How to Get to Margarita Island
From the US there is no nonstop: fly American from Miami to Caracas and connect to Porlamar, or from November 26, 2026, fly Copa via Panama. From the mainland, the Puerto La Cruz ferry is running again. US citizens need a visa before they fly.
Updated monthly. Last reviewed ; next review by November 26, 2026.
By air
Margarita's airport is Santiago Mariño Caribbean International (PMV), about 12 km west-southwest of Porlamar. [source]
Miami (MIA) → Caracas (CCS), then a domestic flight to Porlamar (PMV)
American Airlines flies Miami–Caracas twice a day; as of October 16, 2026 it was the only US airline operating in Venezuela. It restarted the route on April 30, 2026, the first direct US–Venezuela commercial flight in seven years, suspended it after the June 24 earthquakes and set daily flights to resume on September 3. Caracas airport reopened on September 1 from temporary terminals, with Porlamar among its scheduled domestic routes.
Sources: Aviación Guayaquil: American adds Miami–Barcelona, Venezuela (Oct 20, 2026) · Anchorage Daily News (AP): first direct US–Venezuela flight in 7 years (Apr 30, 2026) · AirlineGeeks: American sets date for return to Caracas (Aug 28, 2026) · The Star (Reuters): Venezuela’s main airport resumes operations (Sep 2, 2026)
Panama City (PTY) → Porlamar (PMV), nonstop, from November 26, 2026
Copa Airlines starts this route on November 26, 2026: three flights a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Sunday), CM651 leaving Panama at 09:50 and landing in Porlamar at 13:36 local time. With a US–Panama flight, it is a one-stop route to the island that does not go through Caracas.
Sources: La Estrella de Panamá: Copa Panama–Margarita from November (Aug 4, 2026) · Aviación Guayaquil: American adds Miami–Barcelona, Venezuela (Oct 20, 2026)
Miami → Barcelona (Anzoátegui), from January 15, 2027
American starts Miami–Barcelona on January 15, 2027: three flights a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) on Embraer 175s, on sale since October 19, 2026. Barcelona’s airport is the one Puerto La Cruz uses, and Puerto La Cruz is where the Conferry to Margarita leaves (below). Not running yet.
Sources: El Aéreo: American to have 24 weekly flights to Venezuela with Barcelona (Oct 19, 2026) · Aviación Guayaquil: American adds Miami–Barcelona, Venezuela (Oct 20, 2026) · Wikipedia: Puerto La Cruz (last edited Oct 5, 2026)
Within Venezuela → Porlamar (PMV)
About 120 domestic flights link Porlamar with 12 Venezuelan cities; Trinidad and Tobago flights run four times a week. Routes to Bogotá, Aruba, Curaçao and Brazil are proposed, not running.
Sources: El Venezolano: Margarita bets on more flights (Oct 4, 2026)
Announced by other US airlines, not flying yet
United (Houston–Caracas) and JetBlue (Fort Lauderdale–Caracas) have announced routes, and Delta plans to return to Venezuela, with its plans delayed by the earthquake damage. As of October 16, 2026 none of them was operating, and we could not confirm start dates.
Sources: Aviación Guayaquil: American adds Miami–Barcelona, Venezuela (Oct 20, 2026)
By sea
Ferries dock at Punta de Piedras, on the island's west side. [source]
Puerto La Cruz → Punta de Piedras (Conferry)
Conferry’s Paraguaná I resumed the route on June 26, 2026, after a suspension since January 2025. Fares (August 2026): adult $30; seniors, children and people with disabilities $15; VIP $75; standard car $130. The itinerary is subject to change and no crossing time is published; we found no newer schedule, so check with Conferry before you travel.
Sources: El Diario: Conferry resumes Puerto La Cruz–Margarita (Jun 9, 2026) · El Diario: Conferry ticket prices (Aug 19, 2026) · Wikipedia: Puerto La Cruz (last edited Oct 5, 2026)
Before you book
- Visa: US citizens need a Venezuelan visa, applied for online; see the Venezuela tourist visa for US citizens.
- Travel advice: the US rates Venezuela Level 3, “Reconsider Travel”; read is Margarita Island safe? for what the US, UK and Canada say this month.
- Where you are going: see the map and location facts.
- Arriving for the wind? El Yaque is next to the airport: see airport to El Yaque.
- Staying in Porlamar? City logistics are on porlamarvenezuela.com.
Questions
- Are there direct flights from the US to Margarita Island?
- No. As of October 2026 the only US–Venezuela passenger service is American Airlines Miami–Caracas, twice a day; from Caracas you connect to a domestic flight to Porlamar. Copa’s Panama City–Porlamar nonstop starts November 26, 2026.
- Which US airlines fly to Venezuela?
- Only American Airlines as of October 16, 2026, from Miami to Caracas (and Maracaibo). United and JetBlue have announced Caracas routes and Delta plans to return, but none was flying and we could not confirm start dates.
- Which airport serves Margarita Island?
- Santiago Mariño Caribbean International Airport (PMV), about 12 km west-southwest of Porlamar.
- Is there a ferry to Margarita Island?
- Yes. Conferry resumed Puerto La Cruz to Punta de Piedras on June 26, 2026; the adult fare was $30 in August 2026.
- Do US citizens need a visa?
- Yes. Visas are required for US citizens; Venezuela’s Foreign Ministry takes applications online, and approved visas arrive by email.
Sources: Aviación Guayaquil: American adds Miami–Barcelona, Venezuela (Oct 20, 2026) · El Aéreo: American to have 24 weekly flights to Venezuela with Barcelona (Oct 19, 2026) · La Estrella de Panamá: Copa Panama–Margarita from November (Aug 4, 2026) · Wikipedia: Santiago Mariño Caribbean International Airport (last edited Oct 6, 2026) · El Diario: Conferry ticket prices (Aug 19, 2026) · U.S. Embassy Caracas: Electronic Visa Application Process Update (Apr 6, 2026; read Oct 26, 2026)