| Map of Margarita Island | | |  | Size: | 444 sq miles
(1,150 sq km) | | Location: | Caribbean (Venezuela) | | Language: | Spanish | | Discovered by: | Christopher Columbus | | |
Margarita island is 43 miles long. It is actually two islands connected by a narrow Isthmus. The second Island is called Peninsula de Macanao which is largely unpopulated.
Peninsula de Macanao is at the western end of Margarita, and Porlamar is south-east. The international airport del Caribe is on the southern rim of the island, and is a half hour to a 35 minute taxi cab ride from Porlamar. The islands' thick section is a three quarter circle from Porlamar to Juangriego, which is center-north. On that near full circle are Margarita's finest beaches, and a ride between the two towns is spectacular; twisted, cliffhanging roads that have the sea layed out in front of them, and have the green rolling hills behind.
The most important town on the island is Porlamar. Its original name was "Puerto de la Mar" but the people shortened it to Porlamar. Its extraordinary urban and commercial growth has taken place during the last fifteen years. It changed from a quiet fishermen village into a booming town with skyscrapers, excellent hotels, night clubs, large commercial firms, and luxurious restaurants.
Porlamar has 100,000 people. Cranes and hollow, tall structures bully Porlamar - the rest of the island is still subdued and quiet; the beaches dominate. La Asuncin, the capital, is the nose of the fat face formed by Margarita's east side, and Santa Ana, a historical city, is the bridge of the nose. La Asuncin has 12,000 inhabitants, and is the oldest town on the island. It was founded in 1561 in the Valley of Santa Lucia. It has several important structures, among which the Parish Church, built in the XVI century is outstanding and the old Convent San Francisco, also constructed In the XVI century, which is now used for the government offices. The Santa Rosa Castle, constructed towards the end of the XVII century, is another work of art full of history.
| Although the island's capital is very small, it is easy to get lost if you drive through this quaint little colonial town in car. Walk along the boulevard and stop off at the Concejo Municipal, the Asamblea Legislativa, the Governor's Mansion, the cathedral and some of the government's offices. Across from the plaza, near the cathedral, visit the Nueva Cadiz museum. In the near courtyard you will find the best map of the island -a 33 foot-long scale model in raised relief- surrounded by water.
Pampatar, another wonderful colonial site, is east of Porlamar. It was founded in the sixteenth century. It now has 6,000 inhabitants. Its chief monuments are the Castle of San Carlos Borromeo, the Fortin de la Caranta and the Templo del Cristo del Buen Viaje, a deeply venerated image by all fishermen.
Finally, Punta de Piedra, the dock for the ferry to Puerto La Cruz, is located in south-west part of the island, very near to Peninsula de Macanao. The infrastructure of the island is in mint condition, and no ride is longer than an hour.
The flight from Caracas is under an hour about 45 minutes long. Once your in Margarita the ride to Porlamar is another half hour. There are actually two distinct sections of Porlamar. As your cab first enters the city limits the small, crowded somewhat rusted apartment buildings of the residents are visible.
The streets are jammed with stores, houses, cars, and people. Moving east on either Calle Zamora o Calle Igualdad, you'll pass several pedestrian thoroughfares that are strictly for shopping. Then, suddenly, you come to Hotel Bella Vista, and the streets become dotted with tourists, much less crowded, the rusted apartments become glass, shiny clothes stores, and you have reached the tourist section of Porlamar.
The tourist part of the city is dominated by two streets: Avenida Santiago Mario and Avenida 4 de Mayo. They are crowded with stores selling international goods, fast food joints and restaurants; off one of these streets will inevitably be your hotel. Stores selling Nike, Ralph Lauren, Polo, Finlandia, Lindt, line these streets and give it a real 5th Avenue texture. Avenida 4 de Mayo, east, leads to Pampatar, and the north-east rim where Margarita's best beaches are located.
| | "Margarita Island (Isla Margarita) Discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1498" | The city of Porlamar is worth exploring on foot (in the cool part of the day, that is), particularly the main streets- Calles Igualdad and Guevara. Calle Igualdad runs from the Bella Vista Hotel to the Plaza Bolvar, the city's largest plaza, a 6 block stretch, which is the site of tremendous building activity. Seven story apartment buildings and ubiquitous shops are everywhere. As elsewhere in Venezuela, the Plaza Bolvar is the social center of the city. Friends meet on its benches, hard fought chess games are played and guitars are popular. At one ends stands St. Nicholas Church whose huge dome is visible throughout the city. It is as the main church here, the site of religious festivals, particularly on December 5 and 6 (The Feast of St. Nicholas) and at Christmas.
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| A pleasant stroll along Calle Guevara (in front of the church) will put you at Porlamar's outdoor market on the coast. Along the way are jewelry shops and stores. The market which runs for five or six short blocks offers avocados, oranges and pineapples, plus fish and soft goods. Watch the women maneuver the baskets perched atop their heads.
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Margarita Overview
