Important travel information

For your trip to Margarita

Entry regulations:
To enter Venezuela you will need a passport which is at least more than 6 months valid. During the flight to the country you will get a tourist visa you need to fill in to pass immigration. Your visa is from that day on valid for 90 days.

Climate:
The Climate is through the whole year warm with average daily temperatures from 25°C to 35°C.

The seasons:
You can categorize the weather on Margarita in the following seasons:

January until end of May: dry and windy. High wind season. Might be cool during the night.

June until beginning of August: Rain season, sometimes with little storms in the morning which are usually clearing up during midday. Mostly from midday noon blue sky and light to medium wind.

August until end of September: dry and really hot temperatures. A light breeze cools the hot days from the early afternoon hours.

October until December: wind is picking up. Especially in the beginning until mid of December there are several days with rainfalls, but rather more on the main land of Venezuela. From mid of December dryer climate and stronger wind.

Water temperatures:
Throughout the whole year the water temperatures are from 23°C in the windy spring to 28°C in the summer.

Medical Service:
Margarita is free ob Malaria, nevertheless a good prevention or a selection of different medicines are useful. You should have a prevention for Tetanus, moreover prevention for Hepatitis A and B are useful but not absolutely necessary. You should take medicines against diarrhea, headache and fever. In addition sun protection and maybe something against mosquitoes. All in all the medical service on Margarita Island is very good and all usual medicines are available without prescription in the local pharmacies.

High season:
High season of international tourism lasts from October until May. The national tourism in contrast in concentrated on the summer month and to several special dates like Christmas, carnival, Eastern and the festival of the virgin del valle (8.- 15. Sept.).

Low season:
Low season of international tourism lasts from mid of April until beginning of October.

Currency:
The local currency is Bolivar. The official exchange rate fixed by the government changes only slightly. Exchange offices change Dollars and Euros cash and traveler checks.

Credit cards:
You should bring it for emergencies. Payment by credit card is only partly possible and often combined with high taxes or rates. Local currency can be obtained by credit card but also with high extra rates. Only a few Shops and Hotels on Margarita accept American Express c/c.

Restaurants:
The different specialties vary a lot. Local specialty which can be recommended is fresh fish and other sea food. Moreover you should try typical local food: Arepas and Empanadas as Fast Food or Pabellón as Dinner.

Public traffic:
There are public buses available on Margarita. The destinations are written on the windscreen. There is no exact schedule this means you should take your time if you want to use them. Beside the public bus there are hundreds of taxis on the island which are not too expensive and nearly everywhere available, except on Macanao maybe. If you are lucky you can maybe get a ride in a really old Cadillac.

Current:
On Margarita Island there 110 volt current. Adapters are recommended.

Telephone:
Venezuela +58,
Isla Margarita (0)295