Caracas travel guide

Climate

Maximum 32°C July-August, minimum 9°C January-February.

Getting around

The metro is a/c, clean, safe, comfortable and quick. MetroBuses are modern, comfortable, recommended but infrequent. Regular buses are overcrowded in rush hour and charge extra after 2100. Bus tickets cost US$0.35 around town and US$0.45 for suburban routes. On longer runs these buses are better for those with luggage than a por puesto minibus. Minibuses are known as busetas, carmelitas or carritos. Por puestos run on regular routes; fares depend on the distance travelled within the city and rise for journeys outside. Many por puesto services start in El Silencio. A suburban train system and a ‘metro cable’ (cable car network) are being built.

Ins and outs

Getting there

The airport is 28 km from Caracas, near the port of La Guaira: Maiquetía and Aeropuerto Auxiliar for national flights and Simón Bolívar for international flights. Both Maiquetía and Simón Bolívar have modern terminals, connected by an airconditioned walkway with moving sidewalk. There are three main bus terminals in different parts of the city; where you arrive depends upon where you travelled from.

Caracas

Air

The airport, 28 km from Caracas at La Guaira port, has 2 terminals, Maiquetía (national) and Simón Bolívar (international), which are 5 mins’ apart, connected by an airconditioned walkway with moving sidewalk. Simón Bolívar information, T303 1403/355 1160. Each terminal has an Asistencia al usuario desk, which will phone hotels and provide assistance, open 0500-2200. The helpful Inatur tourist office on the ground floor at the international airport has good maps and some is English spoken. Open 0700-2400. They will book hotels and reconfirm flights. The tourist office in the national terminal is open 0700-2100. Many facilities close 1 Jan, including duty free and money exchanges. Duty free shops close 2230. At Simón Bolívar: several Italcambio offices, open 24 hrs (count notes carefully); also Banco de Venezuela, Banesco and Banco Federal branches with ATMs and another bank, less crowded, in baggage reclaim area. Italcambio and other banks with ATMs are in the national terminal. If changing TCs you may be asked for your receipt of purchase; commission 2.5%. Best to change some cash at the official rate here, then find the parallel rate once at your destination. In both terminals, many people offer to change money on the black market at very favourable rates. There is no way of knowing if they are trustworthy. There are 24-hr medical clinics in national and international terminals; post offices, internet cafés, CANTV and mobile phone outlets, snack bars and restaurants, including at the viewing terrace, good value. Also travel agencies and car hire. No left luggage; so look after your belongings.

Always allow plenty of time when going to the airport, whatever means of transport you are using: the route can be very congested (minimum 45 mins, can take 2 hrs in daytime) and arrive, if possible, in daylight. Allow at least 2 hrs checking-in time before your flight.

It is vital that you do not arrive at the airport without having arranged a pick up. There has been an increase in foreigners getting taken in what seem to be marked taxis, only to be driven off, robbed and left in the middle of nowhere. If the hotel does not have its own taxis, ask them to contact a taxi company or someone they know for you. If this is not possible, try to find someone on an information desk and say you would like them to find a trustworthy driver to take you to Caracas. It is impossible to verify the trustworthiness of the freelance taxi drivers who crowd the terminal.

Warning

On no account go with an unlicensed driver. There are official taxis. Big notices explain how these work. T355 2211 for emergencies or information. The vehicles are all black, with an oval, yellow logo, which is also displayed at the counter in the arrivals hall where you buy a ticket for the journey into town. You will be accompanied to the taxi by a member of staff. Double check the driver’s ID. Prices are listed by the sliding doors, outside which the taxis wait. The fare is USS$60-75 (at the official rate) per vehicle to Caracas, depending on time of day and district. A private taxi arranged in advance from airport to city costs about US$27. From the city centre to the airport is around US$15-18.

The airport shuttle bus (Bus Caracas) leaves from east end of terminal, left out of exit. To airport, catch it under the flyover at Bolívar and Av Sur 17, 250 m from Bellas Artes metro (poorly lit at night, not safe to wait here in the dark), or at metro stations such as Parque Central and Gato Negro. To the city 0700-1930, to the airport 0630-2130, every 30 mins, 1-2 hrs, depending on traffic, US$5. If heading for a hotel in Chacao or Altamira on arrival, get off at Gato Negro metro station (same fare) and take metro from there (with luggage only at off-peak times). The shuttle bus or por puesto to airport can also be caught at Gato Negro metro station. Watch your belongings around Gato Negro.

