Capital: Caracas
Time zone: GMT – 4
Telephone services: Country Code: 58
Outgoing Code: 00
Emergency telephone numbers: Doctor – 02 483 7021, Ambulance – 02 545 4545
Tourist information: Refer to the Venezuelan Consulate, 56 Grafton Way, London W1P 5LB Tel: (0171) 387 6727 Fax: (0171) 383 3253
Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Must be valid for at least 6 months. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure
Visa information: Visa required by all except the following countries who do require a 90 day tourist card issued from an authorised sea or air carrier: Nationals of Australia, Canada and the USA, Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominica, Grenada, Iceland, Jamaica, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, Antilles, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Switzerland, Taiwan (China) and Trinidad and Tobago. Nationals of EU countries (except nationals of Greece and Portugal who do require visas)
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended
Malaria: Exists in the Falciparum variety which has been reported as being highly resistant to chloroquine. Take care not to be bitten by mosquitoes
Yellow Fever: A vaccination certificate is not required as a condition of entry but is recommended to all visitors who plan to travel out side of the urban areas
Other Health Risks: Bilharzia
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink
Currency: Bolívar (B) = 100 centimos
Visa, MasterCard and Amex are widely accepted. Travellers cheques in US dollars are easily exchanged
ATM availability: Over 1500 locations
Cost of living: Caters for all travellers and budgets
Languages: Spanish. English, French, German and Portuguese
Weather: Most pleasant time is from Jan – Apr. Raining season = May – Dec
Electricity: 110 Volts AC 60 Hz American 2 pin type plugs are used
Post: 3 – 7 days to Europe. Internal mail can often take longer and surface mail to Europe may take up to one month
Transport: FLIGHTS: Connects all the major centres and is regarded as the most convenient form of internal transport. NOTE: The services are in heavy demand and may be overbooked. Passengers are advised to confirm seats well in advance. ROAD: Between main cities are of a high standard CAR HIRE: Available at the airport and in the major cities but is expensive. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required
Special information: Venezuela is still devastated by the floods and mudslides of mid December. Thousands remain homeless but there has been no serious outbreaks of disease. The coastal area around Caracas will be inaccessible to casual visitors for the forseeable future.