www.isla-margarita.dk
Currency: The official currency is Bolivares, the official rate is 2.15 Bolivares fuertes ( BsF) to 1 dollar . Bring Dollars or Euros in cash when you come . There is a black market for currency exchange where you can get much better rates. The black market rates vary but you can double your rates at times.
Credit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club and American Express can be used in most places.
Weather: Very constant temperature around 28 - 30 degrees Celcius all year . To see the weather right now:press here or here
Water / swimming: You can swim all year in around 25-27 degrees (Celsius) water. There is no shark threat. Do not let small children swim alone along the eastcoast - because there can be under current.
Politics: Look at : CIA factbook Venezuela This will give you a lot of information but with a USA view on things.
Transport:
Taxis : They are cheap but you have to negotiate the price first. There are no meters in the cabs. A full day taxi is 200 BsF. A taxi from Playa Manzanillo to the airport costs approx. 17 Dollars.
Bus: There are local buses going to almost everywhere on the island. The main bus station is in Porlamar. The buses are very cheap and are the main transport medium for the local people. You cannot expect aircon in them.
Car rental: It is possible to rent cars on the island. You can rent in the airport which is convenient. Pricelevels are average European level - maybe a little cheaper. It is cheaper to rent a new airconditioned taxi than to rent your own car !
Planned tours: There are a lot of companies offering trips: Round the island, Macanau and lagoon of Restinga. Also trips out of the island: Snorkeling tours to Los Frailes. Diving tours to different places. Visits to the outer islands ( Los Roques and Blanquilla) and visits to the mainland ( Angel falls, Canaima, Mérida and others). There is a bit difference in price level, so do a little investigation before deciding which one you prefer. You find the companies in Playa el Agua, Porlamar and Juan Griego.
Pricelevel: On average lower than Europe. It is said to be among the 5 cheapest countrys to visit
Supermarkets: There are several good quality supermarketchains: SIGO , Rattan
Shopping: Sambil is a famous high quality mall with all the known brands available. The centre of Porlamar has also a lot of good shops, and finally there is the Conejero market where you can make a good deal
Voltage: mostly 110 V but some places also have 220 V
Airport: The airport is situated 20 minutes drive from Porlamar. PMV is the airport code and the full name is Del Caribe International (Gen. Santiago Marino). The airport is now modern and efficient.
Nightlife: In Porlamar there are many discotheques to visit, for instance "Señor Frogs" close to the Hilton Hotel or Kamy Beach. Mosquito at the beginning of Avenida Santiago Merino. British Bulldog has live music from 60´s and 70´s every Saturday night. At the Hilton Hotel you can visit the casino. In Playa el Agua there is a good discotheque called "Woodys"
Beaches: Around the island there is a huge number of lovely beaches. If you rent a car you can find your own "bounty-beach" with no other visitors. If you prefer beaches with a bit more life and restaurants you will also find plenty of them. If you prefer playing in the waves you should choose the east coast and if you prefer calm water go to the westcoast. Beaches
Manzanillo beach is a little bit of both - mostly it is quiet, but there can be some good waves once in a while.
Hurricanes: As Isla Margarita is placed very close to the Venezuelian coast, hurricanes do not occur. Of course it can be windy, but never endangering people/houses/cars etc.
Eating out: At Isla Margarita you can find lots of restaurents. Cheap local restaurants with local food or more expensive with an international cuisine. You will of course have the possibility to enjoy lots of fresh fish and seafood.
Prices well under average European pricelevel. Typical dishes: Arepas , Empanadas, Hervide de res, Churasco a lianera, Papellon Creolle
Beer and licquor are very cheap, both in shops and in restaurents
Telephone code: Venezuela +58 Margarita Island 295. Calling inland : 0295 if you use a mobilphone or are in another region.
Medicine and Health: There are several public and private clinics, ambulance services and doctors on Margarita Island. In case you need need to be hospitalized, you will receive better service in private clinics. You have to pay for treatment directly at the clinic and get the cost re-imbursed from your insurance. Remember your passport and credit card if you need treatment at a clinic
Private medical centres:
Centro Médico La Fe - Urb. Jorge Coll Telf. 2622711
Centro Clínico Margarita - Calle Marcano - Porlamar
Centro Médico Nueva Esparta - Via La Sierra, Sector El DiqueLa Asunción, Telf. 2420011
Medi-Call – 2639912
Consulates:
Spain: Francisco Vilariño 2615435 - 2615446
Itali: Paolo Lusardi Tel/fax 2616666
France: Jacqueline Poder 2618431
Swiss: Rolf Reusser 2628682 - 2625672
Chile: Maria Eugenia Godoy 2742841 - 2746561
Sweden: José Mendoza 2623902 – 2624002
Canada: Oficina Mosquito Coast, Final Avenida Santiago Marino con cruce Paseo GuaraguaoTerry Bannon 2613475 - 2640086
Holland: Jaap Van Adelberg 2641658 - Fax 2641460
Denmark: Avenida Juan Bautista Arismendi, Edificio SCAT José A. Mendoza Martin, Consul 274 0027 and 274 1935
Germany: 2616175 - 2615212
USA: Tel: (58)(212) 975-6411
British :Villa Bougainville, Avenida Las Gamboas,Santa Ana, Isla Margarita, Estado Nueva Esparta, (295) 257 0518
This page wass last updated May 2008
Credit Cards: Visa, Mastercard, Diners Club and American Express can be used in most places.
