Pampatar

Pampatar is a city on Margarita Island. The Castillo de San Carlos de Borromeo on the waterfront in the center of town. Constructed entirely of coral, the fort, built by the Spanish in 1662 after the original was destroyed by the Dutch. In the center of town is the Iglesia Santísimo Cristo or Iglesia del Cristo del Buen viaje, which features a bell tower with an outside staircase — an architectural oddity found on several churches on Isla Margarita.

Understand

Castillo de San Carlos

Get in

Pampatar is about a 40-minute drive from Margarita's Santiago Marino International Airport, via a fast highway.

It is 12 km from La Asunción and 9 km from Porlamar.

Get around

Car rental

Car rentals are available in Porlamar as well as in other parts of the island including at the airport and Playa El Yaque. Ensure that you thoroughly check the credentials of any rental agencies and ensure that they are licensed, have readily accessible office and an office contact number. Also ensure that you fully check the vehicle for any pre-existing damage including all lower body panels, the roof, and all window glass, before you sign the contract with any rental provider.

See

• Waterland Mundo Marino, Av. Jóvito Villalba s/n within Diverland Park (across from Sambil mall), ☏ +58 295-2600500. Dolphin and seal shows, many species of fish as well as exotic birds are on display. Swim with dolphins and seals. Have your picture taken with a dolphin or a seal. 

Do

• Beach it. Pampatar beach is about 1 km long with white sand, bordered by a fishermen town on one side, the fort on the other, is a great place to relax and enjoy the day. Restaurants, umbrellas and chairs, bathrooms are available. The bathroom attendants are not paid a salary; they survive on tips. The restaurants available directly on the beach are little more than shacks but they serve up a tasty fresh and inexpensive meal. 
• Diverland, Avenida Jovito Villalba, ☏ +58 295 2620813. The name Diverland is not referring to scuba diving rather a combination of Spanish and English words. Diver from Spanish word for diversion and English for land. Roughly translated it is fun land. Diverland is located just few minutes from downtown Pampatar. It is Margarita's only amusement park. Spend a day or evening enjoying the roller coaster, wall climbing, go-carting, bumper boats, haunted house, bumper cars, ferris wheel and all the typical amusement park adventures. 

Buy

• Farmatodo, Avenida Bolivar and Avenida Aldonza Manrique (across the street from CCAB), ☏ +58 295-262-7076. A large pharmacy, also has some medical supplies and they carry all the normal items that most pharmacies carry. There is also some food available, bread, soda, milk, like a mini mart. Open 24 hrs. 
• Sambil Mall, Avenida Jovito Villalba, ☏ +58 295-2602726. 10:00-21:00. Over 65,000 m², there are over 250 stores including; 7 movie screens, 18 fast food joints, 14 restaurants, a free-standing store in the parking lot and almost 2,000 parking spaces. A hotel is integrated to the mall with 135 rooms and an area of 12,090 m². 
• La Vela Mall, Los Uveros. 10:00-21:00. The 45,000 m² mall offers three levels with 110 stores and restaurants. Indoor parking on the corner of la Avenida Bolívar and la calle Los Uveros in Costa Azul, on the outskirts of Pampatar. An indoor playground for kids called "“Marine Kids" is available for the little ones. The food fair offers seating for over 1,000 with vendors such as, Subway, Capressa, McDonalds, Churro Mania, Panda Express, Positano, Don Patacon Gourmet, Al Grill, Tony Roma's, Burger King, Bonsai Sushi, La Tequila Express, Arturo's, Deli Fruit, Lancry's, El Rauche, Il Piacere, Koi, Habibis Shaguarma, Moko Caribe, Fogatta Cafe, Bar and Grill, Crepes A La Carta, Santo Coyote, Prego Mozzarella Bar, Ibiza Cafe, Deli and Bar. 

Learn

Learn Spanish, or pick up the first words necessary to get around while on the island.

• Cela Spanish School, Calle Corocoro Qta. Cela Urbanizacion Playa El Angel, ☏ +58 295 262 8198, +58 412 353 3124. The school is owned and managed by Sabine Loffler, PhD in Linguistics and specialist in teaching Spanish as a foreign language. The school has also a free on-line version where you can learn Spanish for your travel to Venezuela. Teaching is to 5 levels of ability and Spanish courses for special purposes such as medicine law and business are available. Courses are offered in small groups with a maximum of 7 participants and it is also possible to book one-to-one lessons. 

