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Venezuela.JPG)
A country of opposing landscapes.
Venezuela sits at the top of the South American continent
touching the turquoise Caribbean Sea. It is a country of
opposing landscapes: steamy Amazon jungles, wide-open grassy
savannahs, snow capped Andes mountains, and miles of white
sand beaches. Venezuela is also one of the wealthiest
nations in South America due to the vast oil reserves that
were discovered in the early part of the 20th Century.
Because of this, the country boasts excellent road networks,
modern architecture and a well-developed tourism
infrastructure. Travel throughout Venezuela is easy and
comfortable, and some of the cheapest flights to South America from
the US and Europe are to Venezuela.
But not all of Venezuela was touched by the oil boom, and
in the more remote parts of the country there exist
numerous communities of indigenous people
continuing their
traditional way of life as much as
they can. Interested Peace Villages
volunteers will have the opportunity to work closely with
indigenous communities representative
of the Pemón Nation.
Country Information
Venezuelan News
Venezuela is a third larger than Texas and occupies most of
the northern coast of South America and the Caribbean Sea.
It is bordered by Colombia on the West, Guyana to the East
and Brazil to the South.
Columbus explored Venezuela on his third voyage, when the
area used to be inhabited by Arawak, Carib and Chibcha
Indians. The name, Venezuela, was thought up by another
Spanish explorer and translates as ‘little voice’. Caracas
was founded in 1567.
It was one of the first countries to revolt in 1810, winning
independence in 1821. Federated at first with Columbia and
Ecuador as Republic of Greater Columbia, it became a
Republic in 1830. A period of unstable dictatorship and
fluctuation in the oil trade followed, until the 1970’s when
Venezuela benefited greatly from the oil industry.
The country is renowned for having South America’s largest
lake and third largest river, the highest waterfall in the
world, the longest snake in the world, and some of the most
impressive sights you will ever see.
Exchanging Money
The currency of Venezuela is the Bolivar (VEB) It comes in notes of VEB 50, 20,
10, 5, 2.
Strict currency controls remain in place in Venezuela, but
Bolivar's can be obtained through banks and some travel
agencies in your country. Bureau de change at the Caracas
airport, will exchange US dollars or Euro for Bolivar's, as will some
major hotels. Some banks in Caracas will buy US dollars for
Bolivar's or sell Bolivar's against a foreign credit card. US
dollar travelers' cheques are accepted at most Italcambios
offices in Caracas.
Banks and Bureau de Change can be found in all major cities
where you will be able to withdraw money and change up
travellers’ cheques if you need to. There will also be ATMs,
which will accept most major credit cards.
 Food
Venezuelan cooking has European, indigenous and African
roots. Some recipes to look out for are:
• Pabellon – stewed and shredded meat with rice, black beans
and banana.
• Hallace – traditional Christmas dish.
• Cachapa – type of sweet corn pancake served with cheese.
• Arepas – type of round cornmeal bread, topped with cheese,
ham, chicken etc. At restaurants and bars: Tipping is at the discretion of the client and not
obligatory. It is likely that there will be a 10% charge
added to restaurant bills. It is not customary to give
baggage handlers or taxi drivers a tip.
Drinks
Please do not drink the tap water in Venezuela. Shops, food
stores and restaurants should have bottled water readily
available for you to purchase.
Fresh fruit juices are always available, and you will find
sugarcane juice with lemon and fresh coconut milk is
popular. Rum is a commonly found spirit, and coffee is the
most popular hot drink.
Smoking/ Alcohol/ Drugs
Smoking and drinking is acceptable in Venezuela and readily
available. However, please respect other people. Smoking is
not permissible in volunteer apartments or the host
families’ homes. Drinking is only permissible in moderation
and must not impact on your programme. While we want you to
have fun in your free time, antisocial behaviour will not be
tolerated.
IMPORTANT: It is absolutely forbidden to bring drugs into
Venezuela. Always keep an eye on your luggage while
travelling. Never bring anyone else’s luggage through
customs. If you get caught there is little chance that you
will walk away without punishment. As in most countries,
Venezuela has very strict rules when it comes to the
possession of drugs. All drugs, including “soft” drugs like
marijuana, are ILLEGAL. Please do NOT use any illegal
substances whilst travelling – it is not worth the risk and
is not acceptable at the project.
