Venezuela

Venezuela is epic in proportion: it boasts South America's largest lake and third-longest river, the highest waterfall in the world, the longest of all snakes, and some of the most spectacular landscapes you'll ever see.

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The dry season from December to April is the best time to hang out on the Venezuelan coast and soak up the rays. While temperatures can get a bit fevered, peaking around 32°C (89°F) during the day, there is decent sunshine and negligible rainfall. During the rest of the year temperatures are just a pinch hotter, especially between June and September, with rainfall peaking around October. Moving inland, temperatures are cooler but still with little seasonal change, averaging highs between 24°C (75°F) and 27°C (80°F). Though the wet season is the same inland as on the coast, rainfall is more frequent throughout the year. In the southern plateau region the temperature climbs again, however the hottest months are now February and March and it is wet for most of the year with slightly drier periods in September and October and between January and March.

Transport

Getting there and away

Flights to Caracas arrive from the US and Western European countries. From Australia and New Zealand, round-the-world tickets may be the cheapest and most flexible option. There are direct flights between Venezuela, Colombia and Brazil, though the latter is very expensive.

Weekly passenger boats operate between Venezuela and Trinidad.

Overland, you can enter Venezuela from Colombia at four border crossings. The two most common (and safest) are: the coastal route between Maicao and Maracaibo and from Cúcuta and San Antonio del Táchira. No roads link Guyana and Venezuela, and only one road connects Brazil with Venezuela; it leads from Manaus through Boa Vista to Santa Elena de Uairén and continues to Ciudad Guayana. Long-distance international buses operate from Caracas.

Getting around

Caracas' airport is the country's major aviation hub, with flights to Porlamar, Maracaibo, Mérida, Ciudad Bolívar, Canaima and Puerto Ordaz (Ciudad Guayana) among others. Venezuela has half-a-dozen major commercial airlines - the largest being Aeropostal - and a dozen minor provincial carriers that cover regional and remote routes.

Venezuela has a number of islands, but only Isla de Margarita is serviced by regular scheduled boats and ferries.

As there is no passenger-train service, almost all traveling is done by bus. Buses are generally fast, affordable and they run regularly day and night between major population centers. Caracas is the most important transport hub, handling buses to just about every corner of the country. Many short-distance regional routes are served by por puestos (literally 'by the seat'), a cross between a bus and a taxi. Renting a car is a comfortable and flexible way of getting around Venezuela. The country is reasonably safe, the network of roads is extensive and usually in acceptable shape, and gas is just about the cheapest in the world - you can fill up your tank for a dollar. However, traffic in Venezuela, especially in Caracas, is chaotic and requires nerves of steel.

Health & Legal Requirements

Dangers and annoyances

Although Venezuela is a reasonably safe place to travel, the country's poor economic situation has led to an increase in theft, robbery and common crime. Caracas is easily the most dangerous place in the country, and you should take care while walking the streets, particularly at night. Also be aware of your surroundings when withdrawing cash from an ATM at any time of the day. Police are not necessarily trustworthy (though many are), so do not blindly accept the demands of these authority figures.

Visas overview

Nationals of the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the UK and most of Western and Scandinavian Europe don't need a visa to enter Venezuela; a free tarjeta de ingreso (tourist card, officially denominated DEX-2) is all that is required. The card is normally valid for 90 days and can be extended. Airlines provide these cards to passengers; overland travelers can obtain the card from the immigration official at the border crossing (check this beforehand at the nearest consulate).

On entering Venezuela, your passport and tourist card will be stamped by Dirección de Identificación y Extranjería (DIEX or DEX) border officials. Keep the yellow copy of the tourist card while traveling in Venezuela, and return it to immigration officials when leaving the country. Visa and tourist card extensions are handled by Onidex in Caracas.