VENEZUELA TRAVEL TIPS
A collection of important information that can make your trip more enjoyable.
Venezuela is located North of South America. It is a country full of beauties and contrasts. Venezuela's Angel Falls is the tallest in the world. So much of the country is unspoiled from its pristine beaches to the still unconquered local Indians. Venezuela is a friendly country. You will be delighted by its warmth, its charm and its natural beauty. If you plan to travel Venezuela take a moment to brush up on the travel tips that will help you be more prepared for travel anywhere in Venezuela.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area: 916,445 sq km (353,841 sq miles).
Population: 25,549,084 (estimate of 2003).
Population Density: 27.9 per sq km.
Capital: Caracas. Population: 1,975,787 ( estimate of 2000).
Government: Republic. Gained independence from Spain in 1830. Head of State and Government: President Hugo Chávez Frías since 2000.
Language: Spanish is the official language. English, French, German and Portuguese are also spoken by some sections of the community.
Religion: 86 per cent Roman Catholic.
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Electricity: 110 volts AC / 50 Hz. Us plugs used
GEOGRAPHY: Venezuela, a third larger than Texas, occupies most of the northern coast of South America on the Caribbean Sea. It is bordered by Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south. Mountain systems break Venezuela into four distinct areas: (1) the Maracaibo lowlands; (2) the mountainous region in the north and northwest; (3) the Orinoco basin, with the llanos (vast grass-covered plains) on its northern border and great forest areas in the south and southeast; and (4) the Guiana Highlands, south of the Orinoco, accounting for nearly half the national territory.
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VENEZUELA ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
To enter Venezuela, a valid passport from the country of origin is required, along with a visa - obtainable from consulates-, a tourist card, and a return ticket. No special vaccinations are required, although those traveling to the jungle should consult their physician as to whether or not they need protection from yellow fever and malaria. Click here for Visa Informations
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GETTING AROUND VENEZUELA
Avensa (along with its offspring, Servivensa) was Venezuela's main domestic airline until it went bankrupt in 1999. It now operates on a reduced scale. Its place has been taken by Aeropostal, which has a network of routes servicing most major domestic destinations. There are half-a-dozen or so smaller carriers that service regional areas. The lack of railways means that buses are the primary form of transport through most of Venezuela, and services are generally fast, efficient and comfortable. There are frequent buses from the main Caracas bus terminal to almost every corner of the country, and prices are kept fairly low by the high level of competition.
Driving or motorbiking gives you added flexibility, but it's expensive both to take a car into the country and to rent one while you're there. In addition, be aware that road rules are rarely observed by local drivers, which could make the undertaking somewhat hazardous. Stops at national-guard and police checkpoints are common, and travellers should follow instructions and be prepared to show papers or be searched.
Local transport includes cheap but crowded bus services and inexpensive shared taxis. Caracas also has a modern, efficient and cheap metro.
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VENEZUELA COMMUNICATIONS
Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 58. Outgoing international code: 00.
Mobile telephone: GSM 900 network. Operators include Corporación Digitel (website: www.digitel.com.ve), Digital Cellular and Infonet. Coverage is limited to around Caracas and major cities.
Fax: Available at the larger hotels.
Internet: ISPs include CantvNet (website: www.cantv.net), Compuserve Venezuela (website: www.csi.com.ve) and Internet Venezuela (website: www.internet.ve). E-mail can be accessed from Internet cafes in most urban areas.
Telegram: Services are available from public telegraph offices.
Post: There is an efficient mail service from Venezuela to the USA and Europe. Airmail to Europe takes three to seven days. Internal mail can sometimes take longer. Surface mail to Europe takes at least one month.
Press: The English-language daily newspaper is The Daily Journal, published in Caracas. Spanish-language dailies include El Nacional, El Universal, Meridiano and Ultimas Noticias.
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VENEZUELA BUSINESS PROFILE
Economy: Venezuela was a primarily agricultural country until the discovery and extraction of oil began in the 1920s. Oil is now dominant, providing one-quarter of GDP, one-third of government revenues and 80 per cent of export earnings. The national oil corporation, PDVSA, is one of the world’s largest companies. Venezuela has some of the largest known reserves in the world. There are long-term plans to introduce greater diversity into the economy but little change in its basic structure may be expected in the near future.