Eat

Budget

• Saint Germain Bakery, Avenida Aldonza Manrique (in the Playa El Angel section, outskirts of Pampatar), ☏ +58 295-260-2655. A local bakery/cafe offering fresh baked breads, rolls, pastries, snacks, coffee and made to order subs. There is a covered porch where one can enjoy their purchase and watch the people going by. 
• Sambil Mall Food Court, Sambil Mall. 10:00-21:00. The food court has something for just about everyone. There are well known American franchises such as KFC, McDonalds, Burger King, as well as more interesting local and international foods available within this food court. Everyone in your group can dine on something different while eating together as a group. 

Mid-range

• Casa Caranta, Avenida Joaquín Maneiro (located on the main strip in Pampatar), ☏ +58 295-2628610. 19:00-01:00. Located in downtown Pampatar, this restaurant's principal inspirations are Italian, Asian, and the Americas. The menu changes regularly, is handwritten on large chalkboards and brought to your table. Live music most nights. Closed Sunday during the low season. 
• Dolphin Restaurant, Avenida Aldonza Manrique (in Hotel Marbellamar, Playa El Angel section), ☏ +58 295-2623755. Hours vary by season. Italian, seafood and international cuisine are the specialities. It is closed on Sundays. 
• Trimar Restaurant, Calle Almirante Brión & the Beach, ☏ +58 295 262-3332. Since 1965, a family restaurant on the beach in Pampatar. Specializing in fish, seafood and international cuisine. Air conditioned dining room and beach front open air dining. 

Splurge

• El Fondeadero, Avenida Joaquín Maneiro (next to the fort water front). Enjoy waterfront dining while being served fresh seafood that was caught that day or chose from a variety of other dishes. 

Drink

• Beach Bar and Lounge, Calle El Cristo, La Caranta (in front of Flamingo Hotel), ☏ +58 295-267-2392. 11:30 - 03:00. A beach front bar and lounge with DJ music. Every Thursday it's "cinema on the beach" at 21:00, watch the latest releases and get plastered. 
• Kamy Beach, Av. Aldonza Manrique, Playa Varadero, ☏ +58 295 808-6066. 23:00-03:00. DJ disco on the beach. 
• Tiffany's (on the road behind Farmatodo on the outskirts of Pampatar). The only gay club in the island. 

Sleep

Budget

• Posada La Casa De Maria, Playa El Angel, Calle Petronila Mata, Casa María A-38, ☏ +58 295-2622303. A converted family home, now a guest house containing eight rooms. Each room is equipped with air conditioning, fan, small fridge, cableTV and self contained private bathrooms with hot water. Centrally located in a pleasant residential area, within easy reach of all services and activities. Public and private transportation nearby. Walking distance to shopping centers, supermarkets, pharmacies, liquor stores and restaurants. Breakfast included, except Sunday. Free Internet service and airport transfers. 

Mid-range

• Rentahouse Playa El Angel, Calle El Carite K36, Playa el Angel, ☏ +58 295-2625579. The condos are fully equipped, tidy and clean but the decor and furnishings may be a little dated. They are offered by the day, week or month. The condos are available in several popular locations on the island and some have beach or sea views. 

Splurge

• Lidotel Hotel Boutique, Centro Sambil Margarita, Avenida Jovito Villalba con entrada San Lorenzo, Edificio Lidotel, ☏ +58 295 260-2888. Single, double rooms and suites. There is a 24-hr business center in the lobby, with phone/fax, copier, computer workstations with internet connection and complete secretarial services. 24-hr room service available for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Internet access in the rooms, lobby and public areas. Laundry and dry cleaning available M-Sa 09:00-16:00. Swimming pool on the roof where you can enjoy a cocktail from the rooftop bar. Fitness center with modern machines on lobby level. Open M-F 06:00-22:00. Weekends and holidays 10:30-15:00. A restaurant and 2 bars are also available.