Spent 2 weeks on the DZ beginning of 2007. Had planned on 8-10 jumps/day, some sun, pleasant evening parties and a decent DZ buzzing atmosphere. All I got was the sunburns, from waiting and waiting and waiting. Yes there is a fast Antonov, but it only takes off when the DZ boss decides to turn up on his DZ (yes, his, as in "it's mine and if you don't like it take a hike") with a couple of his friends. Never announced, never sure he'll ever come. Other conditions to meet before the Antonov moves: wait for the incompetent & lazy pilot to finish his lunch and nap, and for the courageous mechanic to stop working on that left engine every single day. Last, you might want to make sure the aircraft's license has not run out. DZ-wise: a fantastic potential. Very convieniently located 2h from Caracas, by the sea in a resort that's supposed to be popular with decently wealthy Venezolanos, you would think the place should be swarming with jumpers and chest-enhanced Venezolanas! Think again: the DZ boss decides overnight to increase the price of the jumps several dollars, and the jumpers migrate elsewhere. No jumpers, no boss, no Antonov, no enhanced chests. After a few days of applying that sunscreen lotion you reluctantly get a few jumps from the Cesna, that will barely reach 10,000ft before the lazy pilot (yes, same guy after his nap and before his afternoon break) insists that you exit his aircraft. Not a bad idea though, considering that the night before the poor aircraft and its engine were in bits in the hangar with three guys banging on an un-identified piece of metal... By the way, enjoy this jump from the Cesna, as next week it leaves the DZ for some remote place in the jungle. Therefore you fairly quickly start hitting town and beach in the hope to find a good reason to enjoy your holiday. But anyone who has some experience of decents beaches around the world will put the Higuerote area at the very bottom of the "average" list. Not only that, but you soon realise that the lack of motivation, planning ability and competence that you found on the DZ is actually fairly widespread in the area, including in the most expensive hotel around (Do not book anything at the Fiesta Inn Aguasal: bunch of crooks, very poor service, no hot water for 2 weeks, high prices). Rather than bore people with more abuse I shall finish on a good note: Isla Tortuga is, indeed, one of the prettiest places on earth to jump. 1h on the cesna from the DZ right in the middle of the ocean, Tortuga in itself is almost worth the trip from Europe or the US. Pristine water, coloured reefs, white beaches everywhere, cheapest langostas on earth. However, convincing the DZ boss to organise jumps over there is not easy at all, and likely to be cancelled at the last minute for any invalid reason. Be aware. Some stats: 2 weeks on DZ. 4-5 jumps/day on average and I was lucky, half from Cesna half from Antonov. US$16/jump, US$6/packing I think, US$100 for each airport transfer. 2 jumps on Tortuga. 3,232,574,223 hungry mosquitos had a bit of me.
