some shops in the village rent scooters for about $20/day. A fun and affordable way to explore, but be cautious on the roads.
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