Isla Margarita

[Catire]

I stayed for 4 days in the island [paradise??] called Margarita Island. I couldn't stand the place 4 days was long enough!

This island bills itself as "the carribean island that moves to the latin beat" - I personally didn't see it as moving to anything that I could see. It is a dry lifeles arid, rock that is largely w/o charater or energy. I think it is time that they begin a reclamation project similar to the one they initiated in Curacao and Aruba to plant some palm trees and cut down some of the cactii -because it would improve the beauty of the place. Its inhabitants seem to be comprised of vactioning Venezuelans, and transplanted europeans looking for a cheap place to retire.

After two night of scouring the island loking for real estate I spent my time in the kitchen of the Hotel Kamarata - watching the cook as she seasoned the pork and chicken for the dinner specials.

The one issue that couldn't be denied is that many things on the island are cheap - ie. gas, beer and coffee and fresh pastries at the all night 24 hour pasteleria/panederia in the heart of Porlamar!

If you are considering a trip to "the rock" the one piece of advice that I would offer is that you should "go it alone" - and pass on those one stop "executive male travel vacation packages". The thought that someone could be charged upwards of $400 a day for companionship on this inexpensive dump is truly mind-blowing! Try not being lazy - learn some Spanish hit Travelocity or something and go it on your own - I guarantee you'll end up saving....oh about $250 a day or so.

The other thing that makes me laugh is the fact that these services say that they'll pick you up at the airport PMV and drive you directly to their "luxury" hotel is also funny! You would have to be quite the little furry woodland creature for you to be intimidated by this place!! I drove around in downtown Porlamar at about 2am a couple of times and was offered coke, "crack", "crank" and just about everything else you can think of but I never truly felt in danger.

For true life, excitement, energy and a "latin beat" stick to the continente and CCS!

cheers and out......
FORD

very sagacious post.

[Catire]

Red Chopper,

I`ve been posting some stuff on the Caracas board and yes, your numbers on prices for goods are just about right!

Beer is freakish cheap down here! I just went to the Vera Cruz Supermercado here in Caracas and bought 4 bottles of Polar Light for 2200 bolivars. Now when you consider that I have been consistely getting 2500 bolivars to 1usd. That makes it something like 22 cents a beer! And that is for a 300 ml size bottle.

I guy could develop a drinking habit real easy down here.

cheers............

I think Venezuelans are the largest per capita beer consumers/drinkers in Latin America.

and few women on earth beat Polar models.

[Catire]

[QUOTE=Red Chopper]

Beer- 14,400blv or $7 US a case
Good rum- 10,000blv or $5 US a 5th
Gasoline- 9 cents a gal, I'm serious!
1 Chica in Caraca, 18yrs, pig tails, very fun- 150,000blv or $75 US (I know)
2 Chicas on Margarita, both 22yrs- 200,000blv or $100 for both all night and the next day till 7pm.

[QUOTE]

you paid roughly the going market rate instead of the "tonto" turista rates. The Margarita chicks were a complete steal at that price, they can usually get far more from tourists.. and the CCS girl (was within sexycaracas.com range (last time I checked the average rate was around 120-130 K)

[Ford]

There are a number of carriers that fly from Caracas to Porlamar. Flights leave frequently throughout the day, and can usually be purchased the same day. The only times you wouldn't be able to get a flight that day would be major holidays -- Easter, Christmas, Carnaval, etc. The island is PACKED at this time, and flights are hard to get.

Tickets are about US$75 each way.

Yes, this is all true. However, as the day wears along the flights get more and more behind schedule. I asked one of the AeroPostal employees and he said that the 5:00 pm flight NEVER leaves on time! My 5:00PM flight left more like 6:20pm.

This is important if you want to go to PMV and you are considering one "long-ass" day to do all your flying. Many people arrive in CCS in just enough time to hit a 5:00 or 6:00pm domestic flight to PMV only to find that it is 1 to 1 1/2 hours behind schedule.

When I arrived in PMV my face was the face of pain and exhaustion.

Johan, I paid $134 roundtrip from CCS to Porlamar.

FORD

[KC Questor]

There are a number of carriers that fly from Caracas to Porlamar. Flights leave frequently throughout the day, and can usually be purchased the same day. The only times you wouldn't be able to get a flight that day would be major holidays -- Easter, Christmas, Carnaval, etc. The island is PACKED at this time, and flights are hard to get.

Tickets are about US$75 each way.

[Johan007]

Hi guys,

I too read much travel books and infos upon (cheap) travels to IslaM. besides we have in Holland (and Germany too) many forums about Isla margarita. Only bad thing is that you can not mention anything regarding hookers...or you get kicked off the forum. (hahahahahah) Indeed many Europeans (Dutch,Germans,Belgians,British and Scandinavians) go there for a "cheap"holiday. Nothing wrong with that.
The place itself is imho not so pretty at all. Last holiday I was in panama...and trust me this country has much more to offer (regarding nature) then that bare piece of rock they call Isla M!! You can even drink the tapwater in Panama...try that in venezuela and you will get sick.
Sure the gas is dirt cheap!!! Venezuela has plenty of it. Good old senor Chavez even sells it very cheap to his buddy senor Castro;-)

Does anyone have any idea how the inland rates are for airfares in venezuela??? I mean you also could try and hop over from Caracas to Isla M with a plane.

Johan.

