I'm resurrecting this tread to ask for a an update, together with a few more questions.

I'm taking a couple of days in Caracas on my way to Sao Paulo - I'm not sure how to deal with currency exchange and taxis to get to my hotel (the Intercontinental). Any help?

Do five-star hotels take payment in local currency, or are foreign guests obliged to pay in USD ?

On my way back I am transiting to the airport, hopefully making a direct tranfer from TAM to Continental: but on separate tickets. Is the collective wisdom that this is possible while airside, i.e. without having to pay a second set of Venezuela exit taxes?

I'll be really grateful for any assistance on these points - or an any others you think I should have asked!

Ian