Isla Margarita Warnings and Dangers

MARGARITA ISLAND AND PALM BEACH HOTEL ARE VERY NICE PLACES BUT USE THE SECURITY MEASURES AVAILABLE TO YOU AND COMMON SENSE. TAKE THE SHUTTLE FROM/TO THE HOTEL/BEACH ALL THE TIME, NOT FOR LAZINESS, BUT FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY. DON’T LEAVE THINGS ON THE BEACH UNATTENDED OR FALL ASLEEP WITHOUT SOMEONE LOOKING AFTER YOUR THINGS (SOMEONE’S SHOES WERE TAKEN WHEN THEY WERE SLEEPING IN THE SUN)

WHILE WE WERE THERE TWO DRIVE-BY MUGGINGS OR ATTEMPTED MUGGINGS TOOK PLACE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY!!!

This is an impoverished island, so crime would be expected. Just don't take unnecessary risks.

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Because alcohol and “poverty” is not an ideal mixture, lots of people at night could drive drunk! Many of the bicycle accidents are caused by drunk drivers. The roads are most of the time desolated and if someone is not paying any attentions worse things may happen. So mind the road if you are bicycling in the evening (and during the day)

A "famous" reminder is this one of those 3 children died by such accident.

Just as you would anywhere ....becareful with your money. No wallets in your back pockets men, and woman just keep your purse over your shoulder and with your arm on it. This is not just for a tourist ...a Venezuelan lady in the CM supermarket here left her purse in the shopping cart while she went to get something and next thing you know it was gone.

That can happen anywhere ...it did to my aunt in Fla. but just be extra cautions because they may think since you have enough money to travel here ..that is means you are well off financially !

Usually the pick pocketers can work in crowds too ...like once a group of younger girls crowded around my friend when they walked close to her and took what she had in her pocket. It wasn't much but it happened.

so all eyes peeled and you will still have a GREAT vacation in Margarita !

As with all countries, you will get approached by someone wanting to carry your bags, and will expect to be paid.. SOme will even try to take it from you..
This is more of a problem at Caracus international airport than margarita.
They will walk with you and than ask you for money, please tell them not to walk with you.
For more info go to

www.margaritaislandguide.com

This is a very good site for information on margarita island, from hotels,resturants,night life,transportation and more....

Highly recommended

be aware of the bugs in hotel rooms, our room was only a two-star rating, which is ok, but we had lots of bugs (such as huge spiders, cockroaches, ants,...) in our room, under the bed, just everywhere. But after some days you?ll get used to it. Tourists from 3 and 4star hotels said they also had bugs in their rooms!

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You find in the market at Porlamar lots of fake brands! You'll see the details, do not worry! T-shirts of isla magarita has tikets of nike... or logo's of Tommi H. are sewed by and old grandmother on caps and sweaters. And yes Kalvin Clein is a brand too ;)

The only real brands you'll find there is in the large shopping street in Porlamar. you 'll take the bus form the market (outside the city) and drive tru some "blocks" and end-up in the city. (nice trip btw)

At the Polamar airport there were two persons from Suriname behind me. When they were picked out for a random check by the customs authorities I've not seen them back again. After a while there were quite a lot of people in uniforms and dogs running around. The did a bit of sniffling and several persons had to have their luggage checked again. It was quite a chaos and frightened. Just before our departure, all passengers had to have their cabin luggage checked again.

The result: 5 persons were not allowed to start their return flight back to Amsterdam. Local officials extended their "Holiday" in Venezuela.

Also the Dutch customs checked our luggage again upon arriving.