How's the situation in Venezuela right now?
I am planning a trip to Venezuela in the coming months, nothing's confirmed yet. I have been hearing different things on the news and from travellers that have visited your country. Would like to know the actual situation on the ground from the locals instead.
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Hello Benjamin! Thanks for being interested in my country. Well, the situation is not good as it should be, but if you read more, ask for information, you can be more quiet about your question. First, security is bad in general, I recommend you always to stay with known people or friends while you moving, exists also places where you can walk alone. About food, it's difficult to find basic food at supermarkets like rice, pasta, flour, bread, sugar; same case with personal products like shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpast, etc. But in general you can find many kind of products, maybe a little expensive, but there is! About economy, our country has a horrible inflation that is eating our pockets, however, if you change your currency at black market you will receive enough bolivares to satisfy all you needs (trips, shopping, taxi, restaurants, hotels, etc.) the tax US$/Bs is pretty attractive to foreing people. Make tourism here to foreing is amazing because is cheap if you compare with another countries. To fly between local cities it's about 20$ per ticket. A touristic plan to great places like Los Roques, Angel Falls, Canaima, Margarita Island, Merida costs btw 200-400$, worth it. If you have another question, I'm able! Greetings!
Hey Rafael, there is no way of confirming of it is like on the ground. No one knows the situation better than the locals and I know I can trust the CS-ers from Vzla to be honest with me. Do you feel it is unsafe to travel to the country without staying or knowing any locals from the country?
Hi Benjamin. If you don't know anybody in Vzla to help you out with your trip you can end up having a hard time there, not to say, putting your life in danger. You need someone to help you with changing currencies and getting around. Criminality is rampant and when it gets dark the streets get deserted pretty rapidly. Unless you plan to go with a tour to Roraima, Angel Falls, Los Roques, or somewhere really worth it, I wouldn't bother coming just to visit the capital city. Not much to see there.
Hey Eduardo. Do you reckon it is possible to make the trip if I enter via Brazil from the South? And plan my trips to Canaima, and Angel Falls from the town of Paraitepuy? I heard the situation is slightly better in the south but I do not know anyone from the country.
The entry point from Brazil is a town called Santa Elena de Uairen. I have been there but never been to the Brazilian side. I would say it is really hard to get there from Brazil also, because it is a very remote area. The most straightforward way to get to Canaima is to fly to Caracas and then take a domestic flight to Puerto Ordaz. Most tours depart from this city. Google for tours to Canaima and you will find many options.
The general situation is geting worst every day. May be you must wait for better times in the future.
Do you guys see a way out in the near future? I am hoping to make the visit to Venezuela because I simply do not know if I will get the chance to visit in the future after this trip.
Well, is up to you. My coment was a reply of your question that How is the situation in Venezuela.
Hi Benjamin, do you love Danger? if so, here in Venezuela you'll find your paradise. The planet is full of wonderful and secure destinations, why you choose the trouble waters?
Hey Javier. I understand where you are coming from, and also the dangers and risks that come with the trip. However, I can't help but feel intrigued by the splendid nature of the country hence I am looking for ways to mitigate the risks involved.
Benjamin, there is SPLENDID NATURE all over Latin America and Caribbean, even more than in Venezuela without the dangers of a country gone disaster; many internet forums rave about how cheap the country has become, but even so is not worthy. If you've already bought your ticket, good look, feel free to ask for help, and keep in mind that FOREIGNERS MUST GET IN AND OUT BY INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT, don't dream about crossing the border to Brazil or Colombia, borders are closed , and those who dare have to face criminality or the police, whoever is worst!
I always say it's a screwed up situation for locals but to foreign people with enough money $$ it's very easy, for example if you change your currency at black market price you'll receive a lot of money, think of it this way: you can buy breakfast, lunch and dinner on regular restaurants (nothing fancy but acceptable places) for like 6$ or maybe 8$ p/day and that's a full meal, with a dollar you can buy like 2 beers or even 3, a taxi ride costs like 1$ depending on the destination, an acceptable hotel cost like 3$ the night, and so on. Don't worry about money just worry about your security, try to stay with friends an people who you trust.
Thanks for the answer Flora. I am still looking for ways to safely make the trip. I do not know of any locals in the country to go around. I have heard of people travelling from the south to make the Roraima and Angel Falls without going to the capital. However, I feel I should do more to interact and understand the culture of the country instead of entering and leaving promptly without any contact with the locals.
Well I live in Caracas, if you come here we can hangout, maybe have a coffee or beer or whatever you like and chat a little bit, I could explain to you a few thing about our culture Benjamin ;) leave a message if you're in, have a nice day.
Hi,
Thanks for writing updates about the situation in Caracas. It was nice reading to know something more. I am planning a trip to Caracas as well. My plan is to fly in (from Europe) and stay in capital city for about 2 days and than I just fly out back home. Is it safe enough to stay in hotels close to airport and beach? At least its possible to find some nice places to stay in that area at booking.com Whats the safest way to get from airport/ hotel to downtown Caracas? Is it better to meet up with some locals (like from CS) at airport and than move on into the city?
Why you will go only 2 days? Is for working? Is a long trip for stay 2 days. If yous earch in itnernet you will find some companies that make the trip from the airport to the hotels in dowtown and also provide private car with driver for any place on the city. Is expensive but may be safer that go by yourself if not have some friends in Caracas. I think if you will take the risk for travel Venezuela, you must stay some days more and tray to visit Angel Falls.
Thanks for reply. Only friends in Caracas I can find probably is here in CS:) Somebody choose this destination for me by spinning a globe. So my promise is to travel to that destination. In this case - its Caracas. But you are right - if I travel so far than I must stay for longer period of time in that area. But I still have few years to complete this mission, so I am just looking/ searching for any information I can find. Anyway it would be nice to meet a local people to change some money as well, for example!
No way! I was about to start planning my trip to Caracas again. First I checked the prices for plane tickets and they are 2 times higher since last time I checked! I was wandering if its somehow related with the situation in Venezuela? Is planes flying in/out like usual or less?