Agriculture’s share of the workforce has now fallen to 5 per cent of GDP, but the sector remains important by providing a non-oil export income in the form of its dairy and beef produce. Some cash crops – mostly rice, sugar and coffee – are grown. Most of the other farming activity is devoted to staple crops for domestic consumption. As well as oil, Venezuela has substantial deposits of iron and aluminium ores, plus gas, coal, diamonds, gold, zinc, copper, titanium, lead, silver, phosphates and manganese. The processing of these ores and the country’s agricultural products account for the bulk of the industrial sector. However, over-dependence on oil income has meant that Venezuela’s industries are suffering from a historic failure to modernise.
Venezuela was a prominent founding member of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the current president, Hugo Chávez, has played a leading role in the revival of the organisation’s fortunes since the late 1990s. Since the beginning of 2002, Venezuela’s recent economic performance has been severely affected by the turbulent political situation. After the currency crisis of February 2002 came an attempted coup. Then in December large parts of the economy – including the all-important oil industry – were affected by a two-month-long strike. This had a devastating impact: the economy is believed to have contracted by around 10 per cent during 2003. In 2004, this is estimated to have improved slightly, but is still forecasted as an annual contraction of 8 per cent.
Venezuela belongs to the Asociación Latinoamericana de Integración (ALADI), which seeks to promote a common market for Latin America, and to the Inter-American Development Bank. The USA accounts for 40 per cent of Venezuela’s trade; Brazil and Colombia are its other key trading partners.
Business: English is becoming more widely spoken in business circles, particularly at executive level. Nevertheless, Spanish is essential for most business discussions. Appointments are necessary and a business visitor should be punctual. It is common to exchange visiting cards. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1800 with a long midday break.
Commercial Information: The following organisations can offer advice: CONAPRI, Consejo Nacional de Promoción de Invensiones (National Council for Investment Promotion), Edificio Forum, Local LC-A (planta baja), Calle Guaicaipuro, El Rosal, Caracas 1060 (tel: (212) 951 6507 or 3692 or 953 4732; fax: (212) 953 3915; e-mail: conapri@conapri.org; website: www.conapri.org); or FEDECAMARAS, Federación Venezolana de Cámaras y Asociaciones de Comercio y Producción (Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry), Apartado 2568, Edificio Fedecámaras, Pent-House 2, Avenida El Empalme, El Bosque, Caracas (tel: (212) 731 1711; fax: (2) 730 2097; e-mail: secgeneral@fedecamaras.org.ve; website: www.fedecamaras.org.ve).
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VENEZUELA SOCIAL PROFILE
Food & Drink: If you want great food stay in Caracas. It has everything. There is almost no cuisine not represented in Caracas. Elsewhere, Chines and Arab restaurants plus gringo fast food emporiums abound. The national dish is called "Pabellon" and consists of rice, shredded beef, fried plantains and beans. Coffee is the natural drink in Venezuela and expresso is particularly strong. Beer and rum are plentiful as well as fruit juices. The water in most places is very good - but ask.
Nightlife: There are many nightclubs and discos in the major cities of Venezuela. The National and Municipal Theatres offer a variety of concerts, ballet, plays, operas and operettas. There are other theatres - some of which are open-air - in Caracas, as well as several cinemas.
Special Events: Most national celebrations are tied to the Christian calendar. As well as Christmas, Easter and Corpus Christi, every village and town in Venezuela celebrates the feast of its patron saint. It is during these provincial festivals that the tourist can enjoy the colourful folklore that is a mixture of the cultures of pre-Columbian Indians, African slaves and Spanish colonists. For further information on special events, contact the Corporación de Turismo de Venezuela (see Contact Addresses). The following is a selection of special events occurring in Venezuela in 2005:
Jan 14 Procesion de la Divina Pastora (religious procession), Santa Rosa to Barquismeto. Feb Carnaval, nationwide (but especially in Carúpano). Mar 27 Burning of Judas (Easter ritual), nationwide. Jun Los Diablos Danzantes (dancing in celebration of Corpus Christi), nationwide; Festival of St John (religious festival celebrated with drumming), nationwide.
