Coche Tips and Facts

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ARE YOU READY FOR A VACATION IN COCHE? 

BELOW ARE LOADS OF DETAILS THAT YOU'LL WANT TO KNOW IN ORDER TO HELP MAKE FOR A SMOOTH VACATION EXPERIENCE. MAIN TOPICS INCLUDE:

WHAT TO BRING
GENERAL INFO
AIRPORT TAXI/TRANSFER SERVICE
HOTEL CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT
VELA WINDSURF CENTER
VELA WINDSURF LESSONS
DARE2FLY KITESURF LESSONS
BEFORE RETURNING HOME

WHAT TO BRING 

It's always nice to pack light, but there are a few things we don't want you to forget. To avoid the possibility of lost luggage, we recommend that you carry-on your luggage whenever possible, particularly important items. Here is our list of things to bring:

- A current passport IS REQUIRED for all guests from the US and Canada, regardless of age. ***PASSPORT MUST BE VALID FOR AT LEAST 6 MONTHS AFTER ARRIVAL DATE*** (guests from other countries should check with their airline or consulate)
- A printout of your email invoice confirming full payment and this Tips & Facts webpage.
- Harness, lycra, vest or shorty wetsuit, booties, gloves. Leave your wetsuit at home!
- Sunglasses and chums, a visor or hat.
- High SPF (25+) waterproof sunscreen lotion (oil makes board slippery)
- PFD and/or helmet (if desired) Even your GPS or helmet-cam!
- Warm sweater or jacket for evenings plus light windbreaker.
- Extra spending money (see "Currency/credit cards" below)
- Paperback books for flights and evenings (PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE YOUR READING MATERIALS ON THE PLANE, THE STAFF GREATLY APPRECIATES NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES)
- Ball-point pen, helpful for any airport forms, customs declarations, etc.)
- Mosquito repellent or Avon Skin-So-Soft oil.
- Beach towel.
- Daypack for any other excursions you may take.
- Ear Plugs (a good idea if you are a light sleeper and if you're practicing those forward loops!)
- Aspirin or Ibuprofen for muscle aches.
- Moleskin to avoid blisters + medical tape for tired hands.

What we have:
Available for sale are .

GENERAL INFO 

Location:
Margarita is a mid-sized island located a short 60 miles off the mainland of Venezuela in the heart of the Southern Caribbean. Two large mountains and the rolling land-mass between them makes up the majority of the land, with miles of beautiful coastline and many great beaches, including one very windy stretch on the South side in a little town named El Yaque. Long a windsurfers paradise, this town is all about sailing. 

Language:
Although Spanish is spoken by everyone, including many visitors, you will find that decades-worth of international tourism has helped proliferate the need for those in the service-industry to learn multiple languages. All of the Vela staff speak and teach in English, Spanish, and a mix of other languages. Most guests in Coche call English their second language, which is all part of the fantastic experience of visiting another part of the world we live in.

Weather: 
The average year round temperature is 82 degrees with an arid climate. The water is about 75 degrees. A light jacket for evenings may be desired.

Water and Health:

We strongly recommend that you only drink and brush your teeth with bottled water. All the hotels in El Yaque use filtered water for ice cubes. If you find yourself in small local restaurants you should ask if they are using filtered water before consuming drinks with ice. Use precautions typical for foreign travel in a less developed country and consider bringing a bottle of hand-sanitizer along with you. This would include making sure food is well cooked and served hot and only eating fruit that has been peeled. To allow yourself to adjust to the different food and water and to avoid getting sick, don't further tax your system by exhausting yourself the first day or by drinking too much alcohol. Drink plenty of water throughout the day. If concerned, seek advice from your physician before leaving home.

Safety of valuables: 
We recommend that you keep any valuables in the hotel safe or room safe if available. Leave your passport in the safe and carry a copy.

Currency/credit cards:
We recommend when you arrive at the Caracas or Porlamar airport to only change the amount of money you will immediately need, such as a snack and your taxi fare to El Yaque. Once you arrive you can change $ at the "Casa de Cambio" located at the hotel. You may be paying a much higher price for the same services. We suggest bringing at least $50 per day per person in spending money for lunch, dinner, and drinks. NOTE THAT ANY UNOFFICIAL EXCHANGE IS ILLEGAL (yet prevalent) AND THAT USING THE "BLACK-MARKET" EXCHANGE IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. It is best to NOT BRING TRAVELER'S CHECKS as they may not be accepted and are therefore unreliable. If you are planning on going on a diving trip, Los Roques trip, Angel Falls etc. it is best to bring extra cash to pay for these trips. Credit cards (Amex, Master Card, Discover, Visa) are accepted at the Vela Center, but payment by credit cards for lessons, retail items, and rentals, is preferred in US$ however local currency is accepted. There will be a fee added when using a credit card. Guest are able to access ATM machines at the airport in Margarita or the Banco Confederado in Porlamar for a cash advance in Bolivars, however it IS NOT always reliable and can be a time consuming and costly venture (waiting in lines and paying taxis). Ultimately, cash is king.

