Isla Margarita or Margarita Island
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS,
MAPS AND EXTRA PHOTOS

HERE ARE ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS.

Caracas, Venezuela airport information, Caracas airport hotels and Venezuelan exit tax leaving from the Caracas (Maquetia) airport please see our Caracas, Venezuela information page.

How far is Playa El Agua from the Airport?

It's about a 40 minute drive by taxi and costs around US$28 depending on the current exchange rate.

We have an airport pick-up service by an American lady named Marcella which costs US$30 (US$40 after 9 PM). She has an air conditioned Ford Explorer. You can see full info at http://www.casatrudel.com/crusin-n-style.htm  . If you would like to use this service we would need the airline, flight # and exact arrival time. We also offer this service to hotels other than our own. Just e-mail me at margarita.island@gmail.com .

What is the current Venezuelan exchange rate?

The current official exchange rate in Venezuela is 2,15 Bolivars to one US dollar. (November 21, 2008).

For information in English on the Venezuelan currency conversion that changed on January 1, 2008 please see http://www.casatrudel.com/new-bolivar-fuerte.htm . This will remove three zeroes from all our currency.

In late January 2003 (and still exists in 2008) Venezuela introduced exchange controls to protect the local currency.
As a tourist you should bring US$ cash (preferable) or traveler's checks.
All transactions with credit cards or ATM machines will be at the official rate of BsF.2,15 to US$1. Our experience with our US bank card is that the actual rate was BsF.2,12 after charges. 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 much more than what you can readily receive for US dollars.

Please do not be trapped into changing all your money at the Caracas airport by so called "helpers". There is currently no law that requires you to change all US$ when you enter the country. Once you change them into Bolivars you will not be able to change the local currency back into dollars. Just do your exchange a little at a time.

How do I get to Margarita Island?

Depending on where you live the easiest way is to find out if there are any direct charter flights and then book "AIR ONLY". For example there are direct flights from Amsterdam, Germany, London, Denmark & France. Also Toronto & Montreal in the winter. As these flights change check the travel ads in your local paper and see if anyone is advertising Margarita Island as a destination. If they are, there is bound to be a charter flight.

Canadians: - Air Transat for direct flights to Margarita for "air only" tickets (starting in Dec. until March) at 1-866-847-1112.
Air Canada - weekly direct flights from Toronto to Caracas.
Arrivals: Tues., Thurs. & Saturday - Departures: Wed., Fri. & Sunday

Americans: Direct flights to Caracas from Houston & Miami.

Europeans: Direct flights to Caracas on Air France, KLM, BA, Lufthansa, Alitalia, Iberia and others.
Direct flights to Margarita on an "air only" basis from England on Air 2000, from Denmark and Amsterdam on Martin Air and Germany on LTU & Condor. There is also a German site for Aeropostal at http://www.aeropostal.de  .
There are others.

The alternative is to book a regular flight to Caracas and then, from there, to Isla Margarita (Porlamar) on one of the many daily 35 minute shuttle flights. 
For international flights check out a site like Orbitz. , Expedia or Travelocity .

For flights inside Venezuela check out this list of airlines that fly from CCS to Porlamar (PMV)

Laser - (58) 212-2020100 - http://www.laser.com.ve/laserweb_2008/

Aeropostal - (58) 212-952-9566, (58) 800-237-6252 - http://www.aeropostal.com/aero2004/home.html
Miami - from USA - 1-800-912-8466 outside USA 1-305-6763

Conviasa - (58) 212-507-8820 - http://www.conviasa.aero/ or reservas.caracas@conviasa.aero

Aserca - (58) 800-648-8356 - http://www.asercaairlines.com/

Venezolana    (58) 501-836-396-5262    http://ravsa.com.ve/

Avior (58) 281-287-2080 http://www.avior.com.ve/  Miami - (1) 305-470-2203
(Avior & Conviasa also have flights from Trinidad and Grenada) There are others.

AEROPOSTAL (Venezuela's largest national airline) -
IN THE USA call Miami: 1-888-912-8466 for Caracas & Margarita connections.
From other countries call 1 305-373-6763. 
They speak English and are very helpful!

NEW! Avior Airlines has a flight from Miami to Barcelona (Puerto La Cruz) on the Venezuela mainland with same day connections to Margarita Island both ways. Flights are Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday. Website is in Spanish however you can also call them at (Ven 58) 281-500-3646
or call them direct in Miami at 305-470-2203.

For a complete list of both national and international airlines using the Caracas Airport please go to http://www.iaaim.com.ve/  . This site is in Spanish however it has a wealth of information.

