Noel H

Hi Ana. Thanks so much. That info was really essential for us. Now we ll contact Budget and book car from here cos we want to make sure we find one when we arrive in Caracas Airport. We ll also book a flight to Puerto Ayacucho. Now I m a little bit tired but I ll write again and tell u what are our plans for our holiday in Venezuela... so that maybe you tell me if we re missing out somewhere really nice and worth visiting.<BR><BR>I guess this would be interesting for you too Kristina. I will surely contribute to other fodorites with my experience because here I found a lot of help.<BR><BR>Thanks once again<BR>Bye Bye<BR>Noel

Ana

Hi Kristin:<BR>A friend recommended a family type *** hotel on Paseo Colon called Hotel Riviera. <BR>Their email address is:<BR><BR>[email protected] (Omar Gonz&aacute;lez or Marisol Brito). I gave them a call and they say the rooms have air conditioning/ private bath/ warm water/ Cost for rooms with city view are aprox. $ 29 and with an ocean view $ 31. <BR>The address is: Paseo Col&oacute;n. Telfs.: (0281) 2672111 / 2651394 /2673054<BR>Write to them for further information.<BR><BR>Noel: wellcome to give you any info. you need.<BR><BR>Bye<BR>Ana

Ana

Kristin: I found this site you might like to check. It lists all the hotel's addresses and telephones in Puerto la Cruz.<BR><BR>http://www.infopuertolacruz.com/hoteles/<BR><BR>Ana

Noel H

Hola Ana! I need your help again please.<BR><BR>Unfortunately agencies in our small country do not have contacts with venezuelan internal flights airlines such as Santa Barbara and I m also finding it difficult to book through internet. Do you think that it will be easy to find a flight without booking it before? Or can you suggest a site through which I can book the flights from home.<BR><BR>We are going to Amazonas and also to Bolivar states. Do you think we have to book before to take two or three day trips to the Amazon and to Canaima and Angel Falls... or will it be ok if we come get in an agency and buy an excursion for the next day?<BR><BR>Thanks a million<BR>Noel

Debbie

Hi, my daughter and I will be traveling to Vz on a mission trip. We will be in Caracas for a week, then in the mountains at a youth camp for a week. My daughter & I want to stay an extra 4 days, and would like some advice on how to make the best of the time. We have thought about going to Los Roques, Margarita, or Puerta La Cruz. We want to snorkel and enjoy some outdoor stuff. Our time is limited, so we don't want to spend a lot it traveling. <BR><BR>Would you recommend going to one of these locations for the entire time? We will be on our own Aug. 7 through Aug. 11 (leaving Caracas Aug 11 in the morning).<BR><BR>Thanks for any help you can give us. I have become overwhelmed looking through all the possibilities.<BR><BR>Debbie

Kristin

Hey Debbie : I can tell you what I've learned so far. (but I hope Ana also replys to you since she has the best information) I'm arriving in Venz. in October. Puerto la Cruz seems to be a major hub for the activities and places you describe. Aeropostal(888-912-8466) has multiple flights per day between Caracas(Simon Bolivar airport in Maiquetia)and Barcelona (the airport for Puerto la Cruz). A taxi from Barcelona to P.la C. costs about $US8. Talk to Eduardo Eggars about Hotel Riviera. $32/nt oceanview with private bath. This comes recommend by Ana. ([email protected] ) From there you can take ferries to Margarita for about $US 8 eachway. Some boats are cheaper. From Margarita there are direct flights to Canaima or "fly bys" to Angel Falls. I believe Los Roques is beautiful(especially underwater) and remote, but relatively expensive and has limited facilities. It seems you almost are required to purchase an all inclusive (air,guest-house, meals)package. Puerto la Cruz is also very close to the spectacular National Park Mochima and it is a hub for organized tours and boat trips that go there. Ther are great beaches, snorkeling, and hiking. If any of this information is incorrect, or if any one has any better ideas, please chip- in. I'm always on the look out for new and improved info.

Kristin

Hey Noel-- I don't know if this will help you, but it's been an informative web site for me. www.think-venezuela.net It's in a variety of languages. It has a section on transportation with a focus on national airlines. You can even do a search between specific cities. LTA seems to specialize in tours to Canaima/Angel Falls. Also try www.avior.com Their homepage is in English and they seem to have many national flights. You can also buy tickets online with a credit card. I hope this is of some use to you-- Good Luck !

Noel H

Thanks a million Kristin and Ana. <BR><BR>Ana, I checked the information u gave me and contacted venezuelatuya.com. They answered me back and it looks like they have all we required as regards internal flights and car hire. I made another quiry and if i m satisfied perhaps we ll book.<BR><BR>Kristin I will check the websites you suggested in order to compare prices and availability. I ll see wich one is cheaper.<BR><BR>Great!!<BR><BR>Thanks ladies... I really do appreciate a lot.<BR><BR>Noel

Ana

Hi Noel:<BR>Glad to help. I tried emailing you, but I don't know if the address you post is correct. The mail had the same info I posted here, so if you didn't get it, don't worry. <BR>Let me know how these internet people respond, and if you need any of the prices quoted checked with my local travel agency, feel free to let me know.<BR>Good luck\<BR>Ana

Joanportia

Noel,<BR><BR>I did not read all the entries since you started your virtual search but I think I could add some info. I spent a week on Margarita Island and I really liked it! It was a nice, restful vacation and I even came home with money. At the time, in March, the exchange rate was very favorable for US currency. What I liked was that the country or island was not, I repeat not, looking for tourist dollars. three of us traveled and not one of us was male or under the age of 30. I would return to Margarita but would not travel through Caracas. We were very careful and made sure to overnite in Miami and not Caracas. I ran into a group of young women who spent a nite in Caracas and vowed not to on their return. they flew all over the US to get home avoiding Caracas. We rented a car on MI and found it easy and sage driving in the country side but Porlamar was a nightmare. If you want more info about MI go to Margarita Island Message Board. You can get up to the minute info there.<BR><BR>Your trip is right around the corner...have a good, safe journey.<BR><BR>Joan

david

I would recommend other parts of South America for tourism. Peru is great. Go to Cuzco and then visit Machu Pichu and other Incan ruins. Ecuador for ecotourism. Costa Rica for safe ecotourism. Santiago de Chile for big city tourism. Buenos Aires for big city tourism. Cartagena, Colombia for nightlife and beach. Carribean for beach. Bolivia for true third world experience.

Ana

Noel:<BR><BR>I emailed your list back with my comments. Did you get it?<BR><BR>Ana

Noel H

Hello all!!!<BR><BR>After bugging you all with my questions here I am to share my wonderful experience. I ve spent 3 weeks roaming around Venezuela including Merida, Barinas, Amazonia, Ciudad Bolivar, Canaima and Los Roques. Hey guys I tell you it was great and the places I visited were perfectly safe... no trouble whatsoever in three weeks.<BR><BR>If anyone wants to ask questions maybe I can be of help. Its not that I became an expert but I hope my experience can be valuable to anyone.<BR><BR>Noel

Beck

I am thingk about planning an upcoming trip, but have a limited budget - I know this is a bit personal but approximately how much did the entire trip cost?

Noel H

Hi Its no problem for me answering.<BR><BR>I think I spent US$2,500 for the whole trip including everything.<BR><BR>However much of the cost will depend on your country of origin. In my case, coming from Malta, the flight to get to Venezuela was quite expensive... US$1,000. (more than one third of the whole costs)<BR><BR>Anyway compared to Europe food and accomodation is quite cheap and the country has a lot to offer.<BR><BR>I would recommend you to go.<BR><BR>Ask again if you need to.