ISLA MARGARITA
Spotlight on
Isla Margarita
PORT & SHOPPING MAP
History
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Isla la
Tortuga
ISLA
MARGARITA
Grenada
Trinidad and
Tobago
Venezuela
Located off the coast of Venezuela, Isla
de Margarita is part of the Nueva Esparta State which consists of three islands,
Margarita Island, Coche Island and Cubagua Island. The island has played an
important role in the history of Venezuela
since the 1500s.
La Isla de Margarita is part of what is
now known as “the pearl coast”. The
waters surrounding the island are some
of the richest pearl grounds in this part
of the world. Christopher Columbus
sailed passed the island of Margarita.
He named the island to honor the fiance
of the heir to the Spanish throne, Infanta
Margarita of Austria. Margarita, coincidentally, is the Greco-Latin for pearl.
The unique landscape of Margarita is actually two islands, connected by a small area of sandy,
marshy land, now the La Restinga National Park. The western side is dry and desert like, and is
home to the brightly plumed Margaritan parrot.
The eastern side is more developed and contains the majority of the islands resorts, beaches,
and her three cities. Porlamar, the largest, is the commercial center of the island. Pampatar is
a quieter city bordering a deep-water harbor. Visitors can find most of the remnants of Isla de
Margarita’s colonial-influences in Pampatar, including the 17th century fort known as the Castillo
de San Carlos Borromeo. Travelers from Porlamar to Pampatar marvel at the Iglesia El Pilar de
Los Robles, whose statue of the Virgin Mary is reputed to be of solid gold.
The Island’s capital city, La Asunción, sits on a hillside. The city’s cathedral, La Catedral de
Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, is Venezuala’s oldest. The famous South American liberator and
leader Simón Bolívar used the hills around La Asunción to plan his efforts.
Today, Isla de Margarita is arguably the most popular vacation destination in Venezuela. Visitors
flock to this unspoiled land to savor the sun, sand and the warm waters of the Caribbean.
Guarantee
Shop with confidence, knowing that all merchants on this map have been
carefully selected and each offers a 30-day guarantee to cruise line guests.
This guarantee ensures buyers that all recommended merchants will repair
or replace any unsatisfactory item, excluding buyer’s negligence, buyer’s
remorse and lost or stolen merchandise. For purposes of determining quality
and value of jewelry related to a buyer’s complaint, only appraisals secured
by a buyer from independent graduate gemologists, not affiliated with any
retail jeweler, will be acceptable. Please inquire about individual store return
policies before finalizing any purchase.
The port shopping program is operated by Onboard Media; Inc. Participating
merchants have paid an advertising fee to Onboard Media for inclusion in this
program. Onboard Media handles all customer relations claims relating to
01/30/08
the guarantee. If you become aware of a problem during the cruise, please
contact the Shopping Guide onboard for immediate assistance. If a problem
arises after the cruise but within 30 days of the purchase date, contact the
Customer Relations Department at Onboard Media, 1691 Michigan Ave. Suite
600, Miami Beach 33139, Phone: (800) 396-2999, Fax: (305) 673-2741,
Email: [email protected], Hours: Monday through Friday
9:00 am to 5:30 pm EST (Eastern Standard Time)
Please send a letter and include the name of the ship, cruise date, store
name and merchandise problem. Also enclose a copy of the sales receipt
and any relevant documents relating to the sale. Onboard Media will contact
the recommended store on your behalf for repair or replacement, and you
will be notified accordingly.
Playa El Agua
N
Punta
Tigre
Juan Griego
LA ALDEA
LA ASUNCION
Peninsula
de Macanao
La Restinga
Pampatar
Porlamar
Punta
Arenas
AIRPORT
GUAMACHE
ISLA
CUBAGUA
Shore Excursions
Capital
La Asunción is the capital of the Please check your tour ticket
Nueva Esparta State.
for the correct meeting time
and location for your tour. Your
Location
cruise line representative will
Isla Margarita is situated
direct you to your transportaapproximately 14 miles off the
tion.
north coast of Venezuela.
