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Useful data for the Route: Los Roques Archipelago – Venezuela |
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Location |
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In the Caribbean Sea off the northern part of the central coast of Venezuela, approximately 166 km (84 nautical miles) from the Port of La Guaira.
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Activities |
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-Managed Natural Environmental Area:
Take boat trips, navigate by sailboat or motorboat along given routes, practice sports fishing, and observe or photograph nature.
- Primitive Marine Area:
In addition to the activities stated above, swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving and excursions along marked paths and nature observation by groups of no more than 15 persons are permitted.
-Recreation Area or Service Area:
In addition to the activities stated above, camping and the practice of nautical sports like sailing and water skiing, etc. are also permitted.
The Dos Mosquises Marine Biology Station, which has been conducting research programs for the last 30 years, is located in the Special Use Area. One of the Station’s current projects is the breeding and reproducing of marine tortoises. With authorization from the National Parks Institute (INPARQUES), it is possible to visit the breeding grounds in Dos Mosquises Sur.
Because of its fragile nature, entry into the Integral Protection Area is not permitted, except to carry out research activities duly authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of the National Park.
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Services and facilities |
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El Gran Roque contains the landing field and nearby the Visitors’ Center, where information and permits can be obtained; the Office of the Superintendent of INPARQUES, the office of the Sole Authority of the Area, the National Guard post, the Fishing Inspection Office and the Police station; some stores; a medical post and public telephones. There are also some centers that teach scuba diving and rent the necessary equipment. There are some modest guesthouses and others that provide more comforts, operated by tourist companies that offer a variety of lodging and tour packages from Venezuela’s principal cities. The park has designated areas for camping, but visitors must bring their own tents and equipment. Peñeros set sail every day at set hours for the cays, such as Francisquí, Madrizquí and Pirata (Pirate) cays, among others.
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Fees and permits |
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Los Roques’ Sole Authority charges national visitors (Bs 5 000) and international visitors (Bs 10 000), as well as an airport tax of Bs 2 000. Visitors can carry up to 10 kg of baggage with them. The following activities require permits issued by INPARQUES at the Visitors’ Center: camping, anchoring at and/or visiting the Primitive Marine Area, scuba diving and sports fishing.
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Recommendations for protecting the park and personal safety |
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-Always use biodegradable sun protection because the sun’s rays are stronger at Los Roques, as reflected off the white sands.
-Use shoes to avoid cuts from pieces of coral in the sand.
-If you have any doubts about the zoning that restricts the practice of certain activities and the access to given cays, check with the Visitors’ Center. That will keep you from having to pay a fine.
-Be sure to put all your trash in the special trash containers. In that way, you will help to keep the landscape clean and avoid the costly necessity of having to pick it up later.
-Since it is essential to safeguard the wealth of bird species, avoid visiting islands where birds are nesting or giving birth and do not ask pilots for low-level flights over the islands.
-Avoid anchoring and walking on the low-lying coral, careless underwater swimming and snorkeling and breaking off pieces of coral as souvenirs. The cracks so produced lead to bacterial infections and the death of the coral.
-Avoid buying lobsters from fishermen during the off season (May to October of each year). And remember that the sale and consumption of botuto and tortoise are categorically forbidden.
-Use the already existing and marked paths to walk on the cays and do not light fires. In that way, you will avoid destroying the vegetation, seeds and shoots.
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Sailboat rental |
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- Veleros Alpiturismo:
 (58-212) 283.14.33 / 283.66.77 / 285.95.11
 (58-212) 285.60.67
 104554.2315@compuserve.com
www.alpiturismo.com
- Veleros AZ:
(58-212) 285.03.67 / 285.16.92
(58-212) 285.23.68
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Other useful data |
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The packages offered by travel agencies and tour operators are all inclusive. Any additional service or the purchase of souvenirs must be paid for in cash, for neither checks nor credit cards are accepted.
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