Electrical Voltage: 
110 volts, same outlets as in the U.S. but hair dryers and shavers with one plug blade larger than the other may not fit into outlets.

Email / Phone Services: 
Readily available throughout El Yaque, and most hotels offer a combination of on-site Internet Access in a desk in the lobby or WiFi throughout the property for guest use. There are also several high-speed Internet Cafes within 5 minutes from anywhere in town. Plan on using local pay phones and MCI or AT&T calling cards to avoid expensive charges to your room. Check with your cellular provider before planning on taking emergeny calls from work while your away ... besides: aren't you on vacation anyways???

Meals:
At Coche Paradise all meals are included. If heading to Margarita for the day, Lunch and Dinner can be found at several choices throughout town including on-site in front of the Vela center at the beachfront bar / restuarant. Loads of alternatives are along the beachfront, along the main street in town, and scattered in different tucked away places all within walking distance.

Other Activities:
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Tipping:
Gratuities given to the local hotel staff for exceptional service are highly appreciated. At restaurants a 10% tip for the waiter is usually included. An additional 10% for good service is courteous. If you wish to tip the Vela staff, we have a "Tip Pool" which is periodically divided amongst the entire team. This is typically handled through the owners/managers, Tom and Kathy Mastbaum or Assistant Manager, Bernardo.

TAXI / TRANSFERS FROM THE AIRPORT 

Most of our guests will need to arrive using the main connection route on the mainland, with arrivals at the Caracas International (CCS) airport followed by a short connecting flight to the Porlamar (PMV) airport, either the same day or the following morning. If you are flying direct to PMV, you can skip this section and isntead read about "Taxi To El Yaque From PMV Airport" below.

CCS Airport Arrival:
The CCS airport sees many international flights and is an extremely busy terminal. There can be many official looking characters that are actually con-artists hoping to make their living off of unsuspecting visitors. Because of this situation we have enlisted the help of on-site representatives to assist each and every one of our guests, and the program has been working great over the last 5 years since. Our Meet & Greet / Air-Hotel services helps to make your transition from arrival to your next connection as smooth and hassle free as possible, even if you need to overnight near the airport.

Meet & Greet - INBOUND:
***NEW FOR 2009 / 2010 SEASON: DO NOT USE THE NEW AIRPORT CONNECTION TUNNEL***
Once you have cleared customs and picked up all of your luggage, and use the immediate exit. into the main lobby of the international terminal. Our agent will be waiting for you, standing next to the big-sceen TV holding "VELA" sign with your name on it. This is different than last year, so... DO NOT USE THE CONNECTION TUNNEL TO THE DOMESTIC TERMINAL! He will then escort you to the check-in counter and help you with retrieving your connecting flight tickets and check-in. Finally, he will escort to the security gates.

Air-Hotel Transfers - INBOUND:
If you need to overnight on the mainland based on your flight scheduled, make sure to make arrangements with our reservations agents well in time before you go. MAKE SURE THAT YOU DO NOT USE THE CONNECTION TUNNEL. Instead, clear customs, get your bags, and use the immediate exit. Our agent will be waiting for you. They will be standing next to the big TV screen and a "VELA" sign with your name on it. From there, they provide a ride to the hotel (check your invoice to see if this is already included), assistance for check-in at the hotel's front desk, and a return trip back to the airport the following morning. We reserve our guests at the Buena Vista Inn located about 20 minutes from the airport in the Playa Grande / Catimar neighborhood. This is likely paid in advance through Vela as well, and is a suggested upgrade. For most guests, you will only be in the room for about 12 hours, so luxury is not really needed.

Connecting Flights Through Vela:
In either the Meet & Greet or Air-Hotel Transfers, your connecting tickets will be held at the airline ticket counter until you arrive there with our representative. Part of this service is to be with you at check-in to get your pre-reserved tickets. After you are checked-in for your flight, you will be escorted to the security gates leading to the departure terminal.

PMV Airport Arrival:
Get your bags... you are almost there! After exiting the airport terminal, taxis will be lined up out front ready and waiting to take you to El Yaque.

Taxi To El Yaque From PMV Airport:
You are a brief 5-10 minute drive from the PMV airport to all properties in El Yaque. Taxis are approximately (Bs. 30.00- Bs. 50.00) and may vary depending on the time of day or day of week. Ask the cost prior to departing. All rates are fixed and the driver should have a sheet with all prices. The following simple Spanish phrase asks for the price of a taxi to your hotel: ("Cuanto cuesta a El Hotel ________ en El Yaque.") If you cannot understand Spanish and the driver does not speak English, give him a piece of paper and pen and he will write it down.

