TRAVEL INFORMATION: VENEZUELA GUIDE

TRAVEL INFORMATION: VENEZUELA GUIDE

I. The Country at a Glance
   1. Geography
   2. Population
   3. Climate
II. Visiting
   1.Travel
       Visa Requirements
       Airlines Serving Venezuela
       Customs Procedures
   2. Communications
   3. Currency
   4. Languages
   5. Business Hours
   6. Holidays

I. The Country at a Glance
1. Geography
Located in the northern part of South America, Venezuelan continental territory limits are the Caribbean Sea to the North; the Atlantic Ocean and the Republic of Guyana to the East; the Republic of Brazil to the South and the Republic of Colombia to the West. Its total area of 917.450 square km (354.227,44 square miles) is approximately 2.5 times the State of California.

2. Population
Venezuela has an estimated population of 21 million. Caracas, the capital city, has a population of 2.8 million inhabitants, with unofficial estimates of 7 million. Other major cities are Maracaibo (1.4 million inhabitants), Valencia (1 million inhabitants), Maracay (800,000 inhabitants) and Barquisimeto (800,000 inhabitants).

3. Climate
Venezuela is in the -4 Zone (GMT). The country has a variety of climates ranging from tropical to temperate. The only seasons are winter and summer. The rainy season runs normally from May to mid-November. The average temperature in Caracas is 72º F (22º C) and in Maracaibo 68º F - 91º F (20º C - 40º C) year round.

II. VISITING
1. Travel
A. Visa Requirements
a. Tourist Card: This may be applied for only by individuals wishing to visit Venezuela with tourism as their sole objective. It is normally issued by certain airlines and passenger-carrying shipping companies upon purchase of ticket and is valid for up to 60 day, non-renewable period. Tourist cards with a 90-day maximum validity may only be issued at a Venezuelan Consulate abroad, and may be extended for a further 90 days after the tourist arrives in Venezuela. b. Tourist Visa: This visa may be issued at a Venezuelan Consulate and is valid for 30/60 days, but renewable for up to a total of 160 days, as of the date of arrival in the country. It is strictly forbidden by law for persons entering Venezuela on a Tourist Card or a Tourist Visa to engage in any business activity, such as the signing of any contract of a legal or commercial nature.

B. Airlines serving Venezuela
Venezuela is served by virtually all the major European airlines including such as: AIR FRANCE, BRITISH AIRWAYS, KLM, LUFTHANSA, SWISSAIR, ALITALIA, IBERIA, TAP. VIASA, AVENSA, AMERICAN AIRLINES and UNITED AIRLINES offer direct flights to Miami and New York. AVENSA provides a network of commercial transportation serving approximately 40 cities in Venezuela. Venezuela is linked to all important cities of Latin America by both VIASA and the principal Central and South American airlines. In addition, VARIG, the international airline of Brazil, offers one Caracas-Miami flight per week.

C. Customs Procedures
Personal effects brought into the country as travelers luggage is permitted. Unused personal effects may be imported up to U.S. $ 2,000.00 without paying any duties. Anyone interested in shipping personal and household effects or vehicles to Venezuela, should consult beforehand with a reputable international moving company, a Venezuelan customs brokerage firm, or its correspondents abroad. By doing so, one will be fully informed of the respective Venezuelan import regulations and tariffs.

2. Communications
For direct dial telephone calls originating abroad, the Venezuelan international code number is 58. The Caracas city code is 2, Maracaibo 61, Puerto Ordaz 86 and Valencia 41. Fax and telex service is available at most major hotels. Most international couriers serve Venezuela. These include DHL, Federal Express, Jet International, P.O. Box Air International and Domesa.

3. Currency
The "Bolivar" is the legal tender with notes denominations of Bs. 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins include Bs. 5, 2, 1, and 50, 25 and 5 centimes.

4. Languages
The official language of Venezuela is Spanish. In the Venezuelan public school system, English is taught as a mandatory second language.

5. Business Hours
Normal business hours are from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Stores are usually open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Banks are open to public from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

6. Holidays
The following holidays are observed: January 1st (New Year), Carnival (2 days in February), Thursday and Good Friday, April 19 (Declaration of Independence), May 1st (Labor day), June 24 (Battle of Carabobo), July 5 (Independence Day), July 24 (Bolivar's Birthday), October 12 (Discovery of America), December 17 (Death of Bolivar), December 25 (Christmas).