Venezuela Travel Tips

The official currency in Venezuela is the Bolvar which is made up of 100 céntimos. Notes are issued in denominations of Bs50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 while coins come in Bs500, 100, 50, 25, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 céntimos.

US Dollars are the most favoured currency in the country, so it’s wise to convert your own local currency to cash dollars or dollar traveller’s cheques before arrival in Venezuela. Currency exchange counters are easily found in popular tourist areas while many hotels offer exchange services also. Almost all banks provide exchange services and some will sell Bolvars against a foreign credit card. ATMs are relatively widely available and accept popular cards such as those issued by Visa, MasterCard, AMEX and Diner’s Club. Credit cards issued by the same are accepted in hotels and major shopping centres but for small independent vendors, cash is the best option.

There are no restrictions with regards to the import or export of either local or foreign currencies.

Custom allowances for Venezuela are as follows: 25 cigars and 200 cigarettes; two litres of alcohol and four small bottles of perfume. Electronic items and gifts can be imported without duty in volumes not exceeding US$1,000 in value. The import of organic products such as meat, fruit, dairy produce, birds, plants and flowers is prohibited.

110 volts, 60Hz. American two-pin plugs are generally used.

Most visitors do not need any vaccinations to holiday in Venezuela, however those planning to travel in rural areas, should consider immunisation against yellow fever, Hepatitis A, and typhoid. Malaria and dengue fever are an issue, especially in rural areas and those visitors planning to spend any amount of time outside of the city, should consider anti-malarial medications. Visitors staying predominantly in Caracas and popular tourist areas will get by with plenty of mosquito repellent. It’s inadvisable to drink the tap water in Venezuela. Free emergency treatment is available to all visitors at public hospitals, however resources are limited so it’s unwise to rely on this as your only safety net. Private hospitals offer a higher standard of care but are expensive so it’s advisable to have travel insurance with adequate provision for medical treatment.

Emergency: 171

Although spoken less formally then in most other Spanish speaking countries, the official language of Venezuela is Spanish. However there are more then 40 indigenous languages also used throughout the country. English, Portuguese, Italian Chinese and Arabic are the most common foreign languages spoken in Venezuela.

Holidaying in Venezuela comes with a variety of warnings as the country does unfortunately carry something of a bad reputation with regards to crime and violence. The border with Colombia is notoriously dangerous and best avoided at all costs else used only for traversing between the two countries at official crossings. Despite its popularity as a visitor destination, Caracas is by no means a safe city and violent crime including muggings and kidnappings are known to have been perpetrated against tourists. Criminals have been known to masquerade as taxi drivers in order to drive tourists to secluded areas in order to rob them at gunpoint so extra vigilance is advised when hiring cabs. Night time in the cities is an especially risky time and visitors are advised not to walk in secluded areas or drive on quiet roads for fear of robbery.

Emergency: 171

A handshake is the norm for meeting locals for the first time especially in business situations. A less formal greeting known as an abrazo can be used between more familiar persons and is something of a cross between a handshake and a hug. Business visitors should wear suits, shirt and tie for all formal occasions while regular tourists will find conservative casual wear is suitable for restaurants and evening entertainment venues. Beach wear is fine for the beach and coastal areas but beyond is not considered acceptable.

Tipping is not obligatory and should only be offered in situations where you are genuinely happy with the service you have received in which case add 10 to 20 per cent of the bill accordingly. In the case of baggage handlers, a tip of US$1 per bag is acceptable. A service charge of 10 per cent is invariably already added to bills in respectable restaurants but is rare in cheaper establishments.

The international dialling code for Venezuela is +58. There are a number of mobile phone service providers and each will have its own arrangements with providers from other countries. If you have an appropriate handset and international roaming enabled then it’s wise to check with your service provider as to the availability of service in Venezuela. Internet cafés can be found in Caracas and popular tourist resorts.

GMT -4

Visitors from the US, Canada, Australia, UK and EU countries can enter Venezuela without a visa, provided they have a passport that is valid for up to six months from the date of entry. All other visitors are required to have a visa which can be applied for at the Venezuelan Embassy in their home country.