Before exploring this magnificent and exotic South American country, you should take into account some tips when preparing your trip to Venezuela. Keeping in mind some recommendations, when you are there, you will only have to worry about enjoying the unique environment offered by the beautiful Caribbean coast. Keep reading this post and don’t miss any tips we have prepared for you when you travel to Venezuela!
Here’s what documentation you’ll need to enter the country, the best time to travel, where to change money and how to get around the main points of interest. At Passporter we know that organising a trip can be a complicated task, so we’ve prepared lots of other tips to save you time researching, so you can spend it relaxing on Venezuela’s Caribbean beaches.
What are the best travel tips for Venezuela?
1. What documents do I need to travel to Venezuela?
To enter the country you’ll need a valid passport with at least six months’ validity, a hotel reservation or a letter of invitation if you’re staying with a relative or friend, and return flight tickets. A tourist visa allows you to stay in the country for up to 90 days after your arrival.
It is worth noting that European citizens belonging to the Schengen area can enter the country with just their passport and do not need to apply for a tourist visa as long as their stay does not exceed the stipulated 90 days.
In some cases, you may also be asked at the airport for a yellow fever vaccination certificate, travel health insurance details or even a photocopy of your passport. These documents are recommended, but not mandatory.
2. Money tips on a trip to Venezuela
Venezuelan bolivars are used in Venezuela. The value of 1 euro is equivalent to approximately 27.95 bolívares, however, it is advisable to check the exchange rate frequently as it fluctuates daily.
During your trip you can pay with international credit or debit cards in most establishments, but it is usually advisable to bring cash for small shops, where they usually also accept euros, dollars or Colombian pesos.
If you want to change money, you can do so directly at airports and exchange offices. It is also possible to get bolivares in border countries such as Colombia.
Our recommendation is that you always carry some cash, whether bolivars, euros or dollars, in addition to your credit card. This way you won’t have problems paying anywhere, and you won’t be forced to carry a lot of cash on you.
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.
3. Find flights and accommodation in advance
Venezuela’s main tourist destinations offer a wide range of accommodation to suit all tastes and budgets, from all-inclusive resorts to simple budget inns. However, if you want to find the perfect accommodation for your next holiday, we recommend booking in advance. This way, you’ll be able to compare prices and get the best options before they fill up.
We also give you the same advice when it comes to booking your flights, both return flights and local flights during your stay in the country. This way you can choose the times that suit you best.
4. Try typical Venezuelan food
Venezuelan gastronomy is a feast of aromas and flavours that reflect the geographical and cultural diversity of the country. The common dish that unites all Venezuelans is the arepa, a flat bun made of corn flour that can be filled with an infinite number of ingredients. However, there are many other dishes not to be missed on your trip to Venezuela:
- Pabellon Criollo: the national dish consisting of shredded beef, rice, black beans and fried plantain.
- Empanadas: delicious buns filled with meat, cheese, fish or chicken.
- Hallaca: a typical dish of the Christmas season. It is a corn dough stuffed with meat and other ingredients that is cooked wrapped in banana leaves.
- Cachito: a ham and cheese bun perfect for breakfast.
- Tequeños: cheese sticks wrapped in dough and fried until golden brown and crispy.
- Asado Negro: a sweet and tender meat stew, usually served with rice.
- Cachapa: a kind of sweet corn pancake served with cheese or meat.
- Ajiaco: a thick, spicy soup made with meat and vegetables.
- Tajadas: fried ripe plantains in slices.
- Papitas Andinas: Andean potatoes cooked in a cheese sauce.
- Torta de Jojoto: A cake made of tender corn and cheese.
- Quesillo: a dessert similar to flan.
5. How to get around Venezuela? Take advantage of public transport in the cities
In Venezuela there are many options for getting between the main points of interest in the country. Here is a list of all the possibilities so that you can choose the one that best suits your travel needs:
- Plane: Venezuela’s main airport is Simón Bolívar International Airport, but there are many others around the country that will save you time.