[Ford]

I stayed for 4 days in the island [paradise??] called Margarita Island. I couldn't stand the place 4 days was long enough!

This island bills itself as "the carribean island that moves to the latin beat" - I personally didn't see it as moving to anything that I could see. It is a dry lifeles arid, rock that is largely w/o charater or energy. I think it is time that they begin a reclamation project similar to the one they initiated in Curacao and Aruba to plant some palm trees and cut down some of the cactii -because it would improve the beauty of the place. Its inhabitants seem to be comprised of vactioning Venezuelans, and transplanted europeans looking for a cheap place to retire.

After two night of scouring the island loking for real estate I spent my time in the kitchen of the Hotel Kamarata - watching the cook as she seasoned the pork and chicken for the dinner specials.

The one issue that couldn't be denied is that many things on the island are cheap - ie. gas, beer and coffee and fresh pastries at the all night 24 hour pasteleria/panederia in the heart of Porlamar!

If you are considering a trip to "the rock" the one piece of advice that I would offer is that you should "go it alone" - and pass on those one stop "executive male travel vacation packages". The thought that someone could be charged upwards of $400 a day for companionship on this inexpensive dump is truly mind-blowing! Try not being lazy - learn some Spanish hit Travelocity or something and go it on your own - I guarantee you'll end up saving....oh about $250 a day or so.

The other thing that makes me laugh is the fact that these services say that they'll pick you up at the airport PMV and drive you directly to their "luxury" hotel is also funny! You would have to be quite the little furry woodland creature for you to be intimidated by this place!! I drove around in downtown Porlamar at about 2am a couple of times and was offered coke, "crack", "crank" and just about everything else you can think of but I never truly felt in danger.

For true life, excitement, energy and a "latin beat" stick to the continente and CCS!

cheers and out......
FORD

[Ford]

Red Chopper,

I`ve been posting some stuff on the Caracas board and yes, your numbers on prices for goods are just about right!

Beer is freakish cheap down here! I just went to the Vera Cruz Supermercado here in Caracas and bought 4 bottles of Polar Light for 2200 bolivars. Now when you consider that I have been consistely getting 2500 bolivars to 1usd. That makes it something like 22 cents a beer! And that is for a 300 ml size bottle.

I guy could develop a drinking habit real easy down here.

cheers............

[Huge Erection]

I'm going to MWV thurs. Should I post the photos here or in the photo Section?

[Red Chopper]

Well just returned from my first trip to S America, and had a great time. I spent two days in Carcas at the Marriot, great hotel, and very chica friendly. I only had time for one girl, but total GFE. Got her through sexycaracas.com, I know there too expensive, but way conveniant. My Spanish is mui um poco, so I just had one of the bell hops make the phone calls. He spoke good english and gave me many tips. Then off to Margarita, stayed at the Dunes resort (free time share) and thought my vacation was going to suck. The resort was far from everything, and guarded like fort knox, but rented a 4x4 and explored the island. after doing some side trips, and flying down into the Amazon for a couple days, I only had time to hunt one night. Went to Plya El Agua, and straight to woodys, but it was dead. I walked down the beach (to the right if looking at woodys from the road) and found a place that was hopping (dont know name). Was there about half a beer (and I drink fast), and spotted a little hottie smiling, went down and met her and her friend (her friend was twice as hot), and a beer and dance later the were in the car, and back to my place. Now I thought I was going to have to do some major tipping to the guard to get them in, if at all, but I pulled up, and he just gives me a big smile and opens the gate. The girls were great, GFEx2, we wer'nt there five minites and they had my camera out and stripping. What a party!

Break down.

Beer- 14,400blv or $7 US a case
Good rum- 10,000blv or $5 US a 5th
Gasoline- 9 cents a gal, I'm serious!
1 Chica in Caraca, 18yrs, pig tails, very fun- 150,000blv or $75 US (I know)
2 Chicas on Margarita, both 22yrs- 200,000blv or $100 for both all night and the next day till 7pm.

Had a great time, and will go back, the girls there were beautiful!!

[Cubanito]

Kc Questor,

You picked a great week to travel to Margarita. I was there last year at that time and we had a blast. They celebrate Carnival that week so alot of locals come from the main land to party and most girls come over to make some fast cash from the tourists. Make sure you hit the two beach bars on Playa el agua after 11pm to find some real gems.. Post some pics when you return.

[KC Questor]

I have a trip planned through My Wild Vacation for the first week in February. They are supposedly having a week of events ending with a Superbowl party on Feb 6. I am hoping it will be a good time. I know I can't wait. Anyone else thinking of coming down then?

[Cubanito]

A great place to be in Feb is near Playa el agua. You can get rooms for $30 per night or go to an all inclusive but they are not girl friendly. IF you like the city scene with lots of strip clubs, stay in Porlamar. Lots of cheap hotels and many are girl friendly.

[HotSam]

I'm planning to visit IM next febr. I travelled many time in Asia (thailand, Philippines ....) and Brasil. Where is better to stay in I.M. for nightlife?
how to move to beautiful beach on the day? Is it possible to rent a motorbike?? The best "clubs"?? Where to find freelancers???
thank to everibody help me.

[Huge Erection]

I have a trip planned to My Wild Vacation, would like to hear more from anyone who has been. Sounds like good reports from what I can search?

I've been twice was great, Edie is great!