Margarita's Airport - El Aeropuerto Internacional del Caribe "General Santiago Marino" is Margarita’s only airport. It is divided into two sections, the international and the national. Check in/out normally take more time than in your home country and patience is needed specially when queues are long. Please remember to reconfirm flights 48 hours in advance, keep a record of your locator number and try to be at the airport one hour before your flight leaves for national flights and two hours for international flights. A passport and a tourist entry/exit card is always required when boarding a plane. Always make sure your baggage is well secured and that the baggage ticket received has the name of your destination printed on it. It is always helpful to be assisted by a tour operator during peak seasons. For any other assistance there is a tourist information desk in the “national” area, other services available are foreign currency exchange, restaurant, cafe, stores, news agent, taxis and shuttle bus. International flights land on the International Airport of Caracas. If you want to travel onto Margarita Island, you must go with your baggage to the national airport, from Caracas to Margarita is only about a 45 minute plane trip.

Airline Recommendations American Airlines and Continental Airlines both fly to Caracas but offer no direct flights to Island for now. Plans are already under way to make direct flight available. They have flights from most major cities and flights route through Miami International to Caracas with connection into Margarita.

Thanks to 'Morel' the governor we have here in Nueva Esparta and all those who worked on this project the Airport is at its very final stages. Small minor work is still being done but the outside looks great !!!!

These are the before pictures.....

 

Airport Passenger Assistance: (58-0295) 691 652 Internactional Airports. (58-295) 601 438 National Airports. Aeropuerto Internacional del Caribe "Santiago Marino" El Yaque, Isla Margarita, Venezuela Tel: 58 (295) 2691135/1122

Entry Requirements - To enter Venezuela, a valid passport from the country of origin is required, along with a visa - obtainable from consulates-, a tourist card, and a return ticket. No special vaccinations are required, although those traveling to the jungle should consult their physician as to whether or not they need protection from yellow fever and maleria.

We constantly get asked if it's necessary to get shots before coming here. We have to say it's not necessary. You're not coming to the jungle here (:^) and more than likely your not going to the Amazonas in the mainland. Margarita is much more modern than we think most people can imagine. You'll be quite surprised by how nice and well taken care of this island really is.

New ! - If you're traveling to Margarita Island, we now offer a Rental Cell Phone service. Free Drop-off and Pick-Up upon your departure while at Santiago Mariño International Airport. Please see here for more info and prices.

Margarita Island Maps for your convenience !

Click on a map to see it in full size!

two other maps one of Juan Griego the other

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Aeropostal

AEROPOSTAL - IN THE USA call: 1-888-912-8466 for Caracas & Margarita connections. They speak English and are very helpful.

Aserca Airlines

Laser

Avensa

Aeropuerto de Maiquetia

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Electricity: The electric system of the island works with 110 watts in 60 cycles. There are some 220 plugs available, but you should always check at your hotel's front desk.

Water: Running water flows constantly, since a giant pipe comes from the mainland plant. Bottled water, domestic and imported, is available in supermarkets, marts, hotels and restaurants.

Sun protection: Venezuela is located just 8 degrees above the Equator. The sun here is very direct and protection is recommended when planning to spend long periods of time outdoors. A hat, or a visor, is also recommended.

 

Weather Temperatures: Early in this year in our Jan.-Feb months we were going through our rainy season. It didn't rain every single day but the grass had never been so greener. So far we only had two days that it rained all day long. The majority of the time it rains for a little while then the sun comes out and it gets warmer fast. I personally prefer it to rain at nite or first thing in the morning so it leaves the rest of the day nice and dry.

Since then now we are clearly getting into the summer months and are in our DRY season. It has rained but two days barely since March. Look for lots of sunny days for the next coming months. Our last summer was not as hot since we have that wonderful ocean breeze roll through. Our fall is almost like summer just a little bit cooler but more noticeable at nite than during the day.

