Geography

Venezuela is located between 1 –12 degrees longitude (N) and 60 – 73 degrees latitude (W), and is therefore entirely in the tropics. Occupying the far north eastern part of South America, it is bordered by Brazil to the south, Columbia to the west and Guyana to the southeast. Its coastline meets the waters of both the Caribbean sea in the north and the Atlantic Ocean in the east.

Covering an area of 912,050 km² (566,383 miles²), Venezuela extends up to 1,290 km (801 miles) east to west and 1,050 km (652 miles) north to south. Elevations range from sea level to 2,500 m (8,200 ft) in the Guyana Highlands and up to 5,007 m (16,427 ft) in the Andes mountains.

Venezuela has an incredibly diverse landscape encompassing 10 broad geographical regions. Off the north coast lie numerous Caribbean Islands, of which the biggest is Isla Margarita. The Andes in the west continue in the north with the Cordillera de la Costa, a mountain chain which runs along the Caribbean coast. The Andes also continue south to Los Llanos, a giant plain extending east as far as the Caura River, which flows through Venezuela's second largest forest reserve after Amazon and only recently became known to adventure tourism. Located south of Los Llanos is the Amazon Basin, the largest rain forest in the world. East of the Caura River forest is the beginning of the Gran Sabana, part of the Guayana Highlands which extend up to the rainforests of the Orinoco Delta in the north east and the Brazilian border in the south.

Venezuela’s capital, Caracas, and the majority of developed land is situated in the Central region. Grasslands occupy half of the country, and forests cover about two-fifths, varying from true rainforest to semi-tropical evergreens. Only a small portion (less than 4 per cent) of land in Venezuela is cultivated.

Climate

Venezuela is located entirely in the tropics. The temperature varies very little during the year and most parts of the country maintain an average of over 25°C (77°F). Its capital, Caracas, has an average annual temperature of 22°C (72°F) and varies by only 4°C (8°F) over the year. However, the temperature drops with altitude. The mountainous regions can get cold, especially at night, and there is even snow in the highest parts of the Andes.

Like all tropical countries, Venezuela only has two seasons, the dry season, known as verano, and the rainy season, known as invierno, which are marked by the difference in rainfall rather than temperature. Generally, the dry season is from December to April/May, and the rainy season lasts for the rest of the year. Rainfall, however, can occur during the dry season, and the rainy season often has dry months.

There are many regional variations in rainfall. While certain areas, such as the Caribbean Islands and the northern coastal region remain dry, with only 280mm (11 inches) of annual rainfall, the mountain slopes of northern Venezuela are generally wet, with annual rainfall reaching up to 1500mm (58 inches). Amazon remains wet for most of the year, and in the Llanos, a vast plain in the south western region, extensive floods during the rainy months are followed by severe droughts in the dry season.

Forecastmap for Venezuela

Nature

Venezuela is home to an enormous variety of animals and plants, and is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. The evolution of the country’s flora and fauna was the result of two principal factors: the diversity of the landscape, which facilitated the development of numerous, distinct habitats, and the natural history of the continent. After being geographically isolated for 70 million years, South America became linked to Central America when a landbridge (now Panama) emerged from the sea some 3.5 million years ago. Gradually, new species spread from Asia down North and Central America and filtered into South America. Although this movement of wildlife and plants enhanced the biodiversity of the continent, it brought renewed competition and some species became extinct. Moreover, in later years, South America did not encounter the ice ages that engulfed North America and parts of Europe and Asia. As a result, the species that had become established in the continent survived an era that saw the loss of many from northern parts of the world.

Today, there are about 250 species of mammal in Venezuela, including the jaguar, puma, capybara (chiguire), manatee, howler monkey, sloth and two species of fresh water dolphin. The country is also home to the giant otter or ‘water-wolf’, which is the rarest otter in the world. The bird population consists of over 1,200 species, among which are the condor, hoatzin (guacharaca), flamingo, pelican, several species of parrot, macaw (guacamayo) and toucan and a rare, nocturnal species, the oilbird (guacharo). Venezuela’s reptiles include five species of cayman, the common iguana, rattlesnake, boa and the largest snake in the world: the anaconda.

The plant life of Venezuela is as diverse as its wildlife, ranging from the cacti of the desert to the epiphytes of the rainforest. Extraordinary species of flower grow on the isolated, flat-topped mountains of the Gran Sabana (tepui), some of which are endemic to a single plateau. Several thousand species of orchid bloom throughout the year, and there is a huge variety of fruiting trees. Flora of cultural significance includes the moriche palm, which grows in the swamps of the Orinoco delta. Known as the ‘tree of life’, the moriche plays an essential role in the existence of the Warao Indians, providing food and materials for their daily life.

