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Travellers Essentials
Currency
Bolívar (Bs) = 100 céntimos. Notes are in denominations of
Bs5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are
in denominations of Bs5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25, and 5 céntimos.
Currency exchange
Banks and cambios will change money in Venezuela; as will
hotels, although often at a less favourable rate.
Credit cards
Visa, American Express and MasterCard are widely accepted;
Diners Club has more limited acceptance. Check with your credit
card company for details of merchant acceptability and for
other facilities which may be available.
Travelers cheques
Widely accepted, although one may be asked to produce a receipt
of purchase when changing them in Venezuela. Exchange is more
difficult in some places than others. To avoid additional
exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take travelers
cheques in US Dollars.
Currency restrictions
The import and export of either foreign or local currency
is unlimited.
Duty Free
The following items may be imported into Venezuela without
incurring customs duty:
a)200 cigarettes and 25 cigars.
b)2 liters of alcoholic beverages.
c)4 small bottles of perfume.
Prohibited items
The items are: Flowers, plants, fruit, meat and meat products.
Social Conventions
Shaking hands or using the local abrazo, a cross between a
hug and a handshake, are the normal forms of greeting. Smoking
follows European habits and in most cases it is obvious where
not to smoke. Some public buildings are also non-smoking areas.
Tipping
Tips are discretionary but in the majority of bars and restaurants
10% is added to the bill and it is customary to leave another
10% on the table. Bellboys and chambermaids should be tipped,
and in Caracas tips are higher than elsewhere.
Getting There
bY Air:
Venezuela's national airline is Viasa (VA).
By Sea:
The principal Venezuelan ports are La Guaira, Puerto Cabello,
Maracaibo, Guanta, Porlamar and Ciudad Bolívar (on the Orinoco
River).
By Rail:
There are no international rail links with neighbouring countries.
By Road:
Road access is from Colombia to Maracaibo, and from the Amazon
territory of Brazil.
Getting Around
By Air:
Almost all large towns are connected with scheduled services
operated by domestic airlines.
By Rail:
The only railway link runs between Barquisimeto and Puerto
Cabello.
By Road:
Traffic drives on the right.
a)Bus:
There are a few interurban bus services.
b)Car hire:
Self-drive cars are available at the airport and in major
city centres but are expensive. National driving licences
are valid for one year. International Driving Permits are
also valid.
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