Airport information

Passengers leaving Caracas on international flights must reconfirm their reservations not less than 72 hrs in advance by telephone or in person; not less than 24 hours for national flights: if you fail to do this, you lose all rights to free accommodation, food, transport, etc if your flight is cancelled and may lose your seat if the plane is fully booked. Beware of forged tickets; buy only from agencies. If told by an agent that a flight is fully booked, try at the airport anyway. International passengers must check in at least two hours before departure or they may lose their seat to someone on a waiting list.

Bus

Local

Long distance

The Terminal Oriente at Guarenas for eastern destinations is clean, modern and relatively safe. City buses leave Nuevo Circo bullring every 30 mins, US$0.50, 45 mins, 1 hr in rush hour; or take por puesto from Petare metro station, an easier option but take a taxi at night. Taxi to terminal US$9. Bus from terminal to centre: turn left outside main entrance towards main parking area where buses wait; get off at Bellas Artes or El Silencio, US$0.50. Not recommended at night: take a taxi.

The La Bandera terminal for all western destinations is a 500 m, unsafe walk from La Bandera metro station on Line 3. City buses that pass are prominently marked ‘La Bandera’. Give yourself plenty of time to find the bus you need although there are bus agents who will assist in finding a ticket for your destination. Tickets are sold in advance except for nearby destinations such as Maracay and Valencia, which leave as soon as full from a separate section (turn right on entering the terminal). For long distance buses use the stairs just inside the terminal entrance. Those first on get the best seats so it is advisable to arrive an hour before departure. Buses may also leave early. There is a left luggage office, telephone office, cash machines and a restaurant and many food and drink kiosks.

Buses to places near Caracas leave from across the road from the old Nuevo Circo bus station, via the underpass (eg Los Teques, Higuerote, Catia La Mar, La Guaira). From La Hoyada metro, don’t go under the bridge, walk straight down the road for 300 m.

On public holidays buses are usually fully booked leaving Caracas and drivers often make long journeys without stopping. Sat and Sun morning are also bad for travel into/out of Caracas. Always take identification when booking a long-distance journey. Times and fares of buses are given under destinations. Buses going west on the Panamericana route are not recommended because the old road suffers from many accidents.

Aeroexpresos Ejecutivos, terminal at Av Principal de Bello Campo, Quinta Marluz (between Chacao and Altamira metro stops), T266 2321, http://www.aeroexpresos.com.ve, to Maracay, Valencia, Barquisimeto, Maracaibo, Maturín and Puerto La Cruz, reserve 2 days in advance, except for buses leaving on Fri (no left luggage). Fares are higher than other companies, but worth it. Rodovias, terminal at Av Libertador con Boulevard Amador Bendayan, between Plaza Venezuela and Colegio de Ingenieros metro, T577 7765/577 7011, http://www.rodovias.com.ve. Excellent long distance buses to Barquisimeto, Ciudad Bolívar, Maracaibo, Maturín, Carúpano, Cumaná, Puerto La Cruz and San Félix, Valencia and others.

International buses

Ormeño (T/F471 7205, http://www.grupo-ormeno.com) has 1 bus a week to Cúcuta, Bogotá, Cali, Quito, Guayaquil, Lima; safe, comfortable, a/c, video, toilet; Terminal Camarqui at Final Av San Martín detras del Bloque de Armas, 10 mins from Metro La Paz. Accepts Mastercard and Maestro. Some destinations require a yellow fever certificate.

Car

Car hire

Self-drive cars (Hertz, Avis, Budget, Dollar, ACO) are available at the airport (offices open 0700-2100, Avis till 2300, good service) and in town. They are cheaper than guided excursions for less than full loads.

