VENEZUELA

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INTERNATIONAL / INTERNAL TRAVEL.

A few tips to help with travel to and in and around Venezuela:

INTERNATIONAL

Air
Venezuela’s national airlines are Aeropostal (Alas de Venezuela) (VH), and Avensa and Servivensa (which no longer flies to Europe) (VC). Other airlines serving Venezuela include British Airways, Lufthansa and United Airlines.

Flight times
From Caracas to London / Europe is 9-10 hours, to Los Angeles is 9 hours and to New York is 5 hours.

International airports
Caracas (CCS) (Simon Bolivar) is 22km from the city (travel time 30-45 minutes). There is a coach service to the city every 60 minutes (0530-2359). Buses (littoral) are available to the city every 60 minutes (0600-1800). Taxis to the city are available on ranks. Airport facilities include duty-free shop, bank / bureau de change (0800-1800), bar/restaurant, tourist information and car hire (Avis, Budget and National).

Departure tax
Bs 26,400 from Caracas, Valencia and Maracaibo airports. Transit passengers and children under two years are exempt.

The Visit South America Pass
This must be bought outside South America in country of residence and allows unlimited travel to 36 cities in the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile (except Easter Island), Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Participating airlines include LAN-Chile (LA), Aer Lingus (EI), American Airlines (AA), British Airways (BA), Cathay Pacific (CX), Finnair (AY), IBERIA (IB) and Qantas (QF). A minimum of three flights must be booked, with no maximum; the maximum stay is 60 days, with no minimum, and prices depend on the amount of flight zones covered. For both air-passes children under 12 years of age are entitled to a 33 per cent discount and infants (under two years old) only pay ten per cent of the adult fare. For further details contact one of the participating airlines.

Sea
The principal Venezuelan ports are La Guaira, Puerto Cabello, Maracaibo, Guanta, Porlamar and Ciudad Bolivar (on the Orinoco River). The principal shipping lines operating to Venezuela are, from the USA: Venezuelan Line, and from European ports: French Line, the Spanish ships Cabo San Juan and Cabo San Roques, Polish Ocean Lines, Columbus Line and Hapag Lloyd. Cunard offers Caribbean cruises from San Juan that include a stop in Caracas. Other cruise lines include Costa and Celebrity Cruises.

Departure tax (Sea)
There is a tax on all sea departures, regardless of nationality, of Bs 13,200.

Rail
There are no international rail links with neighbouring countries.

Road
Road access is from Colombia (Barranquilla and Medellin) to Maracaibo, and from the Amazon territory of Brazil (Manaus) to Caracas.

INTERNAL TRAVEL

A few tips to help with travel to and in and around Venezuela.
The quickest way to get around is by air and prices are relatively cheap. Bus connections are cheaper and between major cities are usually in luxurious air-conditioned coaches.

Air Travel
Almost all large towns are connected with scheduled services operated by domestic airlines including Aeropostal, Aerotuy, and Avensa and Servivensa. There are various discount tickets offered by Avensa and Servivensa including special student and family prices. For further information, contact us at Jakera, we can usually find you a cheaper fare than you’ll find inside or outside Venezuela. Air travel is the best means of internal transport but services are often overbooked and even confirmation does not always ensure a seat. Travellers are advised to arrive at the airport well before the minimum check-in time in order to obtain confirmed seats. Schedule changes and flight cancellations with no advance warning are also likely.

Departure tax
US $3 / Bs 6000.

Sea
Ferries link Puerto La Cruz with Margarita Island (travel time 2 hours and 45 minutes).

Rail
The only railway runs between Barquisimeto and Puerto Cabello, with no air-conditioning. There are plans for a considerable extension to the rail network. There are ambitious plans in progress for a 1400km (870 mile) national network to be constructed in the near future though don’t hold your breath.

Road
Traffic drives on the right. Internal roads between principal cities are of a high standard, with 17,000kms of paved motorways, 13,500kms of macadam highways and 5850km of other roads. Bus: There are fairly cheap interurban bus services; quality of travel varies a lot, however. Car hire: Self-drive cars are available at the airport and in major city centres but are expensive. Documentation: National driving licences are valid for one year. International Driving Permits are valid.

Urban
Caracas has a 35-station metro, which is fairly comfortable and inexpensive. Conventional bus services have badly deteriorated in recent years and there has been a rapid growth in the use of ‘por puestos’ (share-taxis). These are operated by minibus companies and tend to serve as the main form of public transport in major cities. Fares charged are in general similar to those on the buses, although they are higher during the evenings and at weekends. Taxis in Caracas are metered but the fare can nonetheless be negotiated with the driver. It is customary not to use meters after midnight; the fare should be agreed before setting out. Taxi fares double after 10pm. You’ll find taxi rates posted at the airport. Motorcycles may not be used in Caracas after 2200!

Travel times
Approximate air travel times from Caracas to other major cities / towns in Venezuela.

Puerto la Cruz 0.30
Los Roques 0.50
Mérida 1.00
Canaima 1.15
Cumana 0.45
Maracaibo 1.00
Ciudad Bolívar 0.50
Porlamar 0.45