6 Most Useful Tips To Shop Like a Pro in Margarita Island, Venezuela
Looking for the best Margarita Island shopping experience? You’ve come to the right place! Margarita Island isn’t just about stunning beaches – it’s a Caribbean shopping paradise offering unbeatable deals, duty-free pricing, and access to global brands without needing a US visa. For travellers from Trinidad and Tobago and across the Caribbean, shopping in Margarita has become a beloved tradition. Whether you’re hunting for bargains in Porlamar’s famous flea market or stocking up on wholesale goods, these insider shopping tips from my recent trip will help you score the best deals and make your retail adventure unforgettable.
1. Know Your Hotspots
Margarita Island has amazing shopping destinations that you do not want to miss, especially as a first-time visitor. When it comes to malls and shopping centres, you must hit up Sambil Mall and La Vela Malls for name brands, AC, and a modern shopping experience. Having visited La Vela myself, I can assure you that it lacks nothing. You’ll be sure to find many of the stores and outlets that you’ve become quite familiar with in destinations like Panamá and Curaçao. I haven’t been to Sambil just yet, but I’ve heard that it’s the largest and the OG shopping centre on the island, so don’t miss it!
If you want local flavour and bargains, you have to head on over to the Porlamar flea market, but come ready to negotiate and shop till you drop. The flea market offers some of the same items you’d encounter at the malls, but at significantly cheaper prices with the same quality. Take your time and venture through the crowds and stalls to find the best deals.
I recommend going with a local tour operator who knows the lay of the land. My go-to on the island is Hover Tours. Check out their site here: Hover Tours Official Website
Cool Backpack Designs at the Sprayground Store in La Vela Mall
2. Understand the Currency Game
When shopping on the island (and by extension, mainland Venezuela), prices are often marked in both Bolívares and USD, but watch out for the label “Ref” that’s short for “Referencial” and usually means the price is based on the exchange rate of the day. In other words, if you see REF 10,00, that means US$10 is the price, or REF 20,00 denotes a price of US$20.
Always ask vendors to clarify whether they’re quoting in USD, Bolívares, or Ref to avoid confusion or overpaying. When in doubt, ask a question! And this is where your Spanish skills come in handy, especially if you’re moving about solo or without a local guide.
See general must-know tips and guide before visiting Margarita Island here: 10 Things To Know Before Visiting Margarita Island
3. Bring Small Bills in USD
Shopping in Margarita can be an extreme sport if you don’t have smaller USD bills. USD is widely accepted on the island and in many cases it’s preferred as a method of payment, especially in cash form. Gather your USD before you come to the island, but don’t assume vendors will have change for large notes. Oftentimes, they may not and will only be able to give you bolivares in return. $1s, $5s, $10s and $20s are gold here. It’ll make your transactions smoother, especially at markets and smaller stores. Even at the malls, I’ve encountered situations where USD change was an issue. Thankfully, I also had my credit card!
Bonus Tip: Most major credit cards (Visa and Mastercard) work on the island once your bank allows transactions from Venezuela. My card worked quite fine (I bank with Republic Bank in Trinidad and Tobago), but be sure to check with your bank to verify whether your card payments will be accepted here.
4. Tap Into Local Knowledge
This is where the magic happens. Connect with local guides or hosts who know the best vendors, hidden gems, and how to get the best deals. Whether it’s a personal shopper, your hotel concierge, or a local tour operator, having someone on the ground can make your experience 10x better. Your travel agent organises the main elements of the trip (flights, accommodation, airport transfers, etc.); everything else needs to be organised by you once you arrive on the island. Ensure you do your research, connect with local tour companies and have trusted guides to show you the ropes. This saves time and money!
Wide Assortment of Alcoholic Beverages at the VeneTur Building (Super Cheap!)
Don’t Be Afraid to Bargain – Politely Ofc!
If you’re shopping, you’re looking for bargains; it’s part of the process, no matter where you go in the world, especially in local markets. If you’re heading to the Porlamar Flea Markets, especially, you’re most definitely going to haggle and settle on the best prices for you and the vendors. Always start lower than the asking price and meet in the middle. And if you’re already getting an amazing deal, pay full price. Don’t overdo it at all. Be respectful and friendly when dealing with store owners and vendors. Rude tourists get nowhere fast, and you’re more likely to be blacklisted from getting the best deals if your attitude is horrible and nasty.
Be Mindful of Quality & Authenticity
Not everything is what it seems. Like anywhere in the world, if you’re buying name brands or electronics, shop at established stores or malls to ensure that you’re getting the right quality for your hard-earned cash. At markets, double-check materials, expiration dates, and authenticity to make sure everything checks out. A cheap deal isn’t worth it if it breaks the next day.
I bought high-quality dress pants that I’m absolutely loving from LC Waikiki at La Vela Mall, and I have no complaints at all. If you want high-quality items, that’s possible. If you’re looking for cheaper materials and lesser-known brands, that’s also a possibility. Whatever you’re looking for, chances are the island has a store that can supply your needs. Just be aware and ready to shop around to garner the best deals and prices.
In hindsight, I probably should have gone to Margarita with more money than I intended to earmark for this trip. I got there and the shopping completely blew me away with the amazing prices and discounts that were on offer. If you’re heading there soon, go ready and loaded to explore and shop. Don’t underestimate the great finds that you’ll uncover strolling through the streets of Porlamar or knocking about at the malls. There’s a reason this destination is known for its shopping prowess since our mothers’ generation. Don’t sleep on this small but mighty vacation giant!
Also, get an e-SIM ASAP. You don’t want to be disconnected while you shop till you drop, especially when you’re buying stuff for friends and families back home. I used my trusted Airalo in Margarita and had no issues throughout my 4-day trip. Looking for a discount on your first e-SIM, sayless!
Get USD 3.00 off your first eSIM package from Airalo. Use code OKERA2660 when you sign up or check out. Airalo e-SIM Discount
