It is the capital of the State of Zulia, (Venezuela) and head of the municipality of Maracaibo. After the capital Caracas, it is the second largest city in Venezuela. Maracaibo has a very dynamic economy being the capital of one of the most important economic regions of the nation, Zulia, where most of the oil produced in Venezuela is extracted.

Maracaibo has a population of approximately 2,928,043 inhabitants (INE 2007 Municipality of Maracaibo). The city of Maracaibo is located in the western part of the country, on land of alluvial origin within the depression of Lake Maracaibo on the north-west bank of Maracaibo. Its metropolitan area, including part of the San Francisco Municipality covers about 557 km², and has a population of 3,835,494 to 402 million (approx. Metropolitan Area), according to estimates of the National Institute of Statistics for the year 2007

Maracaibo Bridge.

By boat

• Port of Maracaibo: Its location allows easy access to the markets of Andean, Caribbean, Atlantic Ocean and Panama Canal countries, South United States and Central America.

On airplane

• Aeropostal, Aserca Airlines, Avior, Láser, Venezolana and Conviasa have frequent flights from the main cities of the country with the International Airport of La Chinita de Maracaibo.

• American Airlines flies daily to and from Miami (about 3 hours).

• Copa Airlines flies daily to Panama City, with connections to other Latin American and US cities from Tocumen Airport (Hub of the Americas).

• Insel Air operates daily flights to Curacao Island and Aruba.

• Venezuelan also operates international flights to Panama and Aruba Island.

On Bus

Maracaibo is the point of arrival in Venezuela if you take the most direct route from Santa Marta in Colombia. At night, buses go to/from Caracas, San Cristóbal and Mérida, all around Bs.F 30-35. The cheap bus to Merida costs only Bs.F 18, but it is much less comfortable.

There are private bus companies going to other cities in Venezuela:

• Executive Aeroespresses C.A. [1], Av. 15 with 90th Street (Distributor Las Delicias). Phone: (0261) 7830620 - 7830732 - 7830987
• Western Express C.A.[2], 17A Avenue, Los Haticos, next to Las Playitas Shopping Center. Phone: 0261-7225742
• Rodovias from Venezuela C.A. [3], Av. 17 Los Haticos, La Chinita Passenger Terminal, hallway #1. Phone: 0261-7230,203

By car

Lara-Zulia Highway, Falcon-Zulia Highway, Bridge over Rafael Urdaneta Lake General

By taxi

This service is generally cheaper in the city of Maracaibo than in other Venezuelan cities including Caracas due to the high supply and reduced demand. ALWAYS use a line taxi, either by ordering it directly through a phone or by walking to a taxi stand. NEVER take a taxi from the street, no matter how "trustworthy" it may seem. Most companies in Maracaibo city help tourists in search of a taxi so don't be afraid to ask at a McDonalds or another store to locate one.

By bus

You should be aware that boarding is very common on bus routes. If you can afford it, take a taxi. If you can't, use common sense, don't wear watches, chains or anything that might incite thieves. You can also use the trolleys per post, which are 5-position vehicles, which cover the vast majority of city routes. Some lines work 24 Hours (Clean, Beautiful Vista, San Francisco, Veritas, Polar) It costs 3.5 Bs (Short Passage) and 5 Bs (Long Passage)They are a great option to meet locals

A foot

Maracaibo has a good design and sidewalks, you should be cautious if you walk during the day due to extreme heat and solar radiation. Extreme caution should be taken if you walk overnight, it is advisable to take other forms of transport, if possible.

Carabobo street in the Saladillo de Maracaibo.

Basilica of Ntra. Mrs. Chiquinquirá.

Maracaibo has a nice, but sterile center, which they try to match the elegant European style of parks - but not very successfully.

