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Caracas, Caracas...

Caracas Travel Blog › entry 16 of 22 › view trip summary

Although I live in Lima, this was the first time I took a trip around South America. This was my first long travel because of business. Usually I travel just to 1 destination, but this time I went to: Buenos Aires, Santa Cruz, Rio, Macae, Anaco & Maracaibo. The travel wasn’t because of fun, but… traveling is traveling and I found the way to enjoy it hehehe.

Caracas, Caracas...

Venezuela / now belongs to everybody

Our flight from Brazil to Venezuela was fine. It wasn’t crowded, so I did the same and could sleep for a while. This flight wasn’t so long, just 2:45 hrs. We arrived to Caracas around 6:10am. We wouldn’t stay in Caracas, we had to take a domestic flight to Barcelona. But we had to do customs and claim our luggage first. As a Peruvian, I don't need a visa to get into the country, but I need to show either an invitation letter if I'm going for business, or the hotel's reservations for the period of time I'd stay in the country. I was happy I printed them while we were in Santa Cruz, hehehe. Caracas’ airport has 2 buildings, one for the domestic flights and other for the international. So it was a long way from the arrival point to the counter of Aserca airline.

I have been told that sometimes your luggage can be opened.

in our way to Venezuela
So, just in case I wrapped my big bag. One thing you have to think about here is the Exchange Currency. The difference between the official rate and the black market is big. The guy who was wrapping my bag, asked me if I wanted to exchange some money. I didn’t show much interest, because I wanted to get a good rate. I bargained with him for a while and got a good price, hehehe. Blair was surprised and asked me to do the same for him, hahaha.

 

Our connection flight was scheduled for 11am. So, I just approached to the counter and asked if they have an earlier flight. Well, they were just closing the flight and agreed to let us in, hehehe. We arrived just in time, Ufffffffffffff. The flight from Caracas to Barcelona was a short one, so no problem. Although Aserca is a domestic airline and the planes were small. The flight was ok. The staff was nice too.

 

Finally, we were getting closer to our destination…

yadilitta says:
yep, hehe
Posted on: Feb 21, 2009
Real_PeaceWarrior says:
Yay Yadi on tour!
Posted on: Feb 21, 2009
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Venezuela / now belongs to everybo…
Venezuela / now belongs to every
in our way to Venezuela
in our way to Venezuela
arriving to Caracas
arriving to Caracas
Airport in Caracas (Venezuela) - Aeropuerto de Maiquetia (CCS)
The full name of this airport is: Caracas MaiquetĂ­a International Airport (SimĂłn BolĂ­var. As it name says is an international one and the port of entrance to Venezuela. I have been there a couple of times and used it for domestic and international flights as well. It has 2 terminals: the international and the domestic one. The international was renewed and looks nice, but the domestic is not so great... Definitely, there are some things you have to be aware of when you are heading here:

Arriving:
-the Customs authorities can give you a hard time if they want. As a Peruvian I don't need a visa, but have to show my return ticket and a booking or something proving accommodation. They wanted to check every paper. It's not bad, just takes long. But it's more complicated for the American Citizens...

Leaving:
-no matter where you are flying, you have to pay a fee. International=BS.F.115 ($53,49), Domestic=BS.F. 23 ($8)
-they recommend to secure your bags before dropping them off.

General:
-one of the things that impressed me the most my 1st time there, was the fact that for going from one terminal to another you have to leave the building and walk (or take a bus - which wasn't working when I was there) outside under the sun!
-just at the exits of the international airport, you will find a lot of "exchangers" which will exchange the US$ for the local currency. Of course they offer you a much better rate than the official one, offered by the banks, but even with them you have to bargain. Be careful, they won't give you fake money and use small bills.
-Be aware of informal porters who tend to overcharge for transport your luggage. There are trolleys everywhere, so you didn't need their "help".
-always watch your luggage.
-if you have a layover and won't leave the airport, I suggest you to spend the time in the international terminal. It's better equipped.
-restaurants in the international area are better. You can find a sports bar, fast food, cafes. But the staff working there aren't super friendly...

Well, as you can see, I'm not a big fan of this airport, but my experiences there weren't bad either. Actually I met a friend just by chance and find the people working at the shops really friendly and helpful.

going from one terminal to another
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