Tours to Venezuela are a unique immersion in the country of bright contrasts, where luxurious houses are adjacent to squalid shacks, where ancient cars arrange hauls with high-speed convertibles. Even the pristine nature itself does not cease to fascinate tourists with its grandiose creations, which are so in tune with the temperament of the indigenous population.
Holidays in Venezuela are always fascinating, regardless of the season. After all, this amazing Latin American country can give the charm of the cities of the conquistadors, offer travelers several thousand kilometers of luxurious beaches, allow you to contemplate the majesty of the Andes and the Orinoco River, and also hear the roar of the world’s highest Angel Falls.
Individual tours offered by the tour operator in Venezuela in Moscow are originally selected trips that allow you to enjoy local cuisine in luxurious restaurants, feel like a king in comfortable hotels with first-class service, relax side by side with the most famous people in the world. And, perhaps, a considerable amount of surprise in this luxurious vacation is made by the prices for the tour, which are quite democratic when booking in advance.
Language:
The main language is Spanish. English, French, German and more than 30 languages of the local Indian peoples are also used.
Population:
The total population is 25.7 million people belonging to three large ethnic groups, the largest of which are considered to be Venezuelans. About 3% are immigrants from Colombia, another 3% are immigrants from the European continent, 1% (about 200 thousand people) are Indians, descendants of the once numerous semi-nomadic peoples of South America.
More than 90% of the country’s population lives in urban areas in the northern, coastal part of the country.
State system: The
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is an independent federal republic with a presidential form of government. The head of state and government is the president, who is elected in a general election for a term of 6 years.
Religion:
The Venezuelan constitution guarantees freedom of religion. The majority of believers in the country (up to 96%) identify themselves as Roman Catholic, about 2% are Protestants, and about 2% are representatives of other faiths.
Money:
Bolivar (Bs.F, VEB) equal to 100 centimos. In circulation there are banknotes of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2 bolivars, as well as coins of 1 bolívar, 50, 25, 12.5, 10, 5 and 1 centimos.
US dollars and euros are widely used, especially in markets and private establishments.
Currency exchange:
Currency can be exchanged at numerous “casa de cambio” exchange offices, at the airport, banks, hotels, shops and transport agencies. Difficulties with the exchange usually do not arise: the exchange rate used in hotels, shops and transport agencies differs from the bank rate quite slightly, in exchange offices it usually coincides with the bank rate. It is illegal to use the services of private money changers, especially those active at the Caracas airport. Reverse exchange of local currency is difficult.
Time:
Behind Moscow by 7.5 hours.
Official holidays and days off:
January 1 – New Year.
January-February – Epiphany.
March-May – Easter and Easter holidays.
April 19 – Declaration of Independence.
May 1 – Labor Day.
June 24 – Day of the Battle of Carabobo during the Venezuelan War of Independence.
July 5 – Independence Day.
July 24 – Simon Bolivar’s birthday.
October 12 – America’s Discovery Day and Columbus Day.
December 25 – Christmas.
Communications and communications:
The international country code is 58. The outgoing international code is 00.
Venezuela has a completely modern telecommunications system. Domestic and international calls can be made both from the offices of telephone companies, and from the numerous pay phones that are found in abundance on the streets of cities. Venezuela’s cellular communications system is fairly well developed, although coverage is limited mainly to the northern part of the country and major cities. Roaming with Russia is available to subscribers of the largest Russian operators.
Entry:
Russian citizens do not need a visa to enter Venezuela for up to 90 days for the purpose of tourism.
Flight: from 16 hours + time for connection (depending on the schedule of the airline)
Customs rules:
Import and export of foreign and local currency is not limited, amounts over $10,000 are subject to declaration. Gold and jewelry are also required to be declared.
Persons over the age of 18 are allowed duty-free import of up to 200 cigarettes or up to 25 cigars; up to 2 liters of alcoholic beverages; up to 4 bottles of perfumes, as well as other goods in a package worth no more than $1,000 (for passengers on international flights).
It is forbidden to import vegetables, plants or materials of plant origin, drugs and drug-containing drugs, meat and meat products, firearms and ammunition (requires a permit from the local police), as well as objects and things of historical, artistic or archaeological value.
Tips:
Tips are usually 5-10% of the bill. Most high-end bars and restaurants automatically add 10% to the bill, but even then, the accepted norm is to give an extra tip to the wait staff (more often than not, the money is simply left on the table).
In hotels, tips are most often included in the bill, but additional payments are not forbidden. For taxis, round the amount up.
Safety:
Traveling around Caracas at night is not recommended, and the city center is considered unsafe even in the evening. In crowded places, pickpocketing and fraud are not uncommon, and the level of violent crime has also increased.
Medicine:
International health insurance is recommended.
When entering Venezuela from Peru, a yellow fever certificate is required. When visiting the Amazon regions in Venezuela and other countries of the region, vaccination is recommended. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended.
Only boiled or bottled water is recommended for drinking, brushing teeth, or making ice.
Electricity:
Mains voltage is 110 V, 60 Hz. Two-prong American style receptacles are standard.
