General Info

[MaraCucho]

7 Things Nobody Told Me About Venezuela:

http://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/7-...old-venezuela/

7 Lies Everybody Told Me About Venezuela:

http://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/7-...old-venezuela/

Changing Money on Venezuela's Black Market:

http://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/ch...-black-market/

Travel Costs / Top Things to See and Do / Daytrip from Colombia (Cucata to San Cristobel):

http://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/ba...-in-venezuela/

Those articles are surprisingly (and refreshingly) right on the spot, the guy actually does know what he is talking about. And you know, the article about the cash exchange indirectly shows a problem the tourist could face with our Bolivares. The largest denomination bill available is the 100 Bolivares bill, of which you can see large amounts of them in the pics. And that's a thing to consider, you will need to carry a LOT of those bills to do stuff. Like, for a normal (as in, not trying to get yourself some local girl, heh) trip to a good mall, eating lunch there and buying stuff around, you could easily need to have 100 of those bills with you. Basically, if you are travelling to Venezuela and wish to take advantage of the exchange black market, don't expect to be able to carry all the cash needed in your wallet.

[Ken_Apples]

A follow up on Richard Tres report in the Caracas thread:

7 Things Nobody Told Me About Venezuela:

http://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/7-...old-venezuela/

7 Lies Everybody Told Me About Venezuela:

http://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/7-...old-venezuela/

Changing Money on Venezuela's Black Market:

http://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/ch...-black-market/

Travel Costs / Top Things to See and Do / Daytrip from Colombia (Cucata to San Cristobel):

http://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/ba...-in-venezuela/

Anyone up for a trip and make a report?

Happy Hunting; Ken Apples.

[Benargen]

So, if you don't know any Spanish than Venezuela is out of the question? I'm thinking about traveling there on a whim and I'm wondering if I'll survive or maybe there is a guide I can hire.

Thanks!

[MaraCucho]

I'll be in Caracas at the end of June. I'd been there 8 years ago, which now it is far out from that time. I realize about the Bolivar volatility which is a very convenient for us (tourist) and I'm going to try the risk.

Any way have the following questions:

1. To book a room in some hotel (Las Mercedes area) can I pay in Bolivares? Or they will ask me for Dollars?

2. What is the most safe way to get from Maiquetia into the city? Bus or Taxi? -Assaults?

3. The contact of that "Madame" is interesting and I'd like to get some of those girls, but you're in Maracaibo.

Thanks for any help.

Se Le saluda.

Razor.

I seriously wouldn't recommend a bus, get a taxi. And be sure it's a legal taxi, not a "pirata".

It's illegal to do business in dollars here in Venezuela, so officially most places will tell you that you need bolivares to pay. Of course, things could be negotiated under-the-table and you will find that people here are more than accommodating to getting paid in US currency. Odds are the receptionist will take the dollars and pay the bill on his own pocket money. On the other hand, it is not really a good idea to carry and show around those greens, so I say use bolivares if possible.

[MaraCucho]

There are other cities apart from Caracas though, for example Maracaibo. How is the situation there? Anyone been there lately and can share with us some experience?

Saludos

I am from Maracaibo. The city is far from being safe (none of the big cities are), but it's much better than Caracas.

I realized all the women of Zulia were incredibly hot on Latinamericancupid
Saludos

Oh they certainly are!

[Razor]

Actual Venezuelan (well, Venezuelan-Chilean) here.

Well, if you (or anyone else) has a question, I'd gladly collaborate with my knowledge, limited as it may be.

I'll be in Caracas at the end of June. I'd been there 8 years ago, which now it is far out from that time. I realize about the Bolivar volatility which is a very convenient for us (tourist) and I'm going to try the risk.

Any way have the following questions:

1. To book a room in some hotel (Las Mercedes area) can I pay in Bolivares? Or they will ask me for Dollars?

2. What is the most safe way to get from Maiquetia into the city? Bus or Taxi? -Assaults?

3. The contact of that "Madame" is interesting and I'd like to get some of those girls, but you're in Maracaibo.

Thanks for any help.

Se Le saluda.

Razor.

[MaraCucho]

This is supposed to give the black market exchange rate: https://dolartoday.com/.

DolarToday is indeed the real deal, and one could say the Venezuelan economy gravitates around what that website says, strange as that notion may sound.

One thing to consider: Right now the price appears to be BS 404 per dollar, but that's the official price of the exchange in Cucuta, Colombia, which is what's being used as a reference. The informal ask price you will find on the street is the one below, BS 355. Which is still pretty darn good, heh.

[MaraCucho]

I have long wanted to go to Venezuela, mostly for general tourism, but also for punting on the side, but was hesitant for so long because of the turmoil. But now, in the last month, the exchange rate has gotten SO INSANE that I can't resist. The official exchange rate is 1:6. Now the black market rate, which I have been hearing is not hard to get, is 1:260! We are talking about nice hotels for $20, and beers for 10 cents.

