Description: On arriving on Margarita Island, the most awaited part of my planned vacation was the trip to Diverland. Diverland gets its name from a mix of Spanish and English words: 'Diver' from Diversion (fun in Spanish) and 'Land' in English which basically translates to Funland. I found the name to be fitting, as my friends and I had a marvellous time at the amusement park.
Getting there as tourists was a bit on the expensive side, as we had to hire a cab to and from the park. The taxi charged 100 Bolivares each way, but the since the ride was at least 40 minutes, travelling in airconditioned comfort made the price easier to swallow. It is possible to travel to the park by means of public transportation, but we weren't comfortable with that option seeing that it was after 7pm and we were in a country that isn't known for being exceptionally safe.
After the 40 minute ride, we arrived at Diverland and our driver dropped us off at the ticket booth, ensuring us that we'd be able to get another taxi by simply waiting at the drop off point. The entrance fee was 160 Bolivares, and after having our bands placed on our wrists, we were allowed to pass through the gate.
Complimentary park maps were handed out, and we took a few minutes to gather our bearings. The number of rides which we saw on the sheet surpassed the quantity which we had expected given the fact that this wasn't a major amusement park. After a small discussion, we agreed to try two of the smaller rollercoasters first, to get our blood pumping and our adrenaline flowing.
The rollercoaster rides appeared to be well maintained, and the staff members were quick and efficient as they helped guests to debark the ride, and assisted the new passengers in being seated and buckled in. The first ride we tried was the 'Killer Loop' and it was somewhat deceiving. We chose this for our entry ride seeing that it was smaller in size, but what it lacked in presence, it definitely made up for in speed! Our carts shot forward as fast as a bullet with hair raising turns and upside down loops which left us gasping for breath!
After having fun on the roller coasters, we went to the concession stands to grab a few soft drinks since our throats were parched from screaming at the top of our lungs. We found the prices to be a bit on the higher side, in comparison to shops in the community of Juan Griego, but we understood that this is to be expected at amusement parks so we didn't complain. The options were rather limited, with mostly locally made sodas and beverages, so we grabbed bottles of Sprite (the only drinks we recognized) and water. Expect to pay 12 Bolivares for a cold and refreshing drink.
Since we just had something to drink, we decided to take a slower ride, and the ferris wheel seemed to be a good candidate. The 'Overview Wheel' engaged us in a smooth and relaxing ride, as we slowly spun our way to the top of the wheel. The view from above was stunning, with many dazzling city lights spanning as far as the eye could see. We could see the entire park from our birds eye view, and that's where we spotted our next conquest! The zip line!
This zipline allowed guests to 'fly' over a large manmade lake situated on the park grounds. We climbed up to a platform on one side of the lake, stepped up on a high box, where we were then outfitted with helments and gloves. After the staff members checked to make sure our gear was securely fastened, we were told to jump! The feeling of gliding across the night sky, swooping to mere inches above the lake before climbing upwards to the second platform was nothing short of magical. It was definitely worth doing.
Seeing as it was Halloween time, there was a very good haunted house set up. Inside of the house was pitch black and the only lights inside were those illuminating the path which we were to walk. The decorations were really cool, and not tacky in the slightest. This was the best haunted house that I've ever experienced, complete with the creepy soundtrack. Ghouls and other scary creatures jumped out of dark corners, skeletons reached out to grab us as we passed and creepy crawlies were hanging from the rafters. Everyone was screaming throughout the haunted house, and we were all too relieved to finally see the exit!
Other attractions worth mentioning included the Go Karts, the bumper cars and bumper boats. The bumper cars were lots of fun, and I did it twice! However, we left to best ride for last. The biggest rollercoaster in the entire park ended our trip with a bang, as we sped through the yellow and blue tracks at high speeds.
The evening spent at Diverland was unforgettable. The park had a good sized crowd present, but lines weren't long, and it didn't hamper our experience. Diverland may not be the cheapest activity on Margarita Island, but it's definitely worth your time and money!
Close