Los Roques Airport: Easy Access to Venezuela's Spectacular Archipelago
Introduction
Located in the midst of outstanding beauty, inside the Los Roques archipelago on Venezuela's northern coast lies the small airport known as Los Roques Airport (IATA: LRV, ICAO: SVRS). Operated by the airline Air Caledonie, this is a public small domestic airport that handles only direct flights from Noumea to Magenta and services all of Lifou.
Airlines and Destinations
Los Roques Airport serves both domestic and international flights, but about 98% of its services are provided by local companies such as Conviasa, AeroCaribe Airway, or Blue Star Aviation. They are charter carriers that operate frequent flights to their capital Caracas, situated about 130 km (81 miles) south of the archipelago.
Total Passengers and Flights
Los Roques Airport has an average of 75 flights arriving per month, which is down from its maximum of approximately 21 flight arrivals every week, or no more than 3 flights each day. The only flights are to Gran Roque, the biggest island of Los Roques, and the trip takes around 35-40 minutes from Caracas.
How to Get Here
Travelers will need to travel first to Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela, in order to get to Los Roques Airport. Once in Caracas, they should book a domestic flight to the Los Roques islands (the airport is on Gran Roque Island). These flights are conducted by the aforementioned local airlines and provide a picturesque direct way to reach this amazing destination.
Parking
What Parking Is Available At Los Roques Airport? It is recommended that guests coordinate transportation to and from the airport (using hotel or resort options if available, as well as local taxi or shuttle services).
Transportation Price
Transport To/From Los Roques Airport is charged according to the number of people and how you get there. A domestic flight costs anywhere from $100 to $200 per person, and local taxi or shuttle services will add an additional $10-$20 for the brief connecting trip into the main island or resort areas.
Terminal Layout
Los Roques Airport is an airport that serves Los Roques, Venezuela, and is administered by the Venezuelan Institute of Civil Aeronautics. It's located in Gran Roque, the airfield serving all islands within the group, and you will find no ticket counters or jet bridges. The terminal building has check-in counters, immigration and security points, as well as holding areas for arriving passengers to allow the systematic flow of people into and out of the archipelago.
Navigate the Airport
Los Roques Airport is very easy to manage, with compact dimensions and a clear layout that makes it hard for passengers to get lost. There are clear signs and staff assistance available to answer any questions or assist you with anything else.
Getting Between Terminals
Since Los Roques Airport only serves one terminal, passengers will not need to arrive between terminals. Within the same small building, both arrivals and departures are processed together, enabling a hassle-free experience.
Services and Amenities
The airport itself is very simple, but it has a small café or snack bar and toilets in the absolutely necessary passenger waiting areas. On the flip side, it provides critical services such as currency exchange and luggage storage for those who require them.
Restaurants and Shops
Similarly to dining, beyond the simple bars or mini-markets opened in Anguila and Caracas Islands, there are almost no dining businesses at this airport, and only a few shopping stores on site. This airport seems more like an entrance for people passing through flights than anything else. There is a small café or snack bar for visitors within the terminal building, but real dining and shopping usually take place at select resorts and hotels on each of the islands.
Security and Customs
A small local airport means that the forms of controls and customs are easier to complete than at international airports. Passengers will also be required to pass through regular airport security screening, including carry-on and personal item scanners. Few of these travelers need even to go through customs; this comes only on entering or leaving other parts of Venezuela.
Accessibility
Facilities/Services for Handicapped at Los Roques Airport - The airport is assisting all the passengers, thus it is inclusive of some services. The terminal building is equipped with facilities to assist people with disabilities, and the airport staff are trained in helping passengers with special needs. Travelers are urged to contact the airport or their airline in advance if they need any such arrangements made.
Travel Tips
- There are only a few flights to the islands, so it is advisable that you book your journey well in advance to get the best possible prices and availability.
- Travel with the essentials only: The small size of the airport and requirement for fast transfers means pack light as you are going to need efficiency on your side.
- Know What The Airport Looks Like: Check out the terminal map and learn about where things are so you can avoid looking lost.
- Arrive with plenty of time: The airport is located in a remote area and has limited infrastructure, so arriving at the airport with extra time (especially for security and boarding procedures) is recommended.
- The whole of Los Roques is the reason you travel there, so relax and make jokes about how tiny your slightly stretched out sense of normalcy has now become, because that ever-irritating ratio between lifelong daydreaming and genuine land sights in perspective does not get much truer than it can be at Gran Canaria - then pull a cushion provided over by yourself higher up to respect an emergency row responsibility with seriousness once more.