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Helpful Airport Hints

Caracas

Hopefully, you have arrived at Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía on the early morning (6:15 AM or 10:00 AM) flight and have already pre—booked your round—trip flight to and from Margarita Island on Aeropostal, or one of the other local airline's morning flights. Arriving in the morning and pre—booking your flight to Margarita will reduce your stress level greatly. Unless you speak Spanish very well, you will regret not pre—booking your flight.

Step by Step

• When you get off the plane at Simón Bolívar International Airport have your immigration and customs documents filled out, you will proceed to immigrations and the immigration official will stamp your passport, be sure to place the green copy in your passport and leave it there.

• Proceed to the baggage area and get one of the free hand carts, then pick up your luggage, have your luggage claim tickets handy. If there is a problem, there is a lost luggage room at the back corner of the terminal.

• Proceed to the luggage x—ray and customs check, load your bags onto the treadmill, hand the official your customs document and exit the terminal.

• You will be met by a small army of porters, taxi drivers, etc. I usually have someone help me move my bags from the International Terminal to the Domestic Terminal, it is only 500 yards, but after the long flight you will need to conserve energy. Be sure to agree on a price before you proceed, normally for two bags Bs.F10 is more than adequate. Also, be sure that only one person accompanies you or you will have to pay for both. Pay the porter only after the bags are checked in at the airline check in counter and you have your tickets, the porter will then escort you to pay your airport exit tax.

• You should exchange some money before you check in at the domestic airline for your flight to Margarita Island. A few hundred dollars worth should be enough. You will need Bs.F to pay the porter and for extra bags at the domestic airline if you have more than one bag. You will also have to pay airport exit tax in Bs.F. of approximately Bs.F103.

• On the way to the domestic airline, explain to your porter that you already have reservations and tell him the name of the Airline, other helpers will try to assist you, but just ignore them and walk with your porter to the ticket counter.

• At the airline counter you will receive your tickets and the gate number, proceed to the departure tax window where you will pay the exit tax.

• After you pay your departure tax, you will go through security and enter the departure area. Find your gate and have a seat, it is quite normal for flights to be delayed, so keep your eyes and ears open.

• The flight to Margarita Island takes around forty minutes. Once you arrive and enter the Island terminal you will feel the more relaxed laid back attitude of Isla de Margarita. Take heart, the hard part is over and your vacation is about to begin. If you decided to use our Concierge Service, a driver will be there waiting for you in your rental car. If not, walk outside and grab a taxi to your destination. The fare from the airport is currently around Bs.F40, but you may be able to bargain if the traffic is low. Friends and family are invited to call me at 0412 795 3556 once you are on the Island and I can come to pick you up.