Frequently asked questions

Below you will find a list with typical questions and doubts that our prospective students usually have. You can contact us always at info@cela-ve.com for any information that you might need.

What is the best way for going to Margarita Island?

Where can I go if I have to spend the night close to the Airport in Maiquetia?

What if I miss my flight?

What is the best accommodation option for me?

What is the student average age at CELA?

If my host family and I do not fit together can I change accommodation?

How will I find the way to school the first day?

How can I find the most suitable course for me?

Does it make sense to take the Spanish course abroad if I have absolutely no Spanish knowledge?

What do I need for registering at CELA?

Money and payment

What do I have to bring with me for my travel?

Should I bring a gift for my host family?

Do I need any kind of vaccinations?

Do I need a visa for visiting Venezuela?

What about safety on Margarita Island?

How does the current political situation affect the life on the Island?

What is the best way for going to Margarita Island?

The destination airport on Margarita Island is Porlamar. There are a few charter airlines which fly directly to the Island, like Martinair from Amsterdam and Condor from many German cities. You can also fly with any regular airline to the Caracas airport (Maiquetía)  and then take a domestic flight from Caracas to Porlamar; there are more than 10 daily flights between Caracas and Porlamar. It is not dangerous to fly via Caracas. The airport there is in Maiquetia, 45 minutes by car from the capital. If you need help for a flight reservation Caracas-Porlamar, please contact the school administration.

For taking a domestic flight you have to change from the international to the national terminal, at the same airport. Both terminals are at close quarters, a 5 minute walk. If you would like to be picked up from the airport in Porlamar, please contact the school for arranging the transfer.

There is also a Ferry boat to Margarita Island from Puerto La Cruz, but we do not recommend travel by land because the travel from Caracas to Puerto La Cruz is 5 hours and the ferry between 2 and 4 hours depending on the type of Ferry boat that you choose.

Where can I go if I have to spend the night close to the Airport in Maiquetia?

The last flight to the island leaves at 19.30 with Aeropostal, flight VH 312; if your international flight arrives after 18.30 you will probably have to stay overnight close to the airport for taking the next flight in the morning. It is not necessary to go to Caracas and stay there. The taxi would cost you more or less US$ 20 and hotels in the capital are expensive. The tourist office at the airport can recommend you a hotel close to the airport, or you can go to the Hotel La Parada in Avenida Atlantida, Catia La Mar, or Posada Hidalgo in Macuto, they have rooms available and the prices are reasonable. If you would like we can make a reservation for you. Please take an official taxi, (big black SUVs). It is advisable to change little money (not more than 50 $, only what you will need for the taxi and hotel) so you can pay in national currency.

What if I miss my flight?

If you have a reservation for a domestic flight and you miss it, you can take the next one if there is place available. You can reach the school personell by cell phone at 0412 353 31 24

What is the best accommodation option for me?

Most of our students prefer the accommodation in a host family because it offers many possibilities for using the Spanish language and learn about customs and the Venezuelan culture. Our families are very friendly and respect the privacy of their guests; you will get your own key and you will have a private room and bathroom. All the families live within walking distance from school. There are also apartments and hotel rooms available, the prices vary according to the category and the location of the accommodation, you can calculate between 40 and 60 US$ per night. If you would prefer to stay by your own, you can contact the school to receive some recommendations.

What is the student average age at CELA?

CELA is a small school with familiar atmosphere, our groups are small, and we have a capacity for 36 students total at school, most of the time we have between 12 and 16 students in total in different courses. The age is between 20 and 50, sometimes we have also older or younger students. Students feel mostly comfortable together at school and make wonderful new friendships also between people of completely different ages. You will have the chance to share time with people that you probably would never have met by yourself.

If my host family and I do not fit together can I change accommodation?

The school was founded 1997 and since that time our families have been the same. They are very open and friendly and used to have foreign guests. Only in a few cases we had to change students to another family. If you would prefer to change accommodation after a few days, please tell the school administration, it is absolutely no problem neither for us nor the family.

How will I find the way to school the first day?

If you have used the transportation service from the school, the driver will have given you a map of the zone and other important information. If you are staying with a family they will show you the way to school the first day. In any other cases you will find the school address on our web page or you can contact the school personnel by cell phone at 0412 353 31 24.

How can I find the most suitable course for me?

If you already have Spanish knowledge, we recommend taking the level tests that you will find in our web page under http://cela-ve.com/moodle

It will help us to place you in the right course from the first day on.

Does it make sense to take the Spanish course abroad if I have absolutely no Spanish knowledge?

Our beginner course is developed for students with absolutely no Spanish knowledge. Because the group courses at CELA are small (max. 6 students) and the lessons intensive from 8.30 am to 1.00 pm from Monday to Friday, the progress in the language is very fast. If you chose in addition the accommodation in a family, you will have a good Spanish communication level after 3 or 4 weeks. For beginners we recommend to take in consideration the starting dates of the courses that you will find on our main page http://cela-ve.com/

What do I need for registering for CELA?

On our main page http://cela-ve.com

 you will find the registration form, just fill it in with your dates and use the comments line for any information or questions that you have for us. You will receive an automatic answer within. 48 hours (except on weekend) We will get back to you with information about the availability of the desired course and/or accommodation, if everything is available it is not necessary that we send you another confirmation. If you need to cancel your course for any reason, please do it as soon as possible so we can offer places to other interested people.

Money and payment:

For paying for your courses and accommodation please ask the school administration for information after registration. For your personal expenses while you are traveling in Venezuela we recommend to bring along US$ in travelers cheques and some dollars in cash. You will get a better exchange rate for it in the exchange offices. It is not recommendable to use your credit card, or bring Euros with you. Do not exchange money with strange people, do it only in the official places .

What do I have to bring with me for my travel?

The weather on the Island is always tropical (warm); it does not vary much during the year. You will not need many clothes. You can use your beach clothes to come to school, because anyways 3 times a week after lessons the school offers for all students excursions to the most beautiful places on the island, mostly beaches. To have a rain protection you can bring with you a rain coat (it does not rain often) The family does not offer laundry service, but there are many laundries close to the school and the families.

Should I bring a gift for my host family?

It is not necessary to bring any gifts for the family, but it would be a nice gesture. They are very happy about any little thing that is typical from your country that you can bring with you.

Do I need any kind of vaccinations?

You do not need any kind of vaccinations for Venezuela, but we recommend generally taking the hepatitis vaccination if you do not have it yet.

Do I need a visa for visiting Venezuela?

If you are European or USA citizen you do not need a visa for coming to Venezuela as a tourist. In the plane you will receive a form that you have to complete and give to the immigration. You have to keep the green copy, it is your visa for max. 3 months.

What about safety on Margarita Island?

Margarita Island is much safer than most Latin American places and cities, however , because of the increase of unemployment and poverty, it is necessary to take some normal security measures. For example, do not walk alone at streets at night and take a taxi if you are planning to go out at nights (taxis are not expensive on the island) and do not speak or take home with you people that you have just met.

How does the current political situation affect life on the Island?

During the last years Venezuela experienced some political changes that have contributed to a stronger political conscience of the population. In the past years Venezuela never had demonstrations on the streets or general strikes. Unfortunately the political and economical problems have reached also Venezuela. However, most of the demonstrations occur in some parts of Caracas, the capital, and in other important big cities. The demonstrations are not dangerous for people that do not participate in them and are far from the demonstration areas.

Margarita Island is not affected by any political problem, life is quiet and typical for a tourism zone. If you are coming to the island via Caracas, it is also safe because the airport is far from the capital.

Please do not hesitate to contact the school administration if you have any questions or doubts at info@cela-ve.com