The  National  Park  Archipelago of  Los Roques is located 100 miles north of Caracas, Venezuela.  With an extension of 225.000 hectares it is the biggest marine park of the Caribbean.  In the middle of a beautiful crystal sea with amazing colors, there are about 50 islands with virgin white beaches and marvelous coral reefs.

For its beauty and ecological importance it was declared national park in 1972.

The archipelago has more than 50 islands. The most important, El Gran Roque (The great rock) is the only one populated and is where the airport is located. The other important islands are  Francisqui, Nordisqui, Madrisqui y Crasqui.

Los Roques is not particularly hospitable to independent travelers. Almost all visitors come as part of an organized tour or an all-inclusive stay at one of the posadas (inns) on Gran Roque. Given the isolation and limited number of hotel rooms, you should make firm reservations before arriving, particularly on weekends and during the high season.

When you arrive in Los Roques, you cannot help but be taken by the informality and quaintness of the place. El Gran Roque, the only town, has no cars – just the one electric golf cart that ferries luggage.

There are a few inhabitants, mostly fishermen and their families who dwell in decorative buildings painted in pastel hues of green, purple, yellow and pink.

No fishing activities are limited to combing solitary beaches shared only with the odd sand crab or sea turtle; birding (you can get incredibly close to the nesting boobies); snorkeling; and a visit to the sea turtle research center.

There is a small dive shop on the island offering scuba excursions. The distinctive rock-like peaks that form the backdrop of El Gran Roque, and for which the archipelago is named, are a worthwhile hike for the energetic. In summary, it is a place to rest, restore oneself, and commune with nature.

Some pictures of Los Roques:

Isla Los Locos (Island of the crazy)

View from El Gran Roque

Lighthouse in El Gran Roque

Lighthouse in El Gran Roque: The old Dutch lighthouse was built of coral, conch shells and stones. It was built by the Dutchman Luis Cornelius Boyé in 1862

Interior of the Lighthouse in El Gran Roque

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