Flights from Margarita to Los Roques and Canaima (Angel Falls).

We get many requests for information about trips to and from Los Roques and Angel Falls. The name of the airline and tour company that fly there is Aerotuy. Unfortunately their website has been down for a couple of years.

How do I find out about the Ferry - Conferry - from Puerto La Cruz?

Conferry that owns one of the ferry lines has a web site in Spanish at www.conferry.com . There is another ferry service called Gran Cacique that has their own web site. What we have done is create an extra page to reduce the number of e-mails that we receive about ferry schedules. Please click here for Conferry schedules for the Margarita Island ferry, Puerto la Cruz ferry, Cumaná ferry and the Caracas ferry .  Please do not e-mail us about ferry schedules and prices.

What's the weather like on Margarita Island?

Please click here for a separate page on weather conditions on Margarita Island.

When is winter on Margarita Island?

We are located 11ºN of the equator so we are in the Northern Hemisphere and winter is just like the USA or Europe. (By the way, what is winter?)

Are casual clothes accepted everywhere?

YES!!!!

What is the electric current in Venezuela?

We are the same here as North America - 110/120 volts.
If you are coming with appliances from countries that use 220 volts you will need a converter.

What do things cost?

Most things on Margarita Island are reasonably priced because we are part of the larger country of Venezuela, unlike the other islands of the Caribbean. Margarita is also a "DUTY FREE ZONE" so some things with traditionally high taxes are very low priced. As an example a case of 36 Polar beers in returnable bottles costs around US$7.00 and a 750 ml. bottle of Cacique rum costs $7.00 or less. Together with a 2 liter bottle of Coke at $1.00 and a large bag of ice for $2.25 you could have a quite a party for $40. Other things like Edam or Gouda cheese from Holland is about $15.00 a kilo ($6.20 lb.) while ham is also about $17.50 per kilo. A main course of fresh fish at one of the beach restaurants is around $10 - $12 per person while meat, chicken & pasta tends to be a little less. There is also take-out. Just down the street from Casa Trudel is a great place that has, among other things, PIZZA for about $10.00.
You can also visit our moving to or working on Isla Margarita page to see more detailed information.

The local supermarket is called "Bodegon Johnny" and is a short walk from Trudel's Garden.
Click here to see photos of the inside.

What can we do at night?

Around Playa El Agua there are a number of the beach restaurant / bars that have music & dancing at night. 
If you want to venture out to Porlamar, which is about a 30 minute drive, you can find CASINOS, DISCOS, MOVIE THEATRES and many additional RESTAURANTS & CLUBS.

What about last minute trips?

If you are coming last minute just e-mail us letting us know when you are arriving. We will let you know that same day if we have availability. We do not accept reservations of under 3 nights (5 nights in high season) or without a deposit or prepayment however we are happy to advise whether we have availability or not. Please do not write us for "last minute" for Christmas and New Year's.

How do I make deposits? 

We accept payments at banks in 
Canada, USA, Europe, Venezuela 
We now accept credit card payments through

                                          
An eBay company with 150 million member accounts worldwide.
For further info just click here.
 

What are our deposit & reservation requirements?

Christmas / New Year's, the month of August and Semana Santa (Easter week) - full payment.

All other times of the year:
If the reservation is 7 nights or less - full payment.
If the reservation is 8 nights or more - 50% deposit (min. deposit 7 nights).

The balance is then payable before arrival to our bank or on arrival in US$ cash or traveler's cheques.

We are traveling around Venezuela and don't know for sure when we will arrive.

While we always encourage you to make advance bookings it's no problem. Please contact us by phone or e-mail before coming. Just print the map on this page so you will be able to find us. If we have availability we will be happy to have you stay with us. Remember minimum stay is 3 nights (5 nights in high season) however this is dependent on our schedule during the busy winter months. We do not hold rooms without a deposit or pre-payment - we have been let down too many times.

What is our reservation cancellation policy?

If you cancel for any reason within 30 days of your arrival there is no refund nor change of dates.

If you cancel for any reason outside 30 days of your arrival we will hold a credit of your payment less 10% costs towards any future visit within the next 12 months from the date of the cancellation. (This policy excludes the Christmas / New Year's period, the month of August and Semana Santa [Easter] where there are no refunds or change of dates).

Under no circumstances do we refund money.

What about security?

For your protection and the protection of our other guests both Casa Trudel & Trudel's Garden are restricted to registered guests only. We would ask that all guests honour this restriction. If you do not you will be evicted and there will be no refunds.

