Maracaibo is the capital of Zulia state in western Venezuela, and is the second largest city in the country after Caracas.

Get in

By Plane

• Aeropostal, Aserca and Conviasa have frequent flights connecting Caracas with Maracaibo's La Chinita International Airport.
• American Airlines flies daily to and from Miami (about 3 hours).
• Aeropostal also flies daily to and from Miami
• Copa Airlines flies daily to Panama City with connections to other cities in Latin America and the US.

By Bus

Maracaibo is your arrival point in Venezuela if you take the most direct route from Santa Marta in Colombia.

Night buses go to/from Caracas, San Cristobal and Mérida, all for about Bs.30 - 35,000. The cheap bus to Merida is only Bs.18,000, but is much less comfortable.

Get around

• Taxi: Taxi service is generally cheaper in Maracaibo than in other cities in Venezuela including Caracas due to high offer and lower demand. ALWAYS use a Taxi from a Taxi service, either by requesting it directly through the phone or walking to a Taxi service spot. NEVER Take a taxi off the street, no matter how 'legit' it might look. Most businesses in Maracaibo will aid a tourist searching for a Taxi so don't be afraid to ask in a McDonalds or another shop for help locating one.
• Bus: Be warned that mugging is very common in bus routes, general advice is, if you can afford a Taxi, take a Taxi. If you cannot, use common sense, do not wear watches, chains or anything that might incite muggers.
• Walking: Maracaibo has a good layout and good sidewalks, caution should be taken if walking during the day because of the extreme hot and solar radiation. Extreme caution should be taken if walking during the night, it's advised to take other forms of transportation if possible.

See

Maracaibo has a a nice but sterile centre, that they try to posh up with old european styled parks - not very successful.

• The bridge over lake Maracaibo[1]. Built in 1957 over Lake Maracaibo, is recognized as one of the most impressive buildings in Venezuela.

• Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Chiquinquira. In downtown Maracaibo dedicated to the apparition of the Virgin Mary to a native venezuelan in colonial era.

• Palafitos in Santa Rosa de Agua[2]. To the north of Maracaibo, these buildings are created by native venezuelans on top of the water with wood.

Do

• Try the local cuisine, places like:
  • CHOPS: In Ave 10 with 65St, with their famous tequeños and patacones.
  • Arepas Casimiro: In Cecilio Acosta avenue, sells arepas[3].
  • Arepas San Benito: In Santa Rita, known for their famous 'aguita de sapo' (frog water) arepas.
  • Cachapas Frank: In 72 Ave with Delicias, famous for their cachapas[4].

Buy

• SAMBIL Maracaibo. In the Ave Goajira. With A/C, security and parking. Has several national banks that operate off-hours. A food court including (but not limited to): McDonalds, Church's Chicken, Markhaba Express, Burger King, Subway, Cinnabon, Mr Pretzel and a TGI Friday's. The biggest movie theater in Venezuela with 13 projection rooms. And clothing stores including: Zara and Armani.
• Lago Mall. Located in the Milagro Avenue, next to the Hotel del Lago. A/C, Parking and security. Has several banks, jewelery stores and a food court including (but not limited to): McDonalds, Wendy's, Panda Express and CHOPS. Also has a movie theater with 4 projection rooms.
• Doral Mall. Located in Ave Fuerzas Armadas, has A/C, security and paid parking, with a movie theater and food court.
• Galerias Mall. Located in la Limpia, has A/C, paid parking and some security.Has a movie theater, an ice skating ring and a small food court. Caution should be taken when visiting this mall since it's located next to a 'Red zone'.
• Centro Comercial Costa Verde. Old shopping center, has no A/C and no working movie theater. There is a bingo in the lower level and a Church's Chicken, Subway and Burger King in the top floors.

Eat

• Mi Vaquita. The best steak house in Maracaibo, very popular. Located in 5th of July St.
• Mi Ternerita. Also a steak house located in the Aventura Mall.
• El Budare de Juana. A small bistro in Santa Rita. Near Hotel Kristoff. Open 24/7
• Da Vinci. Italian Cuisine, located in 11-Ath Avenue near 5th of July St.
• Salon Canton. Cantonese and oriental cuisine. Located in 9th Avenue with 71ST.

Drink

• Zeta bar. Located in Bella Vista behind the Governor's Mansion. Shares the block with other bars.
• H2O. Located next to Zeta Bar in Bella Vista.
• Te con Te. More of a mix between restaurant and bar/lounge. Located next to Zeta Bar.
• Margarita's. Located at the end of 72Ave. Lots of drinks and music.
• Zaga. Sushi and oriental food restaurant with a spacious bar. Located in Lago Mall. El milagro Avenue.

Sleep

Budget

• Hotel Union. 84a calle 4 - 60. Bs.25,000. ($11) per doble per night.

Mid-range

• Maracaibo Suites. Tel: 0261 783-4533. Approx Bs.80,000 ($35) a night a room. Very good service.
• Gran Hotel Delicias. Tel: 0261 797-6111. Bs.72,000 ($30) a room.
• Hotel Aeropuerto. Tel: 0261 787-5881. Fairly good mid-range option with a pool, rooms have a/c. Not very close to the airport or to downtown Maracaibo.

Splurge

• Maruma Internacional. Tel: 0261 730-2700. Av Circunvalacion 2, Zona Industrial. Billed as a 5-star business hotel but the rooms are not as plush as the lobby, and a fair distance from the the city centre.
• Hotel Del Lago Inter-Continental. Tel: 0261 792-4422. Avenida 2, El Milagro. An aging 5-star hotel, in a much more central location.
• Kristoff [5]. Tel: 0261 796-1000. Av 8, (Santa Rita) and Calle 69, Maracaibo. Quite costly.
• Maracaibo Cumberland [6]. Tel: 0261 722-2224, Calle 86-A, between Av Santa Rita and Bella Vista. Another costly option.

Get out