Travel

Fly to Merida in Venezuela, to the El Vigia airport - code VIG (don't go to Merida in Mexico - we won't be there). If anyone finds good options from Europe and other far-flung lands, please let Geoff know - I'll post the information here.

Almost inevitably you'll fly via the CCS airport in Caracas. That airport has an International area (where your flight will land) and a national area where you have to get the flight to get to El Vigia. You can walk from the international to the national airport, and the main recommendation is ... walk inside. Walking outside of the airport can be nice but can be very dangerous too.

Transport from VIG to Merida and back is being arranged by our local organizers. Depending on the number of people arriving together, this will cost about $40 return if we travel in groups - this seems possible because there are not very many commercial flights into VIG. A private taxi between VIG and Merida is about $70 each way. If you want to take advantage of group transfer, please email your flight details to Mariangela and Dania (info@sarao.com.ve) with CC to Geoff (geoff@cs.miami.edu). We will coordinate the transfers.

Accomodation

We are arranging accomodation at the Hotel La Terazza, which is about a 10 minute walk (on "a very steep street" :-) from the university where the conference talks will be held. Mariangela and Dania offer the following rates: Breakfast will be available from 7am each morning.

The easiest way to proceed is to book through Mariangela and Dania, by emailing them (info@sarao.com.ve) your dates and passport number. This should be done sooner rather than later. Payment can be done directly at the hotel with credit card or with BsF cash.

Using Things to Know

Shuttle Buses

The Universidad de Los Andes is providing a shuttle buses between Hotel La Terraza and Facultad de Ingeniería (the conference venue). The shuttles will leave the hotel each morning at 8:45am (9:30am for the IWIL workshop on the 10th), and return at the conclusion of the day's talks. Shuttle buses will also provide the transfers between Facultad de Ingeniería and the Hotel Escuela where lunch will be served. The buses will leave Facultad de Ingeniería at 12:30pm, and return from Hotel Escuela at 2:15pm.

Social Event Buses

There are three social events, and buses will provide the transport. For the reception on Sunday 11th, and the dinner on Thursday 15th, the buses will leave Hotel La Terraza at 7:30pm. For the excursion on Tuesday 13th, the buses will leave Hotel La Terraza at 8:00am.

Currency Exchange

A recommended place to change US$ and Euro into BsF is ITALCAMBIO at Aeropuerto Alberto Carnevali (Urdaneta Urdaneta Avenue). They work from Monday to Friday 8:00-12:00am and 2:00-4:00pm.

Beware the Sunshine

Merida is at almost 1400m above sea level, which means the sun "shines" really brightly. Remember to wear a hat and sunscreen if you're not used to this kind of exposure. This also means that the conference rooms will feel much colder than outside.

Visas

The Venezuelan consulate in Washington has confirmed that we can attend LPAR-18 as tourists. For citizens of the countries listed here, no visa is required. For those who do need to obtain a visa, we can provide you with a letter of support from Prof Jose Aguilar at the Universidad de Los Andes, to help smooth the process. Email Geoff (geoff@cs.miami.edu) if you need a copy.

Anything Else?

If there's anything else you'd like to know, just email Geoff Sutcliffe. We'll find out and post the information here.