Culture

In the years that followed the conquest, the Spanish colonists came to entirely shape the national culture of Venezuela. The influence of the native, pre-Hispanic communities was marginal, as they were soon assimilated by the strong cultural and political unity of the Spaniards.

After the Spanish conquest, Venezuelan music evolved as a blend of Spanish, African and Indigenous rhythms. Today, an African influence is particularly apparent in the music of the northeast coast, formerly the 'slave coast'. The Gaita is the traditional music of Zulia State and consists of improvised rhyming vocals over four-string guitars and maracas. The Gaita is featured in festivals throughout the year and has now become Venezuela’s traditional Christmas music. The national Venezuelan dance is the joropo, which is associated with the Llanos region and, like the Gaita is a rhythm accompanied by improvised vocals, four-string guitars, maracas and harps. However, the merengue of the Dominican Republic and the Puerto Rican salsa are the most popular dances in Venezuela.

Venezuelan literature only began to develop during the colonial period, and writings of the era were dominated by Spanish culture and thinking. Chronicles and various styles of poetry were the chief literary manifestations of the 1700s. The 1800s and independence saw the rise of political literature, including the autobiography of Franciso de Miranda. Romanticism, the first important literary genre in Venezuela, unfolded in the mid 1800s and is best illustrated by Peonia, by Manuel Romero García. After independence, Venezuelan literature began to diversify, but only began to rapidly evolve under the regimes of Guzmán Blanco, from 1870 to 1888. The early 1900s saw the rise of several significant writers, novelists and poets, among them Andrés Eloy Blanco, Rómulo Gallegos, Arturo Uslar Pietri and Miguel Otero Silva. Literary tradition became established in Venezuela in the mid 1900s.

Colonial architecture in Venezuela did not really compare to the grand buildings of Columbia, Peru and Ecuador. Churches and houses were simple, and most buildings were constructed in a Spanish style. However, Venezuela stands out for its Modernism. Modern architecture came in two phases, the first under the regime of Guzmán Blanco in the 1870s, and second and most significant in the mid 1900s, when much of the new-found oil wealth was invested in the renovation of Caracas. Today, Caracas is one of the most modern cities in the world.

Pre-Columbian art in Venezuela consisted mainly of rock carvings and cave paintings in the form of petroglyphs. The colonial era was characterised by religious painting and sculpture in Spanish style, of which notable examples include the sculpture St Peter the Apostle by Enrique Antonio Hernández Prieto, and Antonio José Landaeta’s painting The Immaculate Conception. In the years following independence, history took over from religion as the dominant theme of art, a genre best illustrated by the exceptional work of Martín Tovar y Tovar. 20th century art has been marked by modernism, and many changes of style occurred in the 1930s and 1940s. Kinetic art has emerged in the last few decades, and has been most successfully represented by the work of Carlos Cruz Díez and Jesús Soto.

There are many museums in Caracas, including the Museum of Fine Art, the Museum of Colonial Art, the Natural Sciences Museum and the Simon Bolívar Museum.

Venezuela’s theatre tradition began in the late 1700s and has been progressively growing ever since. The national theatre became established some thirty years ago, and is now based in Caracas. Venezuela is not noted for its cinema; few films are made and foreign films are favoured.

Venezuela has a strong folk and popular culture. Many regions have well-known symbolic icons which personify their cultural roots. Most significant are the andinos, the hardy mountain folk; the guayanés, the tough frontiersman following a dream; the llanero, the cowboy of the Llanos and the maracucho, the energetic entrepreneur of the Maracaibo area.

Money:

The Venezuelan currency is the Bolívar (Bs). Locals sometimes call it the ‘Bolo’. It can be exported and imported in unlimited quantities. You can buy Bolívares before coming to Venezuela, but it can take time for them to be ordered and you will get a better exchange rate in Venezuela.

The US$ is the most commonly accepted foreign currency in Venezuela, so it is recommended to carry cash and traveller’s cheques in US$. At present, banks do not change cheques or foreign currency, and tourists have to go to exchange offices. As these are mostly found in larger cities and airports, it is wise to obtain sufficient Bolívares before taking a trip to the interior.

Credit cards are widely accepted, but a surcharge of up to 10% is often applied. Most commonly accepted are MasterCard/Eurocard, American Express and Visa in mayor cities. You can also use a credit card to withdraw money from automatic cash machines, which usually dispense money. If you require more, you will have to make a transaction over the counter. Venezuelan banks can get very crowded so allow at least 2 hours for this. In remote area such as Santa Elena the cashpoints often do not work and its bettter to have some cash with you.

