Maiquetía Simón Bolívar International Airport
Maiquetía, Venezuela

Maiquetía Simón Bolívar International Airport
Venezuela's primary international gateway on the Caribbean coast.
- ›Named after South American independence hero Simón Bolívar.
- ›Located on a narrow coastal strip between the Caribbean Sea and steep Ávila mountain range.
- ›Historically the busiest airport in Venezuela by passenger volume.
- ›Economic and political crises in Venezuela have led to a sharp decline in international airline routes since the mid-2010s.
- ›The airport's IATA code CCS corresponds to Caracas, the nearby capital city it primarily serves.
Maiquetía Simón Bolívar International Airport, opened in 1945 and expanded significantly through subsequent decades, serves as Venezuela's primary international hub located on a narrow coastal strip between the Caribbean Sea and the Ávila mountain range. Named after the South American liberator Simón Bolívar, it handles the vast majority of the country's international air traffic connecting Caracas to the world. Despite economic challenges affecting Venezuela in recent years, the airport remains the critical entry and exit point for the nation.
- International Terminal — Handles all international arrivals and departures with customs, immigration, and duty-free facilities.
- Domestic Terminal — Serves flights to Venezuelan cities including Maracaibo, Valencia, and Maturín with separate check-in halls.
- Taxi services from the official airport taxi rank (pre-booking strongly advised for safety)
- Private transfer services arranged through hotels or trusted operators
- Car rental desks available at the terminal (limited options)
- Informal shared minivan transfers toward Caracas city center
- Hotel Maiquetía
- Hotel Caribe
- Eurobuilding Hotel & Suites Caracas (in the city)
- Hotel Alba Caracas
Food options inside the airport are modest, with a limited number of cafeterias and snack counters in both terminals offering Venezuelan staples such as arepas, empanadas, and coffee. Availability and quality can vary significantly depending on supply conditions at any given time. Travelers are advised to carry snacks and local currency for small purchases, as card payment infrastructure can be unreliable.
- Exchange currency before arriving if possible, as airport exchange services can be limited or offer unfavorable rates.
- Use only official, pre-arranged taxi services or hotel pickups — do not accept rides from unlicensed operators outside the terminal.
- Allow extra time for check-in and security procedures, as queues can be lengthy and processes slower than international norms.
- Keep valuables secure and be aware of your surroundings in the airport area, as security conditions around Maiquetía require heightened personal vigilance.
AI-assisted overview, verified against public sources.
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