Where is it?: Venezuela is in northern South America, bordering the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, between Colombia and Guyana.
Why do people go here?: Venezuela is home to one of the most exquisite places on earth, boasting a sea that varies between turquoise and emerald, and bordered by sandy white beaches. It has dramatic landscapes including major mountains and rivers that could keep a travelers occupied for months.
What are the main entry points?: With Colombia to its west, and the Amazon jungle to the south, Venezuela is a little isolated. Unless you come from one of the Caribbean islands, then you have to fly in Caracas, which can easily be accessed by places in both south and Central America.
Currency used: Bolivar
Country Code for Phones: 58
Area codes for Major Cities: Caracas 212
Religion: Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%, other 2%
Population: 27 million
Ethnic Breakdown: 55% Mestizo, 35% White, 1% Amerindian, 9% others
Government: Federal presidential republic
Major Cities: Caracas
Attractions: Coro, Caribbean Coast
Accomodation: Venezuela Hostels
Tourism Office locations and links: Venezuelan Tourism Association(USA,FL) 1101 Brickell Ave, #600 Miami, FL 33131 ; 800-327-5454, 800-432-9070 (FL)
Off-the-Beaten-Path: The Andes
Health Issues: Malaria, Cholera, dengue fever, typhoid
Tips for Visiting
When to go: December through May are the best times to visit the country. You can visit the capital Caracas throughout most of the year.
Common Phrases: Chao = Goodbye, Cuanto cuesta? = How much?, Donde esta? = Where is?, Como se llama? = What is your name?. Me llamo = My name is
Cheapest airport to fly into: The cheapest airport to fly into Venezuela is the Caracas Airport.
Need more information?: Check out the Venezuela travel guide for more on what to see, where to stay, and how to get there.