Currency

The following link will open a new window and take you to the Universal Currency Converter. You can use this to convert any currency at the daily exchange rate. Just close the new window to return to our page.

Currency converter

Costs

Accommodation: Prices range depending on whether you are stringing up a hammock or staying in lavish hotels. A basic double room with bathroom will generally cost between 10 – 30 EURper night. Air-conditioned rooms are more expensive.
Food: A decent meal in a local restaurant will cost between 3 - 10 EUR.
Drinks: Beer and soft drinks cost around 0, 25 EUR (per 222ml bottle). Spirits are also cheap and a liter bottle of rum is about US$3.5.
Nightclubs: These vary. Some are free, others may charge up to US$5. Sometimes drinks are included.
Cinemas: US$2-10, depending on size and quality.
Transport: national buses work out at roughly US$3 per hour’s journey. Local bus rides are cheap and cost around 25c.
The prices quoted above are average figures, so you can spend considerably less if you look around for cheap places. Prices rise at Christmas time and holidays.
There are only a few discounts for foreign students or young people. Sometimes you can get a 10% discount when paying in cash - always ask.

Budget
A thrifty backpacker can live adequately on a daily budget of US$18 -30. This would probably include basic accommodation, one decent meal, drinks, snacks and the odd bus ride.

Healthcare

Venezuela has both public and private healthcare services. The public health service is run by the government and offers free treatment but charges for prescriptions. Conditions, however, are often different to what tourists may be used to. Private hospitals offer a higher standard of treatment but these require large deposits or a credit card, even for emergencies, and can be very expensive. The private ambulance service in Venezuela will also cost a lot to use. Public ambulances can be found at Police and National Guard checkpoints (alcabala) all over the country or called from the nearest hospital or the Defensa Civil in the case of an emergency.

For minor illnesses or health problems, Venezuela has many good pharmacies which stock almost all brand medicines, and you can buy most brands sold at home, often at a cheaper price. Pharmacists will give you free advice, and you can purchase most medication without a prescription.

No vaccinations are mandatory for Venezuela unless you are travelling from an infected country, in which case officials may ask to see a vaccination certificate.

Many diseases can be easily avoided if the right precautions are taken. Always drink bottled water and check that ice in drinks is made from purified water, which is usually the case. Generally, you should not have any problems with Venezuelan food, even from street vendors, but do give your stomach enough time to adjust and be careful in the first few days.

Care also needs to be taken when out in the sun. The sun in Venezuela is very direct and extremely strong, so be sure to wear a hat and use a high protector sunscreen to avoid sunburn and sunstroke.

Diseases
Cholera
The Cholera vaccination gives little protection against the disease and only lasts for six months. Cholera is caught mainly from contaminated water, thus it can be easily avoided if the above precautions are taken.

Hepatitis ‘A’
Hepatitis ‘A’ is a common disease among travellers. It is spread by contaminated food and water, and can be serious. Long term immunity (10 years or more) can be obtained from the Havrix vaccination, which consists of an initial injection and a booster six to twelve months later. Gamma Globulin is another form of prevention. It is not a vaccination but an antibody collected from blood donations. It usually lasts for up to six months, thus should be administered as close as possible to departure. It does not, however, provide the same protection as Havrix.

Hepatitis ‘B’
Hepatitis ‘B’ is a disease spread through contact with infected bodily fluids. It can be transmitted through blood transfusions, use of unclean needles or sexual activity. Any travellers visiting a country known to have many carriers of the disease, where blood transfusions may not be adequately screened or where sexual contact is possible should consider a hepatitis B vaccination. The vaccination consists of three injections, with at least four weeks between the first and second shots, and five months between the second and third.

Tetanus & Diphtheria
Tetanus is a potentially fatal disease and occurs in wound infection. Diphtheria, a throat infection, can also be fatal. Everyone should be vaccinated against these diseases. In both cases, ten yearly boosters follow an initial course of three injections.

Yellow Fever
Yellow fever is a virus spread by mosquito and is found in many parts of South America. In many countries, yellow fever is now the only vaccine that is a legal entry requirement, but is usually only enforced with travellers coming from infected areas. The vaccination is very effective, and one injection lasts for ten years. It is highly recommended for anyone who wishes to travel in or around South America. The vaccination may pose some risk during pregnancy, but is still advisable for women travelling to high-risk areas. People allergic to eggs may not be able to have the vaccination and this should be discussed with your doctor.

