The "Viaduct" as we call it down there, has an irreparable structural defect so we may be talking from 6 months to maybe 18 months since a complete new bridgr needs o be built, anyway the old "Carretera Vieja" is working well and although it takes long its a great sightseeing and kind of travel to the past, on the other hand I (Being a local) strongly suggest taking the officially established taxi's (Black SUV's) right outside the airport, do not get lured by cheaper options, you want to get safe to your final destination.

Fjgarcia or Anyone:

Do I need to cross the Viaduct to get to Macuto or the beach town East?

I know the towns were wiped out in '99 from the floods. Are they back in business?

I have emailed and faxed the Hotel Las Quince Letras and I am not getting any reply.

WT1

samcitycat:

You can fly to the airport in Charallave-Valles del Tuy (OMZ). But it is not in the center of Caracas by any means, from there it is about 30 minutes to Caracas (about 30 km). Avior is one of the airlines that flights there:

www.avior.com.ve

It seems like there are 2 flights daily. Check their webpage to see the schedules on the day you arrive.

The alternate roads are not especially dangerous now that there are filled with people, but it could take very long depending on the traffic when you arrive.

Caraquero or Anyone:

I am arriving on Feb 14th. at the International Terminal and want to go straight to Puerto La Cruz on Avior Airlines. Do they leave from the same terminal or is there a Domestic Terminal close by without having to go into Caracas?

Thanks

WT1

caraqueno,

Thank you for the info (unfortunately, there's only one Avior flight, leaving at 6:30 AM). I think I'm mostly comforted that the route isn't all that dangerous...out of curiosity, what would I expect (being someone who's never traveled further afield than the States or Europe)?

The airport has two terminals, one international and one domestic. They are about 500 m away (go outside the international terminal and walk to your left), so you can catch your flight to Puerto La Cruz without going to Caracas.

Samcitycat, are you referring to the road? If you take the old Caracas-La Guaira you will see poverty (it goes through some very poor neighborhoods) as I am sure you have never seen in the US or Europe. The road goes through the mountain, it has plenty of curves, but due to the traffic the cars will travel slowly, so there is no real danger of falling off the cliff. On the good side, you can get some nice views of the sea and of the mountains.

Thank you Caraquero.

WT1

I think it's not so much the physical danger of the road, or even passing through poverty, because I feel like all of that's part of experiencing the trip...I just worry the taxi/car service would get car-jacked, and am more curious if this is a real concern (or if I'm just reading too much into the US State Dept.'s postings)...I know rationally I'll be fine, but it helps to hear from someone who's traveled the route recently!

Your best shot when taking a taxi is to try to get one that you can trust (there are "pirate" taxis that will rob you), if at the airport, take the black SUVs that are the official taxi line of the airport (or if a friend arranged a ride for you, that is also fine). That way you have a driver you can trust, and they know how to take care for themselves and for you.

Anyway, I don't mean to scare you but Caracas is really a dangerous city and carjacks, kidnaps and everything else are a real concern. You should always take precautions.

I just got back from Caracas and here is what I learned: Their are two alternate routes from Maiquetia to Caracas. The "old" road (viejo) and the "mountain" road (montana). The mountain road requires 4WD but is usually quicker, I am told. I took the old road and it took 2 hours up (to Caracas) and 3.5 hours down and is the route taken by taxis and car servies. The ride itself is mostly windy (well maintained) mountain roads until you get close to Caracas when it pinched in a couple of places and then you enter some pretty rough "Barrio" areas. There is so much traffic through the road, I don't see how anyone can consider it dangerous. It will probably set you back about $100-130 for the cab. The best peice of advice I can give you on this is make sure you go to the bathroom before you leave. No facilites of any kind on the drive!

The big news is that American Airlines is beginning service to Valencia which is 1.5 hours from Caracas on a highway. That would be my preferred route on a future trip.