Maracaibo

5 de julio Financial Area.

Maracaibo is the capital of Zulia state in Northwest Venezuela, and is the second largest city in the country after Caracas. It has more than 2 million people and it's famous for its typical music, big shopping malls and beautiful parks. It is called "La Primera Ciudad de Venezuela" (The Most Important Venezuelan City) because of its development.

Get in

By plane

• 1 La Chinita International Airport (MAR  ^IATA).  
  • Avior Airlines flies from Bogota and Caracas.
  • Conviasa has frequent flights from Caracas and Porlamar.
  • Copa Airlines flies daily to Panama City with connections to other cities in Latin America and the US.
  • Estelar Latinoamerica and LASER Airlines fly from Caracas.
  • Turpial Airlines flies from Valencia
  • Venezolana flies daily from Caracas and Panama City.

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. The cheap bus to Mérida is much less comfortable.

Get around

Typical street in Maracaibo city.

• 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. Anyone can put a taxi sign on their car (the plastic dome is attached by a couple of elastic strings). Most businesses in Maracaibo will aid a tourist searching for a taxi so don't be afraid to ask in a McDonald's or another shop for help locating one. Hotels have their own taxi services.
• Subway: It's the most modern and secure way to get around in the city. It is a new system so it has only 6 stations that connect the southwest to the center. Libertado station is 200 m north of the bus terminal (but be careful if you walk).
• Bus: 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 heat 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 nice but sterile centre, that they try to posh up with old European styled parks - not very successful.

• 1 Puente General Rafael Urdaneta (Bridge over Lake Maracaibo). Built in 1957 over Lake Maracaibo, is recognized as one of the most impressive buildings in Venezuela. It's also the largest concrete bridge in the world. (updated Oct 2020)
• 2 Basilica de Nuestra Señora de Chiquinquira, Avenida 12 (in downtown Maracaibo), ☏ +58 261 7228639. daily 09ː00-18ː30. dedicated to the apparition of the Virgin Mary to a native Venezuelan in colonial era. (updated Oct 2020)
• 3 Plaza del Rosario de Nuestra Señora de La Chiquinquirá. Various statuary and fountains in this central plaza such that you can relax and appreciate the views. It is bounded by churches such as the basilica and the Santa Barbara church (a sight in itself) and other city buildings and appended with a Plaza Bolivar to the east. But it is not safe to be here after dusk. Has something to do with a Chinese person? (updated Oct 2020)
• 4 Museo Rafael Urdaneta, Calle 90a, ☏ +58 261 7213414. M-F 08ː00-15ː00, Sa 09ː00-13ː00, closed Su. Chronicles history of Maracaibo, supposedly built on the site where a General Rafael Urdaneta was born. free. (updated Oct 2020)
• Palafitos in Santa Rosa de Agua. To the north of Maracaibo, these buildings are created by native Venezuelans on top of the water with wood.
• 5 Santa Lucía. The most beautiful colonial area in the city with a European style and narrow streets. (updated May 2023)
• 6 Calle Carabobo. A street noted for poignant colonial type architecture. (updated Oct 2020)
• 7 Jardín Botánico de Maracaibo, Ave Manuel Belloso 5101, ☏ +58 424 6334148. Th-Su 08ː00-17ː00, closed M-W. The gardens have seen better days somewhat, but you can get away here to explore some botany, especially resplendent with lily pads. Some care for your safety is advised. (updated Oct 2020)
• 8 Casa de la Capitulación, Av 5 & Calle 95, ☏ +58 261 7251194. M-F 09ː00-17ː00, closed Sa Su. Colonia heritage museum for Zulia Province. (updated Oct 2020)
• 9 Baralt Theater, Calle 95, ☏ +58 261 7223878. Historic theater from first half of 19th century. Claimed to be first place a film was shown in South America (or maybe it's just country). Sometimes used for performing arts events. (updated Oct 2020)

Do

• Jog in the late afternoon/night at 1 Vereda del Lago, a big urban park along the lake border, located in El Milagro Ave. One of the meeting places for the population.
• Get in Tranvia, a touristic transport system that takes you around the downtown and tells you the city history. There's also a night trip with several stops in the most famous night clubs. Main station is at Vereda del Lago urban park.
• Changing money. There is a wide gap between the official and black market exchange rates. It is illegal to advertise or publish the parallel rate in Venezuela. This makes converting the prices of goods particularly difficult. 
• 2 Vereda del Lago / Aquamania, Avenida El Milagro, ☏ +58 424 7700727. 06ː00-22ː00 daily. A park next to the lake with a malecon and everything and good security. It contains a waterpark called Aquamania, which is a good way to cool off in this extremely hot city.  

