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Travel guide
How to get there, when to go and what to do in the archipelago.
Los Roques is an archipelago in the Venezuelan Caribbean, off the coast of La Guaira: hundreds of cays, islands and sandbanks scattered around a reef lagoon. It has been a national park since 1972, and that’s why it still looks the way it does, with clear water, white sand and almost nothing built.
You can only arrive by air or by sea. Small planes leave from Caracas and land on Gran Roque in about 50 minutes, a short walk from the house. International travelers fly into Maiquetía, Caracas’s international airport, the usual starting point for flights to the islands. The national park fee is paid when you land.
The weather is good almost all year. The trade winds blow hardest in the first half of the year, which is kitesurfing season, and the water is at its calmest when they ease off. Venezuelan holidays (Christmas, Carnival, Easter week and August) are high season, so book early if your dates fall then.
There are no cars on Gran Roque: the streets are sand and everything is within walking distance. You hop between cays by boat, leaving from the village dock. With a boat of your own, the day runs on your schedule.
Things to do
A cabana day on Madrisquí or Francisquí, La Piscina by clear-bottom kayak, swimming alongside sea turtles, kitesurfing lessons, scuba diving or a full day of fishing.
Everything is booked by the day and added to the same booking, whether or not you stay at the house.
Only by air or by sea, and almost everyone flies. Small planes leave from Caracas and reach the airstrip on Gran Roque in about 50 minutes; there are also departures from Charallave and Valencia. If you’re coming from abroad, you’ll land at Maiquetía, Caracas’s international airport. At Almare, you can charter the whole plane for your group and book it along with your stay.
Yes. Los Roques is a national park, and the entrance fee is paid on arrival at Gran Roque. The amount is set by INPARQUES, Venezuela’s national parks authority, and changes from time to time, so we’ll confirm it when we finalize your booking.
Any time of year: it’s warm and dry almost year-round. The wind is strongest in the first half of the year, which is kitesurfing season; when it drops, the water turns calmer and clearer, which is ideal for diving. Venezuelan holidays (Christmas, Carnival, Easter week and August) fill up early, so it pays to book well ahead.
On Gran Roque, the only village in the archipelago and home to the dock and the airstrip. Casa Almare is right there on the beach, rented as a whole house for groups of up to six, with meals included.
Yes. The beach club, the private boat, activities and flights can all be booked on their own, with no need to stay at Casa Almare.
Pack light, in a soft-sided bag: the small planes have weight limits, and we’ll confirm your allowance when you book your flight. Bring reef-safe sunscreen, a cap, light clothing and a layer for the boat ride back in the late afternoon.
