Venezuela: Traveling

Means of Transport Recommended in Town

Recommendation

A bus network covers all the cities in the country. Most buses are air-conditioned and comfortable. There are also metros in several cities. Taxis are a practical means of transport but as a security measure it is recommended that you order one by telephone. In most districts it is not advisable to go out on foot. For the last few years, Venezuela has seen its crime rate rise considerably. Kidnappings, hold-ups and all sorts of agression have multiplied. You should always make inquiries before you go into a new district. Travel agencies on the spot are best placed to tell you what parts of the city are dangerous or practicable.

Maps of Urban Networks

Maporama
Mapblast
UT Library on line

Transportation From Airport to City Centre:

Airport	Distance	Taxi	Bus	Train	Car Rental
Caracas-Maiquetía (CCS)	30km / 18 miles	USD 20-25 / 35-65 min	USD 2-3 / 50 min	-	Available

Means of Transport Recommended in the Rest of the Country

Recommendation

The road network is widespread but badly maintained. It is better to rent a pick-up truck to avoid being stuck on muddy or uneven roads. The bus is the most commonly used means of transport. There is a small railway network, especially for transporting goods. Many cities are accessible by airplane, but there are numerous areas that can only be reached by vehicle. To move around the islands off the coast or around the Orinoco, the "lancha", a small motor boat, is a fast and pleasant means of transport. On the whole, the means of transport are inexpensive, especially the car, given the low cost of fuel.

Rail Companies

IAFE: State Railway Institute

Airlines

You Can Consult the List of Airlines Banned Within the EU. Look Also at the rating of the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Traveling By Yourself

Recommendation

There are many car hire companies: you can rent a car or order a taxi on arrival at Caracas airport. Travel agencies and hotels also offer this type of service. Regarding security, you should always lock your car doors from the inside and preferably not drive at night. Avoid wearing jewelry or showy accessories and do not carry your passport with you.

Road Maps

Interactive map
Map

Find an Itinerary

Different Forms of Tourism

Historical

The city of Caracas must be visited, even though a big part of the old centre was destroyed by the earthquake in 1812; however, the Cathedral, the "Panteon Nacional" (in Spanish) and the Parliament were saved. To find out about all the capital's tourist sites, visit the  Caracas Virtual website.

Cultural

There are museums of contemporary art and pre-Columbian art. The artistic centers website, lists Venezuelan museums: see Museos de Venezuela.

Nature

There are many, very diversified flora and fauna in Venezuela. There are many protected parks: list of parks. Large parts of the Orinoco remain wild and there are excursions of several days to explore the surrounding area. The Salto Angel is the highest waterfall in the world. The landscape is very diversified: the Caribbean coast, the wide open spaces of the "llano" (the plains), the mountains and the jungle.

Religious

There are many churches and cathedrals built by Spanish settlers as soon as they arrived: see the list of churches and cathedrals

Beach

All of Venezuela's Caribbean coast, as well as several islands, are known for the beauty of their beaches. The island of Margarita is very popular. Morrocoy is known for its small protected islands which you can only go to by small boat. See the link about the islands.

Outdoor Activities

There are many sports facilities in the country's large cities. Baseball, horseriding and dance are favorite Venezuelan activities.

 See this link.

Tourism Organizations

Venezuelian Tourism Board

Health and Safety

Health Precautions

There are no requirements regarding vaccination. There is a risk of a benign form of P. vivax malaria all year round in some rural areas of the States of Amazonas, Apure, Barinas, Bolivar, Sucre and Tàchira. The risk of P. falciparum malaria is limited to towns situated in jungle areas. Isolated cases of falciparum malaria resistant to chloroquine have been reported. Preventive treatment recommended in areas of risk: CHL for P. vivax; C+P for P. falciparum.
Observe elementary hygiene precautions (only drink water in sealed bottles if hygiene conditions do not seem to be observed), avoid fruit juices and raw vegetables, especially in the hot season. Anti-rabies vaccination is strongly advised.

For Further Information on Sanitary Conditions

Centre for Disease Control and Prevention
World Travels

Time Difference and Climate

Time and Time Difference

It is %T:%M %A In Caracas (GMT-4 )

Summer Time Period

Strictly speaking, there is no summer. The dry season is the hottest and goes from November to April.