• Rafael Urdaneta Bridge. Also known as the bridge over the lake was built in 1957, it is recognized as one of the most impressive buildings in Venezuela.
• Basilica of Our Lady of Chiquinquirá. It is located in the center of Maracaibo dedicated to the appearance of the Virgin Mary to an indigenous in the Venezuelan colonial era.
• Palafitos in Santa Rosa de Agua. In the north of Maracaibo, these dwellings are created by Venezuelan natives over the waters. They're made of palm and wax.
• Government Palace, seat of the Regional Government, 95th Street Venezuela, opposite Plaza Bolívar, center of the city.
• Legislative Palace. It was built at the end of the 18th century. It was rebuilt in 1888 with a Renaissance-style Doria façade and declared National Heritage in 1986.
• Plaza Bolívar. In 1867, the Pyramid Square was demolished, to place there a statue of the liberator made of marble, being considered the first monument to be erected in a public square. The Equestrian Statue of the Liberator was solemnly inaugurated on 1 January 1905.
• House of Morales: It is the only colonial civil-type construction that preserves the city. It was built at the end of the 17th century. Its historical value is that it signed the capitulation treaty that ended Spanish power in Venezuela. It is currently the headquarters of the Academy of History of Zulia and the Bolivarian Society, as well as the House of Poetry, an institution that is responsible for promoting literature, which also serves as a meeting point for writers and poets from the region.
• Baralt Square. It is the traditional center of the city, initially known as "Plazuela de El Convento", then "Plaza de la Convention" and it was in 1883 that the first stone of the statue of the illustrious Rafael María Baralt was placed, who was a historian, philosopher, poet, critic, essayist and diplomat.
• Building Subheadquarters Central Bank of Venezuela. Located opposite Plaza Bolívar. The Subheadquarters of the Central Bank of Venezuela of Maracaibo was opened in March 1976 and its activities began on 3 January 1977, the Maracaibo Subheadquarters of the Central Bank of Venezuela, a representative organization of the Institute in the western region of the country.
• Flag Square.
• Republic Square.
• Plaza de las Madres: Located in the paradise sector, it opened in 1952.
• Chinita monument.
• Maracaibo Monumental Bullring.

Do

• Try local cuisine, in places like:
  • CHOPS: On Avenue 10 with 66A Street and 72nd Street between Avenidas 8 and 9, with its famous tequeños and ducks.
  • Arepas Casimiro: On Cecilio Acosta avenue, they sell the best pernil arepas of the city.
  • Arepas San Benito: In Santa Rita, known for its famous "frog's guita" (water frog), this is what the juice comes out when "pernil" is roasted ", pernil" = roasted pork) arepas .
  • Frank Caches: On Av 72 with Delicias, famous for its delicious tapas.
  • Pipo cakes: There are several branches (1st of May - La Victoria - Av. Universidad - Av.15 Sierra Maestra - Av 18, San Francisco - C. 2 - Los Plataneros), here you can taste typical Marabino breakfasts such as tequeños, mandocas, yoyos, cakes.
• Walk in the afternoon / night on the Vereda del Lago, a large park along the lakeside, located on El Milagro Avenue.

Activities

• Southern Park: Zoo, located at Kilometer 10 1/2 via La Cañada, next to the Model Brewery of Maracaibo (POLAR). It has an area of approximately 40 ha
• The lakeside (Old Paseo del Lago): the city's most important park, which has ample outdoor spaces, hiking, parking, bathing, police surveillance, sports facilities and a new rental area. Inside the Vereda you will find the Aguamania Water Park with swimming pools, water slides and an artificial river.

On Christmas Eve, November, Bella Vista Avenue is spectacularly and surprisingly decorated and lit. And that's how it's done in "Light-On on Bella Vista Avenue," this in the framework of the Chinita Fair.

