| Check with your health clinic or doctor on injections
well before you leave. If you're travelling to
the south, begin your course of anti-malarial drugs before
you leave.
Bring plenty
of suncream (F25), a sunhat and an old T-shirt for swimming
or snorkelling, plus after-sun cream.
If trekking a
lot, bring sulphur powder to ward off chiggers.
Bring sandals
for beaches to avoid jiggers.
.
. |
Security isn't as bad as the headlines make out,
but don't come without adequate insurance. Away from the cities, robbery
of tourists is rare.
Caracas is the
exception, and you should be very wary of deserted streets
and bus terminals, particularly at night.
Follow locals'
habits and advice.
Never carry too
much cash on you, or jewelry, watches, etc
. |
Rental cars are expensive, whereas petrol (gas) is
air-cheap. Take advantage of "three
for the price of two"-day deals. THese are about $150.
Check your car
thoroughly before setting off, and on insurance, and exclusions.
Never leave anything
visible in your car.
Always park your
car in an off-street car park in cities.
.
.
. |
Photocopy all your documents before you leave.
Carry your passport at all times, and insert
an emergency telephone number of a friend or family, plus
your blood type.
Carry a phone
card with you.
Have your health
insurance details in an accessible place.
Note down your
Embassy or Consulate's number in Caracas.
.
.
.
.
.
|
Planes connect all the major cities, and aren't too
expensive. If you're short on time, you can save some by taking
them. Find out about Avensa's
airpass from your travel agent before you leave.
EX:
Caracas-Merida: around $60.
Ciudad Bolivar-Canaima:
$50.
Buses run all
the major routes, and you can get the luxury air-conditioned
ones, which are very comfortable.
Bring a sweater,
cos the air-con is brutal!!
Try to buy your
onward ticket when you arrive, especially at weekends and
holidays. |
| You'll find Venezuelans very friendly, and outgoing
on the whole. They sometimes take advantage of foreigners, but
on the whole people will be pleased to help you out.
As a stereotype: they're loud and brash, sometimes
superficial, and usually a lot of fun.
People vary greatly
from region to region, most markedly in the Andes, and in
the remote areas of the south. |
On the whole, Venezuelans dress very smartly, and
frown upon scruffy travellers. People in cities hardly
ever wear shorts, and you'll stand out if you do.
Women tend to
show off whatever they've got -- the tighter the skirt, the
better.
Body odour is
about the worst social sin you can commit.
. |
Venezuelans consume more beer than any other Latin
nation, and import crates of whisky. If you like your drink, you'll be at home among them.
The best drinks
to try are guarapitas, alcoholic fruit drinks - deceptively
tasty! The best rum is Pampero's Aniversario.
.
. |
You can eat cheaply and well throughout Venezuela,
especially at lunchtime. Venezuelans are great meat
eaters, with parillas (barbecues) ever-popular, as
well as chargrilled meats, carne a la brasa.
Fish and seafood
abounds along the coast, and is delicious.
Regional specialities
include goat or fish in coconut sauce, and fried ants in the
Orinoco basin!
. |
Venezuelan Spanish is fast, furious and rude. If
you don't speak much Spanish, it isn't really the country to
come to for classes. The exception is Merida
where the Spanish is clearer, and there are loads of schools
and students.
As in other Latin
nations, Venezuela has its own peculiar vernacular, often
very funny.
Words to watch
out for include:
chevere = great, fine
la vaina = the thing
arrechisimo = excellent
and -ito on the end of everything...
. |
top 
