Notes of interest about Margarita:

	Electricity
	Water
	Urban Transport
	Opening hours
	Air and sea transportation
	Currency
	Communications way
	Religion and festival days
	Documents
	Telephony Services
	Tips

Electricity
In Margarita like mainland Venezuela, the electric current is 110 volts AC.

Water
Our water comes from the main land since the wells on the island are not enough for auto supply. From the Turimiquire hydroelectric complex, located in the state of Monagas, runs a big underwater pipe bringing approximately 2 millions liters per minute. The consumption of tap water is not recommended, we recommend to drink mineral or filtered water. The supply of water in the island has improved noticeable, however if you plan to rent an apartment, make sure of how efficient the building is in providing water just in the case there is a flaw in the service provided in your suburb.

Urban Transport
The public transportation systems in Margarita will take you around the island, but if you are in a hurry it is better to choose another alternative. Some bus stops are clearly marked but there are some drivers who stop anywhere, causing delays in traffic. The bus stations that cover the routes to Juan Griego, Macanao, the airport, Manzanillo, playa El Agua and Pampatar are located around the Bolivar Square in Porlamar. The fares on average range from Bs.70 to Bs.300. The low price provides the opportunity to share seats with teachers, grandmothers, students, local fishermen and housekeepers, all conversing with that fast and musical speech that characterize the margariteños.

Opening hours
Offices: Monday to Friday, from 8:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00 Stores: Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 13:00 and from 15:00 to 19:00 Banks: Monday to Friday, from 8:30 to 15:30.

Air and sea transportation
Margarita offers many different ways to get to the island. The easiest way is by plane from Caracas,via the Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, using any major international airline to reach Caracas, then taking a local airline to the island itself. This will take no more than 35 minutes flying time arriving at The General Santiago Mariño International Airport, located in El Yaque, some 23 Km. outside Porlamar. Another way to get to Margarita Island is by ferry from Puerto La Cruz or Cumaná. Today the ferry company offers different types of Ferries, some of them will take you in about 4 hours however the ferry express will only take you 2 hours. This last one has a better service.

Currency
The Bolívar is the legal monetary unit in Venezuela, and comes in the following denominations:

Notes: 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000.

Coins: 10, 20, 50, 100 and 500

Nevertheless, US$ are widely accepted in the commercial establishments, as well as traveler checks and credit cards. Almost any foreign currency is negotiable in banks or exchange house, as well as hotels.

Communications way
In the island you can find newspapers, regional and national; we have a five channeled TV as well as 9 broadcasting AM and FM station. There are mail and telegraphic communication services. We have direct international calling but if prefer by calling 122 you will be able to access an operator for assistance. You can also find companies offering all types of communication services, fax, e-mails, satellite access, etc.

Religion and festival days
Several cultural events and religious feast mark the Margarita calendar that could help the visitors.

New Year: 01 January Carnival: 27 and 28 February Easter: 13 and 14 April Declaration of Independence : 19 April Workers Day: 1 May The Cristo del Buen Viaje Day: 2 and 3 May Carabobo Battle: 24 June Independence Day: 5 July Liberator Birthday: 24 July Virgin Marias Party in La Asunción 15 August Virgin the Valle's Party 08 to 11 September America´s discovery day: 12 October Christmas: 25 December

Documents
In order to enter in Venezuela it is necessary to have a valid passport, a tourist visa or a tourist card that is given in the port of origin. Any one from Center and South America and Europe, with exception of Germany, Spain and England, requires visa to enter this country. To those who carries a United States or Canadian passport only a tourist card will be required. The tourist visa does’t allow you to carry out commercial activities and it could be subject to cancellation at the discretion of the Dirección de Extranjería (DEX).

Telephony Services

Information regarding phone numbers
To request information about any phone number inside Venezuela, please contact the operator by dialing 103.

Public telephony
You will find a broad net of public phones spread all over the airports, hotels, restaurants, streets and avenues. These phones operate with prepaid phone cards, which can be bought in any library, drug store, newspaper stand and many other kinds of shops.

Telecommunication centers
These establishments are especially designed to provide you with long distance and international phone call services, as well as sending and receiving Telefaxes; you can also buy phone cards to be used with public phones. Any of the aforementioned operations may be paid in US Dollars, Bolívares or using a major credit card.

Long distance national calls by direct dialing
To make a long distance call within Venezuela directly without being assisted by an operator you just have to dial the area code of the city you are calling, followed by the phone number you wish to contact.

National long distance area codes.

Llamadas de Larda Distancia Internacional
País Directo País directo es un servicio de llamadas de larga distancia internacional que le permite hablar con un operador de la empresa de telecomunicaciones del país con el cual se establece la comunicación, para que éste lo conecte, a su vez, con el teléfono-destino. El costo de la llamada es asumido por quien la recibe, de ser aceptado el cargo.

Tips
At the bottom of the restaurant and bar bills you will notice a percentage added for service. Apart from that, and naturally depending on your satisfaction with the service, its custom to leave around an additional 5 %. Tips are also very welcome at tourist excursions, bellboy services at the hotel etc.