Social Conventions: Shaking hands or using the local abrazo, a cross between a hug and a handshake, are the normal forms of greeting. In Caracas, conservative casual wear is the norm. Men are expected to wear suits for business, and jackets and ties are usual for dining out and social functions. Dress on the coast is less formal but beachwear and shorts should not be worn away from the beach or pool. Smoking follows European habits and in most cases it is obvious where not to smoke. Some public buildings are also non-smoking areas. Tipping: Tips are discretionary but in the majority of bars and restaurants 10 per cent is added to the bill and it is customary to leave another 10 per cent on the table. Bellboys and chambermaids should be tipped and, in Caracas, tips are higher than elsewhere. Taxi drivers are not tipped unless they carry suitcases. Petrol pump attendants expect a tip.
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VENEZUELA SAFETY & SECURITY
Maiquetia Airport, the international airport serving Caracas, is dangerous. Because of the frequency of robberies at gunpoint, travelers are encouraged, if at all possible, to arrive during daylight hours. If it is not possible to arrive during the day, travelers should use extra care both within and outside of the airport. All arriving passengers are urged to make advance plans for transportation from the airport to their place of lodging. If possible, travelers should arrange to be picked up at the airport by someone who is known to them. The Embassy has received frequent reports recently of armed robberies in taxicabs going to and from the airport at Maiquetia. There is no foolproof method of knowing whether a taxi driver at the airport is reliable. It is no longer possible to rely on the fact that a taxi driver presents a credential or drives an automobile with official taxi license plates marked “libre.” Incidents of taxi drivers in Caracas overcharging, robbing and injuring passengers are common. Travelers should take care to use radio-dispatched taxis or those from reputable hotels. Travelers should call a 24-hour radio-dispatched taxi service from a public phone lobby or ask hotel, restaurant, or airline representatives to contact a licensed cab company for them.
Cross-border violence, kidnapping, smuggling and drug trafficking occur frequently in areas along the 1,000-mile border between Venezuela and Colombia. Some kidnap victims have been released after ransom payments, while others have been murdered. In many cases, Colombian terrorists are suspected. Colombia 's National Liberation Army (ELN) have had a long history of kidnapping for ransom, and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) are active in the kidnapping trade. Common criminals are also increasingly involved in kidnappings, either dealing with victim's families directly or selling the victim to terrorist groups.
The State Department warns American citizens not to travel within a 50-mile area along the entire Venezuela/Colombia border. U.S. citizens who elect to visit areas along the border region with Colombia against this warning, apart from the Colombian terrorist threat, could encounter Venezuelan military-controlled areas and may be subject to search and arrest.
The incidence of political demonstrations in Venezuela has decreased markedly since the referendum in August 2004. Nevertheless, travelers should be aware that violence, including exchanges of gunfire, has occurred at political demonstrations in the past. Demonstrations tend to occur at or near university campuses, business centers, and gathering places such as public squares and plazas. Most major tourist destinations, including coastal beach resorts and Margarita Island, are not generally affected by protest actions. However, the city of Merida, a major tourist destination in the Andes, has been the scene of frequent student demonstrations, some of them violent.
Sporadic incidents of harassment and intimidation of U.S. citizens by pro-government groups, Venezuelan airport authorities and some segments of the police have been reported over the past few years. Additionally, anti-American sentiment, expressed in graffiti, harsh political rhetoric, newspaper advertisements and rally pamphlets, exists in some segments of Venezuelan society.
Travelers should keep informed of local developments by following the local press, radio and television. Visitors should also consult their local hosts, Venezuelan business contacts, hotels, tour guides, and travel organizers. U.S. citizens traveling or residing in Venezuela are advised to take common-sense precautions and avoid large gatherings and demonstrations, no matter where they occur.
Venezuela is an earthquake-prone country and is occasionally subject to torrential rains, which can cause major disasters such as the one in Vargas State in 1999. Travelers who intend to rent or purchase long-term housing in Venezuela should exercise care to choose structures designed for earthquake resistance. Such individuals may wish to seek professional assistance from an architect or civil/structural engineer, as does the Embassy, when renting or purchasing a house or apartment in Venezuela.
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VENEZUELA HEALTH
Common Ailments--Your chances of contracting any serious tropical disease in Venezuela are slim, especially if you stick to the major tourist destinations. However, malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, hepatitis, and leptospirosis all exist in Venezuela, so it's a good idea to be careful and consult your doctor before a trip here.
