VENEZUELA

Internet access is now available in Caracas on the main floor of the Fairmont Building at Plaza Venezuela, right next to Torre Phelps -the LP guide states that there weren't any at the time of printing). It is located about 2 blocks from metro Plaza Venezuela. The office is just behind the Fairmont Travel Agency and offer internet accessing half-hour increments.
Erika Cordes (Nov 98)

The correct address for a new Internet Cafe near the Sabana Grande area - in the Fairmont Building, Plaza Venezuela, Caracas is Internet Solution Center, Main Level, Torre Capriles, Plaza Veneauela, Caracas.
Aineco (Feb 99)

The best and cheapest mosquito nets in Caracas are available in Altamira in Marumen Store.
Around Merida/Jalí: From the Chorrera de los Gonzãlez waterfalls you can do the 6 km hike to La Mesa and catch the por puesto back to Merida from there, it's a quiet side road from the main road to Jalií there is a sign and the walk offers oranges, the smell of farming and great mountain scenery.
Gitte Norgaard - Den - (Dec 99)

Airport departure tax is now a whopping US$29
Andy King - UK (Sept 98)

The airport tax is now $29 US dollars and for some airlines only cash is accepted so be prepared to pay the tax.
Anita Hoback (Sept 98)

In Merida, the teleferico is indeed running again, for US$15 roundtrip. However the top section of the cable was not in working order, so you only went as high as the 4th section. Incredibly, incredibly worth it. You can actually go up to that level with your backpacking gear, get out and hike around for as many days as your food permits, and take the cable car back down whenever you wish. As we did not do this, I do not know if there is any place to get water; but it is so beautiful up there that I would recommend backpackers do this at least for one night.
Diana Humple - US (July 98)

A highly popular destination since it opened up in October 1998, Sambil Mall is alwyas crowded with Venezuelans. I have been told that it is the largest shopping Mall in Latin America. It has five levels, plus two parking levels and two cinemas. It also has a number of banks and ATM amchines, although long lines form for the ATM machines at night. There are no Venezuelan gift shops in Sambil Mall. Hence, tourists from other countries should not expect to find that "perfect" Venezuelan gift to take home to family or friends. What you can find at Sambil is a huge crowd of trandy Venezuelans shopping in European and American fashion stores anf a food court with on of the largest and nicest balconies in Caracas from which you can enjoy quite a view at night.
Richard Washburn Wherry (Jan 99)

Internet access is now available in Caracas on the main floor of the Fairmont Building at Plaza Venezuela, right next to Torre Phelps - the LP guide states that there weren't any at the time of printing). It is located about 2 blocks from metro Plaza Venezuela. The office is just behind the Fairmont Travel Agency and offer internet accessin half-hour increments.
Erika Cordes (Nov 98)

We spent three days at the Campamento Arekuna, the camp is run by LTA , which has very good service and good catering. It is situated directly at the river Caroni, surrounded by rainforest at the border to national park Canaima (you do not have to apy a fee for it). The only way to get there is by plane which lands on a runway which is not sealed. The camp is built on a hill and consists of 15 small houses and a restaurant on top of the hill (which has an outspreading view of the river).
The houses are built of stone and wood, with a roof of palm and windows (most of them also giving a view of the river) replaced through mosquito nets. The houses are divided in two rooms which have the capacity to host at most 4 guests (3 beds and one hammock, but most of the time there are only two persons per room. Food and non-alcoholic drinks are all inclusive since you do not have another possibility to get something to eat/drink. Breakfast and dinner are arranged in a buffet and your guides will serve you. Food is excellent and there is always enough for all.
Trips are also included in prices. For a 3-day and 3 night stay you will have the possibility for the following trips (depending on weather and sason): A small walk to a "mirador" in the morning (after arrival), from where you have an excellent look over the surrounding rainforest and some "tepuis". A walk through the rainforest in the afternoon, where the guide explains all the plants and animals you see along the way. The next day you will have the possibility to see the "Las Babas" waterfalls, which are not very high, but very impressive. You can also see some petroglyphs on the rocks near the river. You will also have the chance to take a bath and relax at the white beaches of river Caroni. Another day you can make a trip (2 hours walk from where the boat lets you off) to the foot of the "Nonoy tepui", where you can see a waterfall drop down from the tepui. Before leaving the camp you can visit an Indinn settlement early in the morning before the plane picks you up for Canaima. For more information about LTA trips and exact prices you can visit the website at http://www.tuy.com/Aeroty.htm.
Gabriele Schindl - Austria (Sept 98)

The Canaima national park is a stunningly beautiful place, with fabulous waterfall, lakes, waterways and beautiful mountain backdrops. It is possible to visit the house of Jimmy Angel, who discovered Angel Falls, whilst there you can have a meal of corn-fed chicken cooked out doors which I can only describe as possibly the most memorable meal I have ever had anywhere in the world. Angel Falls is difficult to see in all it's glory, in the wet season it is covered in clouds, in the dry season (when we went) it is barely a trickle, let alone a waterfall. Be prepared for a disappointment although the scenery is spectacular especially the Devil's Valley.
David Edwards - UK (July 98)