Venezuela is a fascinating country that offers an unforgettable experience to travellers who decide to spend their holidays discovering the Caribbean coast, the Amazon jungle and cosmopolitan cities with centuries of history among many other tourist attractions. The country’s popularity as a travel destination has grown significantly in recent years, so we have prepared this post where we tell you all the requirements for travelling to Venezuela.
It is very easy to obtain the necessary documents and meet the conditions required to enter the country. All you need to do is take into account the following advice before you set off on your trip. We have also included important aspects to consider when buying your plane ticket or when exchanging money, so join us in this post and start your adventure in Venezuela!
What are the requirements for traveling to Venezuela?
1. Do I need a visa to travel to Venezuela?
To travel to Venezuela you need to apply for a tourist visa and present your passport, hotel reservation or letter of invitation, return tickets, and proof of sufficient financial means.
If you are a European citizen and your country belongs to the Schengen area, you will not need a tourist visa, just your passport. Remember that in any case, your passport must be valid for at least six months.
When you apply for your visa and on arrival in the country, you will be asked for your return ticket, your hotel reservation and proof that you have sufficient financial means to support yourself during your stay. Both EU nationals and visa holders may stay in the country for up to 90 days from the time of arrival.
Sometimes they may also ask for details of the medical insurance you are travelling with or even a photocopy of your passport, but these are not mandatory requirements.
2. Is vaccinating me one of the requirements for traveling to Venezuela?
If you do not belong to the European Schengen area, you will need to apply for a tourist visa. The procedures vary depending on the country of origin, so we recommend you visit the official website of the embassy or consulate of your country for more information.
The most common way to apply for a visa is by post, although in some cases it is also possible to apply for a visa on arrival in Venezuela, at the airport itself. The cost of the visa in this case is $30, and it is valid for one year, allowing several entries and exits in the country as long as the stay does not exceed 90 days.
3. Currency of Venezuela
The current currency in Venezuela is the bolivar. The equivalent of 1 euro is approximately 27.95 bolivars, however, the value of the currency fluctuates daily, so it is advisable to check the exchange rate frequently.
Although the bolivar has been the legal currency throughout Venezuela since 1879, most shops also accept foreign currencies such as Colombian pesos, euros and dollars, as well as international credit and debit cards.
It is advisable to always carry some cash to pay in small shops that do not accept cards. Bolivars are not available in Europe, which means you will have to change money or withdraw directly from an ATM on arrival in Venezuela. If you have a stopover, you can also exchange into bolivares in neighbouring countries such as Colombia.
4. Travel insurance: one of the requirements for traveling to Venezuela
When travelling abroad it is advisable to take out travel insurance for medical contingencies, cancellations or losses. One of the main benefits is medical coverage in case of need. In this respect, the insurance covers consultations, hospitalisation, medication and transport. In addition, some travel insurances offer 24-hour medical assistance by telephone or chat, as is the case with Mondo travel insurance.
Travel insurance to Venezuela can also provide protection in case of trip cancellation. If there is an unforeseen event that forces you to interrupt your trip, such as illness, an accident or even problems at the destination, travel insurance can reimburse non-refundable expenses such as flights and accommodation.
Travel insurance is always a smart investment for worry-free travel, as it provides financial security and peace of mind in case of unforeseen events. However, before choosing it, we recommend you compare several options and carefully read the conditions and coverage of each product.
5. Which airlines fly to Venezuela and to which cities?
From some European cities, such as Madrid, Lisbon or Paris, there are direct flights to Caracas. If you want to fly from another city, you will most likely have to make a stopover at some point during your trip.
These are the main international airports in Venezuela, however, there are many other airports that receive local flights and allow you to travel around the country by plane.
- Simon Bolivar International Airport (Caracas)
- General José Antonio Anzoátegui International Airport (Barcelona)
- La Chinita International Airport (Maracaibo)
- Arturo Michelena International Airport (Valencia)
- Santiago Mariño International Airport (Margarita Island)
In Venezuela you can fly with Conviasa and Plus Ultra, two reliable airlines operating in the country. Remember to book your flight in advance to get the best price and don’t miss this post where we give you more travel tips: The best travel tips for Venezuela.
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.
Tips for your trip to Venezuela
- It is advisable to bring mosquito repellent.
- Attempt to always drink bottled water and avoid ice.
- The best time to travel to Venezuela is between December and April.
- Speak to your doctor or specialist for information about possible vaccinations needed for travel to Venezuela.
- Cover yourself for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
- Respect the environment and the natural surroundings of Venezuela’s beaches.
- Keep yourself well hydrated at all times.
- Carry sunscreen with you at all times and apply it every so often.
- Check the accessibility of the beaches you want to visit.
- Have enough money with you.
- Check the weather forecast before you head to the beach.
- We recommend you bring a hat and sunglasses to protect you from the sun.
Venezuela, the unknown country in Latin America
How to organize your travel itinerary to Venezuela
Now, once you know the necessary requirements to travel to Venezuela, it’s time to plan your trip and Passporter is your ally to do so. Sign up or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
- Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
- Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map.
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make any modifications you need, and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you’ve visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travelers what to see in Venezuela.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Venezuela
In general the climate is warm and rainy because it is in an intertropical zone, but the altitude makes the temperatures change a lot depending on the area you are visiting in Venezuela. For example, cities located at low altitudes above sea level exceed the average annual temperature of 27ºC. However, those areas located more than 1300 meters above sea level do not exceed an annual average of 19ºC.
Venezuela’s main airport is Simon Bolivar International Airport in Caracas, where direct flights arrive from European cities such as Madrid and Lisbon.
Venezuelan cuisine offers many delicious dishes, often with corn as the star ingredient. You have to try their delicious arepas in different flavours, and the pabellón criollo – La Isabela or Casa Pakea in Caracas are excellent restaurants where you should try it!
It is recommended to stay in the touristic areas and read reviews about the accommodation before booking.
To travel long distances in Venezuela, we recommend flying or hiring a car. And to get around the cities, the best option is public transport.
The best time to travel to Venezuela is during the months of December to April. This is considered the dry season.
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