You can't look for a more controversial island in the Caribbean. Yes, Orchila is not particularly large, but this is compensated by fabulous landscapes, gently sloping beaches, carved shadows of palm trees, and excellent diving conditions. What is a paradise for tourists? The fact is that they are not there. At all. At least for now.
Orchila on the map
Orchila island on the world map or a detailed map of the island can be viewed using the navigation buttons (+/-). Caribbean on the map
There is a mysterious place, the territory of which is only 40 km², in the West Indies, slightly east of the Ros Roques archipelago. The territory belongs to Venezuela, and Orchila is separated from it by about 160 kilometers. The distance to Caracas is a little longer - 180 kilometers. The shores are washed by the steamy Caribbean Sea.
In fact, this is almost all the information: a potential tourist will not find any capital, no settlements, no results on the number of local residents obtained after the census in advertising brochures. This sunny corner of the Caribbean, alas, is not for travelers.
Rest on Orchil
The time has come to lift the veil of Caribbean secrets about Orchila - the naval base of the well-known Venezuelan Navy is “housed” here. A vacation on a fantastic island (if service can be called vacation) can only be appreciated by a few dozen people in uniform. Airstrips and housing for defenders of the homeland were built on the territory.
Perhaps everything will change after the promising statement of the brave Hugo Chavez, which was carried by the media in 2013 - the commander-in-chief promised to turn the miniature land into a tempting corner for vacationers. Moreover, not only compatriots will be able to visit the sea coast of La Orchila, but also foreign guests.
If you use your imagination, you can do anything to relax here, fortunately the location of the island allows it. The underwater world awaits divers, the surface world awaits ecotourists, the sea will provide the benefits that you can imagine in the Caribbean: beaches, sea attractions, sailing, fishing, delicacies. Colorful tunes will sound, rum will flow, and shops will appear selling exotic souvenirs.
Orchila nature
Silvery-pink sand, mild climate, lush greenery... It’s not for nothing that Venezuela values this land so much – it’s practically a protected area, which is most likely destined to become the divine island of La Orchila.
In terms of nature, everything is as it should be for the classic Caribbean: flowers, atolls, sea shallows, coral bas-reliefs. In the world of Neptune, there are fish with extraordinary colors, a huge number of lobsters, and sea turtles move majestically. The air is filled with a delightful cocktail of aromas of flowering bushes, spicy breezes, and sun-warmed groves. Birds sing from the early rays until sunset... True paradise!
sights
If you look at it, the time has not yet come for real attractions on Orchila. Although... Why not mention significant moments in the history of La Orchila now? It is in their honor that museums will open, and tour guides will glibly talk about events and great people. And among the latter there will certainly be the unforgettable Hugo.
Many people inevitably follow politics - the news is so often “seasoned” with it. But few people know that the destinies of Chavez and Orchila were historically tightly linked. Here was the residence of the rebel president, and in 2002, the island of Orchila turned into a prison for the freedom-loving Hugo for a day. The coup attempt failed, supporters quickly returned Chavez back to power. Anyone else would have turned away from the area, which is associated with unfreedom, but not Chavez, a tough Venezuelan nut to crack - even after that he remained faithful to his Orchila possessions.
The average temperature is about 27 degrees, the coastal waters are warm all year round. In the future, the high season is likely to be between November and May.
Alas, the head of Venezuela left this world in 2013. Today we can only hope that Chavez’s successors will bring his idea to life as soon as possible - let it become another Caribbean tourist route. Sea sunsets are stunningly beautiful, sunrises attract romance and coolness. Travelers will discover tropical groves, Venezuelan cuisine, soul-stirring songs, and a generous coastline. This land is simply created for relaxation. Charming, colorful, unforgettable
