Getting Here
PLEASE ALSO READ: SPECIAL TRAVEL INFORMATION PDF-FILE
Step One:
Flying into Caracas
Arriving at Caracas Airport
If your flight arrives before 12:00 noon, you can catch the bus to Santa Elena the same day (leaving at 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm). If not, you will probably want to look into getting a hotel for the night. In the airport your first stop will be Immigration where you will show your passport and be given a 3 month tourist entry stamp, extendable later on. You will fill one form for customs and another one to be given the tourist entry stamp, so before queuing take them from the travelers desk in the area of immigration.
Following Immigration, you will pass through customs and then walk into the main terminal. If you previously booked the pick-up service your driver will be waiting for you. If you arrive late, the drivers wait for you at the airport and at the bus station will assist you in purchasing your ticket.
Step Two:
From the Airport or Hotel to Bus Terminal “Terminal de Oriente”
Option One: Airport Pick-up Service
If you look for peace of mind you may want to hire a professional airport pick-up service. We highly reccommend Nelson and “Nelson’s Place.” Nelson's place is the name international travelers, educators, writers, conference speakers and others have given to a nice and cozy 50 meter suite style apartment in a small family building in the heart of mid-town Caracas.
Nelson speaks perfect English and is extremely helpful and patient. He will bring you to the bus terminal or to the apartment if you prefer to spend a night before catching the bus. Nelson, the owner, will send a trustworthy driver that will pick you up at the airport (40 km away) for a US$40 fee, avoiding you the typical airport hassles. The per night rate for Nelson's room is US$40 for up to two guests. nelson@gmail.com nelsoneas@hotmail.com
Important Advice: Book ahead and give them your complete travel details in your first mail! Make sure you ask for a confirmation of your booking - you can write in English.
Option Two: Official Taxi
Another option is to hire an official taxi directly from the airport. Do not accept offers of transport in the arrivals hall. Official taxis (with yellow license plate) line-up at the official taxi rank immediately outside of the airport building. Official taxis cost around US$40 and are safe and reliable. Let them know that you are going to “Terminal de Oriente” (the bus station located on the far side of Caracas).
Option Three: Shuttle Bus
A more economic option is a shuttle bus that goes into the center of town. Upon entering the terminal, simply ask around for the bus to get to the center of town (it is located outside the domestic flight terminal). In the domestic terminal there is a kiosk that sells tickets for the shuttle, which costs around US$5. Though you may have reservations, this is in fact a very safe, cheap and reliable way to get into the center of town. Nevertheless, we do not recommend taking the shuttle after dark. From the final bus stop a taxi ride to the “Terminal de Oriente” will cost around US$7.
So basically I’ve had like the best time ever here in Santa Elena!!! Three weeks flew by, I wish I could have stayed longer.
∼ Pallavi Nadendla / Huntingtown, USA
Step Three:
From Caracas to Santa Elena
Option One: Direct luxury buses to Santa Elena
The fastest, cheapest, and most convenient way to travel from Caracas to Santa Elena is by bus. Luxury buses are equipped with new, stretch reclining seats, air conditioning, a bathroom, and DVD system. Several companies operate ultra-modern buses to Santa Elena (Bolivar 130,-) It is generally not possible or necessary to book a bus ticket in advance. Just get to the terminal to buy your ticket well before the bus departure time if at all possible to make absolutely sure that you will get a seat. Three buses are leaving daily from Caracas to Santa Elena. While the 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm buses travel directly from Caracas to Santa Elena, the night bus at 10:15 pm will bring you halfway to San Felix/Puerto Ordaz where you will arrive the next morning early enough to get on the “Turgar” or “Expresos los Llanos” bus (daily at 9:00 am - same Terminal) which bring you directly to Santa Elena.
Important Advice: Please call 0414 - 8704895 just before you get on the bus so we know that you are on the bus and when to expect you in Santa Elena! Buy a CANTV phone card and call from CANTV phone boots in the bus terminal.
| Bus Time Table | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Route | Los Llanos | Occidente | Cost | ||
| Total | $140.00 | ||||
| Direct Caracas to Santa Elena | 4:30 PM | 3:30 PM | BsF 130 | ||
| Direct Santa Elena to Caracas | 7:30 PM | 1:00 PM | BsF 130 | ||
| Caracas to San Félix/Puerto Ordaz | 9:00 AM | 6:30 PM | BsF 70 (halfway) | ||
| San Félix/Puerto Ordaz to Caracas | 10:15 PM | 7:30 PM | BsF 70 (halfway) | ||
The trip passes by much faster than you would expect! Please keep in mind that these buses are much more sophisticated and comfortable than buses in Europe or North America, for example. You can easily relax: the seats are very comfortable and can be turned into sleepers. Movies are regularly shown, and the buses frequently stop for snacks and meals along the way.
Carry a good book with you, perhaps also some music, and enjoy the marvelous scenery and impressive landscapes from the comfort of your window seat. Bring warm clothes or a blanket with you - the buses are notoriously freezing as the drivers tend to go nuts with the air conditioning. Ear plugs also don't hurt. You may find the need to block out the sounds from the DVDs.
