Getting There

By Plane

The Simón Bolívar International Airport (tel. 0212/355-2858; www.aeropuerto-maiquetia.com.ve; airport code CCS) in Maiquetía, 28km (17 miles) north of Caracas, is the gateway to Venezuela and the point of entry for most visitors to the country. There is an airport departure tax of 76,000Bs ($35). This later fee is sometimes included in the airline ticket price, so be sure to ask before paying twice.

From the U.S. -- Miami, which is only 3 hours and 15 minutes away by air, is the principal gateway to Caracas. American Airlines (tel. 800/433-7300; www.aa.com) has several daily direct flights between Miami and Caracas, as well as one daily flight each from Dallas and New York. Aeropostal (tel. 888/912-8466; www.aeropostal.com) has two daily direct flights from Miami. Santa Barbara (tel. 866/213-2457; www.santabarbaraairlines.com) has two daily flights from Miami. Continental (tel. 800/231-0856; www.continental.com) has a daily direct flight from Houston, and a once-weekly direct flight from Newark; Delta Airlines (tel. 800/241-4141; www.delta.com) has a daily flight from Atlanta. Mexicana (tel. 800/531-7921; www.mexicana.com) and Grupo Taca (tel. 800/400-8222; www.grupotaca.com) have flights from Los Angeles connecting through Mexico City, Mexico, and San José, Costa Rica, respectively.

From Canada -- Air Canada (tel. 888/247-2262; www.aircanada.com) flies four times weekly between Toronto and Caracas. American, Continental, Delta, and Mexicana have flights from Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver to Caracas, connecting through Miami, Los Angeles, or New York (Newark).

There are numerous charter flights from Toronto and Montreal to Isla de Margarita, particularly during the winter months. Ask your travel agent, check online, or look in the Sunday travel section of your local newspaper to find them.

From Europe and the U.K. -- American Airlines offers flights to Caracas, connecting through the US or Puerto Rico. British Airways (tel. 0870/850-9850; www.british-airways.com) no longer flies direct to Caracas. Air Europa (tel. 0870/777-7709; www.air-europa.com), Air France (tel. 800/423-7422; www.airfrance.com), Alitalia, Iberia (tel. 0845/601-2854; www.iberia.com), KLM (0870/507-4074; www.klm.com), and Lufthansa (tel. 0845/67737-747; www.lufthansa.com) offer regular service to Venezuela, with connections from London. Santa Barbara (www.santabarbaraairlines.com) flies direct from Madrid several times weekly.

From Australia & New Zealand -- To fly to Venezuela from either Australia or New Zealand, you will almost certainly have to connect via the United States. Air New Zealand (tel. 0800/737-000 in New Zealand, or 13-24-76 in Australia; www.airnewzealand.com) and Qantas (tel. 13-13-13 in Australia, or 800/0014-0014 in New Zealand; www.qantas.com) are the two main carriers. American Airlines and LAN offer service with connections in Los Angeles and Santiago, respectively.

By Bus

Venezuela is serviced by international bus routes via Colombia to the west and Brazil to the south. In general, crossings from Colombia are considered dangerous, due to guerrilla and drug-cartel activity. The only road route between Brazil and Venezuela connects Boa Vista, Brazil, and Santa Elena de Uairén, Venezuela. Two recommended companies are Bus Ven (tel. 0212/953-8441) and Expreso Internacional Ormeño (tel. 0212/471-7205). The latter company actually runs buses from Caracas all the way to Buenos Aires, Argentina.

By Boat

There are ferry services between several Caribbean islands and Isla de Margarita, Venezuela. Routes and schedules vary seasonally and change on short notice. Islands with the most consistent connections include Barbados, St. Vincent, and Trinidad and Tobago.