Venezuela - Puerto Ordaz and Cana Araguaito

[Cococabana]

Hello everyone - first post on this WONDERFUL site, which I found quite by accident.

I need help! We are off to the mouth of the Orinoco, Venezuela - two ports - see above. (Its a Fred Olsen cruise on the Braemar.) Has ANYONE been there and if so, where there any tour companies that were any good - can't seem to get any info on these ports.

[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.

[Cococabana]

Thanks, Deb! You have reassured me now! I think we may have made contact with someone who will take us on the water. But its good to know we can hire a car and driver instead if we wish. I'm sure it will be the highlight of our cruise.