2 Best Places to Shop in Porlamar and Pampatar, Isla Margarita

Although Isla Margarita is a major destination for Venezuelan day-trippers taking advantage of the duty-free prices, real bargains are hard to find. Your best bets are liquor and jewelry. Aside from the less expensive shops along Bulevar Guevara and Bulevar Gómez, shoppers are attracted to boutiques along Avenidas Santiago Mariño and 4 de Mayo. More and more shoppers are heading to the ubiquitous malls that are taking over the island. One of the most popular is the massive Jumbo Mall on 4 de Mayo. The stadium-size Centro Sambil has 137 stores and is the offspring of its mammoth parent shopping center in Caracas. For everything from pots and pans to insect repellant to flip-flops, go to the immense Rattan in Porlamar.