Meet & Greet - OUTBOUND:
Note that with the new Connection Tunnel it is no longer necessary to have our agents meet you on arrival from PMV on your way back through to the international terminal of the CCS airport. Most guests will find the transition using this tunnel quite smooth and will waive the service. However, if you are more comfortable having our agents help you through this last step, let us know ahead of time and our agents will provide the same service as you had when you arrived.

Air-Hotel Transfers - OUTBOUND:
If your departure from CCS to home is too early in the day to make a safe same-day connection from PMV, you will need to overnight on the mainland the night before. Vela has likely booked a late-evening departure for you, giving you one last full day of sailing and vacation time in Margarita before the journey home. Unlike with guests using the Meet & Greet detailed above, MAKE SURE THAT YOU DO NOT USE THE CONNECTION TUNNEL. Instead, clear customs, get your bags, and use the immediate exit into the domestic terminal. Our agent will be waiting for you outside the gates holding a "VELA" sign with your name on it. From there, they provide a ride to the hotel (check your invoice to see if this is already included), assistance for check-in at the hotel's front desk, and a return trip back to the airport the following morning.

Additional Information:
Changes to your travel itinerary should not be made once your Meet and Greet service has been confirmed. If there is an unavoidable change prior to your trip, it is essential that you notify Vela of the details. *VELA IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LAST SERVICES OR ADDITIONAL COSTS DUE TO TRAVEL DELAYS AND/OR ITINERARY CHANGES.* If you have last minute changes during travel, please contact our representative in Caracas, Hanspeter Zingg (011-58-414-322-8798 from US or 0414-322-8798 locally) for help. If you don't get an answer, try the additional emergency numbers in your paid-in-full email invoice. You may also check with the Vela staff to make contact for you, though if your needs are urgent calling directly will get you the quickest solution.

Transportation During Your Vacation:
Taxis are readily available for anywhere you might like to explore throughout the island. Ask the front desk at your hotel for help. Rental cars and scooters are available, though if you plan on staying in the windsurfing village of El Yaque a car is not needed. If you wish to tour Margarita there are many rental agencies at the Porlamar airport. The reception desk at the hotel can arrange for an agency to pick you up at your hotel and take you to the agency to rent a car. Also available are scooters which can be rented daily from "NO WIND NO CRY", which can be arranged through the Vela staff.

HOTEL CHECK-IN / CHECK-OUT 

Hotel Check-In:
The normal check-in time is at 3:00PM for all properties, although we can request early check-in if available. Vouchers are not required for check-in. Simply arrive at the front desk and give the agent the last name of the person who made the reservation. If there are any questions, please show them the email invoice that you should print and take with you. NOTE: If your plane is scheduled to arrive late in the evening please let us know in advance in case any special arrangements need to be made.

Hotel Check-Out:
Check out time is 12 noon for all properties. Make certain to go over your final bill carefully. Personal charges such as bar tabs, laundry, telephone calls, and such are your responsibility. DO NOT let the hotel charge you any tax or service fees on accommodations prepaid by Vela. We always prepay tax and service charges for you. Should an emergency necessitate an early return home, we will do all we can to get refunds for you. Standard hotel cancellation fees usually exceed any unused balance, but hotels are quite often understanding of emergencies. To assist us in this you must get written verification of check-out date from your hotel front desk and also from the windsurf staff.

Important Note:
If you have an early flight, make arrangements for a taxi to the airport the day before your departure and leave plenty of time to get to the airport. If you are leaving on a late flight, sometimes there is a courtesy room available for storing luggage and taking a shower.

VELA COCHE WINDSURF CENTER 

Getting To Vela Coche:
 

Checking In To Get Started:
Our staff will be anticipating your arrival and will plan to greet you at our beachfront center. You can find our staff members at the equipment area wearing T-shirts that say "Vela" or "Staff". Give any team member your name and they will set you up with an orientation. A credit card is required for safety deposit and for setting up your account at the center.

Windsurf Equipment:
Vela Coche is equipped with gear used during previous seasons at Vela Margarita. Thought not brand new or the current-year model, we maintain a varied and well maintained fleet including the very latest V8, Street Racer, Zone, Search, Core, Expression, Raf Jet, Saber and Spirit. The new JP-Australia line includes the Wave, Freestyle Wave, Freestyle and X-cite Ride and Super-X lines. For beginners we feature the popular JP Funster and the Starboard Go (the Starboard Start is also available). Please help us maintain the high quality of our fleet by handling with care.

