Costs

While we would not call ourselves budget travelers, we were not anxious to spend ridiculous amounts on tours arranged through travel agencies based in the United States. By staying flexible about our plans within Venezuela and blessed by frequent flyers miles (70,000 miles to be exact) used from American Airlines, we were able to do the entire trip within $1500 ($750/person) for both myself and my daughter.

The raft trip cost us $110/person for the two days, one night trip including meals, transportation to and from the airport.

The Angel falls boat trip cost us $205/person including meals, transfers, hammock accomodation, airfare from Ciudad Bolevar to Canaima, return airfare from Canaima to La Paragua, then a van trip from La Paragua to Ciudad Bolevar.

We spent roughly $260/person on domestic airfare Caracas-Barinas (LAI), Barinas-Ciudad Bolevar (via Caracas) (LAI), Barcelona-Caracas (Aeropostale). LAI definitely recommended due to price, but timely arrival not guaranteed. Aeropostale was overpriced but ontime. Aeropostale even charged 10% in cash, for using a credit card.

Hotel Caracas is a safe place to stay in Ciudad Bolevar, but not clean nor comfortable. Hotel Colonial is a better choice to stay when in Ciudad Bolevar. Rooms are clean and the air conditioner kind of works. We paid $21 for the double occupancy room on the 4th floor overlooking the Orinoco river (see view from hotel window below).

However the travel agency inside Hotel Caracas is the best place to buy the Angel Falls boat trip tour.

After the Angel Falls tour we took the bus from Ciudad Bolevar to Puerto La Cruz (airconditioned they said but what they meant was that we should leave the windows open) 5000 bolevars or $7.50 with approx exchange rate (688 bolevars/dollar minus bank commissions). Late night shared a taxi to Santa Fe arriving after 10pm in a sleepy town. Don't make that mistake, hotel owners just hate to wake up even if it means good business! We stayed overnight in SieteDolfinas on the beach with ocean view (recommended) for $20/night.

When we left Santa Fe we took a shared van (por puesto) for 1500 bolevars/person to Puerto La Cruz, bought some key chain souvenirs, some leather jewelry containers, and a wood carved, hand painted national bird of Venezuela. Then took a taxi to Barcelona Airport for 8000 Bolevars.