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Getting Around

Bus The bus system is used by German tour operators for their walking groups- and in a country where manana rules its buses are frequent, numerous and on time, despite being driven by Venezuelans more at home on mountain passes on the Andes, as sometimes their mountain driving suggests. (the local word for buses ‘guagua’ is of Venezuelan origin). Tickets are cheap and discounts available through Bono cards available in kiosks near main bus stops.

The rather unfortunately named bus company Titsa has an up to date web site www.titsa.com through travel arrangements can be planned with absolute confidence

Walking is amazing, from mountain moonscapes, to beach and headland, woodland meadows and tranquil pine forests. Everywhere there are picnic areas with stone BBQ stations for public use- a great way to get to know the locals who will invariably share their wine and food with you.

Car all the main car rental companies are present as well as many local concerns. Our experience with the latter has always been good particularly in regard to price but also in terms of service with breakdowns sorted out quickly and efficiently.

Taxi an important source of local employment with a great many owner drivers and not especially expensive although in the tourist areas its best to check prices before venturing out as they can vary. Some rich people run fleets of cars particularly out of the airport but in the villages taxis provide a relaxed form of local employment (they all seem to drive Mercs and the prosperity of the individual business can be seen in the age of the mercedes being driven- in Arafo they are approaching antique status.

Ferry There are a number of ferry companies linking to the other islands and they offer a refreshing perspective both in terms of the boat trip itself and the pleasures the other islands have to offer. You should perhaps consider that the fast ferries, cutting a few minutes from your trip have been associated with decapitation of the great sperm whales which have no way of hearing them approach = it wouldn’t harm to take a slower more tranquil trip if only to ready you for the slackening in the pace of life on the smaller islands.

Airline Binter Airlines run cheap flights between the islands on small planes and gives a feeling of a particularly old fashioned way of traveling- nice!