Travelling by Ferry to Margarita

The Venezuelan mainland ferry ports of Puerto la Cruz, La Guaira and Cumaná serve Margarita via the Main Ferry Terminal located on the Southern sdie of Margarita Island called Punta de Piedras.

Ferry schedules change drastically according to season and demand, even the set schedules are sometimes somewhat flexible as many of the car ferries will leave only when they are completely full. It's recommended to carry photocopies of your Passport, Driving Licence and Car Documents with you and to try to buy your tickets in advance on weekends and during high season.

From Puerto la Cruz on the northern coast of the Venezuelan Mainland to Isla Margaritas' main ferry station Punta de Piedras two companies offer ferries to and from the Island, Conferry (which can carry vehicles), offering two types of ferries, (leaving upto five times a day in high season) the older regular conventional ferries, taking between 3-4 hours each way, and and the more modern "express ferries" which take about 2 hours. Costs for the "conventional ferries" are around (BsF 150 return) per car on most ferries and about (BsF 75 - 80 Tourist Class - Convencional), round trip, per person. The next class up - (Premier Class - on the Convencional Ferry), is about 20 BsF more for adults and 10 BsF more for children and pensioners). The cost to travel on the modern express ferries is about (BsF 300 return) per car and 150 - 160 BSF per person, round trip. The cost difference for passengers is often tied to the "class" of your ticket, splurging for the higher-class VIP fares, (about an extra 110 BsF on top on the Express tariff) will get you a seat in an enclosed and air-conditioned lounge deck.

The other company is Naviarca Grancacique (which is for passengers only). Costs are around (BsF 100 - 150) round trip [adults] per person for the journey (taking just less than two hours) and ferries leave from the Naviarca Terminal. Prices are roughly half price for childern (2-7yrs) and seniors / pensioners.

From Cumaná on the northern coast of the Venezuelan Mainland (several hours east of Caracas) to Punta de Piedras on Margarita Island Naviarca Grancacique leave from Naviarca's Terminal. [BsF 90 round trip].

From La Guaira, on the coast about (30 mins from Caracas). Conferry run a regular express crossing to and from Margarita taking just under 5 hours to or from La Guiara. Because of demand and convenience the express ferry from La Guiara is quite costly, running around 165,000Bs-223,000Bs ($77-$104) per person, round-trip. La Guaira: (0212) 331-2053, 331-2156 it is perhaps suspended check if re-opened.

Ferries also arrive to Margarita and from Trinidad.

Contact:- Conferry (Caracas tel. 0212/709-0000 or 0501/266-33779; www.conferry.com), or Gran Cacique Express (tel. 0800/227-2600 or 0295/239-8339; www.grancacique.com.ve).
Buses from Caracas to :-

If you fly to Puerto La Cruz the nearest airport is in Barcelona [BLA] the capital of the state Anzoategui. which is about a 30-min cab ride away. If you take a cab from the airport make sure you take one of the airport "official cabs" as there are many "piratas" (unofficial) cabs which can be dangerous. Make sure you have your hotel info before you get there, as cab drivers are not too good at suggesting what will be the best hotel for you. Flying in to Puerto La Cruz can be very expensive. Domestic flights from Caracas can go for $150 one way per person for the 40 minute flight. Like all airlines, if you book early and outside of peak holiday times, they can be much cheaper e.g. $55 one way.