How to plan a trip to Roraima?

Roraima is the most amazing tepui in all of Venezuela, and one of the most famous destinations in the world among nature and adventure lovers. However, going there is not easy and needs to be planned in advance. The only way to get there is to go deep into the savannah until you reach the jungle where this majestic mountain rises. The route lasts 4 days in which you will be completely isolated in the middle of nature. This is why it is vital to plan your trip to Roraima conscientiously and with every detail in mind.

In this post we help you to prepare everything based on our own experience. In Venezuela there are two very marked seasons, rainy and dry. And it is best to go to Roraima in the dry season. To do this trip it is mandatory to be accompanied by an expert guide, and depending on the company you travel with, they will rent you all the material and sometimes even accompany you with porters so that you do not have to carry any weight. Read on and start preparing your trip to Roraima!

1. Prepare your travel documents for your trip to Roraima

If you are organizing a trip to Roraima, you should know that in addition to requesting the necessary documentation to access the country, you must process a permit to visit the national park. The permit can be processed upon arrival at the park, and it is a mere economic procedure, you will only have to pay a fee. However, as it is mandatory to visit Roraima with a guide, this fee is usually included in the travel package. Check with your travel agency before contracting it to avoid surprises later.

On the other hand, to access Venezuela you will not need to apply for a visa if you are traveling from the Schengen area or some Latin American countries such as Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru or Uruguay. In this case a valid passport of more than 6 months will be enough.

In the case of traveling from another country that requires a visa, you will need to prepare this documentation:

• Passport: must be valid for another six months when you enter Venezuela.
• Return ticket: it is often required to show a return ticket to demonstrate the visitor’s intention to leave the country before the expiration of the permitted period of stay.
• Proof of accommodation: it may be necessary to submit hotel confirmations or a letter of invitation from someone who will be hosting you in Venezuela.
• Travel Insurance: currently travel insurance is mandatory and coverage cannot be less than $40,000 for Medical Assistance Services and $1,000 for loss or theft of luggage. In addition, the duration of the travel insurance must never be less than the duration of the trip.
• International vaccination certificate: depending on current health alerts, it may be necessary to present a vaccination certificate, especially against yellow fever, especially if traveling to border areas with Brazil.
• Proof of financial solvency: upon arrival they may request proof of sufficient funds for your stay.
• Visa: it is recommended to apply 90 days in advance as processing time may depend on the volume of applications. Processing fees are in the range of €50.

If you are traveling with the Passporter App, we recommend that you keep a copy of all your documentation and visa to have them at hand in case you need it, as you may be asked for it at any time during your stay.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

2. Choose the date to plan your trip to Roraima

Trips to Roraima are organized year-round, but it is usually advisable to travel during the dry season to avoid torrential rains. Think that you will spend the day in the middle of nature with nowhere to take shelter, and that at night you will sleep in tents. Although during the rainy season it is not cold, being wet all day can be uncomfortable.

During the dry season, which runs from December to April, it may rain some days, but you’ll be assured that the roads will be more passable and you won’t need to carry as much waterproof clothing or spare parts.

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3. Find out how to get to Roraima

To explore Mount Roraima it is mandatory to hire a specialized agency since access is restricted as it is a protected natural park. The agency will take care of most details of the trip, such as accommodation or food. But it is important to check if the transfers are included, because many times they only cover transportation from Santa Elena de Uairén or Ciudad Bolivar. In such a case, you will have to arrange your own transfer from the Caracas airport.

The most common for international travelers is to access the country through the Maiquetía Simón Bolívar International Airport, and from there, take a domestic flight to Ciudad Bolívar or Puerto Ordaz. From Spain there are direct flights to Caracas for a price ranging between 600€ and 900€ depending on the season, and domestic flights are around 200€.

The last step is to head to Santa Elena de Uairén, a location close to the starting point of the trek. Many agencies arrange this transfer by road from Ciudad Bolivar.

Alternatively, if you are coming from Brazil, you can fly to Boa Vista International Airport and then travel to Santa Elena de Uairen to begin the adventure to Roraima.

4. Find the accommodation that fits your expectations to enjoy Roraima

During your journey to Roraima we sleep in tents in the camping areas. As this is a protected natural area there are no hotels or cabins where to spend the night, the most comfort you will find is that a porter will carry your tent.

It is a unique experience that allows you to establish a connection with the surrounding nature. However, you must keep in mind that the day before your trip and the day of arrival you will have to reserve a couple of nights in Santa Elena de Uairén. You will be able to choose between cheaper hostels and posadas or hotels with swimming pool. We stayed at an inn run by a local family. The experience was ten, we could rest comfortably after 8 days walking and the treatment was close and friendly.

Some travel agencies include accommodation in Santa Elena de Uairen. We recommend you to check it when you start planning your trip to Roraima.

