Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BY AIR
Nearly all international flights land at
Simón Bolívar International Airport in
Maiquetía (often known simply as
Maiquetía Airport ), between 45 minutes
and an hour from central Caracas.
Services and public transport are available
at the airport (see p.868).
If you know someone in Venezuela, you
can save an enormous amount on your
airfare by having them book your ticket
for you and then paying them in foreign
currency at the paralelo exchange rate
(see box opposite). Given the national
currency's instability, many Venezuelans
have foreign bank accounts in Europe
and the US, which makes immediate
payment possible through bank transfers.
It is essential that you only do this with
someone you trust.
immigration agency, in Caracas (see
p.865). Bring your passport, two photos
and your return or onward ticket. The
process takes a maximum of 72 hours
(although it is usually issued the same
day) and costs roughly US$50.
GETTING AROUND
Travellers are best off using the
convenient and inexpensive public
transport system of buses and por puestos .
Internal flights are an unreliable
alternative if you wish to avoid the longer
overland routes.
11
BY AIR
Flying within Venezuela is neither cheap
nor convenient; domestic air travel is
plagued by delays and cancellations.
Always call to confirm flight times, and
arrive at airports up to two hours in
advance, as queues can be formidable.
Domestic flights usually require a tasa
(tax) of around BsF60.
BY BUS
Long-distance international buses arrive
from neighbouring Colombia and Brazil
and head for Caracas, nine to fifteen hours
from the Colombian border crossings,
depending on where you cross (see box,
p.886), and up to 24 hours from the main
Brazilian crossing. Border formalities for
international bus passengers are generally
straightforward, though you are
responsible for arranging any necessary
visas, vaccinations and exit/entry stamps.
BY BUS
Buses are the primary mode of transport
throughout Venezuela and invariably
the cheapest. Tickets go on sale on the
day of departure and are bought from
the various private company ticket booths
in the bus terminals. Venezuelans book all
bus travel with their national
identification numbers, for which you
should use your passport number. It helps
to have it memorized. You'll usually have
to pay a tasa , or tax, on top of the bus
fare. Usually around BsF4, the tasa is
a ticket bought from the dedicated
terminal booth and presented when you
board the bus or depart the terminal.
Most regional bus services end at around
6pm or 7pm; overnight services to more
distant destinations sometimes depart as
late as midnight or 1am.
Local buses, or busetas , are minibuses
recognizable for the myriad destination
cards stuck to the inside of the
windscreens and can be hailed from
roadsides along their routes. If you want
to get off at a specific point, shout
“parada!” (meaning “bus-stop”) at the
driver, who will let you off at the nearest
PASSPORTS AND VISAS
Citizens of the US, Canada, Australia,
New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, the
UK and other EU countries do not need
a visa to enter Venezuela - just a tourist
card, provided by the airlines, that lets
you stay for ninety days. Entry by bus or
car can be more complicated: you'll be
issued with a tourist card by the border
office where your entry is processed. This
card acts as your exit form and will be
required for your eventual departure
stamp. You may be asked for a certificate
of yellow fever vaccination. You will need
to present a passport valid for at least six
more months and sometimes they will
also ask to see an onward ticket.
To extend your stay for an additional
ninety days, go to SAIME, the country's
 
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