Metro

Operates 0530-2300, no smoking, luggage allowed only at off-peak times. There are 3 lines: Line 1 (west-east) from Propatria to Palo Verde; Line 2 (north-south), from El Silencio to Las Adjuntas, with connection to Caricuao Zoológico; Line 3, south from Plaza Venezuela via La Bandera to El Valle, plus metrobus El Valle-Los Teques. New stations on Line 3 between El Valle and La Rinconada are under construction. Tickets cost BsF$0.50 per journey, BsF0.90 return; 10-journey tickets (Multi Abono) are available. Student discounts are available with ISIC card; apply at Parque del Este station. Metrobuses connect with the Metro system: get transfer tickets (boleto integrado, BsF0.70-0.90) for services to southern districts, route maps displayed at stations; retain ticket after exit turnstile. Good selection of maps at shops in Altamira and La California stations.

Motorcycle

Motorcycles may not be ridden in Caracas between 2300 and 0500.

Taxi

Even though they are a legal requirement, meters are never used. Negotiate fares in advance; always offer 10% less than the driver’s first quote and bargain hard. Most city trips are about US$5.50 during the day. Taxi drivers are authorized to charge an extra 20% on night trips after 1800, on Sun and all holidays, and US$1 for answering telephone calls. After 1800 drivers are selective about destinations. Beware of taxi drivers trying to renegotiate fixed rates because your destination is in ‘a difficult area’. See also under Air (or in Yellow Pages) for radio taxis.

Note

Never tell a driver it’s your first visit to Caracas.

In the centre, each street corner has a name: addresses are generally given as ‘Santa Capilla a Mijares’, rather than the official ‘Calle Norte 2, No 26’. In the east, addresses are more obvious, ‘y’ or ‘con’ used for street intersections. Modern multi-storeyed edifices dominate and few colonial buildings remain intact; many find the city lacking in character. A 10-km strip from west to east, fragmented by traffic-laden arteries, contains several centres: Plaza Bolívar, Plaza Venezuela, Sabana Grande, Chacaíto, Altamira, La Floresta, Boleíta. The Avila mountain is always north.

Airline offices

Domestic: Aeropostal, main office: Av Paseo Colón, Torre Polar Oeste, p 22, Los Caobos, T708 6211. Aereotuy, Boulevard de Sabana Grande, Edif Gran Sabana, N-174, T212 3110. Aserca, Edif Taeca, C Guaicaipuro, El Rosal, T0800-648 8356 (0700-2000, Sun 0800-1600), also at Hotel Alba and Hotel Intercontinental Tamanaco. Conviasa, Av Lecuna, Torre Oeste, Parque Central, p 49, T0500-2668 4272, also in Hotel Alba. El Sol de América, flights from Caracas to Los Roques, T266 9059. Láser, T202 0100, 0501-527 3700. Rutaca, Centro Seguros La Paz, Av Fco de Miranda, Nivel Mezzanina, loc C-12, La California Sur, T624 5800. SBA, Av Fco de Miranda, Centro Lido, Nivel Miranda, loc M25, T952 9658, other offices in Caracas. International: Aerolíneas Argentinas, Calle Guaicaipuro, Torre Hener p 1, of 1A, El Rosal, T951 6395, call centre 0800-100 5655, closed at weekends. Air France, Edif Parque Cristal, Torre Este, p 2, Los Palos Grandes, T208 7200, http://www.airfrance.com.ve. Alitalia, Edif Atlantic, p 5, Av Andrés Bello, Los Palos Grandes, T312 5000, www.ali talia.com.ve. American, Av Principal, La Castellana, Centro Letonia, T209 8111, http://www.aa.com.ve, closed weekends, also in Tamanaco Intercontinental Hotel. Avianca, Av Tamanaco, Torre Norte del edif JW Marriott, loc 21 y 22, El Rosal, T200 5725, 0800-100 5022. Continental, Centro Lido, Torre E, p 6, Av F de Miranda, T953 3107. Cubana, Av Casanova y Av Las Acacias, Torre Banhorient p 5, of 5F, T793 6319, cubana@ifxnw.com.ve. Delta, Torre E, p 8, Centro Lido, Av Fco de Miranda, El Rosal, T958 1066 . Iberia, Av Fco de Miranda, edif Parque Cristal, Torre Este, p 9, Los Palos Grandes, T284 0044. LAN, Torre Kleper, of 3-1, Centro San Ignacio, Av Blandín, T263 9663, 0800-100 8600. Lufthansa, Centro Torre Conaisa, p 1, of 16, Av San Felipe, La Castellana, T210 2111, closed Sat-Sun.

