Venezuela

Venezuela, officially known as the Bolivian Republic of Venezuela, takes its name from Venice. When Columbus arrived on the eastern coast of Venezuela for the first time in 1498, he noted how it resembled the lagoon of Venice and thus coined the region as Venezuela or “little Venice”.
Venezuela is bordered on the north by the Caribbean sea, the east by Guyana, the south by Brazil and the west by Columbia.
Venezuela has over 28 million inhabitants and is a multiethnic country. Its expansive territory includes peoples of a variety of races: Africans, Europeans, Asians, etc…Today Venezuela also contains one of the largest populations of so-called “Indians” or native peoples.
he Venezuelan economy is primarily supported by mineral resources and Venezuela is one of the most important producers of crude oil worldwide, second only to the United Arab Emirates. In the past, agriculture was also an important resource but today the countryside has been abandoned in favor of large cities such as Caracas, Maracaibo and Valencia.

Travel information

European citizens who wish to visit Venezuela must have a passport that will remain valid for at least six months from the date of entrance in the country. No special visas are required. Please consult your embassy for updated country information.
Caracas is one of the main layovers in South America, and thus is well served by the biggest international airlines including: Alitalia, Airfrance, Iberia, TAP, Lufthansa, etc. Normally flights coming from a European capital arrive in Caracas in the afternoon. The price for an international ticket fluctuates depending on the season and how far in advance it is purchased. We recommend the website Edreams to get an idea on prices.
It is helpful to remember that purchasing a flight directly from Venezuela offers a savings of about 20% as compared with the European price, due to the exchange rate. Sailingroques will directly reserve national and international flights for its customers if they wish.
Guests interested in purchasing “do-it-yourself” travel insurance should consult this helpful website EuropAssistance.

Tourism

In recent years, Venezuela has experienced a significant development in its tourism sector: each year the number of tourists who choose to vacation in Angel Falls, Canaima and Venezuela increases. Venezuela offers enchanting natural environments: from tropical to desert climates, from the jungle to wide-open plains, and don’t forget the Andes. Accommodations are available for all types of travelers: from simple campsites perfect for backpackers to the most luxurious resorts for guests looking for a five-star vacation.
Some of the most sought-after destinations for international tourists are: Los Roques, with its enchanting islands; Margherita Island for those interested in expansive beaches and nighttime entertainment; the plains of Los Llanos, the ideal location to go on a safari and track down anacondas; the Orinoco river, offering a tour in the heart of Amazonia; Canaima and Angel Falls, where you can admire the tallest waterfall in the world while immersed in a spectacular natural setting.

Caracas

The capital of Venezuela and the beating heart of Latin America. Caracas has over 4 million inhabitants and rises over a plateau that, in the last centuries, formed a natural stronghold against attacks from both land and sea. Simon Bolivar airport in Maiquetia is about an hour from the center and is connected to the city by a shuttle bus and numerous taxis. However, for travelers planning to stop in Caracas for only a short time on their way to other destinations, it is helpful to know that there is a wide selection of hotels nearby, which also offer shuttle services to and from the airport. Please note that when leaving the country you will be required to pay a fee of about $20, which must be paid directly at the airport.

General information

Before organizing a trip to Venezuela it is a good idea to keep in mind the dates of the country’s major national holidays since travel may be difficult on these days, and it is recommended to make plans ahead of time: April 19 – Declaration of Independence, June 24 – The Battle of Carabobo, July 5 – Independence day, July 24, Bolivar’s birthday, October 12 – Columbus Day.
The official currency of Venezuela is the Bolivar (BsF). Please note that a parallel exchange market exists and often tourists arriving at the airport receive offers for “under the table” currency exchange; this market is illegal, however. For the official exchange rate for the Bolivar please consult Yahoo Finance.
Venezuela’s time zone is five hours ahead of Italy, six and a half during Daylight Savings Time.
Electrical outlets are all 110V, 60Hz. An adapter is needed in order to use European appliances (universal adapters sold in airports work fine for this purpose).

Climate

The climate of Venezuela is tropical, with a dry season lasting from November to April and a wet season from May to October. It is important to remember that the two seasons differ considerably inland but these differences are practically imperceptible on the Venezuelan coast (Los Roques, Las Aves, Orchilla, Tortuga) where constantly blowing trade winds helps to disperse clouds.
Real-time meteorological forecasts for Venezuela can be found at Yahoo weather.