Alternative Option: Domestic Flight
Domestic flight to Puerto Ordaz or Ciudad Bolivar and bus to Santa Elena
Arranging a domestic flight (45min) to Puerto Ordaz or Ciudad Bolivar (1,5h/US$ 80-120/ 16:50pm daily) are alternative transportation options. From these towns, you can catch the bus to Santa Elena (8h/Bs.70,-/ 20:15pm daily) or instead, book a small plane (but only from Ciudad Bolivar) to Santa Elena by Rutaca (US$ 150,- ow) Airlines: We recommend you book your in-country flight in your home country with your travel agent or through the internet. Aeropostal: http://www.aerospostal.com, Tel. 0800 284 66 37; Rutaca: http://www.rutaca.com Aserca: http://www.asercaairlines.com, Tel. 0800 648 83 56; Avior: http://www.avior.com.ve
Step Four:
Arriving in Santa Elena
your bus will arrive in Santa Elena at the bus termnal
Important Advice: There are several little shops in the terminal from where you can call 0414 - 8704895 - Aldeas de Paz staff will come and pick you up. If you already have bought a CANTV phone card, there are CANTV phone boots in the entrance hall which you can use in case the shops are closed.
General Travel Tips
Don’t Forget
Important documents to remember
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- Your passport You cannot go anywhere without this and in some countries you cannot even enter National Parks without one
- Airline tickets and a copy of your flight itinerary
- Insurance certificate and policy document These are very important for you to be aware of what you are and are not covered for on your trip. They are also necessary to have when making a claim
- Travelers’ cheques receipt numbers You must keep these separate
- Vaccination card You may be asked when entering a country to prove that you have had required vaccinations
- A copy of all credit card and bank account numbers As well as international contact numbers to cancel lost or stolen cards
- Your pre-departure info with useful and emergency contact numbers
- For more information please visit My Online Safe
For all of the above, make sure you have a duplicate copy of these for backup. Leave one set of copies at home with your next of kin and another set in your luggage, away from the original copies.
Important Numbers
Keep these phone numbers on you at all times
- House (0289) 416-0820 or
English & Spanish speaking -
Office (0289) 416-0718, 414-5721
English & Spanish speaking - Manfred (0414) 870-4895, (0426)
295-0932
English, Dutch & German & Spanish speaking
To call outside Venezuela, add 058 before dialing the number.
Packing
Travel Essentials
In addition to the general What to Bring to Santa Elena list, below are some crucial items for the journey.
- Toilet paper for the journey on the bus. (here will be no toilet paper in the airport, bus station, or on the bus
- Spanish dictionary
General Travel Safety
General Safety Precautions
- Don't walk around alone after dark
- If your luggage is ever searched by the police make sure you are present
- Don't leave unlocked valuables in your hotel room or the bus
- Do not openly display money and don't carry valuables
- Walk confidently, directly and at a steady pace
- If someone approaches you, look over them and walk on, try not to stare at them
- Walk on the side of the street that is facing the traffic
Exchanging Money
The Venezuelan Currency
The currency of Venezuela is the Bolivar Fuente (BsF). It is best to change about US $100 into Bolivar before traveling. Currency controls remain in place in Venezuela and the official changing rate is ($1 USD = $4,3 BsF). Bolivars can be obtained through banks and some travel agencies in your country (but need to ordered in advance from your local bank). This will enable you to have cash to pay for your bus ticket and to purchase food. In most towns and all major Venezuelan cities, credit cards are accepted in shops and hotels.
Mostly mayor credit cards are accepted at Venezuela´s ATM´s and over the counter bank transactions. All bank transactions in Venezuela will result in Bolivar calculated by the official changing rate: $1 USD = $4,3 BsF. Travel Tip: If you do need to use your card, especially in an ATM, put your card into the machine and press cancel to make sure you get it back before going on to enter your PIN. If it is safe to proceed, cover your PIN so there is no chance of anyone or anything seeing it.
Bureau de change at the Caracas airport, will exchange US dollars or Euros for Bolivars, as will some major hotels ($1 USD = $4,3 BsF). Some banks in Caracas will buy US dollars for Bolivars or sell Bolivars against a foreign credit card. US travelers' cheques are accepted at most Italcambios offices in Caracas but not in Santa Elena, where Aldeas de Paz is located. Banks and Bureau de Change can be found in all major cities where you will be able to withdraw money and change up travelers’ cheques if you need to. There will also be ATMs, which will accept most major credit cards everywhere and also in Santa Elena.
Please be advised that ATMs in Santa Elena do not accept debit cards but only credit cards. “Banco Industrial” in Santa Elena pays Bolivars against a foreign credit card. You can also do the transaction via the counter in the bank (safest option). All bank transactions will result in Bolivar. Local banks in Santa Elena do not change travelers' cheques at all.
- Official Exchange Rate: Bolivar 4,3 for 1 US$