5. Choose the activities you want to do in Roraima

On your way through Roraima you will cross spectacular landscapes and discover unique ecosystems on top of the tepuis. When hiring and planning your trip to Roraima you should be well informed about the duration of the trip and the stops included, since not all agencies include the same stops. In this post you can read more about what to see in Roraima: What to see and do in Roraima. And here is a small preview of what to expect during your visit:

• Santa Elena de Uairén: starting point for exploring Canaima National Park, known for its Pemón culture and handicrafts. Base for excursions and enjoyment of the local gastronomy.
• Paray Tepuy: gateway to expeditions to Mount Roraima, with landscapes, biodiversity and remains of indigenous Pemón cultures.
• Rio Tek: first camp on the route to Roraima, located in the Gran Sabana, meeting point for adventurers.
• The Valley of Crystals: unique place with a floor covered with shining quartz, offers surreal views.
• La Ventana: lookout point at the top of Roraima with breathtaking views of the Gran Sabana and neighboring tepuys.
• El Abismo: precipice at the top of Roraima, it offers dizzying views and is one of the most emblematic points.
• Natural Hot Tubs: small natural pools at the top, perfect for resting after reaching the summit.
• Triple Point: place where the borders of Venezuela, Brazil and Guyana converge, symbolizing union and diversity.

Book the activities for Roraima

The agencies have a limited weekly quota, so it is preferable to organize the activity at least 3 months in advance if you want to secure your place. Groups are generally small and the price of the activity ranges between $500 and $900, depending on whether it includes transfers to Santa Elena, equipment or porters during the crossing.

6. Where and what to eat in Roraima

During the journey to Roraima, most travel agencies will provide all the food and water, ensuring a balanced and nutritious diet including everything from grains and fruits to vegetables, nuts and various sources of protein. We assure you that you will not go hungry. Just check with the agency what is included and what is not included in the travel package, and if there are porters who will carry the food or you will have to carry it yourself.

If you wish, you can include some extra snacks or food in case you need them, but in that case you will have to carry them in your own luggage. You’ll find that you’ll eat very well along the way, but you’ll appreciate a good meal when you get back to Santa Elena de Uairén. We treated ourselves by trying the local dishes of the area.

7. Organize a trip with friends to Roraima

Roraima is the perfect destination to travel with friends. During the 8-day journey you will be able to create bonds and memories that will last a lifetime. The visit to Roraima is also a perfect plan to avoid conflicts as everything is organized and there is no room for improvisation.

The only challenge you will have to face is the pre-planning of the trip, such as deciding the dates to travel, how to get there or what to see along the way. At Passporter we want you to enjoy your trip to the fullest, so we encourage you to plan your itinerary together with the Passporter App, so you can all do your bit. In this article you can read how to do it: Group travel: The best way to travel with your group of friends.

8. Tips for planning a trip to Roraima

• The currency of Venezuela is the Venezuelan bolivar
• Hedge against medical emergencies: travel insured. Choose good travel insurance, such as Mondo.
• We recommend that you change money before your trip to Venezuela, as it will be cheaper than at the airport.
• The best time to visit Roraima is between December and April, due to the dry climate and lower probability of rain, ideal for outdoor activities.
• Always drink bottled water.
• Take sunscreen with you, especially in the summer months, as well as light clothing that covers you from the sun’s rays and stay hydrated.
• Prepare warm clothing, the temperature drops as you climb.
• Wear waterproof, lightweight clothing so it dries quickly.
• Don’t pack extra clothes, travel light because you’ll have to carry your backpack.
• Respect the environment and biodiversity of Roraima.
• Get an eSIM card to have internet connection on your trip to Venezuela

9. Do you want to have your trip to Roraima organized by Passporter?

As we have already mentioned, to travel to Roraima you need to hire an organized tour through an agency as you are not allowed to go into the savannah on your own. So if you have to travel with an agency, what better than to do it with Passporter? You can organize your trip from start to finish with us without having to worry about anything because we take care of everything.

Also, with the Passporter App you will be able to keep your plane tickets, documentation and reservations in an organized way without the possibility of losing them. And during your stay you will be able to share your experience with other travelers through incredible photographs that you can take of the Roraima tepui.

Book your trip to Roraima with Passporter here

10. How to prepare what to see on your trip to Roraima

Download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by other travelers’ experiences, photos and itineraries
• Organize your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or typology (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
• Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and information of the trip.
• Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
• Add the stops that most interest you, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums…
• Book your flights, accommodations, transfers and activities through a single app.
• Save all your documents in the app to always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documentation…
• Make any modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip
• Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travelers with your experience. Also, you will be able to share your experience on how to plan your trip to Roraima.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

11. Frequently asked questions about a trip to Roraima