Hi ggreen! When we went to Aruba, we were told it was not safe to go to Venezula. It seems there are problems there and two women alone would most likely not be a good thing. You can check the website for traveler advisories and see if Venezula is on the list or not. This is just something the locals told me.
Now, a few people have mentioned going to Curacao from Aruba. It is a quick flight. So, I imagine Bonaire is also a quick hop. You can probably check online to see how much and how often flights go back and forth. I wish I knew the name of the puddle jumpers, but I don't.
Have a great trip! The restaurants are wonderful in Aruba.

Thanks, girl - that is very good advice and definitely something I didn't think of. The US State Dept website says a major bridge on the road between the airport and Caracas proper is out and they are advising their staff to only travel the back roads during daylight! And flights to Bonaire stop in Curacao, which doesn't sound like a reliable flight from other posts I read. Phew! Now I have an answer for my mother, and I can relax on the beach and amble around Aruba and not have go anywhere else for ten whole days.

Bonaire, bonaire, bonaire. Please don't even think about Venezuela. Bonaire is a great laid back island with mucho great snorkelling. You will have to fly there (BonaireExcel). The people I met up with in Aruba who took the Caracas day trip said that it was an expensive trip and they were escorted by armed guides.

You definetly don't want to go to Caracas.. One poster is right.. a bridge has gone down and it a long, long, long ride into Caracas first of all. Right now there are problems there with C havez.. I have friends in VZ. and they say the situation is not good... but if you want to go to Margarita Island.. that would be fine..Puerta la Cruz has gone way down hill.. The locals go to Aruba for a vacation.

Just told my friend in Caracas about you wanting to visit and this is what she saysWHY WOULD ANYONE COME HERE FOR A DAY UNLESS THEY HAD BUSINESS, IF THEY WERE
IN ARUBA. CRAZY.

Thank you all for your help; your comments have helped me persuade my mother that we can stay on Aruba and have a great, relaxing time. We haven't ruled out a side trip to Curacao or Bonaire, but will play it by ear rather than make plans while we're still here in the northeast! We leave on Monday and I finished work a few hours ago, so I am in vacation mode - I can't wait! I feel very well equipped from all the helpful posts from the Fodorites. Thanks so much! I'll be sure and write a trip report when I return...

I'm interested in hearing the outcome -I have a similar situation...I am lucky to have family living in Aruba and can stay free - my husband and I would like to tag on another 5-7 days somewhere else - somewhere with semi-luxury accomodations without a ton of travel time - did you end up going to Bonaire or Curacao?

FYI my friends in Caracas are going to the Island of Margarita for Easter Week.. it's a favorite get away spot ,for Venezuelans.

I'd like to know the outcome too. My TA told me to avoid Caracas! Way too much crime.

The only way you should tour Caracas.. and Caracas is a beautiful city..is by ORGANIZED TOURS...if you insist upon going..One way and the way we did it many years ago was to go to a hotel and go to a tour desk..Then again, you have to be very, very careful of the taxi drivers at the airport. Unless you know somebody in Caracas who can pick you up I beg you all DO NOT GO!!! the political situation is beyond belief... and they and I am serious.. ARE PREPARING FOR AN INVASION BY THE USA!!! I am not making this up... As a sidelight.. I would go to Caracas to meet a friend who I have met on this very board and I speak to quite often in Caracas by phone. She first contacted me when her nephew was surrounded in a radio station by government troops and begged me to get help from the international media..Ana and I have become wonderful internet friends...and hope to meet someday.

To re-iterate how serious the situation is in Caracas this mornings paper reported the slaying of three children who were kidnapped on heir way to school with a driver...The parents didn't have enough money for ransom.. Now do you want to go to Caracas!!

My TA told me this story. She was in Caracas in transit and had several hrs. so she thought about going in town to kill time. She said a soldier armed to the teeth in the airport advised her most seriously to stay in the airport. And this was 5-6 yrs. ago. Sounds like things are worse. In the recent months family members of major league baseball players from Ven. have been kidnapped for ransom.