Venezuela was a very cheap
country to travel in during the period of the fixed exchange
rates, provided you came with US dollars and changed them
on the black market. Since the bolívar was freed,
there has been a massive increase in prices of goods and
services. Still, travelers on a budget can easily get
by on US$20-30 a day; those looking for more comfort should
expect to spend at least US$50, or more if taking a guided
tour.
US dollars and American Express travelers' checks are
by far the most popular, so stick to them. Visa and MasterCard
have the best coverage for both cash advances and for
making payments in top-end hotels, restaurants and shops.
You can change money at a bank or at a casa de cambio
(authorized money-exchange office). Banks change cash
and travelers' checks, but casas de cambio deal only in
cash. Beware that lines for ATMs can be very long, especially
the first Monday of the month, when many banks are closed,
and the day before holiday weekends, when machines are
often cashed-out by midmorning. |
Meals:
Budget: 6000-13,000
Mid-range: 13,000-28,000
High: 28,000-40,000
Deluxe: 40,000+
Lodging
Budget: 20,000-50,000
Mid-range: 50,000-115,000
High: 115,000-230,000
Deluxe: 230,000+
|
When we bring there in a foreign
country, especially in those less economically developed,
the doubt always comes: cash or credit cards.
We will limit there to give to you some suggestions without
answering to the question, also founding ourselves on
the personal esperiezes: |
Currency
The Venezuelan coin is the bolivar, that is found in different
cuts both in coin that in banknote. For the devaluation
in progress,
The change of the European ones or dollars in bolivar,
varied, to according to of where it is changed.
Changing the money in the bank around 2200 bolivars are
received for an European, while to the change to the black,
that also if not legal it is enough easy to be found,
it is also reached 3900 bolivars.
Only drawback is that you will have to turn with the cash,
even if the greatest part of the Hotels they have safety
cassettes
|
 |
| Credit cards |
The credit cards VIsa, American
Express, Master Card and a more po with difficulty the
Diners, is almost approved anywhere for the payment of
Hotel, Flights etc.
A po more difficulty in the exercises type restaurants
or shops.
As it regards the collecting bancomat with the credit
cards, it is signalled that the operation introduces more
than few difficulties.
The bancomats don't often accept the paper, and when they
accept it, they furnish little cash, in the order of 150
000 bolivars (around 50 European).
Besides can be run into problems of crime. Attention in
fact to when you use the paper, because they are not infrequent
episodes of clonazione of credit cards. |
| Convert your money
in Bolivar |
|
|
Currency
and credit cards
