More than 2,300 ha. of mangroves grow in the lagoon and of its hundreds of channels twenty of them are open to the visitor. La Laguna de La Restinga has a jetty where the boat ride through the mangrove channels is facilitated. The observation of nature and the enjoyment of the beaches are two good alternatives for the visitor.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Historical review
In 1974, the National Executive decreed the creation of the Laguna de la Restinga National Park, thus submitting to a special protection regime the valuable insular landscape of exceptional characteristics and attributes.
The Laguna de la Restinga National Park, was established by Decree No. 1591 dated February 6, 1974. In the recitals of the Decree it is noted that the lagoon and its adjacent areas of the Macanao Peninsula meet conditions of exceptional beauty and flora and fauna whose integrity requires urgent protection.
The park is located in the central sector that unites the eastern part of the Nueva Esparta State with the Macanao Peninsula. The position was fixed by the following coordinates: North Latitude between 10º 58 ’15’ ‘and 11º 05′ 22 ” and west longitude between 64º 01 ’32’ ‘and 64º 17’ 09 ”.
The Peninsula of Macanao belongs to the Municipality of the mentioned State. The nature reserve covers a combined area of 10,700 hectares of land and semi-desert tropical thorn forests.
Decrees
| Reason | No. and Date | |||||
| Creation: | 1,591 dated 06/02/1974 / GO 30,325 dated 08/02/1974. | to download |
Plan of Regulation and Regulation of use
| No. and Date | to download | |||
| Nº 1641 dated 05/06/1991 / GO Nº 34.758 dated 18/07/1991. | to download |
Altimetry
0-280
Weather
Arid
Temperature
Annual average: 27º C
Precipitation (mm)
Annual average: 427 mm
state
New Sparta
| State | Superfice (Ha) | % | ||||
| New Sparta | 18,862 | 100 | ||||
| Total Area (Ha) | 18,862 |
Public consultation
Yes
Date of the Public Consultation workshops
02 to 04/05/90
WEATHER
It has an approximate temperature of 28 ° C.
SURFACE
It has an area of 18,862 ha.
CREATION
It was declared a national park on February 6, 1974.
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Geological and Geomorphological Information
Coastal lagoon with ecosystems of high biological productivity and diversity of fauna where coastal environments predominate and marine areas that abound with mangroves. In the terrestrial sectors, the conditions of aridity are very accentuated. The lagoon has a bed of more than 100 km2, where the mangroves form a number of islands and channels. The coastal bar of beaches with oceanic waves is composed of deposits of sand, gravel and sea shell remains.
Vegetation
The predominant vegetation is represented by mangroves, which include the red mangrove Rhizophora mangle, with its aerial roots that form a dense network, its branches are a refuge, nesting and spawning place for several marine species, the black mangrove Avicennia germinans, the white mangrove Laguncularia racemosa and the mangrove of botoncillo Conocarpus erectus; in the coastal plains are species such as the spur Tribulus cistoides, the common caterpillar Prosopis juliflora, the divisive Caesalpinia coraria, the guamacho Perskia guamacho, the tuna guasábara Opuntia caribaea and the cardón yabo or cuica Cercidium praecox.
Fauna
The marine avifauna is the most dominant resource, among them the scarlet ibis red coral, the Soisola margariteña Soisola margaritae, the mangle pollita or Maria pollita Rallus margaritae, the flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber, the diving diver Podiceps speciosus, the earwig Fregata magnificens , the well-known pelican or alcatraz Pelecanus carolinensis, erratic migratory bird registered in the Island of Margarita. In the xerophytic forest there is a very rich fauna, especially birds, among which the dirty-faced parakeet Aratinga pertinax, the cardinal or guayamate Cardinalis phoenicius, the parrot margariteña Amazona barbadensis rothschildii and the parakeet carapaico or ñángaro Aratinga acuticaudata neoxena. La Restinga is the only nesting site of this species. Currently, the population of the parrot margariteña has diminished, reason why this one is in danger of extinction and protected by the environmental laws. His capture is because his greatest attraction is the ease with which he learns to pronounce words. They are very persecuted by poachers, who extract them to market them inside and outside the country. There are few mammals and reptiles, among which are sea turtles such as the hawksbill Eretmochelys imbricata and the green turtle Chelonia mydas.
ATTRACTIONS
Crossing the lagoon by boat is a must for visitors, who on board the picturesque boats can discover the beauties of the mangroves and the multiple channels that make up the park, until you reach the northern end where La Restinga beach is located , which has a sand shaped largely by tiny seashells and warm blue waters.
The La Restinga Lagoon is considered one of the best wetlands in the world, that is, as one of the most outstanding water depths of less than 6 m deep that conserves marine ecosystems in their natural state. There, 85 species of birds, 20 reptiles and 10 mammals are protected.
LOCATION
Schedule
The visit time to the park is from 08:30 am to 04:00 pm
Location from the Nearest City
The Laguna la Restinga National Park is in the central sector of the East of the Island of Margarita, in the union of its eastern and western parts in the Macanao Peninsula. New Sparta State.
How to get
On the road that connects the city of Porlamar with the Macanao Peninsula. By sea to the beaches of the park. By air to Porlamar airport.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendations for the Visitor
Only navigation on boats with a length of no more than 7 meters, draft of 50 cm, horsepower of 50 HP and with a maximum speed of 10 knots (18 km / h) is allowed. Inform the park rangers about any irregularity.
Forbidden activities
Commercial fishing, hunting, abandon or throw garbage and solid waste in the areas, carrying firearms, practicing nautical activities within the lagoon area, use of jet sky, jet skis and water sky, mooring of boats to the swamps.