Venezuela

Venezuela means 'Little Venice' in Spanish, the name given to this northerly country in South America by the early explorers when they found the natives living on the Sinamaica lagoon, in houses built on stilts, close to the present day oil rich city of Maracaibo.

The people have a reputation for being welcoming and friendly, although there is a problem with street crime in the larger cities - Caracas in particular. Venezuela has an abundance of natural resources, including one of the biggest oil reserves in the world. The resulting revenues have helped build good infrastructure and encouraged the country's leadership to forge an independent path in international relations.

Nature has also blessed this country with diverse landscapes, from miles of beautiful Caribbean beaches to open plains, towering mountains, tracts of Amazon rain forest and even a small desert. In the southeast in Bolivar State the Gran Sabana National Park contains the spectacular Angel Falls, the world's highest waterfall.

Venezuela's cities are similarly scenic, particularly the capital, Caracas, which sprawls in a long, thin valley flanked by the majestic Avila Mountain. Caracas is lively, green and clean, with a rich cultural life, vibrant nightlife, great restaurants and marvellous modern shopping malls. A favourite excursion in Caracas is to ride the cable car to the summit of the Avila. The popular city of Merida, in the Andes, also has its cable car, and this one takes tourists on a one-hour journey to the highest point in Venezuela, the Pico Bolivar, which reaches more than 16,404ft (5,000m).

Venezuela has a little bit of everything that Latin America has to offer, with the addition of thousands of miles of Caribbean coastline, and the constantly pleasant temperature that makes it good year-round destination.

Climate

Being situated just above the equator, the weather in Venezuela is pleasant all year around. However the dry season (September to April) is the best time to visit, though the Angel Falls are most impressive towards the end of the wet season.

Money

Venezuela's currency is the Bolivar Fuerte (VEF), which replaced the Bolivar (VEB) in January 2008. The revaluation means that Bs. 1,000 becomes Bs F 1. It is divided into 100 centimos. 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.

Passport Visa

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 and are essential for entry into Venezuela. Visitors must have return tickets or tickets for onward travel as well as all documents required for the next destination and sufficient funds. It is highly recommended that passports have at least six months validity remaining after your intended date of departure from your travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.

Entry Requirements

• United States citizens require a passport, but a visa is not necessary for a touristic stay of up to 90 days.
• British citizens require a passport, but a visa is not necessary for a touristic stay of up to 90 days.
• Canadian nationals require a passport, but a visa is not necessary for a touristic stay of up to 90 days.
• Australians require a passport, but a visa is not necessary for a touristic stay of up to 90 days.
• South African citizens require a passport, but a visa is not necessary for a touristic stay of up to 90 days.
• Irish nationals require a passport, but a visa is not necessary for a touristic stay of up to 90 days.
• New Zealand nationals require a passport, but a visa is not necessary for a touristic stay of up to 90 days.

Health

There are no vaccination requirements for Venezuela, but those who plan to travel in areas outside the main cities should be immunised against yellow fever, Hepatitis A, and typhoid. Some airlines travelling to Venezuela will insist on a yellow fever certificate before boarding the plane, and travellers are advised to check with their airline before travel. There is a risk of malaria, particularly in jungle areas, but prophylaxis is not necessary for travel to Caracas or the coastal areas. Medical advice should be sought at least three weeks prior to departure. Insect protection measures are vital to avoid both malaria and dengue fever, which is on the increase. Mains water should not be drunk, but 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.

Embassy Consulates

• Embassy of Venezuela, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 342 2214.
• Embassy of Venezuela, London, United Kingdom (also responsible for Ireland): +44 (0)20 7584 4206/7.
• Embassy of Venezuela, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 235 5151.
• Embassy of Venezuela, Canberra, Australia (also responsible for New Zealand): +61 (0)2 6290 2968.
• Embassy of Venezuela, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 362 6593.

Foreign Embassies

• United States Embassy, Caracas: +58 (0)212 975 6411.
• British Embassy, Caracas: +58 (0)212 263 8411.
• Canadian Embassy, Caracas: +58 212 264 0833.
• Australian Embassy, Brasilia, Brazil (also responsible for Venezuela): +55 (0)61 3226 3111.
• South African Embassy, Caracas: +58 (0)212 952 0026.
• Honorary Consul of Ireland, Caracas: +58 (0)212 951 3645.
• New Zealand Consulate-General, Caracas: +58 (0)212 277 7965.