For the safety and comfort of our guests we have recently invested a large sum on additional security at both of our properties. Normal tourist activity like walking to the beach and traveling the Island is perfectly safe.

Our properties are now among the most secure on the Island.

Rent-A Car information.

Please visit our Margarita Island Rental Car information page

What about golf?

Isla Margarita Golf Course is located about 10 minutes by car from our properties.  Click here to see a complete price list.

What about Scuba Diving & Snorkeling?

We now have an excellent PADI diving school associated with us to provide scuba and snorkeling tours as well as PADI dive courses. Visit our special scuba diving & snorkeling page.

What about offshore deep sea fishing?

Enjoy a day in a typical Margarita Island fishing boat, a peñero, with an English speaking guide. The fishing will take place near the offshore islands of Los Frailes where there are thousands of sea birds and perhaps the chance to spot a whale or dolphins. Everything is included - transportation, food and refreshment and tackle.
Visit our deep sea fishing page for full information.

What about an English speaking tour guide or Airport transfers?

We have just arranged with an American lady named Marcella to handle airport pick-ups (US$30 for up to 4 people), shopping tours and Island tours. She has lived on Margarita since 1999 and has a late model Ford Explorer with A/C.
For full info on Margarita Island tours just click here.

What else is there to do?

There is a super new water park near Playa Parguito / Playa El Agua called Parque El Agua full of toboggan rides and other water related activities. Cost $10 per day with small children at half price.
Diverland is located just outside Porlamar and has various rides including a Ferris wheel and roller coaster. They also have dolphins and seals.
There are also numerous tours available to Los Roques National Marine Park, Canaima (Angel Falls), Los Frailes (Islands off the north shore of the Island), jungle tours, round the island tours and many others.
You can also spend the day with Scuba, snorkeling, horseback riding, deep sea fishing, wind surfing, sail boat tours, catamaran drinking tours, hiking, bird watching, etc., etc.

How can I access my E-Mails and Internet or make telephone calls?

There are now 3 Internet Cafes in Playa El Agua where they charge around $1.50 per half hour. DSL service has now come to Playa El Agua and we assume the local Internet Cafes have taken advantage of this.

Telephone calls, both national and international, can be made from any pay phone with a prepaid phone card or from the CANTV telephone center on the beach boulevard. Phone cards are available everywhere.

We can also receive emails, FAXes or telephone messages for you and pass them on.

Casa Trudel B&B now has wireless high speed Wi-Fi service on our upstairs patio for those of you that can't leave their laptop at home.
Cost is US$2 per day, US$10 per week or US$30 per month.
We also now have a regular computer set up on the patio.
Cost is US$1 per hour or part thereof.
This service is available for the B&B guests only - not Trudel's Garden

Will my Cellular phone (cel phone or handy) work on Margarita Island?

In most cases your cell phone will not work on Margarita. If you are here for an extended stay you can have it activated through one of the local carriers or just buy a local cel phone - they are not expensive. All the major carriers have locations in the SAMBIL shopping center outside Pampatar. They will add a local chip to your phone for around US$20 and you will then be able to have a local number and be able to use pre-paid cards to activate it.

What is the Venezuelan Exit Tax?

To leave Isla Margarita through the INTERNATIONAL terminal (not local flights) the exit tax is BsF.161 or US$75 at the official exchange rate & much less at the parallel rate. A minimal airport tax is also charged for national flights - BsF.16 as of Jan., 2008.

For information on the exit tax if you are leaving from Caracas please see our special page of information on Caracas, Venezuela.

Want to move permanently, retire or work on Isla Margarita?

We have set up a page with the answers to many of your possible questions on living, retiring & working on or moving to Margarita Island. 

Anaconda Snake Photos from the Amazon!!!

Somebody e-mailed us these photos of a very large snake in the Amazon. These photos are not for the weak of heart or timid. Do not click on the link unless you have a strong stomach. Probably not for young children. 
If you want to continue click here - Anaconda giant snake photos.

Why stay with us?? Read why here!

CASA TRUDEL B&B GUEST PHOTO ALBUM

Playa El Agua photos

MAPS & PHOTOS
To see the maps & photos in a larger format just click on them.
Virginia is the manager of Trudel's Garden, Juan Carlos (JayCee) is her son and our god-child.

Map of Playa El Agua                            Road map of Isla Margarita

      The welcoming crew!! - Katherine, Kira, Dan & JayCee        JayCee's 9th Birthday Photos

                         
Margarita Island Golf Course Rates         NASA Space Image of Island

5 pages of vacation photos by Jan Verbeek, Eindhoven, Holland
from his vacation at Casa Trudel B&B