Maracaibo travel guide

Air

La Chinita airport is 25 km southwest of city centre (taxis US$28, no por puestos). Good book- shop in arrivals sells city map; several good but overpriced eateries; Italcambio for exchange, daily 0600-1800, no commission; car hire outside. Frequent flights with Aserca, Aeropostal, Avior, Láser and SBA to Caracas, Valencia, Barquisimeto, San Antonio, Barcelona and Porlamar. Domestic airport tax US$9, international US$53 (at the official exchange rate). International flights to Miami.

Bus

The bus station is 1 km south of the old town. It is old and chaotic, unsafe at night. Taxi to the city US$9-14. Ask for buses into town, local services are confusing. Several fast and comfortable buses daily to Valencia, US$26, 8 hrs. San Cristóbal, US$25.50-28, 6-8 hrs, por puesto, US$29. Barquisimeto, 4 hrs in buseta, US$14.50. Coro US$14-18.50, 4 hrs. Caracas, US$30, 10-13 hrs, por puesto US$55. Mérida, from US$15, 5-7 hrs, or por puesto, US$17, 6½ hrs; Aeroexpresos Ejecutivos 6 a day from Av 15 con C 90 (Distribuidor las Delicias), T783 0620.

Local

Por puestos go up and down Av 4 from the old centre to Bella Vista. Ruta 6 goes up and down C 67 (Cecilia Acosta). The San Jacinto bus goes along Av 15 (Las Delicias). Buses from Las Delicias also go to the centre and terminal. From C 76 to the centre por puestos marked ‘Las Veritas’ and buses marked ‘Ziruma’. Look for the name of the route on the roof, or the windscreen, passenger’s side. Downtown to Av 5 de Julio in a ‘Bella Vista’ por puesto costs US$0.45-0.70, depending on distance. Taxis minumum US$5; from north to centre US$7 (beware overcharging, meters are not used). Public transport is being completely overhauled, but it will take years to complete. New large and small red public buses (government- owned) connect the north, centre and other parts of the city at US$0.45. Old private buses charge US$0.55. An elegant light-rail system is being developed: at the time of writing, only 4 stations are in service, but by end-2009 there should be at least one long line functioning.

Banks

Banco Mercantil, on corner of Plaza de la República. Cash advance on Visa and MasterCard. Branches of Banco de Venezuela, including at airport, for Visa ATMs. Best for dollars and TCs is Casa de Cambio de Maracaibo, C 78 con Av 9B. Italcambio, C C Montielco, loc PA 1-1, entre Av 20 y C 72, T7832682, Amex rep. Citibank, Av 15 (Las Delicias) con C 77 (5 de Julio) for Citicorp TCs. All banks shut at 1530, exchange morning only. Cambio at bus terminal will change Colombian pesos into bolívares at a poor rate.

Consulates

France, Edif Colegio Bellas Artes, Av 3F y C70, T791 2921, ch@iamnet.com. Germany, Av 3F No 69-26, Sector Bellas Artes, T791 1416, herrmann@cantv.net. Italy, Av 17 entre C 71 y 55, Quinta La Querencia, Sector Baralt, T783 0834, http://www.consmaracaibo.esteri.it. Norway, Auto Agro Maracaibo, CA; Av 4 (Bella Vista) No

85-150, T722 0922. UK, Inspecciones CA, Av 9B con C 77 (5 de Julio), Edif Banco Industrial, T797 7003, alexp@inspecciones.com.

Internet

Cyber Estudio, Av 10 No 66-110, 1100-2300, US$3 per hr.

Medical services

Hospital Coromoto, Av 3C, No 51, El Lago, T790 0017.

Post offices

Av Libertador y Av 3.

Telephones

CANTV, C 96, No 3-42, just off the main plaza. Centre for internet US$1.70 per hr and international calls.