The most important driving lesson on the island is that there is no such thing as "right of way". This includes intersections, traffic lights, traffic circles, stop signs, or whatever. It seems that the bigger the vehicle the more apt it is to have the "right of way". What we recommend is to drive defensively and never assume that someone will stop. The other thing you have to be ready for is unusual actions with no warning. Many cars have no brake lights or turn signals and the local people have a bad habit of coming to sudden stops for no apparent reason on main roads. As long as you are aware that this might happen it becomes pretty normal. Some of the drivers of older cars are also the most cautious as the owner cannot afford to replace or fix it should it be in an accident.

The roads are generally in very good condition and it is safe to drive around the Island. The roads on the western side of the island, Macon, can be tricky. One must exercise caution when rounding corners or going over hills as sometimes there are pot holes that need repair. The police do nothing to stop drinking drivers so on weekends and late afternoons you have to be a little more attentive than normal. Pedestrians are also a hazard as people will step off of curbs into traffic without looking. They sometimes are to preoccupied on their cell phones or just plain inattentive.

Here is a copy of what a former customer told us.

Driving On Margarita Island

As driving anywhere, (and stolen from the medical oath) ‘Do No Harm’ is a good goal. And as driving in North America has its rhythm and flow, so does driving on the Island. The following are some observations about driving on Margarita.
Traffic Lights: these do not always work in the manner you might be used to.
For example generally we are used to traffic at a light allowing both north and south traffic to move at the same time. On the Island the sequence is often (but not always) different in that the north traffic might have the green light to go, but the south traffic is not allowed to move. This change allows left turns at the same time as the straight ahead traffic proceeds. (In the USA we might expect left turning traffic from both north and south lanes to move at the same time, then north and south going straight through traffic to move at the same time.) Especially watch for this if you are a pedestrian, but also for tourists who are pedestrians.
While red means stop, often drivers go ahead if the way is clear. You can take your cue from drivers beside you, or the beeping of horns.
The location of the traffic lights themselves may be well off to one side of the intersection.

Pedestrians are apt to cross a busy street, even a divided highway, anywhere and at any time. For this and other reasons, two hands on the wheel at all times allow quick maneuvers.

Police often stand in the middle of the road. You are expected to slow down as you approach and pass the officers, (who are probably watching for certain individuals; ‘persons of interest’ we might say).

Motorcycles pass on either side of your vehicle, often at speed. Frequent use of your mirrors will help monitor these drivers. It is also important to leave a bit of room on either side of your car for these venturous drivers. Interesting Note: the side view mirrors on most bikes are high enough to pass over your side view mirror. You will have opportunity to verify this.

In the older parts of the town, where streets are narrow, drivers often need to poke a large part of their vehicle into your lane just so the driver can see if traffic is coming. And while they are poking out into your lane, they may often continue to navigate and continue on if they think they can make it. Braking is advised.

One way streets are often indicated with signs fairly high up on a wall, or with directional arrows on the road. BUT, detours often bring traffic the wrong way on the one way, so expect the unexpected.

Drivers, or passengers, may indicate turns with hand signals. (I have yet to see the hand signal which we refer to as flipping the bird.)

PARE means stop. SALIDA means exit. PELIGRO means danger.

The most significant difference is the use of merge lanes, where typically we would use clover leafs, or traffic lights. Basically the merge lanes move traffic so that the traffic can completely change direction.
a) The merge lanes are different than in the USA. There is not a ‘master’ lane and a side lane from which vehicles must move into the master lane. Rather in almost all cases the two lanes come together and neither car needs to move to remain in their same and proper lane.
b) The important key here is to watch the traffic and make sure the car in front but perhaps also beside you has space in front of you, unless of course it is slower and you will pass it before it enters your lane.
c)You should never need to make a lane change when lanes merge. It takes a bit to get used to this but it does work.
d) You will quickly recognize the out-of-town drivers who try to make a lane change instead of just merging. They slow down and sometimes stop. Not usually good. If they make a lane change the driver is often surprised to be in the lane thought just to be vacated.

RETURNO’s are frequent on major roads, always with good signage, and allow you to change direction, for example move from traveling north to traveling south. Since major roads are divided by a median, you will often need to use these, just to get to the other side of the street.
a)They are always on the left hand lane.
b)There are many times when someone has just merged into traffic and wants to get to the Returno, a few lanes across from where they are but just a bit ahead. They either dart in front, or actually stop in the merge lane waiting till there is a bit of an opening, then cross over the main lanes of traffic.
c)Also the merge lanes may hold two vehicles side by side. (OK no lanes for this but room.) The driver of the lane closest to the traffic may be waiting to dart across; the vehicles to the right moving ahead on the main road.

Buses are frequent and often need to cross one or two lanes. They do this with the expectation that you will allow their movement. Their vehicles are bigger than yours.

The use of car horns is frequent, often to advise you (if you are the vehicle in front) that they are about to pass you (even when it looks dangerous) but also for all the usual reasons.

Some drivers will use the shoulder of the road… not recommended.