Customs and Traditions
• Shaking hands or using the local abrazo, a cross between a
hug and a handshake, are the usual accepted forms of
greeting.
• Smoking follows European habits and in most cases it will
be obvious where you should not smoke. Bear in mind that
some public buildings are also non-smoking areas.
Religion
The vast majority of Venezuelans are Catholic, though there
is a small emerging percentage of Protestants.
Religion is an important part of life in Venezuela, and we
would urge that you be respectful at all times in and around
places of worship. Do not be surprised to see individuals
crossing themselves when passing any object of religious
significance or reciting religious adages at appropriate
times.
Clothing
It is important to remember, especially for female
travellers, that the kinds of clothes you feel comfortable
wearing in your own country may not be an acceptable form of
dress in Latin America. Short skirts for example, will
invite unwanted attention. Use your common sense and adapt
your style in accordance with your surroundings.
With the warm climate and humidity, we advise that you pack
a selection of lightweight layerable clothing. As the
evenings can get quite cool, a jumper or jacket is
advisable. Always bear in mind the activities you will be
doing when you are packing, both at the project and
socially.
Casual dress is fine but you should avoid beachwear away
from the coast and dress conservatively, especially in rural
areas, which tend to be fairly traditional and religious.
When entering a religious area, please make sure you are
appropriately covered.
Language
Spanish is the main language; however there are numerous
indigenous dialects and portugues in Santa Elena, and English is the language of
business.
Public Holidays
1 January New Year’s Day.
19-20 February Carnival.
5 April Holy Thursday.
6 April Good Friday.
19 April Declaration of Independence.
1 May Labour Day.
24 June Battle of Carabobo.
5 July Independence Day.
24 July Birth of Simón Bolívar.
12 October Columbus Day.
25 December Christmas Day.
Safety
The Peace Villages home base is in Santa Elena which is
located on the south eastern border with Brazil. Santa Elena is a very safe
place. However, please try and use common sense when travelling in Venezuela.
Safety will be covered in detail at your orientation, but please take the time
to familiarize yourself with this list of general precautions you should take
when travelling anywhere in the world:
• Don't walk around alone after dark.
• If your luggage is ever searched by the police make sure you are present.
• Make sure your luggage is locked when travelling by bus or airplane. Don't
leave unlocked valuables in your hotel room.
• Do not openly display money, don't carry valuables, or walk around on a mobile
phone.
• Walk confidently, directly and at a steady pace.
• Walk on the side of the street that is facing the traffic.
• If someone approaches you, please look over them carefully and walk on, try
not to stare at them.
Medical
When travelling in Latin America there are certain considerations you should
take regarding your health. You should visit a doctor prior to departure if you
have any illness or ailments that may recur during your trip and inform your
travel insurance provider of any relevant pre-existing conditions. It is also a
good idea to have a dental check up before you depart. Please make sure that the
ground team are aware of any relevant medical conditions or allergies.
The geography and climate, in certain areas can cause problems. In the Amazon
and in coastal areas insect borne diseases are risks if you don’t take the
proper precautions. Santa Elena is located on 1000 m above sea level and Malaria
or Dengue Fever is very rare (mostly people infect themselves in the goldmines of
the lowlands and than discover the sickness while visiting Santa Elena. The
local climate and altitude does not allow Dengue or Malaria to propagate)
Yellow Fever
If you wish to travel on to Brazil after spending time in Venezuela, you will
need to have certification that you have had a Yellow Fever vaccination. Yellow
Fever Cards are checked at the border when entering Brazil from Venezuela, so
please remember to bring yours or receive the vaccination for free on the
border.
Travel Tips
• It is not advisable to overtly criticize the Catholic Church as this can cause
great offence in a country where the religion is greatly respected and revered.
• Do not become involved with drugs of any kind. Penalties are severe and
convictions for drug offences can lead to imprisonment. You should always pack
your own luggage and you should never carry any items through customs for
anybody else.
• Please remember to take all your important travel documents with you. Keep a
copy in your hand luggage. Please see My Online Safe.
• Do not walk around alone, and if you do then please let someone know of your
whereabouts.
