Venezuela Travel Guide

Venezuela — Travel Tips

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Social Conventions

Shaking hands or using the local abrazo, a cross between a hug and a handshake, are the normal forms of greeting. In Caracas, conservative casual wear is the norm. Men are expected to wear suits for business, and jackets and ties are usual for dining out and social functions. Dress on the coast is less formal but beachwear and shorts should not be worn away from the beach or pool. Smoking follows European habits and in most cases it is obvious where not to smoke. Some public buildings are also non-smoking areas.

International Travel

Getting There By Air

The national airlines Avior (website: www.avior.com.ve) and Santa Bárbara (website: www.sbairlines.com) offer direct flights to Miami but no other USA or European destinations.

Departure Tax

Payable in US Dollars or Bolívares Fuertes only, no credit cards.
Exit Tax: Bs.F.46/US$21.
Airport tax: Bs.F.115/US$54.
Domestic flights: Bs.F.23/US$11.

Main Airports

Aeropuerto Internacional Simón Bolívar (website: www.aeropuerto-maiquetia.com.ve) is on the coast at Maiquetía, 26km (16 miles) from the city center (journey time - 30 to 45 minutes). To/from the airport: Coaches shuttle passengers to/from Parque Central in downtown Caracas during daylight hours. Authorized taxis (black Ford Explorers) depart from outside the domestic and international terminals. Facilities: Duty-free shop, bank/bureau de change, ATMs, bars and restaurants, tourist information and car hire.

Getting There By Water

Main ports:La Guaira (website: www.plcsa.gov.ve/), Puerto Cabello, and Maracaibo.
The only international ferry link is between the ports of Güiria and Chaguaramas, Trinidad. The weekly crossing is operated by Acosta y Asociados (tel: (294) 982 1556).
More than 100 Caribbean cruise ships call at the port of El Guamache on Isla de Margarita each year (website: www.puertoelguamache.com).

Getting There By Rail

There are no international rail links with neighboring countries.

Getting There By Road

There are two principal overland routes from Colombia: from Cartagena to Maracaibo via Paraguachón/Maicao by Expreso Brasilia (Caracas tel: (212) 243 7400; website: www.expresobrasilia.com), and from Bogotá to Caracas via Cúcuta/San Antonio del Táchira. It is also possible to travel from the Amazon territory of Brazil (Manaus) to Caracas via Santa Elena de Uairén.

Duty Free

Overview

The following items may be imported into Venezuela without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes and 25 cigars.
• 2L of alcoholic beverages.
• Four small bottles of perfume.
• Gifts up to a value of US$1000.

Prohibited Imports

Flowers, fruit, meat products, live plants.

Internal Travel

Getting Around By Air

Almost all significant towns are connected with scheduled services operated by domestic airlines, including Aserca (website: www.tuy.com), Avior (website: www.avior.com.ve) and Santa Bárbara (website: www.sbairlines.com).

Getting Around By Water

Ferries link Margarita Island with the mainland at Puerto La Cruz and Cumaná (journey time - 2 hours from either point). See www.conferry.com for schedules.

Getting Around By Rail

Except for the Caracas subway and a suburban light rail line, there are no passenger trains operating in Venezuela.

Getting Around By Road

Traffic drives on the right. All vehicles must carry a spare tyre, wheel block, jack wrench and special reflector triangle. The quality of roads is variable but the main roads in Caracas and to the interior are good. Some routes have many potholes; on these roads a 4-wheel drive is recommended. In the event of an accident, both vehicles must remain in the position of the accident until a Traffic Police Officer arrives, otherwise insurance companies will be unable to pay claims. Drivers routinely ignore red lights. Petrol pump attendants expect a tip.

Bus: Long-distance bus routes connect virtually all cities and towns in Venezuela. Bus quality varies widely but the major lines all offer modern, air-conditioned executive-class service (servicio ejecutivo), as well as bus-cama service with ultra-reclining seats. Among the more efficient nationwide operators are Aeroexpresos Ejecutivos (website: www.aeroexpresos.com.ve), Rodovías (website: www.rodovias.com.ve) and Peli Express. Many inter-city routes are also covered by por puestos, (share-taxis) which depart as they fill up; they are generally a little more expensive than buses.

Car hire: Major car-rental firm agencies operate at the airport and in major city centers. You can often get better rates by booking online from home.

Regulations: You must be at least 18 years old to drive in Venezuela, 21 years old to rent a car. The official speed limit is 40kph in cities, 80kph on the highway, though in reality speed limits are rarely enforced. Seat belt use is compulsory. Motorcycles may not be used in Caracas after 2200.

Documentation: Drivers must have their license and insurance documents with them at all times; both foreign licenses and international driving permits are valid.

Getting Around Towns and Cities

Caracas has a 48-station metro, which is comfortable and inexpensive. Elsewhere, local transport is handled by both conventional bus services and por puestos (share-taxis). Fares for the latter are similar to those on the buses, though generally higher in the evenings and at weekends.

Taxis in Caracas are not metered and fares should be negotiated with the driver beforehand. Fares increase 30% after 2000. Travelers are advised to hail only white taxis with yellow number plates or to use official taxi stands. From the airport, authorized taxis (black Ford Explorers) line up in front of the international and domestic terminals.