Banks

Plenty of ATMs around the city and most of the banks have branches in the major shopping centres (Sambil, San Igancio, El Tolón). Some ATMs, including at Banco Unión, provide bolívares with Cirrus/ Maestro though rates often poor. Citibank will exchange Citicorp cheques. Unibanca branches for Visa transactions. For cash advances on Visa go to Banco Unión or Banco Provincial. For Visa ATMs, branches of Banco de Venezuela. For cash advances on MasterCard and ATM go to branches of Banco Mercantil. For cash advance on American Express go to Banco Consolidado. To change American Express TCs, try Corp Banca, Av Principal de La Castellana, Plaza La Castellana, entre Blandín y Los Chaguaramas, Torre Corp Banca, Nivel E-3, La Castellana, T206 4521, mornings and afternoons. They ask for ID and proof of purchase. For money exchange and Amex travel services go to Italcambio, the official government exchange office and take ID. They also change Visa TCs, require proof of TC purchase, open Mon-Fri till 1630, Sat till 1200. Offices at Av Urdaneta, esq Animas a Platanal, Edif Camoruco, Nivel Pb, El Centro, T564 4111, Av Francisco de Miranda, CC Lido, Nivel Miranda, T953 9901, at CC Sambil shopping centre, Av Libertador, in Chacao, T265 7423, at Tamanaco Interncontinental Hotel, Las Mercedes, T993 5040, and others. Italcambio also at national and international terminals at airport (may limit transaction to US$100, open public holidays).

La Moneda, Centro Financiero Latino, Av Fco Solano, Edif San Germán, Sabana Grande, open Mon-Fri only. Viajes Febres Parra, Av. Libertador, Edif CC Libertador, PB, Loc 4 y 5, La Florida, and at airport.

Cultural centres

British Council, Torre Credicard, p 3, Av Principal del Bosque, Chacaíto, T952 9965, http://www.britishcouncil.org/ venezuela.htm. Opposite Chacaíto metro, great internet café, magazines, newspapers, film library, courses. El Centro Venezolano-Americano, Av Principal José Martí, Las Mercedes, T993 7911, www.cva .org.ve. Good free library of books in English, cultural events and free concerts. Library Mon-Fri 0830-1830, Sat 0830-1200 and 1300-1530. Also Spanish courses, various levels, from US$65, highly recommended. Asociación Cultural Humboldt (Goethe Institut), Av Jorge Washington con Juan Germán Roscio, San Bernardino, T552 7634, http://www.internet.ve/ asohum. Library, films, concerts, Spanish and German courses.

