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 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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