I'm a 51yr old gringo who will be arriving in Caracas late at night Feb. 13<BR>I've read some posts about taxis etc. and am concerned. <BR>All I want to do is get out of Caracas so would it make sense to hang out in the airport till morning then get a cab to the bus station or regional airport?<BR>Any tips or suggestions are apprecitated.

Hi, we get in late on the night of the 14th and opted to stay at the Posada del Hidalgo about 15 minutes away. They will arrange in advance to pick you up. Web sightwww.posadadelhidalgo.com, and you don't have to give them a credit card when you make your booking.

Hi Gringo:<BR>Welcome to VZ. The Hotel SSS is proposing is nice. Let me top a prior post of mine in regard to airport cab service. <BR><BR>BTW the national airport is only 5 mins. away from the intl. airport. I'm guessing you have a late flight and a connection the next day. Your best bet is staying close to the airport.<BR><BR>If you need further advice, let me know.<BR><BR>Ana

Caracas International ( Simon Bolivar ) airport is 20 miles from Caracas in Maquetia. If you want to fly out of Caracas then stay in Maquetia. If you want to bus out of Caracas that is different. Buses going anywhere leave central Caracas. Caracas is mad and the bus stations are chock full of bad people. <BR><BR>I too couldn't wait to leave Caracas. I took a flight from Simon Bolivar Airport to Merida and had a much nicer time.

THANKS for all the help folks. I read earlier mention of the posadahidalgo hotel. When so many mention it, it must be good advice.<BR>Is the hotel in Catia LaMar?<BR>By the way, I just discovered this site here on Fodors and I'm impressed.<BR>But I'm really surprised at all the negative comments on Venezuela.<BR>Probably like the news on TV or radio. All bad news and nobody reports the good stuff.

Venezuela is nice. Caracas isn't.

Caracas as any mayor city, is mostly left for business trips. If you want tourism try Isla Margarita, Canaima (Salto Angel), M&eacute;rida, Los Roques, Chichiriviche. Lots more. <BR><BR>Try this site:<BR>http://www.venezuelatuya.com/eng.htm<BR><BR>Hope this helps.<BR>Ana

If you are going to another city but caracas I recomend you stay hanging out in the airport till morning, the National airport is beside the International airport...is around five hundred meters far each other, so you can do it by walking...

Julio,<BR>Thanks for the practical advice. That's exactly what I had in mind. I might lose a little sleep but then I could leave easily the following morning.<BR>Thinking about Sucre area.

Hi Gringo:<BR>Thought an outsider's point of view would interest you. This is a copy from a message posted by Miriam Kauer, dated Jan 2002-<BR>===========<BR><BR>Message: Hello,<BR><BR>just a short update. Came back from Venezuela 2 weeks ago. Since I did not find a reasonable priced hotel near the Airport ( arrived in the middle of the night) I opted to stay at one of the two 24 hour restaurants/bars which are on the Maiquetia Airport website. Both were closed. It wasn`t really scary at the Airport at night because a lot of people obviously tried the same. Pretty busy. The rental car station (Avis) however opened nearly two hours later than stated in my reservation.<BR>If you leave the country be careful, the tax you have to pay is not 21$ like Lonely Planet will tell you, but 54$. Have the cash ready in ONE currency!!!! They don`t take Bolivares and $. I nearly missed my flight because all ATM`s at the Airport were broken.<BR>Apart from minor hassles like that I had a great time.<BR><BR>Miriam<BR>====<BR><BR>If you are going to Sucre, I'm guessing you will flying into Coro. The natl. airport is a walking distance from the intl. airport, that's true.<BR><BR>Whatever you decide, good luck.<BR><BR>Ana<BR><BR>

Thanks again people, this board has indeed been a help. Perhaps I'll "post a post" trip comment on Ven. when I get back to the states.

Sorry, when you go to Sucre, it isn't Coro, that would be the state of Falc&oacute;n. Sucre would be Cuman&aacute;, Puerto la Cruz, Isla Margarita. <BR>Good luck. I'll look forward to your post-trip post. jajaja<BR><BR>ana