Weather: Very constant temperature around 28 - 30 degrees Celcius all year . To see the weather right now:press here or here
Water / swimming: You can swim all year in around 25-27 degrees (Celsius) water. There is no shark threat. Do not let small children swim alone along the eastcoast - because there can be under current.
Politics: Look at : CIA factbook Venezuela This will give you a lot of information but with a USA view on things.
Transport:
Taxis : They are cheap but you have to negotiate the price first. There are no meters in the cabs. A full day taxi is 200 BsF. A taxi from Playa Manzanillo to the airport costs approx. 17 Dollars.
Bus: There are local buses going to almost everywhere on the island. The main bus station is in Porlamar. The buses are very cheap and are the main transport medium for the local people. You cannot expect aircon in them.
Car rental: It is possible to rent cars on the island. You can rent in the airport which is convenient. Pricelevels are average European level - maybe a little cheaper. It is cheaper to rent a new airconditioned taxi than to rent your own car !
Planned tours: There are a lot of companies offering trips: Round the island, Macanau and lagoon of Restinga. Also trips out of the island: Snorkeling tours to Los Frailes. Diving tours to different places. Visits to the outer islands ( Los Roques and Blanquilla) and visits to the mainland ( Angel falls, Canaima, Mérida and others). There is a bit difference in price level, so do a little investigation before deciding which one you prefer. You find the companies in Playa el Agua, Porlamar and Juan Griego.
Pricelevel: On average lower than Europe. It is said to be among the 5 cheapest countrys to visit
Supermarkets: There are several good quality supermarketchains: SIGO , Rattan
Shopping: Sambil is a famous high quality mall with all the known brands available. The centre of Porlamar has also a lot of good shops, and finally there is the Conejero market where you can make a good deal
Voltage: mostly 110 V but some places also have 220 V
Airport: The airport is situated 20 minutes drive from Porlamar. PMV is the airport code and the full name is Del Caribe International (Gen. Santiago Marino). The airport is now modern and efficient.
Nightlife: In Porlamar there are many discotheques to visit, for instance "Señor Frogs" close to the Hilton Hotel or Kamy Beach. Mosquito at the beginning of Avenida Santiago Merino. British Bulldog has live music from 60´s and 70´s every Saturday night. At the Hilton Hotel you can visit the casino. In Playa el Agua there is a good discotheque called "Woodys"
Beaches: Around the island there is a huge number of lovely beaches. If you rent a car you can find your own "bounty-beach" with no other visitors. If you prefer beaches with a bit more life and restaurants you will also find plenty of them. If you prefer playing in the waves you should choose the east coast and if you prefer calm water go to the westcoast. Beaches
Manzanillo beach is a little bit of both - mostly it is quiet, but there can be some good waves once in a while.
Hurricanes: As Isla Margarita is placed very close to the Venezuelian coast, hurricanes do not occur. Of course it can be windy, but never endangering people/houses/cars etc.
Eating out: At Isla Margarita you can find lots of restaurents. Cheap local restaurants with local food or more expensive with an international cuisine. You will of course have the possibility to enjoy lots of fresh fish and seafood.
Prices well under average European pricelevel. Typical dishes: Arepas , Empanadas, Hervide de res, Churasco a lianera, Papellon Creolle
Beer and licquor are very cheap, both in shops and in restaurents
Telephone code: Venezuela +58 Margarita Island 295. Calling inland : 0295 if you use a mobilphone or are in another region.
Medicine and Health: There are several public and private clinics, ambulance services and doctors on Margarita Island. In case you need need to be hospitalized, you will receive better service in private clinics. You have to pay for treatment directly at the clinic and get the cost re-imbursed from your insurance. Remember your passport and credit card if you need treatment at a clinic
Private medical centres:
Centro Médico La Fe - Urb. Jorge Coll Telf. 2622711
Centro Clínico Margarita - Calle Marcano - Porlamar
Centro Médico Nueva Esparta - Via La Sierra, Sector El DiqueLa Asunción, Telf. 2420011
Medi-Call – 2639912
Consulates:
Spain: Francisco Vilariño 2615435 - 2615446
Itali: Paolo Lusardi Tel/fax 2616666
France: Jacqueline Poder 2618431
Swiss: Rolf Reusser 2628682 - 2625672
Chile: Maria Eugenia Godoy 2742841 - 2746561
Sweden: José Mendoza 2623902 – 2624002
Canada: Oficina Mosquito Coast, Final Avenida Santiago Marino con cruce Paseo GuaraguaoTerry Bannon 2613475 - 2640086
Holland: Jaap Van Adelberg 2641658 - Fax 2641460
Denmark: Avenida Juan Bautista Arismendi, Edificio SCAT José A. Mendoza Martin, Consul 274 0027 and 274 1935
Germany: 2616175 - 2615212
USA: Tel: (58)(212) 975-6411
British :Villa Bougainville, Avenida Las Gamboas,Santa Ana, Isla Margarita, Estado Nueva Esparta, (295) 257 0518
This page wass last updated May 2008
Facts about Isla Margarita and Venezuela
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Isla Margarita Beach propeties