- Rent a car or private vehicle: A car is very convenient as it allows you to reach more isolated places such as some beaches and other locations in natural landscapes in the Andean mountain range, savannah or jungle. You can rent a car at the airport and in major cities.
- Taxi: In Venezuela’s main urban centres you can easily get around by taxi. It’s a quick option that will allow you to see the city streets on the way.
- Public transport: Venezuela’s major cities have public transport networks that include buses and the metro. In Caracas, the metro is one of the most used and efficient options. It has five lines covering much of the city and its surroundings, and the ticket price is very affordable. In addition, the bus network will allow you to travel comfortably to areas not served by the metro.
6. Find out more and choose the right places to visit in Venezuela
Venezuela has a lot to offer and we understand that you want to visit every corner of the country, from the Caribbean beaches to the Amazon jungle. That’s why we recommend that before you start booking hotels and flights, you should study the destinations you want to visit carefully and take into account the time you will need to see it and the time you will need to travel.
On the other hand, you should also take into account the characteristics of the region you are visiting, as the contents of your suitcase will vary depending on where you are travelling. Bear in mind that the climate varies considerably from one region to another, so it’s best to find out in advance.
7. What is the best time to travel to Venezuela?
Venezuela has different climates depending on the region. While on the coast the tropical climate predominates, in the mountains the temperatures are cooler. In general there are two distinct seasons, the dry season from December to April and the rainy season from May to November, which is especially intense in the Amazon region. The good thing about the rainy season is that the jungle vegetation is lush.
There are also some key dates to consider depending on the type of trip you’re making:
- Carnival (February or March): if you like festivities and discovering local traditions you can’t miss Venezuela’s Carnival. There are parades, music, dancing and celebrations all over the country.
- Whale-watching season (June to November): if you’re interested in whale-watching, especially in the Los Roques region and the Paraguaná Peninsula, the period between June and November is ideal.
- Semana Santa (Holy Week): Semana Santa is an important time in Venezuela, with religious processions and cultural events in many cities. However, be aware that prices can be higher and accommodation bookings can fill up quickly.
8. Cover yourself against unforeseen events: take out medical insurance.
It’s not a prerequisite, but taking out travel health insurance is always a good idea when travelling abroad. Normally nothing will happen during your trip, but in the event of an unforeseen event, if you don’t have health insurance you will have to pay for care out of your own pocket. The insurance covers consultations, hospitalisation, medication and transport. In addition, some travel insurance policies offer 24-hour medical assistance by telephone, such as Mondo travel insurance.
Health 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 an insurance policy, we recommend that you compare several options and carefully read the conditions and coverage of each product according to the needs of your trip.
9. Use Passporter to organize your itinerary and keep the documents up to date
Register or 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 type of the trip (beach, mountain, restaurants…).
- Add your friends, so they can see and modify all the plans and trip information.
- Create your own itinerary of the destination with everything you feel like visiting each day.
- Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums, etc.
- Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities via 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’ve visited on your trip to the app to inspire other travelers with your experience. In addition, you will be able to share your own travel tips to Venezuela.
- Enjoy your trip to Venezuela!
- If you have any doubts on how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Venezuela, the unknown country in Latin America
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Venezuela
In general the climate in Venezuela 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. For example, cities that are 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.
To get to Venezuela from Spain there are direct flights from Madrid Barajas. You can also use this central airport as a stopover from other cities on the peninsula.
Venezuelan cuisine offers many delicious dishes, often with corn as the main ingredient. You have to try its delicious arepas of different flavors and the pabellon criollo. La Isabela or Casa Pakea in Caracas are some excellent restaurants in where you should try it!
It is recommended to stay in the touristic areas and to find out information about the hotels reading reviews.
To travel long distances in Venezuela it is recommended to fly or travel by rental car. And to move around the cities, the best option is public transportation.
The best time to travel to Venezuela is from December to April. This is considered the dry season.
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