City Overview

Puerto La Cruz is a youthful, dynamic and expanding city of 190,000. Until the 1930’s it was no more than an obscure village, but it boomed after rich oil deposits were discovered in the region to the south. Port facilities have been built in Guanta and Guaraguao, just east of town; the latter serves as a main oil terminal, to transport oil from the wells overseas.

The city has become popular among Venezuelan vacation makers and is very touristy. It is the major gateway to Isla de Margarita, Venezuela’s number-one mass tourist beach destination, and it is also a jumping-off point to the beautiful Parque Nacional Mochima, which stretches just north and east of the city.

The city features a lively 10-block-long waterfront boulevard, Paseo del Colón, packed with hotels, tour agencies, bars and restaurants. It comes to life in the late afternoon and evening, when plenty of craft stalls open and gentle breeze sweeps away the heat of the day. Taking advantage of its strategic position, Puerto La Cruz has grown into Venezuela’s major water-sports center, with half a dozen marinas and yacht clubs, sailing and diving schools, yacht rental facilities, diving and fishing tours, and more.

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