• SAMBIL Maracaibo. Goajira Avenue. With A/C, security and parking. It has several national banks that operate out of time. A food fair included (but not limited to): McDonald's, Church's Chicken, Markhaba Express, Burger King, Subway, Cinnabon, Mr. Pretzel and TGI Friday's. The largest cinema in Venezuela with 13 screening rooms. And clothing stores include: Zara and Armani.
• Lake Mall. On Milagro Avenue, next to Hotel del Lago. A/C, Parking and security. It has several banks, jewelry shops and a food fair included (but not limited to): McDonalds, Wendy's, Panda Express and CHOPS. There is also a cinema with 4 screening rooms.
• Doral Mall. Located on Armed Forces Avenue, it has A/C, security and pay parking, with a cinema and food fair.
• Mall Galleries. Located in the Clean, it has A/C, pay parking and some security. It has a cinema, ice skating ring and a food fair. Be careful when visiting this shopping center, as it is located next to a 'red zone'.
• COSTA VERDE Mall. Located on the corner of Av. 4 (Bella Vista) and 67th Street (Cecilio Acosta), in the heart of the "commercial life" of Maracaibo. It does not fall into the category of "mall" (enclosed buildings and light-structure buildings), as it is a building designed and created to last for time. And, despite all its commercial premises having integral air conditioning, this innovative shopping center is the only one in the west of the country whose common areas enjoy lush and lush natural tropical vegetation in the open, which gives both its guests and guests the freshness of the environment of the region due to its partial roofing with a revolutionary structure (the first of its kind in the city). It has an elevator, escalators and a deep and comfortable system of walking, squares, corridors, pedestrian stairs, fountains and waterfalls. Its shops include a supermarket, banks and ATMs, restaurants and fast food franchises, a large gambling hall with electronic casino, bingo room and slot machines; a vehicle dealership with its own maintenance workshop; various shops with the latest in state-of-the-art technology (several of which offer Wi-Fi Internet connection); there are many decorative venues, fashion boutiques with clothes, footwear, jewelry and jewelry for all ages; bookstores and bookstores; communications center; public service payment and claim centers; beauty salons, manicure and pedicure rooms; its nightlife is also well-known for its bars and nightclubs, all of which have a wide range of atmospheres and for most tastes; it also has security and safety, as well as large parking spaces (the first 15 minutes are free) on virtually all levels.
• Center. (Las Playitas, Callejón de los Pobres, Las Pulgas) If you want to know the most typical of the city you have to know its center, ...this is the essence, you can walk through its crowded streets of Buhoneros (informal sellers) that offer incredible prices in clothes, shoes, perfumes, accessories and various items both wholesale and retail. Almost all public transport routes reach the center and also the Metro Line 1 of Maracaibo, which has a station in front of the Playitas Market, is in operation. It is recommended that you visit it during the day, as it is very lonely at night and there are many homeless people. you can also wear comfortable shoes and moisturize yourself as the temperature is quite high.

• My Vaquita. The best meat house in the city of Maracaibo, very popular. Located on 5th Street in July.
• Angus Grill . A large steak house with large cuts and other dishes. Av.13 with 69th Street A.
• My Ternerite. Also a steak house located on the Aventura Mall, and now has a new location on the Armed Forces Avenue
• Juana's Budare. A little bistro in Santa Rita. Close to Hotel Kristoff. Open 24/7
• Da Vinci. Italian cuisine, located on 11th Avenue near 5th July Salon Canton. Cantonese and oriental cuisine. Located on Avenue 9 and 71st Street.

• Caribbean Concert. Located on Carabobo Street
• Zeta bar. Located in Bella Vista behind the Governor's Mansion. He shares the block with other bars.
• H2O. Next to Zeta Bar in Bella Vista.
• You're with Te. More than a combination of restaurant and bar. Next to the Zeta Bar.

Economic

• Union Hotel. 84th Street - 60th Street F 25. ($11) double per night.

Medium

• Maracaibo Suites. Tel: 0261 783-4533. Approximately Bs.F 80 ($35) one night in a room. Very good service.

• Grand Hotel Delicias. Tel: 0261 797-6111. Bs.F 72 ($30) one room.

• Airport Hotel. Tel: 0261 787-5881. Quite a good middle class option with a swimming pool, rooms have a / c. Not very close to the airport or the center of the city of Maracaibo.

Derroche

• Crowne Plaza Maruma Maracaibo. Tel: 0261 730-2700. Av Circumvalation 2, Industrial Zone. Announced as a 5-star business hotel, the rooms are completely refurbished, with luxurious lobby, and within walking distance of the city center.

• Hotel del Lago Venetur. Tel: 0261 792-4422. Avenida 2, El Milagro. An aging 5 star hotel, much more central.

• Kristoff [4]. Tel: 0261 796-1000. Av 8 (Santa Rita) and 69th Street, Maracaibo. Quite expensive.

• Maracaibo Cumberland [5]. Tel: 0261 722-2224, 86-A Street, between Av Santa Rita and Bella Vista. Another expensive option.

• Interlingua, C.A. If you're looking for a course in Fair Languages of English, Spanish, Arabic, French and Italian in Maracaibo, Estado Zulia Venezuela Interlingua, C.A. Institute of English and Other Languages is one of the best Institute of Language in Venezuela