Ciudad Bolívar

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Ciudad Bolívar is in Bolívar state in Venezuela.

[edit] Understand

Ciudad Bolívar is located on the banks of the Orinoco River. It is named after Simon Bolívar, Venezuela's Independence hero. It is a frequent stopoff point on visit to Angel Falls and is a good place to find tour companies to take you there.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

From Maiquetia there are regular flights with Rutaca [1]

[edit] By car

It's a long drive to Ciudad Bolivar but nonetheless the city is well-served by route 16 northeast to Anzoátegui and a fast highway to Puerto Ordaz and Ciudad Guayana.

[edit] By bus

There are buses from several cities including Caracas, Maracay, and Barinas (11 hours).

[edit] Get around

If walking is not an option the best way to get around in the city is by taxi. Taxis are cheap in Venezuela. At night call for a taxi as it can be hard to find one on the streets.

[edit][add listing] See

  • A fairly decent colonial town center, worth a wander.
  • Casa San Isidro. This is the house where Simon Bolivar stayed during the Congress of Angostura. With a lush tropical garden. Entrance free. edit
  • The impressive colonial era Cathedral is on the northeastern side of Plaza Bolívar. The construction dates from 1771 but was not completed until 1840. The cathedral is now fully restored to its original glory.
  • Jesús Soto Modern Art Museum, Avenida Germania, Ciudad Bolivar (between the old and new town centers). Tue-Fri 9:30-5:30; Sa-Su and holidays 10AM-5PM, closed Mon. World-renowned Venezuelan plastic art sculptor Soto has some of his best works on display alongside other modern artists in a fine museum and garden setting laid out by Venezuela's top architect, Carlos Raúl Villanueva, designer of the Central University in Caracas which is now a UN World Heritage Site. edit

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit] Work

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit] Budget

[edit] Mid-range

[edit] Splurge

[edit][add listing] Drink

After 7pm everthing closes down in the city center.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

  • Posada Amor Patrio (Behind the cathedral). Five tastfully decorated rooms with fan, shared bathroom and shared kitchen. If the rooms are full you can grab a hammock upstairs with view on the Orinoco River. Bs. 35,000 (11 US$) for a three person room.  edit
  • Posada Don Carlos, Calle Boyacá (con Amor Patrio), ☎ 0058-285-6326017 (cel. 0058-414-8546616 or 0058-414-8569788) (), [2]. Located in an old mansion. Shared kitchen. A double room is Bs. 40,000 (19 US$) and a hammock Bs. 25,000 (10 US$).  edit
  • Posada Doña Carol, Calle Libertad 28, Casco Historico, ☎ 0416 1298186, [3]. A slightly more basic option but still with comfortable rooms. Bs. 40,000 (19 US$) for a double room and Bs. 10,000 (5 US$) for a hammock.  edit
  • Posada La Casita, ☎ +58-414-8545146 (), [4]. They offer free shuttles from/to the city. Prices in June 2007: single room Bs. 50,000; double Bs. 65,000; triple Bs. 75,000; cuadruple Bs. 85,000; tent Bs. 10,000 per person; hammock Bs. 18,000; breakfast Bs. 12000; dinner (meat/fish) Bs. 23,000..  edit

[edit] Mid-range

  • Universo Gran Hotel, Av República and Paseo Gáspari (Near the bus terminal), ☎ 0285 6543732, 6543276.  edit

[edit] Splurge

  • Hotel Laja Real, Ave Andres Bello, Con Calle Jesus Soti (Right opposite the airport). An upmarket option with a lovely swimming pool, but the rooms can be noisy, especially at weekends. edit

[edit] Contact

[edit] Stay safe

After sunset the city center turns deserted. Try to avoid moving around after 8pm. The Paseo Orinoco is said to be infamous for muggings at night.

[edit] Cope

[edit] Get out

  • Ciudad Bolivar is the departure point for tours to Canaima and Angel Falls.
  • Tours up the Rio Caura, a tributary of the Orinoco, can also be arranged from here, where you can see some impressive wildlife and waterfalls. A 5-day tour with Soana Travel (office at Calle Bolivar and Calle Dalla Costa) costs $300.

[edit] Bus

If you want to go to Mérida take a bus to either Maracay (Several a day) or Barinas (twice daily) and take a connection from there to Merida. Try to avoid the less safe terminal in Valencia

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