What are the options for travelling to Venezuela after the Caracas airport at Maiquetia sustained heavy damage in the Venezuela earthquake?
Arturo Michelena in Valencia
With the Simon Bolivar International Airport out of action for the near future, the much smaller regional airport of Arturo Michelena in Valencia is effectively serving the capital. As you enter, you can see how it is trying to fill the much bigger shoes of Maiquetia, as best as it can in the circumstances. For example, at arrivals in Caracas customs had been computerised, but heading into Valencia, the flight crew handed out the paper declaration forms from several years ago. These are in English and Spanish. Fill them in on the plane.
In terms of carriers, Avianca flies from Bogota to Valencia and Maracaibo; Copa from Panama City to Barcelona, Maracaibo, Margarita and Valencia; Wingo from Bogota to Valencia. Air Europa, Plus Ultra and Iberia fly from Madrid to Valencia. Of the local airlines, Turpial uses Valencia as its hub and flies to Bogota, Panama and Punto Cana; Conviasa flies to Barbados, Cuba and Mexico; whilst Rutaca operates routes to Cuba and Punta Cana.
Sadly, some airlines have chosen this moment to hike up their prices.
As part of the ad hoc arrangements at Arturo Michelena, tents have been set up to shelter people arriving to check in. No nice air conditioning in hot Valencia until you get to the front of the queue.
For arrivals, there is a small reception area with a few migration officials, so try to get off the plane promptly. Small flights are handled well, but for a large jet, you could be there two hours and if planes arrive at the same time, it could be three hours. Similarly, the area where you pick up your luggage is small and able to handle dozens, rather than hundreds of people.
Don’t dawdle; get moving.
Two-Hour Drive to Caracas
Once you are through airport formalities, you still have at least a two-hour drive to Caracas, even if you book a well-maintained car from the terminal and have uncongested roads. Local transport apps, Ridery and Yummy, can help with a good car to Caracas. A short taxi ride to the bus terminal is another option, if you are not in a rush.
Whatever you choose, have your ground transport organized before you arrive.
Though, if you are in no hurry, why not stay a while? Valencia is a 20-minute drive away from the beaches of Puerto Cabello and also the site of the Battle of Carabobo, that secured Venezuelan independence from imperial Spain, and can be visited. With the baseball season fast approaching (October), sports fans, a visit to the Magallanes stadium for a home game is a treat, giving an insight into a great Venezuelan passion. Try to see the ‘classico’: That is the current champions, the Magallanes, against the full-of-themselves yet under-achieving, Caracas Lions.
It is possible to take an international flight to other cities. The most likely is Maracaibo, or from Barcelona (Puerto La Cruz). Though if you do, and you want to avoid a long drive, you will probably then need to take a domestic flight to guess where? Valencia.
Travelling to Venezuela : Local Flights
If you can secure a local flight to Mariscal Sucre Airport that serves Maracay, it will cut about 30 minutes off the driving time to Caracas from Valencia. Flights to Valencia will be more frequent and the highway Valencia-Maracay-Caracas is in good condition. It does not have the security check points that will hold you up if you try to drive from Maracaibo or Barcelona.
You will hear that Barcelona is receiving some former Caracas-bound flights, but I would not recommend this route if you are planning to go overland, as you will have a six-hour drive along a poorly maintained road. However, you may be able to catch a newly arranged local flight to Maracay, 90 minutes from Caracas.
Note: The flight information shown above was accurate on the day of writing. It needs to be checked after you read this.
International carriers, such as Turkish, are working out how to reactivate routes. Many will switch to Valencia.
Carry dollar banknotes, including lots of small denominations, for unforeseen expenses, or to pay drivers, though debit and credit cards are widely accepted in businesses. In general, Venezuelans are warm, wonderful people; however, the country was going through difficult times even before the earthquake hit.
Although travelling to Venezuela is more time consuming Stay flexible, but don’t worry; with planning and patience, you’ll get to where you need to be.
