The Island can be reached by air or by sea. You can find flights to Margarita from many major European cities or from several US and Canadian cities: Toronto, Montréal, Miami, and New York.
If you are leaving from Venezuela to get to the Island, you can take one of a couple dozen flights a day. The following carriers fly between Caracas's Simón Bolívar International Airport and Isla de Margarita:
Aeropostal 0800/284-6637 or 0212/708-6211; www.aeropostal.com
Aserca 0800/649-8356; www.asercaairlines.com
Avior 0212/202-5811, or 0501/284-67737; www.avior.com.ve
Lai 0212/355-2322; fax 0212/355-1296
Laser 0800/237-3200 or 0212/232-6533; www.laser.com.ve
Airfares are usually between $30 and $75 each way, depending on the day of the week and the season (aim for the middle of the week and the off-season for the cheapest flights).
The Ferry is still considered to be the Island’s main link to the mainland of Venezuela. The primary ferry station can be found at Punta de Piedras, on the southern end of Margarita. The two primary ferry departure points from the mainland to the Island are La Guaira (30 minutes from Caracas, on the coast), and Puerto La Cruz and Cumaná (a few hours east of Caracas, on the northern coast). You can take a bus at almost any time of day to get to the ferry terminals from Caracas. It takes about 5 hours from Caracas to Puerto La Cruz ($4-$7), and 7 to 8 hours to Cumaná ($3-$6).
Once at the ferry terminal, you can choose to take an older ferry, which makes the trip in 3-4 hours, or you can take an express ferry, whose trip is closer to 2 hours. Contact Conferry 0212/782-8544 or 0295/261-6397, or Gran Cacique Express 0800/227-2600 or 0295/239-8339 for schedules and fares, which change frequently.
Sunset view, as the day's water traffic settles down.
