Porlamar, the capital of Isla Margarita is the largest and busiest urban center on the island. Porlamar probably will be your first stop when you arrive from the mainland. It's a bustling city full of shops, hotels and restaurants, but isn't overly interesting or attractive. It does have a beach, however, and has been a duty-free port since 1973. East of the center are the fanciest shopping centers, casinos and nightlife destinations. In fact, new suburbs and tourist facilities are being built all the way along the coast as far as Pampatar. Porlamar has come a long way since 1536, when it was originally founded. Less than 40 years later, Christopher Columbus sailed past the island on his way to the mainland. You can glimpse some of the city's past in the older part of town; tree-shaded Plaza Bolívar is the historic center.