Getting On The Water:
Equipment is available for check out beginning at 09:00. Every day you windsurf, you must sign out yourself and the equipment that you are using. This enables us to keep track of our equipment and know that our guests have returned safely. All procedures and safety concerns will be explained during the orientation. Please note that equipment fee is per person and not transferable.

Pre-booked Beginner Rental:
DUE TO SIDE-OFFSHORE WINDS AND DEEP WATER COCHE IS NOT AN IDEAL SPOT FOR BEGINNERS TO LEARN. INSTEAD WE ENCOURAGE GUESTS (EVEN WHEN STAYING ON COCHE) TO MAKE THE BOAT TRIP TO EL YAQUE AND TO LEARN INSTEAD AT VELA MARGARITA.

Getting Your Gear:
You will be given an orientation session before checking out your equipment. All guests must use the equipment sign-out / sign-in sheet located at the equipment area to check out equipment. If you want to change your board or rig during the day, simply return the first board or sail to the rack and use the sign in on the sheet, then sign out again, indicating your new board and/or rig choice on the sign-out sheet. All this will be covered in your "Center Orientation" on your first day sailing with us.

Sailing Conditions and Safety:

Rig Adjustments:
Each of the different types of sails available for check out have been rigged in a manner best suited for that particularsail. If you would like to make adjustments to the rig, we ask that you first get a short orientation to that particular sail from one of our staff. You will be responsible for any incorrect handling of the rig that damages the sail.

Damage to equipment:
You will be asked to leave a credit card as deposit when you take out equipment. Once you sign out a board and sail, it is your responsibility to return it in the same condition! To minimize the possibility of damage, please choose equipment that suits your ability level and conditions, and handle equipment carefully when launching and coming in to shore. Items that need replacing such as fins, sails or mast will be charged at cost plus 10% for parts and labor. For items that can be repaired, standard charges will apply. This must be paid directly to the center in full upon return of the damaged equipment. If you purchased travel insurance through Vela, you can claim any charges ($1,000 coverage limit, less a $100 deductible) for equipment damage or loss upon your return. ADDITIONALINSURANCEPLANHERE.

On-Site / Walk-Up Rentals:
Note that unless we have pre-booked guests scheduled for sailing days on Coche, the remote center on Coche may not be open every day of the week. If you are thinking of coming over from Margarita for the day, please make certain that you check in with our center staff at Vela Margarita at least one day prior to the trip so that we can arrange for someone to be at Vela Coche the following day.

Gear Storage:
There is a limited amount of storage space available. Please inquire with us if you are planning to bring your own gear.

Vela Wind Warranty:
In the event that there are 4 or more days of no sailable wind using any of our equipment, you may request a NO-WIND CLAIM FORM that will allow you credit towards a future trip to any Vela destination. Note that you may receive higher credits if you return to the same center. You must get this form before you leave the center.

VELA WINDSURF LESSONS 

Lesson Program:
In addition to Windsurf Technique Seminars included in your vacation, you may also sign up for more in-depth private lessons or small group beginner lessons at an additional fee. All instructors are highly trained, each with years of teaching experience.NEW THIS YEAR: ALL WINDSURF LESSONS CAN BE RESERVED IN ADVANCE TO GUARANTEE SPACE ON THE SCHEDULE OR ON-SITE BASED ON INSTRUCTOR AVAILABLIITY.

Beginner Lessons:
DUE TO SIDE-OFFSHORE WINDS AND DEEP WATER COCHE IS NOT AN IDEAL SPOT FOR BEGINNERS TO LEARN. INSTEAD WE ENCOURAGE GUESTS (EVEN WHEN STAYING ON COCHE) TO MAKE THE BOAT TRIP TO EL YAQUE AND TO LEARN INSTEAD AT VELA MARGARITA.

Advanced Lessons:
Individualized, private instruction that is catered to your specific needs, whether that may be jibing, stance, footstraps, jumping, etc. Times arranged on-site and are subject to instructor availability, though you can reserve time in advance.

DARE2FLY COCHE CLOSED FOR THE 2010 SEASON 

Kiteboarding Lessons:
SORRY, BUT NO LESSONS ARE AVAILABLE ON COCHE AT THIS TIME. ALL LESSONS SCHEDULED IN MARGARITA.

Kiteboarding Equipment:

BEFORE RETURNING HOME

Make sure to say goodbye to our staff before you go. Check to see if you have left anything at the center or if you have taken care of your final tab for additional services you may have purchased. If you have had some bad luck in the wind department, make sure to get you No Wind Claim Form before you go, and we hope that you have still had a great vacation overall in spite of Mother Nature!

READY TO GO? ARE YOU SURE? PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU DEPART. HAVE A GREAT TRIP AND DON'T FORGET TO WRITE!