Peace Villages Foundation 

Travel Information

NOTE TO ALL TRAVELERS:

There are several ways to arrive to Santa Elena. However based on our experiences and those of past volunteers, Peace Villages strongly recommends the following arrival plan: a flight to Caracas followed by a bus from Caracas to Santa Elena. Although this option includes a long bus ride it is certainly the most simple. There are no transfers, no multiple stages and very little Spanish is required. If this option is not suitable and you would like information on other possibilities please Contact Us.

Arrival at Caracas Airport

In the airport your first stop will be Immigration where you will show your passport and be given a 3 month tourist entry stamp in your passport. Following Immigration, you will pass through customs and then walk into the main terminal.

Flight Arrival Times
It is impossible to get through Caracas in less than 2 hours. Depending on the day, it might even take up to 3 hours. Consequently, try to arrange a flight that arrives well before the buses leave from "Terminal de Oriente". The two direct buses to Santa Elena leave from the terminal at 3:30pm and 5:00pm. If you miss these two buses there is another that leaves at 10:15pm and takes you halfway. (More information is available in the From Bus Terminal to Santa Elena section).
If you can't fly into Caracas in time to catch a bus to Santa Elena, you will need to spend the night in a hotel in either Caracas or near the airport (near the airport: Posada ‘Il Prezzano’ in Catia la Mar, tel. 0212-351.2626 (single room Bs. 60 / USD 28; taxi costs about Bs. 20 / USD 9) then make your way to the bus terminal the following day.

From Airport to Bus Terminal

Highly recommended - Use the Pick-up service: If previously booked and confirmed you will be met at the airport by one of this independent and reliable Pick-Up Services, Oswaldo Morales & Walter Ungefug from Pleasure Viajes, or Wilmer & Javier  The drivers speak fluent English and are extremely helpful. They will receive you at the airport with a board in their hands showing both your name and the name of their company. You will be accompanied to the bus terminal or the hotel of your choice and assisted while purchasing your tickets etc. The pick-up service is a excellent option for travelers looking for Peace of Mind.
 
Email Pick-up services:
Oswaldo & Walter:   pleasureventas3@cantv.net, wungefug@cantv.net
Wilmer & Javier:       javi_jauregui@yahoo.es

If you do not intend to use a Pick-Up Service, you have a couple options to safely reach the bus terminal. Whatever you decide it is essential that you arrive at the "Terminal de Oriente". This is the only terminal that has buses leaving directly to Santa Elena.

Take a Taxi: Another option is to hire a 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 100 to 130 Bs / USD 50-60. They are the safest and most reliable option. Let them know that you are interested in going to "Terminal de Oriente" (the bus station located on the far side of Caracas). If possible, you should arrange to be met by the pick-up service.

Shuttle Bus: Choosing to take a taxi is obviously much more convenient than taking a bus because you don't have to worry about being in a crowded space with a number of fellow passengers for the two hour ride. From the airport there 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 15 Bs / roughly USD 7 . Walk outside of the domestic terminal to find the shuttle. Though you may have reservations, this is in fact a very safe 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 30 Bs / USD 14 .

From Bus Terminal in Caracas to Santa Elena

The fastest, cheapest, most convenient, and most comfortable way to get to Santa Elena is by bus. The luxury buses that travel to Santa Elena are equipped with new, stretch reclining seats, air conditioning, a bathroom, and DVD system. 

Several companies operate ultra-modern buses from Caracas to Santa Elena (20ish hrs; 100 Bs / USD 45). Expresos Occidente runs daily, departing at 3.30 pm from Terminal del Oriente. Or there's Expresos los Llanos, which also runs daily, departing at 5.00 pm from the same terminal. Another night bus leaves daily at 10.15 pm. While the first two buses travel directly to Santa Elena, the night bus at 10.15 pm will bring you (10 hrs; 60 Bs / 28 USD) to San Felix/Puerto Ordaz (halfway to Santa Elena). From there you can change buses and come directly to Santa Elena (9 hrs;  60 Bs / 28 USD). Another option is to go to Ciudad Bolívar and from there change buses to Santa Elena (9 hrs; 60 Bs / 28 USD). Stopping a day or two in Puerto Ordaz, Ciudad Bolivar or San Felix is a nice way to break up the trip if you are not in a hurry.

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.

If you do not have enough time to make it to the terminal before the bus departs (give yourself at least 2,5 hours to get to the bus terminal), or you want a slight break from traveling, spend the night in a hotel either near the airport or in downtown Caracas. Book ahead and make sure you receive a confirmation. Remember, the Pick-Up Services are also available to help you make your way to a hotel in the city, but also must be arranged in advance.

It should be pointed out also that you will more than likely be stopped at a routine military check-point once or twice along the way to Santa Elena. At these check-points, you are sometimes just asked for your passport, and at other times are required to show the entire contents of your bags. Don't panic. As mentioned, these stops are customary. This is a chance to stretch your legs.

To put your mind at ease some more, the bus stop in Santa Elena is the last stop. So there is no need for concern every time the bus stops along the way. Stay on until the end!

Although the travel time is long, the trip passes by much faster than you would expect! 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. A few words of advice: 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 ceaselessly pumping from the DVDs (unless you're into non-stop Van Damme marathons).

IMPORTANT: Please give us a call before leaving and getting on the bus from Caracas, Ciudad Bolivar or Puerto Ordaz so we will have a rough idea of when to expect you.for Santa Elena. In Caracas you can buy a phone card (CANTV) and make a phone call from the bus terminal “Terminal del Oriente.” On the second level of the bus terminal you can find a "telephone shop" chain (MoviStar).

Arrival at Santa Elena Bus Terminal

Peace Villages staff will welcome you at the local bus terminal, bring you to your accommodation, and help you get adjusted. Our staff will welcome you to the Peace Villages home-base and ensure that all of your needs are met - from a safe and comfortable place to stay, to unparalleled access to perspectives and insight about the local culture.

IMPORTANT: Travel times and telecommunications are sometimes unpredictable in Venezuela. If you should arrive at the bus station in Santa Elena early/late, or you have not been able to confirm with us when you are expecting to arrive, please call us at:
House phone: 0289 - 414 5721
Office: 0289 - 416 0718
Manfred: 0414 - 870 4895
Kelvis: 0426-9771594  

Exchanging Money

Strict currency controls remain in place in Venezuela, but Bolivar's can be obtained through banks and some travel agencies in your country. It is best to obtain local currency where possible before traveling. Bureau de change at the Caracas airport, will exchange US dollars for Bolivar's, as will some major hotels. Some banks in Caracas will buy US dollars for Bolivar's or sell Bolivar's against a foreign credit card. US dollar travelers' cheques are accepted at most Italcambios offices in Caracas.

In most towns and all major cities, credit cards are accepted. However, it can be difficult to withdraw cash from ATMs. Please be advised that ATMs do not accept debit cards but only credit cards. You can also do the transaction via the counter in the bank. All bank transactions will result in Bolivar. You cannot draw American dollars or any other foreign currency through ATM's in Venezuela. It is best to change about USD $100 into Bolivar before you depart. This will enable you to have cash to pay for your bus ticket and to purchase food. Any other money that you are planning on spending in Venezuela should be brought with you in large American bills, for example USD $100´s cash. 
 

Fundación Aldeas de Paz
Lomas de Piedra Canaima via Sampai, Santa Elena de Uairén,
La Gran Sabana, Estado Bolívar, Venezuela
Phone: 0058 - 289 - 4160820  Email: mail@peacevillages.org
We are a registered charity: RIF J-30872287-1 (Vz)    

Copyright © 2008
Peace Villages Foundation