Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > South America
Venezuela or not ??? Venezuela or not ???
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
South America Topics specific to South America only.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 26 May 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Paris, France
Posts: 655
Venezuela or not ???
hello
we ve been touring south america for 8 mnths now (argentina, uruguay, paraguay, chili, bolivia, now in peru) in a toyota land cruiser hzj 75.
see ww.va-project.com
overlanders we met told us venezuela could be quite dangerous and is not so welcoming to "gringos".
what are your experiences and opinions pls ? thx

happy trails

nb : don t get me wrong, no process at all to venezuela, its habitants, its politics, just basic travellers info.
__________________
--
Vincent Danna

* www.va-project.com
Sept 2008 - dec 2009 : Voyage et art contemporain en Amérique du sud.

* http://vincent.danna.free.fr/
2002 - 2004 : Un tour du monde en moto.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 26 May 2009
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Caracas (VZ) - Santa Marta (Colombia) - Palmones (Spain))
Posts: 78
not more dangerous for a tourist than anywhere else. just apply common sense... that's from 15 years of living here. as for gringos not welcome, these comments are normally hearsay, people who didn't come to venezuela and make the confusion with the high level political discourse between chavez and the empire... on a personal level, gringos ave welcome and appreciated by the people here. the only pb with venezuela is the service level in hotels and restaurants, far from colombian or mexican standards...
Last edited by ClaudeNfat; 1 Jun 2009 at 03:18.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 26 May 2009
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wirral, England.
Posts: 5,673
The people are fine. As friendly and hospitable as any. When I was there in May 2008, it was the police and border control who really left a sour taste in my mouth.

The road stop checkpoints were really hostile towards us, even raised their guns to us. Never a smile off a police man and at the border to Colombia, they wouldn't let us leave without paying a bribe and even threatened to confiscate equipment etc.

On contrast, we met some Venezuelan bikers who made us feel VERY welcome. Took us to their meets and even put us up in their home and fed us..

Its like anywhere, good & bad ! As for dangerous, I never ever felt like it was dodgy in that respect.

If you go, go to Ciudad Boliva and take a fligth out to Angel Falls !! BREATH TAKING !! Deffo the best part of Venezuela
__________________
Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 28 May 2009
marker's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Bombinhas-Santa Catarina-Brazil
Posts: 297
We travelled up and down venezuela 2 years ago, with a PZJ75. Good thing is that venezuela is full of these Landcruisers, although they are all petrol versions but the police at the many checkpoints cant see the difference ofcourse and most of the times will think you are a local. Even in spite of the fact that we had a big bright yellow ducth numberplate. We were only stopped once.
You will love filling up your dieseltank there, costs about US$1,00 for a full tank! Beware though not to arrive almost empty at the border as it is not always allowed for foreigners to fill up the tank (to prevent neigbours from doing that all the time). When it is allowed you pay much more than say 100 km inland. Also beware not every fuelstation hás diesel as every car is petrol there.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 1 Jun 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Paris, France
Posts: 655
thanx for all your answers
we ll see then after colombia ...
many people we met did not have "buenas ondas" with venezueala but everybody travels different.
happy trails
__________________
--
Vincent Danna

* www.va-project.com
Sept 2008 - dec 2009 : Voyage et art contemporain en Amérique du sud.

* http://vincent.danna.free.fr/
2002 - 2004 : Un tour du monde en moto.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 7 Jun 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: France
Posts: 312
Caraibs in general are more dangerous than the southern part of the continent.

Unlike Argentina, you ll need to plan ahead where to sleep and might want to avoid political topics unless invited to do so. In some areas, insecurity can be felt deeply. Generally speaking, touristic areas are safer : Gran Sabana, Isla Margarita, Merida, Puerto Ordaz...while Caracas can be stressful.

I met Claude in Santa Elena and you can trust his advises, he knows the reality there. Bad surprises can sometimes come from foreigners living there, trust cautiously.

But for the landscapes, Venezuela is to be visited. Incredible variety faily well preserved from heavy touristic investments due to the distrust for the "Bolivarian revolution" and its tendency to dispossess foreign capitals.

I highly recommend you the western part of Isla Margarita, the least developed, for the barren landscapes and beautiful beaches. A long stay in Gran Sabana is also a good idea, there are so many beautiful areas to be discovered...if you can overcome puri puri bites

I heard the southern road inland was occasionally visited by road pirates. I didnt experience it myself.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12 Jun 2009
sunflowers's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: London
Posts: 96
Very Important
I must admit that I have really enjoyed Venezuela though I did not do it by motorbike and instead have left the bike in Colombia.

One thing that is very important about Venezuela is try and take enough american dollars into Venezuela for your whole trip. If you withdraw money from an ATM you will be charged the offical rate of 1US=2.15 which will make travelling in Venezuela very very expensive (except for petrol). For example (sad to say my irish friend dragged me into McDs) a big mac meal is 40B which would then be almost 20US at the offical rate or 7US at the unoffical rate as were we were getting about 5.6B to the US$1.

It is really easy to change money which I did at restuarants, hostels and once a book shop.

But Merida is lovely and so is Angel Falls. I have lots of pictures on my blog if you look www.alaska2argentina.com/blog

Cheers,
Annette
__________________
www.alaska2argentina.co.uk
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
The Best Mechanic in Venezuela Homer Susan South America 1 13 Jul 2007 13:08
Venezuela Riding teoris South America 0 8 Oct 2006 18:10
Panama to Venezuela motoride Trip Transport 3 30 Mar 2006 04:19
Carnet for Venezuela? Bilou Trip Paperwork 3 11 Apr 2005 05:20
Anyone in Venezuela right now? tam Travellers Seeking Travellers 0 20 Dec 2003 05:08

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 11:18.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top