Anyone got info about punting in Puerto Ordaz, Ciudad Bolivar, or Santa Elena? Can you imagine what the rates after dollar conversion must be?

Apparently, Caracas is so dangerous that I have NO interest in going there. In fact, I plan to never leave the Caracas airport if possible.

Actual Venezuelan (well, Venezuelan-Chilean) here.

Caracas is pretty damn dangerous, true, but truth to be told is also the city with the most game in the country. Risk and reward, as most things in life.

I do live in the city of Maracaibo, and I'd say the place is pretty good for mongering if you know where to look. As you said, the anomalous currency exchange situation in Venezuela works massively in favor of the tourist, to the point is even a bit difficult to illustrate how cheap things can be if you carry dollars and find a way to sell it at black market prices. Which I must say is incredibly easy because everybody (me included, hah!) at least knows somebody who buys dollars. Playing in the black market exchange for american currency actually is way more profitable than dealing with drugs (I know, sounds insane), which of course has generated that everybody wants to get a piece of that action.

Personally, I've been doing freelance design work over the internet. Little things that at an average earns me $300 per month. Which may be a pittance in the US, but here? I am getting over 14 times the average national monthly wage, of a person who works 8 hours a day, six days per week. Madness.

Fortunately, this situation of having quite a bit of cash to spend has allowed me to come in contact with a local "Madame", who handles working girls of all sorts of girls, from top-tier high-class pros to "girl next door" types who you will find in the classrooms of local colleges. It's been quite fun time these years, that I can't deny.

To give an example, $20 will net you a couple of hours with a 18 yo 9/10 stunner. I'd put a pic to better illustrate but being a noob in the forum I am not sure if it is allowed here. A cousin who stayed a while ago said it better "the best looking cheapest working girls in the world".

Well, if you (or anyone else) has a question, I'd gladly collaborate with my knowledge, limited as it may be.

[LifeIsABeach]

This is supposed to give the black market exchange rate: https://dolartoday.com/.

[Manny51]

I have long wanted to go to Venezuela, mostly for general tourism, but also for punting on the side, but was hesitant for so long because of the turmoil. But now, in the last month, the exchange rate has gotten SO INSANE that I can't resist. The official exchange rate is 1:6. Now the black market rate, which I have been hearing is not hard to get, is 1:260! We are talking about nice hotels for $20, and beers for 10 cents.

Anyone got info about punting in Puerto Ordaz, Ciudad Bolivar, or Santa Elena? Can you imagine what the rates after dollar conversion must be?

Apparently, Caracas is so dangerous that I have NO interest in going there. In fact, I plan to never leave the Caracas airport if possible.

[Simeon Jones]

True that.

There are other cities apart from Caracas though, for example Maracaibo. How is the situation there? Anyone been there lately and can share with us some experience?

I realized all the women of Zulia were incredibly hot on Latinamericancupid, so that area would be a great option. Anyways traveling to Venezuela alone is still something I can't bring myself over to do, and most likely not in the near future.

Saludos

Its actually very cheap at the moment if you use the black market rate. Caracas is not Baghdad! Spanish is a must but you can find stunning women there. Use common sense when walking around (no jewelry etc) and always look like you know what you are doing. Google sexycaracas.

[Alpha Alemán]

It is sad, sad, sad to realize that we cannot really enjoy being in Venezuela with the great Venezuelan girls.

Some of the most beautiful and sensual women I have ever seen, whether in real life or virtual, are from Caracas. The consistent level of beauty and attractiveness of girls from there is well beyond other places.

So, since Caracas is dead to us nowadays, is there an alternative inside Venezuela?

Is there a City or town with low crime rate, relative safety and a good P4 P scene?

Or is it a mess all over right now?

True that.

There are other cities apart from Caracas though, for example Maracaibo. How is the situation there? Anyone been there lately and can share with us some experience?

I realized all the women of Zulia were incredibly hot on Latinamericancupid, so that area would be a great option. Anyways traveling to Venezuela alone is still something I can't bring myself over to do, and most likely not in the near future.

Saludos

[Manny51]

An interesting article about life in Venezuela:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-0...-than-sex.html

Yeah its interesting. No matter what the world economy does, no matter what new industries or busineses are created, when it really comes down to it, prostitution is the most reliable and potentially lucrative business in human society. It has always been so throughout the ages.

[Vagabond]

I thought the Venezuela P4P was on Margarita.?

Puerto de la Cruz used to be a paradise for P4 P but that's some years ago. It's increadable how they have managed to ruin this country.

[Yujin]

An interesting article about life in Venezuela:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-0...-than-sex.html