Porlamar and its surroundings...

Porlamar from the distance, in the Copey mount

The Southeast from Margarita is the most populated zone of the whole Island. Porlamar is located there and it has grown so much that it has united to Los Robles and Pampatar. Although La Asunción is the capital of Nueva Esparta, Porlamar is considered as the commercial capital of the State.

Porlamar Bay

Porlamar, has two clear large zones. On one hand we have the downtown, with it’s narrow streets and its stores, being the Boulevard Guevara the best place to shop at good prices. A little further to the East and also to the North, we can find the two famous avenues Santiago Mariño and 4 de Mayo, with more elegant stores. These two avenues were, until the late 90’s, the main economic zone of the city. On the other hand, towards Los Robles and Pampatar there has been a great growing of the zone, with new hotels, apartments, night locals, malls, Sambil being the most famous among them all, the all La Redoma ( in los Robles) and Rattan Plaza. Here you can see great part of the activity of the city.

The Guevara Boulevard, before the opening of the stores

Esculturas en la avenida Rómulo Betancourt
Sculptures in the Romulo Betancourt avenue

This part is modern, with Wide and adorned avenues

When you look for lodging in Margarita, there are mainly two options. The first one is to stay in Porlamar, where you can enjoy from the night life, go shopping, and during the day go to the different beaches. The second one is to lodge yourself near to the beach and go in the afternoon or in the night to Porlamar, where there is more activity at those hours.

Porlamar – Shopping City

For many persons, Margarita means “shopping”. It’s very easy to know why. Margarita is tax free. Because of this special circumstance, there are many shopping centers and malls where you can buy imported goods of all different brands and qualities. Those who look nice prices go to the center of Porlamar (Guevara Boulevard), or also to the markets, particularly Conejeros (see bellow). Those who look for a better shopping environment, go to the shopping center and malls, which in vacations season open until 11:00 PM.

Jumbo Shopping Center - Av. 4 de Mayo

La Redoma Mall

Rattan Plaza

Alcohol is one of the most sold products, due to its low price. At least cheaper than in the rest of the country. The taverns are the favorite places for this kind of shopping, where besides whiskey and other drinks; you find cheeses and other “DELICATESES” from all over the world.

The Sambil Margarita

Center of the mall

Interior view of the Sambil Margarita

This mall deserves a special mention. It’s not only the biggest shopping mall of the island; it’s also become a meeting point of tourists during the afternoon. It’s the obligated meeting places of the youth. It has several fast-food places, cinema, bingo and, of course, all kind of shops.

Puerto de La Mar

Entry from the city

One of the buildings of the port

One of the most beautiful constructions that are being build in Porlamar is the “Puerto de la mar” (Port of the Sea), a private initiative that looks forward to the construction of an entry gate for those tourist that visit Margarita and arrive by cruises. It’s located at the end of the Guevara Boulevard, obviously besides the Sea. Nevertheless, it is still waiting the authorization to start operating.

Arriving Terminal

The first view that the tourist will have when the arrive to Margarita.

In our visit we were impressed by the beauty of the architecture, the freshness of the place, and sincerely we wish from this place that this project is completed because it would give a lot of life to a part o Porlamar, and in certain way, recover the importance of past years and give the tourist from the cruises an excellent impression.

The fishes that spit water, refreshing ornament

The building designed for the Custom.

Municipal Market from Conejeros

Leaving Porlamar, in direction to the ferry and the airport, we find “Conejeros”. At it’s beginnings it was a very simple market but within the years it has evolved and is now one of the favorite places to buy articles at low prices (there are many trademarks imitations in different qualities). Besides clothes, sheets and towels are frequently bought here.

Municipal Market from Conejeros

Central Hallway of one of the areas

Choosing clothes

One of the most important attractions of Conejeros, actually, is breakfast. You can eat in multiple restaurants there, but the favorite breakfast of the tourist, and young people with little cash are the “empanadas”: you can choose from the classic cazón empanada (small shark) to the pabellón, which includes “Carne mechada”, Caraotas negras, Platano frito and white cheese all in one food.

Restaurant where to eat seated