Essential ServicesPatience is a Virtue
One of the most obvious differences between the good old U.S.A. and Margarita Island is the speed of service offered by quasi public entities such as the telephone companies, internet providers, electricity providers and the water utilities. Some people have told me that quick service requires a little money under the table, but I have found patience and persistence just as effective. Having gone through all of the experiences mentioned below, I do not believe that such payment has any effect. In the end, there are only three options, give up and go back home, try and change the system, or accept the current reality and relax. I chose the later...
Telephone Communications
The primary provider of telephone communications on the Island is CANTV, a virtual monopoly here. Patience is critical if you want to have a traditional telephone installed in your home. We were told that there were no numbers available in our area and that we would have to wait until one became available. It has been over five months and we are still waiting, many people wait for more than six months and it looks like we will have to wait also.
Internet
Because we could not get a telephone, we also could not receive internet service. This system moves slowly, the folks at CANTV told us, "maybe in 2010" on our last visit to their office.
I recently learned about another internet service provider (ISP) named FSX that provides internet service over satellite as long as there is line of sight to their repeater tower from your home. FSX is a small but growing ISP and provides excellent high speed internet service. The cost, however, is rather high with a Bs.F1900 installation fee and Bs.F270 per month for the highest speed. Hook up takes approximately one week.
Cell Phone
Cell phone service in contrast to traditional phone service, is actually less complicated here than in the States. The SIM chip is simply purchased from a company called DIGITEL along with a number of minutes of service, no contract, no deposit, no penalties. Cell phones are readily available, but your “unlocked” cell phone from home will work fine. Your cell phone can be unlocked here for around Bs.F25, but it is best to have it unlocked at home.
Television
Satellite Television is available through Direct TV and provides similar services to those in the U.S. at about the same price, or slightly less. After having televisions services for several months, I can say that I am impressed with the quality of programming.
Electricity
During peak tourist periods the demand placed on the power grid for electricity is noticeable. It is common to have an hour electricity outage in the afternoon or early evening when most people turn on their air conditioners and other appliances. I have been told that “rolling electricity brownouts” are normal across the Island, but they do seem much more prevalent in my neighborhood; home to many of the local fishermen and one of the poorer areas. The source of electricity is a network of rather old diesel generators, though there is talk about developing a state of the art turbine generation plant sometime in the future.
Water
Venezuela is known to have some of the purest water sources found on the planet, unfortunately, the water storage and delivery systems are less than septic. Tap water is considered safe to drink generally, although it does not taste great. It is always prudent to drink bottled water and avoid ice. At our home we have installed a four stage reverse osmosis system that removes all impurities from the water. I do have expat friends who drink the tap water as is and appear to have had no ill effects, after a short "adjustment" period. One interesting fact about tap water on Margarita Island is that the source is on the mainland; the water supply travels undersea by way of a large pipe and is distributed by truck across the Island.