General Info

[MaraCucho]

It seems no flight to the city. Cross border from Colombia sounds too exotic.

Maracaibo does have an international airport, but it is somewhat limited. The easiest way to get here would be to fly to the Simon Bolivar airport in Caracas, and from there take another plane to Maracaibo.

The city isn't that close to the Colombian border (a bit over 100 Kms, in fact).

[StrawBoy]

It seems no flight to the city. Cross border from Colombia sounds too exotic.

[Ken_Apples]

//Well, that wasn't my original intention, but I can't deny the idea sounds good. On the other hand, I am not sure about the viability of it, since I am not seeing much demand for my country, heh.

Coincidentally, thanks to my contact I'll be doing business with this young lady (BTW that's the pic sent to me by the "madame" who manages the escort service) at noon, will see if I can snatch some pics for the forum.//

Ridiculously favorable currency exchange rate. Low prices. Few other visitors. Beautiful girls. Beautiful country.

Sounds like a winner to me!

Can anyone comment on places like Merida, Puerto Ordaz, Santa Elena, and Ciudad Bolivar?

I think you will find there is a big interest for p4 p in Venezuela at those prices.

The problem is safety, exchanging money, and provide good girls.

In Colombia, Medellin, some people set up such a hotel that cater for people that want a safe, good time.

They are still in business, so many years after they started out.

You would not even need a hotel.

If you could provide a service / honest contact for exchanging money, and getting a phonebook with numbers to good female providers, you would not have to wait to long before you had your first visit here from the forum.

(seriously, at 10 USD for 2 hours, people would start taking que -numbers, once the rumour of a safe "get in-have fun, and then safe get back out" have been verified by senior members.

Its really a no-brainer at that price.

Think about it. / Ken Apples.

[Manny51]

Well, that wasn't my original intention, but I can't deny the idea sounds good. On the other hand, I am not sure about the viability of it, since I am not seeing much demand for my country, heh.

Coincidentally, thanks to my contact I'll be doing business with this young lady (BTW that's the pic sent to me by the "madame" who manages the escort service) at noon, will see if I can snatch some pics for the forum.

Ridiculously favorable currency exchange rate. Low prices. Few other visitors. Beautiful girls. Beautiful country.

Sounds like a winner to me!

Can anyone comment on places like Merida, Puerto Ordaz, Santa Elena, and Ciudad Bolivar?

[MaraCucho]

MaraCucho, thanks for adding info to the Venezuelan thread. (snip)

Well, that wasn't my original intention, but I can't deny the idea sounds good. On the other hand, I am not sure about the viability of it, since I am not seeing much demand for my country, heh.

Coincidentally, thanks to my contact I'll be doing business with this young lady (BTW that's the pic sent to me by the "madame" who manages the escort service) at noon, will see if I can snatch some pics for the forum.

[MaraCucho]

I was in Caracas in 2001 and it was a war zone, and I'm assuming it's much worse now.

It is. To illustrate the point, Caracas is the city with the second highest murder rate in the world, with 115.98 per 100 K people. And some ONGs actually put that rate over 130 or even 150 murders per 100 K, as the local government in Caracas is known for classifying whatever violent crimes as other things if they have the chance, to make the numbers look better (which is hilariously tragic since the numbers are still terrible).

In contrast, the second Venezuelan city in that sad list is Valencia, with a murder rate of 71.08 per 100 K people. Still pretty bad, but you can already see the tremendous difference, between Caracas and the rest of the country. Furthermore, my city, Maracaibo, has a murder rate of 35.44 per 100 K. Still not good by any means, but it's below american cities such as Chicago, Detroit, and New Orleans in that list.

[Combo]

It's pretty okay. Second largest city in the country, both in size and population. The night life is nowhere near as lively as in Caracas, but it's sufficient. The heat is TREMENDOUS, there is a reason why the city is nicknamed "la ciudad del sol amada", which translates to "the city loved by the sun".

About being safe or not, one has to understand two things: A) the criminality problem is country-wide, no such a thing as a major city (or even mid-size city) that is really "safe", and B) there is HUGE difference on how bad things are in Caracas and the rest of the country. Caracas is like a war zone, none of the rest of the cities in this country are like that.

I was in Caracas in 2001 and it was a war zone, and I'm assuming it's much worse now.

[Ken_Apples]

MaraCucho, thanks for adding info to the Venezuelan thread.

If you keeps writing good info (and posting some photos just like below) you will in quite short time be upgraded to senior member.

Then other senior forum members will be able to contact you (by the forum email service, a benefit that senior members get).

From what I understand from your writing, you are a local, so by helping out travellers, you could charge a fee (like 25-50 usd / day) depending on how much time you spend on helping out practically with "small services" / help.

(black market exchange, safe and reliable escorts, transports, other requests).