Buy

• 1 Sambil Maracaibo, Ave Goajira. With A/C, security and parking. Has several national banks that operate off-hours. A food court including McDonald's, Church's Chicken, Marhaba 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 Lacoste. (updated May 2023)
• 2 Lago Mall, Milagro Avenue (next to the Hotel del Lago). A/C, parking and security. Has several banks, jewellery stores and a food court including McDonald's, Wendy's, Panda Express and CHOPS. Also has a movie theater with 4 projection rooms. (updated May 2023)
• 3 Doral Center Mall, Ave Fuerzas Armadas. Has A/C, security and paid parking, with a 6-room movie theater and food court. (updated May 2023)
• 4 Galerias Mall (in la Limpia). Has A/C, paid parking and some security. Has an 11 room-movie theater, an ice skating ring and a small food court. Caution should be taken when visiting this mall since it's next to a 'Red zone'. (updated May 2023)
• 5 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. You can also find some famous stores as Oscar De La Renta and a super market. (updated May 2023)
• 6 Mall Delicias Plaza. Has A/C, parking lot and security. It is a luxurious shopping mall in the commercial Delicias Norte avenue. Latin American designers have stores here. (updated May 2023)
• 7 Babilon Centro Sur, C2 Avenue. Has A/C, parking and security. Its principal attraction is the movie theater consider the best one in the city and the Colombian department store Exito. (updated May 2023)

Eat

• Try the local cuisine, places like:
  • 1 Chop's, Ave 10 at 65 St. With their famous tequeños and patacones. (updated May 2023)
  • 2 Arepas Santa Rita, Santa Rita avenue. Sells arepas with an American style. (updated May 2023)
  • 3 Cachapas Frank, 72 Ave with Delicias. Famous for their cachapas. (updated May 2023)
  • 4 Los Dulces de Alicia, Doral Center Mall. Local desserts such as limonson, dulce de leche and on. (updated May 2023)
• 5 Mi Vaquita, 5 July St.. The best steak house in Maracaibo, very popular. (updated May 2023)
• 6 Angus Grill, Av.13 con calle 69-A. A great steak house with great cuts and side dishes. (updated May 2023)
• 7 Mi Ternerita Steakhouse, Fuerzas Armadas avenue. (updated May 2023)
• 8 Da Vinci, 11-Ath Avenue (near 5 July St.). Italian. (updated May 2023)
• 9 Salon Canton, 9th Avenue with 71st.. Cantonese and Oriental cuisine. (updated May 2023)

Drink

• 1 Mi Vaquita. Mi Vaquita is a club on weekends during night. Have to get there early if you want a good table. (updated May 2023)
• Mi Ternerita. The best club in Maracaibo, some say Venezuela. Excellent music, drinks, and ambience. A must go. (updated May 2023)
• 2 El Girasol, Hotel El Paseo, El Milagro. A fantastic spinning restaurant open since 1999. (updated May 2023)

Sleep

Budget

• 1 Hotel Union, 84a calle 4 - 60. US$11 per double per night. (updated May 2023)

Mid-range

• 2 Maracaibo Suites, ☏ +58 261 783-4533. Very good service. US$35 a night a room. 
• 3 Gran Hotel Delicias, ☏ +58 261 797-6111. US$120 a room. 
• 4 Hotel Aeropuerto, ☏ +58 261 787-5881. Fairly good mid-range option with a pool, restaurant, rooms have a/c. Not very close to the airport or to downtown Maracaibo, but 300 m east of El Varillal metro station. 
• 5 Maracaibo Cumberland, Calle 86-A (between Av Santa Rita and Bella Vista), ☏ +58 261 722-2224. Another costly option. 

Splurge

• 6 Crowne Plaza Hotel, Av Circunvalacion 2, Zona Industrial, ☏ +58 261 730-2700. Luxurious 5-star business hotel in the industrial area near the airport. 
• 7 Venetur Hotel Del Lago, Avenida 2, El Milagro, ☏ +58 261 792-4422. An aging 5-star hotel, in a much more central and commercial point. 
• 8 Kristoff (Av 8, (Santa Rita) and Calle 69, Maracaibo), ☏ +58 261 796-1000. Quite costly. 
• 9 InterContinental Maracaibo, Avenida 2 (El Milagro) & Calle 78 (Dr. Portillo) (north end of Vereda del Lago), ☏ +58 261 4125000. Intercontinental has come to Maracaibo. It is said to be LGBT-friendly, and you can look out on Lake Maracaibo, take a swim in the outdoor pool, or try out the delightful bon apetit buffet restaurant and bar. $59. (updated Oct 2020)

Connect

• Free WiFi in:
  • 13 Subway restaurants around the city.
  • 1 Sambil Mall, Guajira Avenue. (updated May 2023)
  • La Chinita International Airport in Manuel Belloso Highway.

Go next

The bus station is 200 m south of Libertador metro station (don't walk at night). There are air-conditioned buses to most cities in Venezuela.

• 1 Laguna Sinamaica (Sinamaica Lagoon)

To Colombia

From the bus terminal, there are old American cars called "por puestos" that will take you to the bus station in Maicao, Colombia (3 hours, from there you can take a bus to anywhere in Colombia). They leave when they fill up. If you want one with air conditioning (recommended), don't mention this but just wait for one that looks a bit newer (otherwise they will want to charge you extra for it and they can be quite aggressive). On the way to the border you will pass through about 10 military or police checkpionts where you have to show your passport. If there are any illegal immigrants in your car, they will have to negotiate a bribe with each of these guards (normally US$2-10 at each checkpoint) and this will add about an hour to the journey. Amerlujo and Expresos Brasilia have direct buses to Colombia but they cost about twice as much as going via Maicao and they leave very early in the morning. Expect to take about 12 hours in total to get from Maracaibo to Cartagena.