Did you know that Venezuela has one of the craziest exchange markets ever which makes it one of the cheapest countries to visit in Latin America? Or that this country seems to be in a never-ending summer with only two seasons? No? Then you’ll love this list of things to know before going to Venezuela.
Dig into this article to learn about Venezuela’s location, climate, and language. Besides you’ll know when to visit this country and get some money tips to make the most of your trip.
Interesting facts
Venezuela is a tropical country in South America bordered by Colombia to the west, Brazil to the south, Guyana to the east and the Caribbean Ocean to the north. Venezuela dazzles people with its diversity of landscapes. Here, you can find mountain peaks, beautiful beaches, arid deserts, and remote rainforests. In Caracas, the capital, you will experience the typical city life. Indeed, Venezuela is on the list of the top 17 most biodiverse countries on Earth, according to the World Conservation Monitoring Center. It’s widely known as an oil country, with a deep passion for beauty pageants and baseball.
Climate
As mentioned before, Venezuela is a tropical country with a warm weather throughout the entire year, so you won’t find any temperature fluctuations. The average temperature is 25°C; however, in the Andes mountain range, because of the altitude, the weather is cooler, and you could even experience a temperature of 9°C. There are only two seasons: the rainy season from May to November, and the dry season from December to April.
Above all, lightweight cotton summer clothes are a must. Pack a jacket or a warm sweater if you are going to the mountain Andean region. Don’t forget your mosquito repellent and sunglasses!
When to visit
Even though you can visit Venezuela whenever you can, in essence, the best time to do it depends mainly on the region. In general, I recommend that you avoid visiting this country during high season from May to December. However, if you want to see the highest waterfall on Earth, Angel Falls, the rainy season is the best time. If you want to visit the Andes mountain range and go hiking, you should go from October to May to avoid the downpours that come in June.
The high season is during Christmas, Easter week, Carnival and school vacations in July and August. Since local tourists love traveling during these holidays, most restaurants, hotels and airline seats are filled up. Besides, prices get higher. So make sure to book well in advance if you choose to travel during these seasons.
Language
Spanish is the official language in Venezuela, so don’t forget to bring your Spanish dictionary and practice some phrases before visiting. In spite of the globalization of English, not all Venezuelans understand or speak it, but they will kindly try to help you. However, at hotels, travel agencies and touristic places, you will certainly find someone who speaks English.
If you want to learn 62 Essential Expression in Spanish for Traveling, click here!
Money
In Venezuela, foreign currency is mainly obtained through the “black market”. For you, this is a blessing and a curse at the same time. This country could be the cheapest option in Latin America if you follow our advice.
Avoid using your credit cards; the bank commissions will cost you an arm and a leg! Don’t use ATMs or change your money at airports or borders since they will exchange your money at the official rate exchange. Instead, bring enough cash to arrive at the hotel, and change your money in there. You could also get in contact with a local travel agency to exchange your money safely and with a rate exchange beneficial to you. Check the daily black market rate on Dolartoday.com
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