That cash would transform into a big pile of local money, on a daily basis.

Moreover, it could buy you some stuff that is hard to get by local currency.

With such a buyers market, and such a high crime-level, you are in a golden position to set up something good, if you play your cards right.

Just a thought.

Greetings, Ken Apples.

[Manny51]

I have an ex-novia there now that I stay in frequent contact with. I also follow the news weekly on that sad place watching as this once decent country descends into chaos, bankruptcy, and currency devaluations along with basic food shortages. Many airlines won't fly there anymore and I believe, if I read correctly, USA Citizens need a visa now. My last 2 trips there were to Margarita Island about 4 years ago, arguably about the only place worth going to in the whole country. Street crime is totally out of control and their murder rate is about the highest in the western hemisphere. Forget it for now.

Yeah, but everytime I read those reports about how bad Venezuela is, they are always talking about Caracas. I don't have the slightest interest in Caracas, and would avoid it all together except for an entry point. I would probably book a same day connecting flight, Audi 5000.

The reason I ask is because there is a new airline that just started low cost flights to Caracas -- Dynamic Airways. That will at least get you into and out of the country reliably and inexpensively.

Some brave travellers are taking advantage of the exchange rate, and reporting in their blogs that its ok to go, provided you take certain precautions. But punting entails additional risk. I assume that punting at night in Caracas would be suicide, so I was wondering more about other tourist hot spots, like Merida. In terms of locales of interest, i would find the jungle, like Angel Falls, much more enticing. If all you want is a Carribean beach, there are countless better options.

Just curious. Since forum posters often talk about money and costs, I would have assumed more forum activity.

[Geolopes]

Does anyone have a handle on the scene in Venezuela right now? Not just Caracas, but in other places like Merida, or anywhere else tourists might go?

I would think that with the exchange rate being what it is, that SOMEBODY knowledgeable enough is having a bonanza vacation of a lifetime now!

I have an ex-novia there now that I stay in frequent contact with. I also follow the news weekly on that sad place watching as this once decent country descends into chaos, bankruptcy, and currency devaluations along with basic food shortages. Many airlines won't fly there anymore and I believe, if I read correctly, USA Citizens need a visa now. My last 2 trips there were to Margarita Island about 4 years ago, arguably about the only place worth going to in the whole country. Street crime is totally out of control and their murder rate is about the highest in the western hemisphere. Forget it for now.

[MaraCucho]

How is Marcaibo? Is it a nice city? I'm sort of assuming it's less dangerous than Caracas. I've only been there once, and won't return anytime soon.

It's pretty okay. Second largest city in the country, both in size and population. The night life is nowhere near as lively as in Caracas, but it's sufficient. The heat is TREMENDOUS, there is a reason why the city is nicknamed "la ciudad del sol amada", which translates to "the city loved by the sun".

About being safe or not, one has to understand two things: A) the criminality problem is country-wide, no such a thing as a major city (or even mid-size city) that is really "safe", and B) there is HUGE difference on how bad things are in Caracas and the rest of the country. Caracas is like a war zone, none of the rest of the cities in this country are like that.

[Combo]

I can speak properly for how's the scene in my city, Maracaibo.

For example, the girl in the pic? With the current exchange rate (black market, of course), two hours with her = $8. If you want anal, 10 bucks.

How is Marcaibo? Is it a nice city? I'm sort of assuming it's less dangerous than Caracas. I've only been there once, and won't return anytime soon.

[GoneFishin]

There is a small Venezuelan city right next to the border and real close to Cucuta, San Antonio del Tchira, where you most likely will find action. Unfortunately, I can't say how easy it would be for an american to cross the border from Cucuta to San Antonio, since that's obviously not my case. Of course, you must consider that most of the pros you will find in San Antonio will be Colombian anyways.

And for your contribution to the Venezuela forum. Perhaps you should do tours for members who are willing to travel to your part of the country if you have the time. At any rate, your contributions are much appreciated.

[Dawkins1977]

[Message to Admin deleted]

EDITOR's NOTE: This report was edited to remove a message directed to the Forum Admin.

The open Forum is not the appropriate venue to contact the Forum Administration regarding individual questions, complaints or comments about the administration of the Forum. Instead, please use the Contact Us link at the bottom of this page to send me an email voicing your complaints about the administration of the Forum, and I will respond as quickly as possible. Thanks!

[MaraCucho]

Does anyone have a handle on the scene in Venezuela right now? Not just Caracas, but in other places like Merida, or anywhere else tourists might go?

I would think that with the exchange rate being what it is, that SOMEBODY knowledgeable enough is having a bonanza vacation of a lifetime now!

I can speak properly for how's the scene in my city, Maracaibo.

For example, the girl in the pic? With the current exchange rate (black market, of course), two hours with her = $8. If you want anal, 10 bucks.