VISAS, ENTRY RULES, CUSTOMS REGULATIONS in Venezuela
On March 6, 2009, a visa-free regime between Russia and Venezuela comes into force. Citizens of the Russian Federation who are holders of valid passports (with the exception of diplomatic and service ones) can enter, leave, transit and stay in Venezuela without visas for 90 days within each six months, starting from the date of first entry.
To obtain a visa to Venezuela at the embassy, you must personally meet with the head of the Consular Section and provide:
– 3 completed questionnaires;
– Passport valid for at least 6 months from the end of the trip;
– a copy of the civil passport;
– a certificate from the place of work indicating the position, time of work in this organization;
– registration certificate of the company;
– an extract from a bank account or a document confirming the existence of ownership;
– booking a round-trip air ticket;
– tourist voucher.
The entry visa is valid for 60 days.
When crossing the border, you must present a passport with an entry visa and an insert indicating your full name, age, citizenship, type of visa, profession, passport number and address of the place of temporary residence in Venezuela.
Import and export of the national currency is not limited. The import and export of drugs and drug-containing medicines, weapons, pesticides, as well as the export of stuffed animals, skins and animals of rare species is prohibited.
Venezuela, Russian Embassy in the country:
Caracas, Quinta “Soyuz”, Calle Las Lomas, Las Mercedes.
Tel.: (8-10-58-2) 993-45-31, 993-43-95.
Fax: (8-10-58-2)993-65-26.
Contact in Venezuela
In order to call Venezuela, you need to dial 8 – 10 – 58 – area code – subscriber number. Caracas code – 2.
Emergency Phones in Venezuela
Fire Department – 122
Police – 133
Ambulance – 144
Emergency Service – 120
HOLIDAYS AND WEEKENDS
January 1st – New Year’s Day
May 1st – Labor Day
April 19th – Declaration of Independence Day
June 24th – Battle of Carabobo
July 5th – Independence Day
July 24th – Simon Bolivar
Day October 12th – Columbus Day
December 25th – Christmas
USEFUL THINGS
Venezuela has a high crime rate, so don’t wear valuables and walk the streets late in the evening and at night. The political situation in the country is also unstable. Tourists should avoid demonstrations, which are quite common in Caracas, and should be more careful in areas bordering Colombia.
SHOPS
According to thembaprograms, shops are open on weekdays and Saturdays from 9 am to 7 pm. Shopping is best on Margarita Island because it is a free trade zone and prices are lower.
TIPS
Tipping is 10% of the amount indicated on the bill, but you can leave more for good service. Porters leave about 2 bolivars.
NATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Venezuelans are very emotional, friendly and hospitable.
ELECTRICITY
127V, 60Hz;
HEALTH
There are no restrictions on vaccination when entering the country. However, vaccination against hepatitis A, yellow fever is recommended (for those traveling anywhere other than Caracas, Valencia and the north coast). If you are vacationing in Caracas, on the island of Margarita and on the north coast, then you should not take malaria prophylactic pills.
The Guiana
Highlands To the south lies the vast Guiana Highlands. This is where the Orinoco River originates. The highlands are famous for their mesas, which are called “tepui” in the language of the Indians. Journey through the Guiana Highlands starts from the airport of Ciudad Bolivar, which is the administrative center of the largest Venezuelan state of Bolivar (Bolivar state).
The most famous ecotourism area in the Guiana Highlands, and in the country as a whole, is Canaima National Park. (Canaima national park). It is here that the highest waterfall in the world, Angel, is located, and numerous tepui (flat-topped mesas) are located, which are considered by the local Indians from the Pemon tribe as sacred places where spirits live. In the tropical forests and savannahs of the park, there are about 9 thousand species of plants, including more than 500 species of orchids, 150 species of mammals (jaguars, cougars, ocelots, tapirs, peccaries, agoutis, anteaters, monkeys, giant otters), more than 500 species of birds (eagles, falcons, parrots, toucans, hummingbirds), 72 species of reptiles and about 50 species of amphibians. The best time to visit the park is the rainy season (April-November), when the rivers and waterfalls are at their fullest. On the northwestern edge of the park is the village of Canaima .(Canaima) is the base for most excursions in the park. The village is located on the banks of the picturesque Canaima Lagoon, surrounded by 4 waterfalls. From the village you can go to the Angel Falls (Sapo Angel), whose waters break from one of the highest mountains of the Guiana Highlands – Auyan-Tepui (Auyantepui) – from a height of 983 m, and the Kavac cave, located on the other side of Mount Auyan -Tepui.
The eastern part of Canaima National Park is called “Great Plains” (La Gran Sabana). On the southeastern outskirts of the Gran Saban is the highest mountain of the Guiana Highlands – Mount Roraima (Roraima) (2810 m). It is considered to be the “lost world” that Conan Doyle described in his book, and the Indians consider this place to be the “center of the Earth.” You can get to the top of the mountain only on your own.
In the very south of Venezuela, near the southeastern outskirts of the Guiana Highlands, lies the state of Amazonas. (Amazonas site). The state got its name because of the tributary of the largest river in the world, the Amazon, the Rio Negro, flowing through its territory. This is the land of impenetrable rainforests, which are called the “lungs of the Planet”, rivers and dozens of Indian tribes that still refuse the benefits of civilization. The natural world of this region is striking in its diversity: per 100 sq. km of rainforest has about 1500 plant species, 750 tree species, 400 bird species, 150 mammal species, 100 reptile species and 50 amphibian species. Unfortunately, tourism in this region is significantly complicated due to the difficult terrain of the local forests and the full flow of the rivers (especially during the rainy season), only desperate tourists go on a trip to this region.(Puerto Ayacucho) – several tourist villages are located. Tours to the Indian tribes and boat trips along the rivers of Amazonas start from here.