Malaria is found predominantly in the jungle areas of the Amazonas and Bolívar states, as well as in the Orinoco Delta. Malaria prophylaxes are often recommended, but several have side effects and others are of questionable effectiveness. Consult your doctor as to what is currently considered the best preventive treatment for malaria. Be sure to ask whether a recommended drug will cause hypersensitivity to the sun; it would be a shame to travel here for the beaches and then have to hide under an umbrella the whole time. If you are in a malarial area, wear long pants and long sleeves, use insect repellent, and either sleep under a mosquito net or burn mosquito coils (similar to incense but with a pesticide).
Of greater concern may be dengue fever, which reached epidemic proportions in 2001. Dengue fever is similar to malaria and is spread by an aggressive daytime mosquito. This mosquito seems to be most common in lowland urban areas, although dengue outbreaks have been reported throughout the country. Dengue is also known as "bone-break fever" because it is usually accompanied by severe body aches. The first infection with dengue fever will make you very sick but should cause no serious damage. However, a second infection with a different strain of the dengue virus can lead to internal hemorrhaging and may be life-threatening. Take the same precautions as you would against malaria.
Although cholera exists in Venezuela, your chances of contracting cholera while you're here are very slight. Avoid tap water and all unpeeled fruits and vegetables in more remote areas and at any hotels, restaurants, or public facilities that are obviously unsanitary.
The most common health concern for travelers to Venezuela is a touch of diarrhea. The best way to protect yourself from diarrhea is to avoid tap water and drinks or ice made from tap water. Those with really tender intestinal tracts should avoid uncooked fruits and vegetables likely to have been washed in tap water, unless you can peel and prepare them yourself.
Vaccinations--No specific vaccinations are necessary for travel to Venezuela, although it is recommended that you be up-to-date on your tetanus, typhoid, and yellow-fever vaccines. It is also a good idea to get a vaccination for hepatitis A and B.
Health Precautions--Staying healthy on a trip to Venezuela is predominantly a matter of being a little cautious about what you eat and drink, and using common sense. Know your physical limits and don't overexert yourself in the ocean, on hikes, or in athletic activities. Respect the tropical sun and protect yourself from it. Also try to protect yourself from biting insects, using a combination of repellent and light, loose, long-sleeved clothing. I recommend buying and drinking bottled water or soft drinks, although the water in Caracas and in most of the major tourist destinations is reputed to be safe to drink.
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VENEZUELA CURRENCY/MONEY
Currency: Bolívar (Bs) = 100 céntimos. Notes are in denominations of Bs50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of Bs500, 100, 50, 25, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 céntimos.
Currency exchange: Banks will change cheques and cash, and cambios will change cash only; as will hotels, although often at a less favourable rate.
Credit & debit cards: American Express, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted; Diners Club has more limited acceptance. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and for other facilities which may be available.
Travellers cheques: Widely accepted, although one may be asked to produce a receipt of purchase when changing them in Venezuela. Exchange is more difficult in some places than others. Some kinds of travellers cheques are not accepted; seek advice before travelling. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in US Dollars.
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VENEZUELA SHOPPING
There are many handicrafts unique to Venezuela that are made by local Indian tribes. Good purchases are gems and jewellery, cacique coins, gold, pearls, pompom slippers, seed necklaces, shoes and handbags, Indian bows, arrows, mats, pipes and baskets, alpargatas (traditional local footwear of the Campesinos), chinchorros (local hammocks) and many other Indian goods. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1300 and 1500-1900.
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VENEZUELA TIPPING
Tipping is at the discretion of the client and not obligatory. A ten percent service charge is usually added to restaurant bills. Taxis require no tips, but it is customary to give baggage handlers a tip of $1USD per bag.
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VENEZUELA PEOPLE
Venezuela is the sixth-most populous country in Latin America, after Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina and Peru. About 85% of the population lives in urban areas in the northern portion of the country. While almost half of Venezuela's land area lies south of the Orinoco River in the states of Bolivar and Amazonas, this region contains only 5% of the population. The population of Venezuela is comprised of a combination of European, indigenous, and African heritages.
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VENEZUELA CLIMATE & CLOTHING
Climate: With its proximity to the equator, the temperature is fairly regular throughout the year, but does vary with altitude. The dry season is from December to April and the rainy time is the rest of the year. The mountain areas receive great amounts of rain.
