Flights to Caracas are readily available from the US and the UK. From Australia and New Zealand, round-the-world tickets may be the cheapest and most flexible option. Flying into the country from other South or Central American destinations can be problematic and/or very costly. Be sure to research your options thoroughly. The international departure tax is US$21 (US$39 if you've stayed over a month).

Entry by sea is possible via the US, where travelers can take a cargo ship from one of several ports on the Gulf of Mexico. Alternatively, ferries run from the Lesser Antilles, but there is no longer any service between Venezuela and the Netherlands Antilles.

By land, there are road connections from Colombia and Brazil, but not from Guyana. Travelers planning to use the dangerous El Amparo de Apure-Arauca border crossing or the Puerto Páez-Puerto Carreño crossing into Colombia should consult their embassy to assess the security situation. Colombian guerrilla attacks on Venezuelan army posts resulted in a confrontational buildup of troops on both sides of the border in March 1995.

Getting Around

Avensa (along with its offspring, Servivensa) was Venezuela's main domestic airline until it went bankrupt in 1999. It now operates on a reduced scale. Its place has been taken by Aeropostal, which has a network of routes servicing most major domestic destinations. There are half-a-dozen or so smaller carriers including Aserca, Laser and Avior, which service regional areas. The lack of railways means that buses are the primary form of transport through most of Venezuela, and services are generally fast, efficient and comfortable. There are frequent buses from the main Caracas bus terminal to almost every corner of the country, and prices are kept fairly low by the high level of competition.

Driving or motorbiking gives you added flexibility, but it's expensive both to take a car into the country and to rent one while you're there. Additionally, be aware that road rules are rarely observed by local drivers, which could make the undertaking somewhat hazardous. Stops at national-guard and police checkpoints are common, and travelers should follow instructions and be prepared to show papers or be searched.

Local transport includes cheap but crowded bus services and inexpensive shared taxis. Caracas has a modern, efficient and cheap metro.