Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 2
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Cruise port of call in Margarita Island
hello,
here's some info for those of you whose cruiseship may make a stop in Margarita Island's port of call....El Guamache.
You wouldn't need a bus ride to El Guamache because the boat docks right there at the port. If you have been to this port prioir to 2004 then you'll think it's not worth going to but I ask you to reconsider if you haven't been there since. Last Port season and this new season El Guamache has really under gone allot of changes. It's so much more pleasant now and all of the tourists who come from the cruisesships are so happy that they got off to see what Margarita's port is like. They leave happy after having done lots of shopping.
You can do these sorts of thing at the port beach..... You can use jet skis, paddle boats, bannana boats and use the shaded lawn chairs there and have a drink too if you please.
Also you can swim at this beach and many tourists coming off the Ships usually do. Also there are about 150 booths with customs made crafts and jewelery, so there is plenty of shopping to be done.
Here is a message my friend Kris wrote elsewhere. She is a real hard worker who has been working at the port for the last 3 years. She is from the states too originally from California.
From Kris:
I can tell that this is going to be a long. My mother and I make jewelry with semi-precious stones, pearls and crystals. There are more jewelry vendors than anything else I think. Half of them buy their jewelry to resell and others handmake their things. There are booths right up front that are off to the side that are artisians that handmake everything they sell and are given extra attention. They switch out the vendors every so often to bring other artisians in.
I believe Murano glass is sold here. There is a building right up front that has a few stores in it. Go in there, and you'll find a store that sells glass. There are other vendors that sell other glass figurines (not Murano) and one lady even makes jewelry with glass pieces that she makes, too. She speaks English.
There was a guy last year who made leather items, but I'm not sure that he is there this year. Yesterday was our first day of the season, and I didn't see him. He made belts and fitted them to you while you waited. He had wallets and purses, too.
There are lots of ceramics and pottery. There is one lady who hand paints pottery that is made here on the island. The island is known for pottery. She paints hibiscus and other flowers in bright colors on her things. They are beautiful. She's closer to the end of the row under a big awning that is near the second bar I think it's booth #80. She speaks perfect english. There are several people who make Negritas, which are clay black women figurines in folk/tropical dresses carrying plates of fruit and veggies. The island is very popular for that.
Hammocks are made on the island, so you can get a really nice one for a decent price. I know of a booth that sells those. They are about 2/3 of the way down the avenue.
About 1/3 of the way down is a booth that sells handmade woven baskets. Some are collapsable, so you can pack them in your suitcase. They also have simple folk whistles and things that kids like a lot.
There is one guy who makes handmade cigars. I heard many men try his cigars and say that it was top quality. He sells individual cigars, too, so you can try one right there and decide if you want more. Some high government men come to the island to buy his cigars, so I guess they must be pretty good. He is up front with the artisian group. He speaks english.
Pearls are our specialty. Yes, the prices are correct and the quality is good. Many people think that because the prices are so low that they aren't real. They are. You can buy a lower quality strand of pearls for $6. Then there are higher qualities that go up from there. A good strand of pearls will cost you about $15-$20. There are lots of hematite jewelry, too. You can get those pretty cheap.
There are many booths that sell caps, beach towels, bags, sarongs, t-shirts, etc. There is one couple that sells handpainted t-shirts. They are about half way down the avenue. There is also another guy towards the end near the second bar. He paints nice, too. They both speak perfect english.
There is a saxophonist who plays his music and sells CD's. There is a guy who carves stone figurines. He speaks english.
I think I said most of what sells out there. I'm trying to remember. Oh! Beer, wine, vodka, and rum are sold at a store in the building at the front of the port. They also sell rum at either bar. I hope that helps. From what I have seen the people who handmake their items have their prices down pretty low. You MIGHT be able to get them to go lower, but it's doubtful. It's the people who buy items to resell out there that you can bargain with. They are more flexible. It used to be where everything that was sold out there had to be handmade, so most of the artisians have been selling there for years. They have learned to keep their prices low. So, keep your eye out. If it looks like the item can be sold at a better price, then ask. If the price seems fare, then that's probably their lowest price. A new rule we have this year is that everything has to be priced. Yeah! Have fun, and remember to stay in the shade!
************* hope this helps thanks for reading
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