Clothing: Casual, fairly conservative clothes are worn in Caracas. A jacket and tie should be worn at social functions and when dining in restaurants. Both men and women wear suits at business meetings.
Casual business attire has never taken hold, as professionals tend to believe that they should look the part at all times. Despite the tropical climate, businesspeople are impeccably turned out in suits and ties or stylish dresses. Many restaurants and discos require a jacket (though perhaps not a tie) for men, and women should be appropriately spiffed up. We also recommend conservative casual wear for sightseeing.
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VENEZUELA SPORTS & ACTIVITIES
Hiking and trekking: Venezuela has 42 national parks and around 20 nature reserves (monumentos naturales) which, together, cover some 15 per cent of the total land mass. All types of walks, ranging from signposted trails to mountain climbing and jungle paths, are possible. Visitors should note that a permit, issued by central or regional Inparques offices, is required to visit the parks. The well-developed tourist facilities at the Parque Nacional El Avila include around 200km (125 miles) of fairly easy, signposted trails, as well as numerous camping grounds. Most serious trekkers head up to the Venezuelan Andes, stretching some 400km (250 miles) from Táchira on the Colombian border north-eastwards, and offering everything from snow-capped peaks to lush rainforests. The most popular area for mountain trekking and rock climbing is the Sierra Nevada de Mérida, where several of the country’s highest peaks (such as the Pico Bolívar or the Pico Humboldt) and the magnificent Parque Nacional Sierra Nevada are located. Experienced guides (who are strongly recommended for mountaineering) and equipment can be hired in Mérida, the regional tourist hub. Other popular trekking destinations in the area include Los Nevados (reached via an easy trek along a beautiful mountain track); Pico El Aguila (accessible from Valera, which can be reached on a bus ride from Mérida along Venezuela’s highest road); and the Sierra de la Culata (particularly known for its desert-like landscapes). The Mérida region is also noted for its cable car (teleferico), the world’s longest and highest, which runs for 12.6km (7.9 miles) from Mérida to the top of Pico Espejo (4765m/15,629ft), and provides easy access to starting points for mountain treks. Another popular trekking destination is Guyana, in the southeast, a region dotted with Venezuela’s characteristic tepuis (flat-topped mountains with vertical flanks) and home to the country’s most famous natural attraction – Angel Falls (called Salto Angel in Spanish), the world’s highest waterfall (with an uninterrupted drop of 979m/3212ft, which is about 16 times the height of Niagara Falls). Access to the falls is fairly difficult (there is no road link) and involves a flight to Canaima (the main tourist base, some 50km/31.5 miles northwest of the falls), followed by either another scenic flight in a light aircraft, or a motorised canoe trip to the foot of Angel Falls (which only operates from June to November, the rainy season, and takes approximately two days).
Watersports: One of the most popular destinations for water-based activities is the Isla de Margarita, which lies some 40km (25 miles) off the mainland north of Cumaná (from where a twice-daily ferry provides access to the island), and whose Caribbean climate and 167km- (105-mile) long shoreline (with white sandy beaches) draw increasing numbers of swimming, surfing, snorkelling and diving enthusiasts. These activities are available all along the Caribbean coast (in the northeast of the country), with one destination, the Parcque Nacional Mochima, standing out: it consists of a wealth of islands and islets some of which, such as the Isla de Plata (the most developed), are surrounded by coral reefs. In the northwest, the coastal strip and the numerous offshore islands and coral reefs forming the Parque Nacional Morroy provide ideal snorkelling and diving. Boat trips through the mangrove caños (channels) and to several of the park’s islands (notably to Cayo Sombrero and Chichiriviche, two of the best known) are available. The fishing, both fresh- and salt-water, is good.
Other: Mountain biking and paragliding are widely practised in the Mérida region, while caving enthusiasts may head to the Cueva del Guácharo, the most spectacular of Venezuela’s many cave systems, located three hours by bus from Cumaná. Caracas has South America’s largest and most modern horse racing track – La Rinconada – open Saturday and Sunday. Horse riding can be arranged at most tourist spots. Boxing, baseball and football are the most popular spectator sports in Venezuela and can be seen all year round. The indigenous lucha libre wrestling is a weekly event.
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VENEZUELA TIME ZONE
Venezuela is in Northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana. Venezuela Standard Time is GMT -4. Venezuela does not operate Daylight-Saving Time.
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