Venezuelan Travel Guide:
Venezuela is a country with so much to offer that years would be needed to explore each of its wonderful sites. Venezuela got its name, 'Little Venice’ from early explorers when travelling on the north-western region of the country. They found the natives living on the Sinamaica lagoon, in houses built on stilts and the canals through the mangrove vegetation made the sight look like a little Venice.
Venezuela is blessed by nature because it’s diversity of spectacular landscapes and it’s all year round summer weather, making it a good all year round destination. The country counts with miles of beautiful Caribbean beaches to immense open plains, ancient plateaus , tracts of Amazon rain forest, the Andean mountain chain with peaks over 16000 feet, the highest waterfall in the world and even a small desert.
Venezuela's cities are similarly scenic, particularly the capital, Caracas, a city of great diversity, that offers visitors a wide range of activities. The different areas of the city make it an exciting and interesting metropolis where tradition and modernism become one. The city is at the feet of the National Park El Avila, a mountain of 2600 meters which is part of the Central mountain range. The park has numerous trekking paths and at the top there are some attractions, including an ice-ring!!! The top can also be reached by a cable car, a fun ride where a spectacular view of Caracas can be enjoyed.
Caracas is also a great cultural centre; it counts with numerous museums, most of them located in the center of Caracas, such as the National Art Gallery and the Museum of Fine Arts (“Bellas Artes”).
Caracas is recognized for its excellent restaurants with cuisine from all over the world. It counts with big commercial centers and malls very modern and luxurious that makes shopping an interesting activity. The most popular items bought by tourist are gold jewellery and shoes.
In the last decade there has been considerable political tension in the country with an attempted coup in 2003. Political demonstrations remain frequent and can become violent. However no matter which crises the country is going through the Venezuelan remains with an optimistic attitude and you can find mainly friendly and smiling people which at the end count with a country with an abundance of resources and a generous nature.
Basics
Time: GMT -4.
Electricity: 110 volts, 60Hz. American two-pin plugs are generally used.
Language: Castellano (Spanish) is the official language of Venezuela.
Health: There are no vaccination requirements for Venezuela, however it is recommended to be immunised against yellow fever, Hepatitis A, and typhoid. There is a risk of malaria, particularly in jungle areas, therefore profilaxis is only recommended if travelling to these areas. The main precaution to avoid infection (malaria, dengue and yellow fever) is to protect against insect bites, especially mosquito bites. Insect protection measures are vital to avoid disease. Mains water should not be drunk. Bottled drinking water is available. Venezuela's hospitals offer free emergency treatment, however the private hospitals are better quality, though expensive. Public hospitals suffer from a shortage of basic supplies, as do private hospitals and clinics outside Caracas. Health insurance is advisable.
Venezuela Weather
The dry season from December to April is the best time to hang out on the Venezuelan coast and soak up the rays. While temperatures can get a bit fevered, peaking around 32°C (89°F) during the day, there is decent sunshine and negligible rainfall. During the rest of the year temperatures are just a pinch hotter, especially between June and September, with rainfall peaking around October. Moving inland, temperatures are cooler but still with little seasonal change, averaging highs between 24°C (75°F) and 27°C (80°F). Though the wet season is the same inland as on the coast, rainfall is more frequent throughout the year. In the southern plateau region the temperature climbs again, however the hottest months are now February and March and it is wet for most of the year with slightly drier periods in September and October and between January and March.
Venezuela Currency
Money: Venezuela's currency is the Bolívar (VEB), which is divided into 100 centimos. On 1 January 2008 the currency will be converted to the Bolivar Fuerte (VEF); Bs. 1,000 will become Bs. F. 1. Prices in both currencies will be displayed from October 2007, and a six-month transition period will be in place in 2008.
US dollars are the most favoured foreign currency so it is best to have cash and travellers cheques in US$. Foreign currency and cheques can be changed at bureau de change offices found in most larger cities and tourist destinations. Some banks (e.g. Banco Mercantil) will now buy US dollars for bolivares or sell bolivares against a foreign credit card; some major hotels will also swap US dollars for bolivares. Banks are usually open Monday to Friday. It is best to obtain local currency where possible before travelling, and bolivars should be exchanged before exiting Venezuela. There are ATMs in the cities (however some travellers have experienced problems using them), and most credit cards, including MasterCard/Eurocard, American Express and Visa, are accepted in major cities. Diners Club has more limited acceptance. Visitors are also warned that there is a serious problem with credit card fraud.
Tipping: Tipping is at the discretion of the client and not obligatory. A 10% service charge is usually added to restaurant bills, but in budget places tipping is uncommon. Taxi drivers do not expect tips, but it is customary to give baggage handlers some small change per bag. Tips in Caracas are usually the highest.
