From Caracas...

Hi everybody!!!

We're 3 spanish girls going to Colombia for a month in summer. The ticket from Spain to Bogotá was too expensive, that's why we bought one arriving in Caracas (Venezuela). We are interested in visit Colombia, so we want to go directly from Caracas to Colombia, where, first of all, we want to visit the north (around Santa Marta and Barranquilla). Is it possible to cross the border through Maracaibo?? I would like to know the best way, with which transport, prices, hours... We want to spend the minimum, so we were thinking in buses, but maybe it exists a better way??

We will be grateful with any help!!!!!

Elisabet

Hola,
Por supuesto que es posible desde Maracaibo. Los precios los pueden preguntar en el Terminal de Pasajeros, donde salen autobuses hacia distintos lugares en Colombia. No se que tan economicos sean, es mejor averiguar alla mismo. Dependiendo de su ruta, tal vez sea mejor ir en avion....

Buena suerte

busses are the way to go. You will need to go through maracaibo, as #1 explains. if possible, don t stay in maracaibo, as it s a terrible place. The bus ride to the border has many military stops, with unfriendly soldiers, but is okay. Once in colombia, stop at santa marta, and visit the national park !

If you are in Caracas, take the bus that goes directly to Rioacha - Santa Marta - Cartagena: http://www.expresobrasilia.com (From "Terminal del Oriente")

It leaves at 7 p.m. All other buses will only take you to Maracaibo. Once in Maracaibo, you will have to take a shared taxi to Colombia (Macaio) from the bus terminal in Maracaibo. I did this on my own and I can not recommend this. We had to stop ten times to bribe the officers and the driver seemed to be sleeping.

And don't miss Rioacha: form there you take a tour to visit Cabo de la vela. (You are going through Rioacha anyway when heading to Santa Marta.)

Suerte

Ceresole, I checked the expresobrasilia.com link to see if these buses stop in Maracaibo to avoid what you've described. There's nothing that suggest they do although the LP Colombia guidebook says this line, Expresos Amerlujo and Unitransco/Bus Ven. all run between Cartagena and Caracas, making stops in Maracaibo, Santa Marta and Barranquilla.

So is this part of the "bogus" information? Anyone verify if there is direct bus service between Santa Marta and Maracaibo, without having to take a taxi from the border and getting hassled along the way?

in 2005 i took expresos amerlujo the opposite way from santa marta...i got off in maracaibo but it continured on to caracas...it was a nice bus

..maracaibo was a hot place but i liked it for a couple of days

the expreso amerlujo didn't have a station in maracaibo...it dropped me off in fron of hotel shariff...not centrally located but a 3 star hotel for 15us...10 minute taxi ride to center

the cost & time from santa marta was $25us & 7 hours..april 05

Gracias germuno. I've got almost a month on Colombia's northern coast for this summer, but wouldn't mind a quick revisit to Maracaibo if direct buses are running. Spent four days there a few years back and had a great time; HOT in more ways than one.

Thank you very much for the info!!!

I can't wait to go to Colombia!!

Regards,

Elisabet