The name Venezuela goes back to the Italian explorer Amerigo Vespucci, who toured the country in 1499 on behalf of the Spanish crown. The stilt houses of the Paraujano Indians living on the Gulf of Venezuela reminded him of Venice and so he called it “Venezuela” (“Little Venice”). Visit healthvv.com for South America overview.
Time zone
The time difference between Germany and Venezuela is in winter – 5.5 hours, in summer – 6.5 hours.
Business
The first commodities Venezuela exported were pearls. They were harvested from the mussel beds on the islands of Cubagua, Coche and Margarita. When these were exploited after decades, cocoa and coffee became the most important export goods. The most important export good, however, is still oil today . Other important mineral resources are iron ore, bauxite and hard coal. Agricultural products play a subordinate role, the majority consists of meat products. Fishing is still an important industry in Venezuela today, mainly sardines and tuna are caught.
Memberships
Venezuela is a member of the UN, the Organization of American States (OAS), the Latin American Economic System (SELA), the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), the Amazon Pact and the Community of Caribbean States. Venezuela is trying to be accepted into the Mercado del Sur (MERCOSUR). Another common economic market was founded on Venezuela’s initiative “Alianza Bolivariana para las Américas” (ALBA). The idea was to create an alternative to that of the American-wide free trade zone. This economic community now includes Bolivia, Nicaragua, Honduras, Ecuador, Dominica, Antigua and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
A special feature is the “Petrocaribe” agreement, which allows the Caribbean countries to buy oil from Venezuela. When buying, however, there is only a small part of the purchase price that has to be paid immediately. The remainder is deferred for 25 years at an interest rate of 1%. This agreement already has 19 members in the Caribbean and Central America.
Food and drink
Due to the large number of immigrants, the food in Venezuela’s restaurants is very European and you can find many well-known Italian, Spanish and Chinese dishes. But of course you can also dine here typically Venezuelan:
– arepa (fried or toasted pancakes made from corn, usually filled with meat, cheese, ham or other savory ingredients)
– muchacho (roasted pork with sauce)
– mondongo (tripe soup with corn, potatoes, carrots and vegetables)
– sancocho (vegetable stew with fish, meat or chicken)
– pabellón (national dish of Venezuela made from beef, beans and fried plantains)
– cachito (hot ham croissant )
The most popular drink is “ Polar ” beer, but rum is also widespread here. Venezuelan coffee is also recommended for coffee lovers – it is strong, but good! And as in most South American countries, there is a wide range of fruit juices.
Entry
To enter Venezuela, travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 6 months. When entering the country, a tourist card is usually handed out on the plane. You may be asked for this during your stay. No visa is required for stays of less than 90 days.
Medical advice
Current advice and information on vaccinations can be found on the website of the Center for Travel Medicine (CRM).
Current
Since the electrical voltage does not match ours (110 V), it is advisable to take a US adapter with you.
Security / drugs
Venezuela is a country that is constantly in a state of political upheaval, even if the government tries very hard to achieve stability. The number of the dispossessed is very large, especially in and around the big cities. The Federal Foreign Office provides information on the current security situation on its website https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/. You should definitely avoid contact with drugs, possession and trafficking are punishable by law!
Addresses
In Germany:
Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Schillstrasse 10
10785 Berlin
Tel: 030 – 8322400
Fax: 030 – 83224020
E-Mail [email protected]
https://www.botschaft-venezuela.de/
There are consulates general in Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, honorary consulates in Kiel and Munich.
In Venezuela:
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
Avenida Eugenio Mendoza (Principal de la Castellana) y Avenida José Angel Lamas
Edif. La Castellana,
10th floor – La Castellana,
Caracas
info @ caracas.diplo.de
[email protected]
https://www.caracas.diplo.de/
Honorary consulates are still in Porlamar / Isla Margarita, Maracaibo and San Cristóbal.
Foreign Office
Citizens Service
Unit 040
11013 Berlin
Tel: (0 30) 50 00-0
https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/
In Austria: https://www.bmaa.gv.at/
In Switzerland: https://www.eda.admin.ch/
Frequently asked questions about Venezuela
What are the entry requirements for Venezuela?
German citizens must carry a German passport that is valid for 6 months beyond the intended duration of stay when entering the country. Children’s ID cards / passports are also recognized, provided they contain a photo. When entering by air, every tourist is given an entry card on the plane that entitles them to stay for up to 60 days, or sometimes longer, depending on the different handling of the Venezuelan immigration authorities. The passport holder must return the green double when leaving the country. Therefore, when entering the country, make sure that you are given this green double. In Venezuela, foreigners must also be able to identify themselves and prove their legal residence status at any time.
What vaccinations do you need to travel to Venezuela?
We recommend vaccination against tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough and hepatitis A, and hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid fever if you stay longer than four weeks. Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all areas except the north coast and the islands. We definitely recommend taking out health insurance abroad with repatriation.
