Venezuela - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 906

PUERTO LA CRUZ

ACCOMMODATION
Neptuno
Posada Rancho Grande
Posada Turística Diana
Posada Turística Montecarlo

3
1
2
4

Boat Docks

N

EATING
El Bufalo
La Colmena
Tasca Senador

Laundry

2
1
3

PLAZA
COLON

Pharmacy

Pharmacy
Pharmacy

Bahía de Pozuelos Bank

Boat Docks

11

Buses to
Parque Mochima Bus

Terminal

0 200

metres

Ferry terminal (2km)

Cines Unidos (1.5km) Airport (20km)

Los Altos de Sucre
A more do-it-yourself diversion is to head
to the bus terminal for the frequent jeeps
(40min; BsF10) to Los Altos de Sucre ,
a small community hidden in the hills
above Puerto La Cruz, near the border of
Anzoátegui State. The lush, rural roads
couldn't be further in spirit from the
city's mayhem, and are known for their
numerous pastry and artesanía shops and
spectacular views of the bay below. Shout
“¡parada!” at the bus driver wherever you
want to get off along the Via Principal de
los Altos.

Destinations Caracas (6 daily; 45min); Maracaibo (2 daily
except Sat; 3hr); Mérida (daily except Sun; 2hr 30min with 1
connection); Porlamar (2 daily; 30min); Puerto Ordáz (2
daily; 40min); Valencia (3 daily Sun-Fri, 1 daily Sat; 40min).
Avior flies to Miami at 9.30am on Wed-Fri and Mon.
By bus The bus terminal is on C Democracia at C Concordia,
an easy walk from most accommodation. Playa Colorada,
Santa Fe and Mochima are all served along the same route.
Busetas depart from 6am-8pm when full from C Democracia
beside the liquor shop outside the terminal.
Destinations Caracas (hourly; 6hr); Barinas (3 daily; 12hr);
Maracaibo (4 daily; 15hr); Ciudad Bolívar (8 daily; 5hr)
also serving Puerto Ordáz; Coro (daily at 3pm; 11hr);
Cumaná (half-hourly; 2hr); Mérida (daily at 10am; 17hr);
Santa Elena de Uairén (daily at 3pm; 18hr); Barquisimeto
(4 daily; 5hr); Valencia (several daily; 7hr).
By ferry The port terminal is about 3km west of the town
centre. Ferries arrive and depart daily from Isla Margarita
with Conferry ( T 0281 267 7847, W conferry.com), Naviarca/
Gran Cacique ( T 0281 267 7286, W grancacique.com.ve) and
Navibus ( T 0295 500 6284, W navibus.com.ve).

ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
By plane The nearest airport is in Barcelona, roughly
20km southwest of Puerto La Cruz and served by frequent
buses. From the Barcelona terminal, numerous local bus
routes cover the airport. Alternatively, a taxi from Puerto
la Cruz costs around BsF150.