Venezuela Travel Facts

Located in South America, Venezuela has a long coastline on the Caribbean Sea and is bordered by Guyana, Brazil and Colombia. The species-rich country has beautiful national parks with breathtaking landscapes. Unfortunately, due to the political and economic situation, it is not an easy country to travel to.

Source: Destination Explorer

Fast facts to know

• The country’s national sport is baseball.
• Venezuela has the highest waterfall in the world.
• Venezuela is one of the most biodiverse countries on earth.
• Venezuela has the highest percentage of protected areas in the Americas.
• There have been many violent clashes and demonstrations in recent years. Notes Federal Foreign Office.
• Power cuts are the order of the day. The drinking water quality is often poor.
• The country does not have good basic medical care compared to European standards.
• Hurricanes & earthquakes can occur in Venezuela.
• Not an easy country to travel to, no well-developed tourist infrastructure.
• Comparatively high crime rate.
• International driver’s license required.
• Entry possible without a visa.
• No mandatory vaccinations, standard vaccinations are recommended.
• Malaria, dengue fever, zika virus, chikungunya fever are among the greatest dangers.
• Venezuela’s most important export is oil.
• The capital, Caracas, is the largest city in the country.
• Meaning of the colors of the flag: yellow = sun, blue = sea, red = bloodshed during the revolution.

Exciting cities in Venezuela

• Coro
• Merida
• caracas
• Maracaibo
• Ciudad Guiana
• Ciudad Bolivar
• Maracaibo
• Indian village of Canaima

History of Venezuela

• Populated in pre-Columbian times by Native American groups, nomadic hunter-gatherers, fishermen and farmers.
• Discovered by Columbus in 1498.
• Long Spanish colonial rule.
• Cultivation of cocoa, sugar, tobacco, coffee and cotton with the help of imported slaves.
• Christianization of Indian tribes in the 17th and 18th centuries.
• 1821 Wars of Independence end victorious.
• 1830 Venezuela declares independence.
• 1864 transformation into a federal republic.
• Civil wars and revolutions follow.
• Early 20th century Dictatorship of Juan Vicente Gómez.
• 1945 Legalization of the Communist Party & constitutional reform.
• In the same year there was a putsch with a new government.
• In 1947, for the first time, a president was directly elected by the people.
• 1948-1958 military junta.
• 1958 Venezuela becomes a democracy.
• 1983-1997 Decline in oil prices leads to economic crisis marked by corruption.
• 1998-2013 “Chavismo” under Hugo Chávez.
• From 2013 Maduro government leads to supply crisis, violent protests and violent clashes between government and population.
• Venezuela today is an authoritarian, non-democratic regime.

Climate & travel weather in Venezuela

• Tropical climate with small seasonal temperature differences.
• Rainy season from May to November.
• South: always tropical and humid with high rainfall.
• High mountains cool all year round.
• Recommended travel time:
  • Baden: Dec-April.
  • High mountains: Sep-April.

Ideas for excursions in Venezuela

• Angel Falls – highest waterfall in the world
• Picture-perfect beaches in Mochima National Park
• Diving on coral reefs near Los Roques
• Swim & relax at Playa Medina
• River cruise on the Orinoco
• Visit Hacienda Buchare
• Cueva del Guacharo caves

Eating & Drinking in Venezuela

• Cuisine determined by indigenous and European influences.
• Many dishes are based on corn.
• Also often found on the plate: rice, meat, fish, yams, plantains, beans and seafood.
• Sumptuous dishes are an important element of Venezuelan hospitality.
• Venezuelans like to take their time eating, lunch takes 1-2 hours.
• Large selection of sweet breads.
• Desserts mostly also very sweet.
• Venezuelan cheese is usually very fresh and tasty.
• Drinking coffee has a long tradition in Venezuela.
• The most popular Venezuelan beer is Polar, and rum is also a popular drink.
• Parrillas are richly stocked grill plates with juicy fillet steaks, pork ribs, chicken parts, homemade black pudding (morcilla), bratwurst (chorizo).
• Buffalo mozzarella queso de bufala is particularly recommended.
• Beware of pickled seafood – often not suitable for European stomachs.
• Almost everywhere there are delicious, very fresh fruits and juices.
• In Venezuela there are often many good Spanish restaurants.
• Typical dishes:
  • Arepas (stuffed corn cakes).
  • Pabellón criollo (beef, rice, black beans, plantains).
  • Hallacas (Christmas food made from a mixture of meat, vegetables, various herbs and spices, covered in corn dough and wrapped in banana leaves).
  • Empanadas (fried corn pockets filled with meat, fish, ham or cheese).
  • Chachapa (cornmeal pancakes topped with cheese, ham or black beans).
  • Casco de guayaba (guavas cooked in sugar syrup).
  • Dulce de lechosa (papaya candy).

Particularly scenic

• To the
• amazon
• coastal cordillera
• Table mountains in the Gran Sabana
• Explore beautiful national parks:
  • Morrocoy National Park
  • Yacambu National Park
  • Sierra Nevada National Park
  • Los Médanos de Coro National Park (Desert & Dunes)