Currency
Size
The Venezuelan currency is
Isla Margarita measures 360
the Bolívar (Bs). Credit cards
square miles.
and travelers checks are widely
accepted. When making a purPopulation
chase with a credit card, you
Approximately 350,000 people may need to present a valid
live in Isla Margarita.
passport or driver’s license.
Language
The official language is Spanish.
In most of the tourist areas,
English is spoken and understood.
DOCKING/TENDERING
Your ship may dock at or
tender to the port located at
Guamache.
Time Zone
Isla Margarita is on Atlantic
Time, one hour later than
Eastern Standard Time. The
ship may not always follow
local time. Please adhere to the
ship's time while in port.
Tourist Information
There are touristISLA
information
booths locatedCOCHE
all over town.
Look for “Información Turistica
de Fondene”.
Shopping
Porlamar is a duty-free port
offering, with savings over
United States prices on watches and jewelry. Local handicrafts, pottery, Venezuelan
liquors and coffee, plus clothing are good buys. Pearls
are famous, harvested near
Cubagua Island. All shopping is
located in town.
Store Hours
Stores are open Monday to
Saturday from 9:00 am to
1:00 pm and from 3:00 pm to
7:00 pm.
Transportation
Taxis are the main means of
transportation. Fares are set by
the government. A fare should
be agreed upon before entering the taxi. Many of the taxi
drivers do not speak English,
so it’s important that you know
your destination as well as the
location of where the ship is
docked.
How To Get to Town
Downtown (Porlamar) is a 45
minute cab ride from the cruise
ship pier.
Emergency
In case of an emergency, dial
169 or 58-95-691181 for the
police.
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Joyeria Yvan is a Tradition of Isla Margarita
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URBANIZACION
COSTA AZUL
ARTISAN'S
•Artisan’s is a beautiful store located in Porlamar City (Downtown) of Margarita Island just
in the heart of the commercial area.
•Great variety of typical souvenirs
•The Natural and Cultivated Pearls: Encased
in gold and silver, corals, stones, hammocks,
Venezuela typical crafts, caps, T-shirts, towels, swimsuits, films, cigars* and more
Please Note: United States law prohibits
the entry of Cuban Cigars into the United States
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•Fine jewelry with emeralds, rubies,
sapphires and diamonds
•High quality yellow, white and rose gold
jewelry
•Great selection of watches of the most
prestigious name brands
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Consult your Shore Excursion DepartARI
NA
ment for a list of tours that visit
this store.
C. P
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LEL
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C.C.
MARKO
C.C.
TO SHIP
EL ANGEL
PAEZ
C. M
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EL VIG
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60 MINUTE DRIVE
RIVAS
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La Aldea is located 20 minutes away
M
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LE
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Porlamar
NEI
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DEL
EL GUAMACHE PIER
PERIODISTA
CHARAIM
A
C. I
AV. JOITO VILLALBA
C.C.
BELLA
VISTA
(ONE)
TO SHIP
M
45
MINUTE DRIVEIRAMAR
PLAZA
LOZADA
I
•Isla Margarita is known as "The Island of
C. FUENTE
S
Pearls”
•Pearls: Beautiful pearls encased inLgold
AS FLORES
and silver
•Corals, stones, hammocks, caps, T-shirts,
swimsuits, cameras, film, cigars* and
Venezuela liquors
C. I
GU
ALD
•Souvenirs and crafts
AD
Please Note: United States Customs prohibits the entry of Cuban Cigars SA
NN
ICO
into the United States
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isla margarita
Handmade Arts & Crafts Center
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la aldea
LOZADA
PRAL DE CONEJER
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PRAL DE CONEJER
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1
MERCADO
DE
CONEJEROS
LAGUNA
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MORRO
PLAYA
CONCORDE
PLAYA
CONCORDE
PLAYA
EL
MORRO
PLAYA
EL
MORRO