Orinoco River-Puerto Ordaz info???

[crzlover]

I will be visiting Venezuela on the Royal Princess on Apr. 2, 2005. One of our ports is Puerto Ordaz, which is near Cuidad Bolivar on the Orinoco River. Does anyone have any info. on this area? There are only 3 shore excusions offered yet we will be in port from 8am-6pm. Is it safe to venture out on your own? Usually just take taxis and do our own thing. Thanks in advance.

[Cococabana]

How did you find it? I am trying to get info for our trip there next month.

[Diver Deb]

We did an Orinoco cruise about 4 years ago on HAL's Rotterdam. Not many ships do this itinerary and it's wonderful going up the river, very remote. Native people will row up to the ship in dugout canoes. We overnighted in Puerto Ordaz, and in the morning hired a driver for the day. There will be many at the dock; the price is very reasonable due to the superlow price of fuel in Venezuela. Speaking Spanish helps! We shared the car with another couple and visited several parks (wild monkeys everywhere), waterfalls, a dam surrounded by beautiful park with Blue Morpho butterflies flitting around, went swimming in the river (water was almost HOT), ate mangos right off the tree, shopped at a supermarket for coffee, fruit & rum...really a great day.