Safety: The 1,000-mile (1,609km) long border between Venezuela and Colombia is notorious for the risk of violence, kidnapping, smuggling and drug trafficking. Visitors should give the border region a wide berth. Foreign nationals have also been kidnapped for ransom or violently mugged in Caracas and visitors should be alert to this threat in hotels, taxis and, in particular, the airport. Street crime is high in Caracas and other cities, and foreigners should be particularly cautious at night. Passengers have been robbed at gunpoint by bogus taxi-drivers at Caracas airport; it is best not to accept offers of assistance within the arrivals hall, only at the official taxi rank directly outside. Only licensed taxis bearing a clearly identifiable number should be used. The road from the airport to Caracas is undergoing major reconstruction, and journey times can be long and unpredictable. The road is best avoided after dark due to the recent spate of armed robberies taking place on the highway at night. Passengers arriving on late flights are particularly vulnerable. Unlicensed taxicab operators have been known to overcharge and rob passengers; travellers are advised to only use licensed radio taxis or those from reputable hotels. Political demonstrations, sometimes with violence and gunfire, occur regularly in Venezuela (many Venezuelans carry guns) and should be avoided. Pickpockets are very active in the city centres, particularly around bus and subway stations. Armed robberies and muggings are on the increase and theft of unattended valuables left on beaches or in cars is common. Obvious displays of wealth, and talking on mobile phones on the street, should be avoided to reduce the risk. The coastal beach resorts are generally trouble free, though visitors should use common sense in ensuring the safety of their person and possessions. There have been recent cases of robberies and assaults after tourists have been drugged - either through spiked drinks or pamphlets impregnated with substances that are handed out on the streets or in shopping centres. Safety standards in light aircraft are variable and there have been several accidents on the main tourist routes, including Margarita and Canaima/Angel Falls; visitors are advised to go with established companies operating modern multi-engined aircraft.
Customs: Photography of military installations and the Presidential Palace is prohibited.
Business: Although the temperature in Venezuela is warm with a high humidity, formal business attire is the norm. People should be addressed as Señor (Mr), Señora (Mrs) and Señorita (Miss) unless otherwise specified. Shaking hands is a customary greeting, and business cards are exchanged on meeting for the first time; it is best to have one side translated into Spanish. Meetings are prompt and generally occur over lunch; evening dinners are generally reserved for socialising. Business hours are 8am to 12pm and 2pm to 6pm Monday to Friday.
Communications: The international country code for Venezuela is +58 and the outgoing code is 00. City/area codes are in use, for example Caracas is (0)212. Mobile telephone GSM networks cover Caracas but are sparse outside of the city. Internet cafes are available in Caracas and tourist resorts.
Duty Free: Travellers to Venezuela do not have to pay duty on the following items: 25 cigars and 200 cigarettes; 2 litres of alcohol; and 4 small bottles of perfume. Those travellers arriving from international destinations do not have to pay duty on goods to the value of US$1,000. Prohibited items include flowers, fruits, meat and meat products, plants and birds or parts thereof.
Venezuela Visa Requirements
Entry requirements for Americans: United States citizens require a passport, but a visa is not necessary if entering on a completed Tourist Entry Card, which is valid for a touristic stay of up to 90 days (no extension possible).
Entry requirements for UK nationals: British citizens require a passport, but a visa is not necessary if entering on a completed Tourist Entry Card, which is valid for a touristic stay of up to 90 days (no extension possible).
Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadians require a passport, but a visa is not necessary if entering on a completed Tourist Entry Card, which is valid for a touristic stay of up to 90 days (no extension possible).
Entry requirements for Australians: Australians require a passport, but a visa is not necessary if entering on a completed Tourist Entry Card, which is valid for a touristic stay of up to 90 days (no extension possible).
Entry requirements for South Africans: South African citizens require a passport, but a visa is not necessary if entering on a completed Tourist Entry Card, which is valid for a touristic stay of up to 90 days (no extension possible).
Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals require a passport, but a visa is not necessary if entering on a completed Tourist Entry Card, which is valid for a touristic stay of up to 90 days (no extension possible).
Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a passport, but a visa is not necessary if entering on a completed Tourist Entry Card, which is valid for a touristic stay of up to 90 days (no extension possible).
Passport/Visa Note: Those entering Venezuela on a visa require a passport valid for at least six months. If travel is for touristic purposes, passports valid for two months will be accepted as long as the passport expires after the departure date. Tourist Entry Cards are issued free of charge by air carriers allowing for a stay of up to 90 days. Visitors must have return tickets or tickets for onward travel as well as all documents required for the next destination and sufficient funds. From 23 January 2007 all US citizens travelling to and from Venezuela by air will require a valid passport; by 1 January 2008 the requirement will be extended to include all land and sea border crossings as well.
Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.
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