Embassies and consulates

Many are open to the public only in the morning, some are closed on Fri. Australia has no embassy in Caracas; apply to Canadian Embassy (below), or Australian Embassy in Brasília. Austria, Torre D&D, Piso PT, of PT-N, C Orinoco, Las Mercedes, T999 1211, caracas-ob@bmeia.gv.at, Mon-Thu 0900-1200. Belgium, 10a Transversal con 9a Transversal, Altamira, T263 3334, http://www.diplomatie.be/ caracas. Brazil, Edif ‘Centro Gerencial Mohedano’, p 6, between C Los Chaguaramas and Av Mohedano, La Castellana, T261 5505, www.embajada brasil.org.ve, Mon-Fri 0900-1300. Visa (valid for 60 days, a photo, proof of funds and return airline ticket required) costs US$12, takes minimum 24 hrs but may take up to 5 working days. Canada, Av Francisco de Miranda y Altamira Sur near metro Altamira, T600 3000, http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca/ latin-america/caracas. Open Mon-Thu 0730-1630, Fri 0730-1300, consular services Mon-Fri 0800- 1200. Colombian consulate, C Guaicaipuro entre Plaza Luis Brión y Av Casanova, Edif Consulado General de Colombia, sector Chacaíto, Urb El Rosal, T951 3631, www.consuladocolombia caracas.com.ve. Denmark, Av Fco de Miranda, Centro Seguros Sudamérica, p 10, of 10 D, El Rosal, T952 8255. Mon-Thu 0800-1600, Fri 0800-1300. Finland, C Sorocaima entre Av Venezuela y Av Tamanaco, Edif Atrium, p 1, El Rosal, T952 4111, http://www.finland.org.ve. France, C Madrid y Av Trinidad, Las Mercedes, T909 6500, http://www.francia.org.ve. Mon-Fri 0800-1200. Germany, Torre La Castellana, p 10, Av Eugenio Mendoza con C José Angel Lamas, La Castellana, T219 2500, http://www.caracas.diplo.de/es/start seite.html, nearest metro Altamira. Mon-Wed 0900-1200. Guyana, Quinta Roraima, Av El Paseo, Prados del Este, T977 1158, http://www.guyana.org/ spanish/venezuela_embassy.html. Visas issued on the same day if you’re early, need passport, return airline ticket, proof of funds, yellow fever certificate and 2 photos, US$19.55. Israel, Av Principal Los Ruices at Av Fco de Miranda, Centro Empresarial Miranda, p 4, of 4-D, T239 4511, http://caracas.mfa.gov.il. Mon-Fri 0900-1200. Italy, Edif Atrium, C Sorocaima entre Av Tamanaco y Venezuela, El Rosal, T952 7311, http://sedi.esteri.it/ ambcaracas. Japan, Av Principal con 2da Transversal, Edif Bancaracas, p 11, La Castellana, T261 8333, http://www.ve.emb-japan .go.jp, Mon-Fri 0900-1200, 1330-1700. Netherlands, Edif San Juan, p 9, San Juan Bosco and Av Transversal 2, Altamira, T276 9300, http://www.mfa.nl/car, Mon-Thu 0800-1100. New Zealand Consulate, Av Francisco de Miranda con Av Libertador, Torre KPMG, p 7, Chacao, T277 7965. Spain, Av Mohedano, entre 1 y 2 Transversal, Quinta Marmolejo, La Castellana, T263 2855, http://www.maec.es/embajadas/caracas/ es/home. Sweden, Torre Phelps, p 19, Plaza Venezuela, T781 9501. Switzerland, Av Eugenio Mendoza y San Felipe, Centro Letonia, Torre ING-Bank, p 15, La Castellana, T267 9585, http://www.eda.admin.ch/caracas. Mon-Fri 0900-1200. Suriname, 4a Av de Altamira Norte, Quinta 41, Altamira, T263 8094, embsur1@cantv.net. Trinidad, beside the Suriname Embassy, Quinta Serrana, 4a Av de Altamira Norte, between 7a and 8a Transversal, Altamira, T261 5796. Visa costs US$20, you need 2 photos, can take up to 1 week. UK, Torre La Castellana, p 11, Av Principal La Castellana, T263 8411, ukinvenezuela.fco.gov.uk. Consular and visa section open Mon-Fri 0800-1230, Wed 1330-1600. USA, C F with C Suapure, Colinas de Valle Arriba, take metro to Chacaíto then taxi, T975 6411 (out of office hours 907 8400), http://caracas. usembassy.gov/.

Ferries

Conferry office for tickets to Isla de Margarita, Plaza Venezuela, Av Casanova con Av Las Acacias, Torre Banhorient, PB, Sabana Grande, T0501-2663 3779.

Internet

Plenty of CANTV centros de comunicaciones and independent outlets around the city, eg Blvd Sabana Grande (Abraham Lincoln) with broadband, international faxes, and in shopping centres, eg CC Sambil, Chacao. Average price US$1-2 per hr. Ciber Catedral Internet café, next door to Hotel Plaza Bolívar, just off the Plaza. Open Mon-Sat 0900-1900.

Medical services

Hospital de Clínicas, Av Panteón y Av Alameda, San Bernardino, T508 6111.

Post offices

Ipostel main branch at Urdaneta y Norte 4, near Plaza Bolívar, for poste restante. Overseas package service; packages should be ready to send, also at airport. MRW, throughout the city, T0800-304 0000, see http://www.mrw.com.ve for branches. 24-hr service, more reliable than Ipostel.

Telephones

Public phones in Metro stations and along Blvd Sabana Grande (Abraham Lincoln).

Useful addresses

ONIDEX for visa renewal go to DIEX section, Av Baralt, Edif 1000, El Silencio, opposite Plaza Miranda, T483 2070/3581/2706. (Don’t believe anyone who tells you visa extensions are not available.) Touring y Automóvil Club de Venezuela, Torre Phelps, p 15, of A y C, Plaza Venezuela, T781 9743, desiree@automovilclubvenezuela.com.