Venezuela Travel

Venezuela is located on the northern Caribbean coast of tropical South America. It is bordered by Brazil to the south, Guyana to the east and west with Colombia, while the islands of Aruba, Netherlands Antilles and Trinidad and Tobago limit the northern coast.

Venezuela is a country that hosts a variety of landscapes. In fact, when Christopher Columbus arrived on the coast of Venezuela, in 1498, was so excited that he described as "Tierra de Gracia" or the "Landof grace. "Today the country is commonly known under this name.

Venezuela is epic in proportion: it is the largest lake in South America and the third longest river, the highest waterfall in the world, the longest of all snakes, and some of the most spectacular scenery you've ever seen.

There are the snow-capped Andes to the west, steamy Amazon jungle in the south, the hauntingly beautiful Gran Sabana plateau, with its oddly flattenedMountains in the east, and miles of white sandy beaches surrounded by coconut palms on the Caribbean coast.

The tourist season lasts all year, but keep in mind the climate and Venezuelan holidays before planning your trip. Venezuela has a dry season (late November to early May) and a rainy season (the rest of the year). The dry season is certainly more pleasant to travel, especially for hiking and other outdoor activities, while sightseeing in cities or communities invery disturbed by the rain.

Some attractions such as waterfalls, are actually more impressive in the rainy season. Angel Falls is absolutely spectacular after heavy rains in the rainy season, but is little more than a thin strip of water in the dry season. In addition, falls can not be accessed by boat in dry months.

Venezuelans are mad about traveling to visit friends, family and the beach over the Christmas period (until mid-January), Carnival (several days before Ash Wednesday) andSemana Santa (Holy Week, the week before Easter Sunday). These periods are colorful and alive with a variety of festivals, but you must plan ahead for accommodation and transport.

The country hosts the world's highest waterfall, Angel Falls (about 16 times higher than Niagara) and the highest and longest cable car world, the tourists beat the university city of Merida on the 4765 m-ft (15 629) of high Pico Espejo. The capital, Caracas, offers a finehistorical monuments, an excellent collection of museums and galleries, and contrasting examples of old and new architecture.

Visitors to this country have a choice between a relaxing experience, a cultural city break or a wealth of adventurous activities. If they want an experience, or all of the above, Venezuela is more than enough to offer to all intents and purposes.

Travelers in Venezuela are required to carry identification. There are military checkpoints on the roads, manyduring the journey by car or bus keep your passport handy, ideally you should always have a color copy of the passport. If your passport is stolen, this method is easier to contact their consulate. The military presence is constant, but is not usually a cause for concern.

That said, there are corrupt officials. It is advisable to keep a watchful eye on your property, whether acquired as bags of drugs tested. A soldier of the Guardia Nacional sometimes plantto solicit a bribe or steal valuables drugs. The penalties for drug use are severe, and the burden of proof lies with the accused, the police may also request bribes to the same modus operandi.

The current policy of President Hugo Chávez, the leader of an attempted coup in 1992, which was founded his party, focusing discontent on the support of millions of poor people who dominated the 1998 presidential elections. Despite attempts to remove him, the opposition, Chavez 'The position is now secure. In the 2005 parliamentary elections his party won the most seats in the National Assembly.

There is no national railway system in Venezuela, which leaves three options for travel within the country: car rental, buses and rental cars-with. The drivers in Venezuela are generally aggressive and unconcerned by traffic regulations. How to hire the motor is generally not recommended. The very low price for gas, but this option is quiteeconomically. rent a car, the expensive part is the insurance. The bus system is extensive and extremely affordable (in part for the low price of gas). The bus stops are busy, but it is usually easier to leave a bus for every major city to find the shortest possible time. special trips of short duration (2 hours) may cost 8,000 Bs (about $ 4), and very long journeys by bus (9 hours) costs only 30,000 to 40,000 Bs Bs per person (equivalent to about $ 15 or $ 20 U.S.) . Buses are generally largerwith air conditioning. In fact, they are usually too with air conditioning, so it pays to bring a blanket. Buses are an easy and convenient throughout the country.

If you decide to travel by bus a good option Expresos Ejecutivos "have their own terminal in a residential area of Caracas (El Rosal), baggage is checked on the bus (as in an airport). The units are clean, safe and well cared for most pilots are trained to the speed limit (note there are manyIncidents on buses on regular causes Venezuelan highways, most of them, speeding on poorly maintained roads). They are more expensive than normal buses, but still cheap by American / European standards.

In smaller towns, you can not coach. In these cases, with car-for-hire called "Por puestos. These are old and dilapidated vehicles in general, but are accessible. They are more expensive than buses, typically costs 15,000 Bs per person for one or twoHours by car (about 8 U.S. dollars). The main problem is that they usually wait until a car full (4 or 5 people) for a path. The driver will usually try to persuade passengers to pay for more if you want to leave immediately. The cars are very popular, however, and usually I can not wait to fill up a car for a long time.

He traveled to the city is usually the taxi. Taxis are more expensive than any other form of transport, but still affordable, when the North America or comparativeEuropean counterparts. A ride in a city usually cost 8000-15000 BS (depending on city). Taxis are not subsidiaries and over night. This is normal in Venezuela and usually can not be claimed.

Local buses are available, and usually the terminal to the center of each city. The cost is usually Bs.500 - 800, according to the city. Bus lines usually remain a mystery to the uninitiated.

Caracas has a yard clean and modern budget, which is currentlyfoam.

Among fast food are Arepas (the famous are Reina Pepiada and Domino), Hallacas (you can eat at Christmas), Cachapas (with cheese is called telita "delicious), and empanadas (you can find at any beach and in the street Use common sense has been chosen for a place to eat street) and the best "Perros Calientes" (Hot Dogs). The Venezuelan arepa is the most common foods. It 's basically a biscuit that is made from corn flour and can be filled with all kinds ofFood that you want meat, the meat is shredded and mechada it tastes really good. It is "comida criolla" or Creole dishes known. Slow Food, delicious seafood or shrimp soup Cazuela de mariscos.

The traditional lunch is El Pabellón Venezuela, but not to sell is usually in restaurants, small family businesses, in particular rice, beans and meat blacks, cut the slices of fried banana. You can also find nice sweets made mainly of sugar. Venezuelan chocolatereally well, especially from a brand named El Rey. It is so cheap compared to other Venezuelan prices, but it's still cheap compared to U.S. prices and European and worth the extra.