The temperature during the day is about 85's to 90's and low 80's at nite. We really don't have much of a winter here at all. Even at noon here you will 'feel' like the sun is very hot on your skin but it's not even at it's strongest as like when it's really summer time here on the Island. (:^)

Margarita Island's Weather Temperature's for the year of 2005-2007 based on averages

January 2005	High - 83 F	Low - 77 F
February 2005	High - 84 F	Low - 76 F
March 2005	High - 86 F	Low - 78 F
April 2005	High - 85 F	Low - 78 F
May 2005	High - 88 F	Low - 80 F
June 2005	High - 88 F	Low - 80 F
July 2005	High - 88 F	Low - 80 F
August 2005	High - 89 F	Low - 79 F
September 2005	High - 88 F	Low - 81 F
October 2005	High - 88 F	Low - 81 F
November 2005	High - 87 F	Low - 78 F
December 2005	High - 83 F	Low - 77 F
2006
January 2006	High - 83 F	Low - 76 F
February 2006	High - 84 F	Low - 76 F
March 2006	High - 85 F	Low - 77 F
April 2006	High - 86 F	Low - 78 F
May 2006	High - 86 F	Low - 81 F
June 2006	High - 87 F	Low - 82 F
July 2006	High - 87 F	Low - 81 F
August 2006	High - 87 F	Low - 80 F
September 2006	High - 86 F	Low - 80 F
October 2006	High - 86 F	Low - 81 F
November 2006	High - 86 F	Low - 80 F
December 2006	High - 84 F	Low - 79 F
2007
January 2007	High - 82 F	Low - 75 F
February 2007	High - 83 F	Low - 76 F
March 2007	High - 83 F	Low - 76 F
April 2007	High - 84	Low - 76
May 2007	High - 84	Low - 80
June 2007	High - 85	Low - 81
July 2007	High - 87	Low - 81
Aug 2007	High - 87	Low - 80
Sept 2007	High - 87	Low - 79
Oct 2007	High - 86	Low - 77
Nov 2007	High - 87	Low - 77
Dec 2007	High - 86	Low - 78
2008
Jan 2008	High - 87	Low - 78
Feb 2008	High - 87	Low - 78
March 2008	High - 86	Low - 79
April 2008	High - 87	Low - 79
May 2008	High - 88	Low - 80
June 2008

 

Hours of Business....

Schedules: Stores are open regularly Monday through Saturday, from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm then reopen at 3:00 pm til about 8 pm (such as at La Redoma). If you are at Centro AB then most stores there close for siesta at 12:00 pm and re-open at 2:00 pm. Many shops and stores have siesta time... very few stores are open all the time or "corrido" as they call it. They mostly close for 2 hours a day everyday. During peak seasons, some big stores stay open until midnight. The Sambil mall stays open all the time, they do not close for lunch break.

Bank offices open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, and on Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm.

Tourist Information: Tourism Corporation of Venezuela, Centro Artesanal Gilberto Manchini Los Robles (vía Pampatar) Tel (5895) 62-41-94, (58295) 262-36-38, Fax (58295) 262-43-50

 

Security: Nothing like a Margariteño to make you feel at home! Local citizens are social by nature. There is a police force which guards the security of the area. However, you know you shouldn't leave your personal belongings unattended.

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The official currency in Venezuela is the Bolivar, but American Dollars can be accepted in a few hotels, restaurants, shops and tourist facilities. It's not the norm to allow payment in dollars since Venezuela is working hard to stop the illegal exchange of dollars to Bolivares.Travel checks are a little more harder to use on the island but can be and ATM cards (to withdraw money from the machines) and/or pay for your items at check out. There are many money exchange offices and several banks offer the conversion system as well. As of March 02, 2005 The Bolivar exchange rate is at 2,150 per US dollar and has stayed at that rate since then.

You can also click here for Venezuela's currency exchange rate calculator.

In late January of 2005 Venezuela announced that there would be exchange controls to protect the local currency. Our recommendation is to carry a small amount of US cash for cab fare when you arrive and the remainder in Traveler's Checks. All transactions with credit cards or ATM machines will be at the official rate of Bs. 2150 to US$1. Exchange houses & banks (not all) are exchanging dollars and traveler's checks for Bolivars at the official rate. Our suggestion is to ask the hotel or guest house where you are staying the most convenient place to go to exchange your money. Do NOT plan on using your credit card or ATM card as it will end up costing you more than 12% more than what you can readily receive for US dollars.