Malaria
Malaria is a potentially fatal disease spread by a certain species of mosquito: the anopheles. Antimalarial drugs do not prevent infection, but reduce the risk of serious illness by killing the malarial parasites during their development. There are many factors to consider when choosing an anti-malarial and up-to-date, expert advice should be sought. Those travelling to high-risk areas where medical attention may be difficult to obtain are advised to carry a treatment dose of medication, in case symptoms develop. Malaria, however, is best prevented by avoiding mosquito bites. The risk can be significantly reduced by noting the following tips:

Wear light collared trousers and long sleeved tops between dusk and dawn.
Avoid wearing perfume or aftershave.
Sleep in properly screened rooms and spray the room with insecticide.
If sleeping elsewhere, use a mosquito net which has been treated with pyrethroids.
Apply mosquito repellent containing diethyltoluamide (DEET) to all areas of exposed skin.
A course of vitamin B complex tablets can help deter biting insects.

Vacacions in Venezuela
1st January - New Year's Day
Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday - Carnival
Monday, Thursday and Good Friday - Easter
19th April - Declaration of Independence
1st May - Labor Day
24th June - Battle of Carabobo
5th July - Independence Day
24th July - Bolívar's Birthday
12th October - Discovery of America
25th December - Christmas Day

Local Events and Festivals
January
Paradura del Niño (Mérida, 1st – 2nd)
Feria Internacional de San Sebastián (San Cristóbal, 7th – 30th) La Divina Pastora (Barquisimeto)
Fiesta de la Voz de Oro (Barquisimeto)
Santa Inés (Cumana, 22nd)

February
Feria del Sol (Mérida)
Danceros de la Candelaria (Mérida)
Pre-Lenten Carnival (Carúpano)

March
San José (Paraguachí, Margarita and Maracay, 16th - 26th)
Fiesta del Joropo (Elorza, Apure State, 19th)

May
Velorio de la Cruz de Mayo (Caracas and Carúpano, 3rd)
San Antonio del Táchira (San Antonio del Táchira, 13th - 20th)
San Isidro (Maracaibo and Mérida, 15th)
Los Diablos Danzantes (San Francisco de Yare)

June
Fiesta de San Juan (Curiepe, Miranda State, 23rd)
Fiestas de La Virgen (La Asunción, Margarita)

July
Batalla de Matasiete (La Asunción, Margarita, 31st)

August
Fiesta del Orinoco (Cuidad Bolívar)
Feria de las Flores (Caripe, 2nd – 12th)
Asunción de la Virgen (Carúpano 15th and La Asunción, Margarita, 14th - 15th)

September
Fiesta de La Virgen de Coromoto (Guanare, 8th)
Fiesta de Nuestra Señora del Valle (Margarita, 8th –15th)

October
Virgen del Rosario (Maracaibo, 5th)
Nuestra Señora del Pilar (Caripe, 10th –12th)

November
Santos y Fideles Difuntos (Cumana, 2nd)
Feria de Valencia (Valencia, 15th – 22nd)
Feria de la Chinita (Maracaibo, 18th)

December
Fiesta de la Zaragoza (Barquisimeto, 28th)

Why would I go to Venezuela?

Sadly, in North America, Venezuela is known only for its beaches: Margarita and Puerto La Cruz. But did you know that, according to the United Nations, Venezuela is ranked amongst the first 10 countries (on a total of 255!), for its bio-diversity.

We can find about any kind of environment in Venezuela, from idyllic beaches and mangroves on the Caribbean coast to dense jungle in the Amazonas and the Coastal Range, sand dunes in the Coro Peninsula, mystic tepuys in the Gran Sabana, plains and permanent glaciers in Merida state.

More than 40% of the territory is protected under some kind of legal form: there are 39 National Parks, 17 National Monuments, 9 important Wildlife Refuges and Reserves and Forest Reserves, which makes it the nation with the highest proportion of its territory devoted to environmental conservation.

More than 22 ethnic groups of Native Indians, of which the Yanomamis, the last ones on earth that have maintained their original customs and idiosyncrasy until now, are represented in Venezuela.

And last but not least, Venezuela is only 3 hours from Miami, 5 from New York, served by American Airlines, United, Continental, and Delta, as well as the Venezuelan airlines Servivensa (direct flights from New York and Miami), and Aeropostal (direct flights from Orlando).

During the cold North American winter exists charter flights from Montreal and Toronto in Canada, flying directly to Margarita island for incredibly low prices (from November to April).

From Europe, Venezuela is served by all major airlines, Air France, Alitalia, British, Iberia, KLM, as well as regular charter flights form Belgium, Germany and Spain.