Travel Options and Tours
The following are just a few ideas of where you can go and
what you can see whilst you are in Venezuela: also see
Adventure Tours
Gran Sabana
With ancient table mountains, peering over forests and
grasslands, this immense natural structure embodies the
Angel Falls, the tallest waterfall in the World; plunging
from one of the highest mountains… do you dare stand at the
top? As well as this spectacular area, the highest mountain,
Mount Roraima, was somewhat an inspiration for Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle when he wrote ‘The Lost World’.
To enjoy these immense and inspirational natural forms,
there is plenty of activity and adventure for one to endure,
such as trekking through the rolling mountains, trudging
through the jungles, floating down the rivers and touring by
road; all providing you with views that will not only take
your breath away, but make you want to stay there away from
the typical hustle and bustle that the normal Westernized
life tends to offer. see
La Gran Sabana
Andes
Unknown to many, this famous area takes on a human
dimension, with small farms and Spanish-style hamlets
sprinkled amongst quiet valleys sitting below high dramatic
peaks. To explore this area more, there are plenty of
touring, walking and trekking opportunities. You may even
come across the university town of Merida, the centre of
this region, which lies between two mountains, Sierra Nevada
and Sierra Culata, renowned for being a friendly place with
much to see and do.
Llanos
Venezuela’s spiritual centre, you can understand why when
you picture the wide skies, slow rivers and plains
stretching to every horizon. Within the dry season, rivers
and lakes are crisp dry with not a drop to drink from,
whereas in the rainy season it floods over, regenerating the
land. This annual pattern of flood and drought creates a
special ecology, which makes it a great wildlife area within
South America. There are a huge number of birds here, and
conservation ranches are the best places to stay to
experience the Venezuelan wildlife.
Paria
Small hills embedded in a green landscape that encapsulates
isolated hamlets that give way to flourishing cloud forests
as it grows mountainous. At the border of this green world,
lies what can be described as some of the most beautiful
beaches in the world, which take you away into an idyllic
world of tranquillity.
Orinoco Delta
Home to Warao people, whose culture dates back 6,000 years,
settled in low forested islands that encompass intersecting
channels and rivers, this is an opportunity to see how one
of the oldest tribes exist with their old traditions and
rituals.
Orinoco Rainforests
Merging with the Amazon, it creates the largest development
of rainforest on the planet. Could you take a few days out
to explore one of the greatest landforms that ever existed?
Las Roques
This is the Caribbean’s only coral archipelago, transformed
into a national park of pristine islands surrounded by clear
blue waters, ideal for those who worship the sun,
snorkelling and scuba diving.
Caracas
As the capital of Venezuela, it is the most commercial area.
This bustling capital city envelops impressive architecture,
a modern metro system, museums, art galleries, restaurants,
bars, parks and gardens; a complete contrast to the rest of
Venezuela. However, if you want to see its cosmopolitan
side, this is the perfect place.
Margarita Island
Composing of duty-free goods, markets and beaches, this is
the perfect place to visit to buy gifts and take a break
from shopping by relaxing on a beach.
Barlovento
Consisting of natural beaches, towered by forested hills,
with a welcoming culture that retains its lively African
roots. If you want to break away from the modernised
Caracas, it is only two and a half hours drive away.
Don’t Forget
Always remember to carry with you all of the relevant
documentation required for your trip, as travelling without
these documents can prove to be very difficult, or near
impossible. Such documentation includes:
• Your passport – You cannot go anywhere without this and in
some countries you cannot even enter National Parks without
one.
• Airline tickets and a copy of your flight itinerary.
• Insurance certificate and policy document – these are very
important for you to be aware of what you are and are not
covered for on your trip. They are also necessary to have
when making a claim.
• Travellers’ cheques and travellers’ cheque receipt numbers
– you must keep these separate.
• Vaccination card – you may be asked when entering a
country to prove that you have had required vaccinations.
• A copy of all credit card and bank account numbers, as
well as international contact numbers to cancel lost or
stolen cards.
• Your pre-departure info with useful and emergency contact
numbers.
For all of the above, make sure you have a duplicate copy of
these for backup. Leave one set of copies at home with your
next of kin and another set in your luggage, away from the
original copies.
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