Credit Cards: All major credit cards (Visa, Master Card, American Express, Diner's Club) are accepted widely in hotels, restaurants and stores. You will be asked to show a picture ID when purchasing with them, so remember to carry it with you. When you arrive on the island you can also get a color copy of your passport sized down to 50 % or 25 % and get it laminated at a local printing shop ..such as in Centro Commercial AB in Porlamar.

Special note for those of you who would like to use your ATM cards here in Margarita:

Please notify your Bank in advance that you plan on using your ATM card in Venezuela while you are on vacation. If your bank sees activity on your account they 'may' put a hold on your transactions.

Check here to see available ATM's for Visa , Master Card and American Express in Margarita.

American currency can be used in restaurants and shops, however, most retailers do not provide a competitive exchange rate. You can pay in most places with your credit card, however, there can be a surcharge as high as 10%-15% (Venezuelan Merchant Accounts are charged high commissions by the credit card issuers).

The exchange house in El Yaque offers excellent rates. Only the banks in Porlamar (about 15 minutes away) offer better rates, however, they only accept credit cards from tourists. The line-ups at the banks are notoriously long and slow, so we recommend the local exchange house. Also when your at the bank remember to bring your passport and you should know that they don't allow cell phones to be on when in the bank.

Cambios Cussco C.A. Calle Velasquez -CCM Mall across Hilton Hotel Tel: 613867-613379

Cambio Insular. Av. 4 de Mayo Tel: 614301-631403-631619

Cambios For You. Av. Santiago Mariño Tel: 614164-614442-615497

Cambios Viajes y Turismo Triple A. Calle Malave Tel: 610589-614508-616446

Cambios Cussco - Boulevard de Playa El Agua Tel: 2490064/0581

Cambios Cussco - Hotel California, Av. Principal El Yaque Tel: 2613619/2613042

Cambios Cussco - Aeropuerto Internacional Tel: 2691631

Cambios For You - Aeropuerto Tel: 2614442

Cafyca Av. Santiago Marino- Hotel For You -First Floor Tel: 2630449/2614442

Cambios Cussco - Calle Velasquez, In Front of Hotel Bella Vista Tel: 2613379/3867

Cambios Cussco - Av. Bolívar, C.,C.M., First Floor Tel: 2620082

Cambios Cussco - Av. Santiago Marino, Hotel Colibri, First Floor Tel: 2614175

Cambios Triple - Av. 4 de Mayo Front of Bldg. Tifany Palace First Floor Tel: 2610412/2630458

Italcambio - Av. 4 de Mayo C.C. Jumbo, Nivel Ciudad Tel: 2659392

 

Venezuelan Bolivar (VEB) to US Dollar (USD)
Cheat Sheet
VEB	USD		VEB	USD
1,000 =	$ 0.46		20,000 =	$ 9.30
2,000 =	$ 0.93		30,000 =	$ 13.95
3,000 =	$ 1.39		40,000 =	$ 18.60
4,000 =	$ 1.86		50,000 =	$ 23.25
5,000 =	$ 2.32		60,000 =	$ 27.90
6,000 =	$ 2.79		80,000 =	$ 37.20
7,000 =	$ 3.25		100,000 =	$ 45.61
8,000 =	$ 3.72		200,000 =	$ 93.02
9,000 =	$ 4.18		500,000 =	$ 232.55
10,000 =	$ 4.65		700,000 =	$ 325.58
15,000 =	$ 6.97		1,000,000 =	$ 465.11
based upon exchange rate of 2150 bs, coming to Margarita soon click here to take our cheat sheet chart with you in print!

 

Coming with your kids to Margarita, here's neat site to help them learn more about Venezuela!

 

(info such as .... Traveling by car, Car Rentals & photos, Margarita hoilday's, sample food prices, Living in Venezuela article, Visa & residency info and more click next page)

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