Caracas

[Haitek]

I imagine that it's getting difficult to obtain enough cash.

At the end today, 1 dollar = 20000 bvs.

Not much difficult than before. I get now more and more 10000 and 20000 notes.

[Travv]

Seems to me that the safest way to visit Venezuela would be to go to a Colombian border town then cross into Venezuela. If it feels unsafe or the bargains aren't there, then return that night into Colombia. Any Colombian border towns like Cucuta that can be recommended for short trips into interesting towns in Venezuela?

[Mlatimudan]

And it's getting cheaper and cheaper. 1 dollar = 15800 bvs; 1 euro = 18000 bvs.

I imagine that it's getting difficult to obtain enough cash.

[Haitek]

And it's getting cheaper and cheaper. 1 dollar = 15800 bvs; 1 euro = 18000 bvs.

[Cursnoop]

Actually as 1 dollar = 11000 bolivars, and as a short time cost 60000 to 70000 bolivars, yes it's cheap, less than 10 dollars. Not much chicas like to go for all night because they have baby, but if you are friendly and charming, many will stay all day for free.

About political situation, nobody known what will happen. But for sure, the situation is getting more and more dramatic. Venezuela is now under dictatorship.

Yup that's why a lot of chicas will cross the sea to nearby islands to make a lot of dollars charging 10 x that.

[Haitek]

When I calculate the price of sex in USD in Venezuela these days, based on ISG reports, it represents the least expensive sex that I know of. This is why the Dominican Republic is filled with Venezuelan sex workers (and, I guess, lots of other countries) looking for better pay. I am reading that good looking, clean chicas are going for maybe $10 an hour (based on black market exchange rates) and long time is $30-40.

Is this true? If it is, I believe that Venezuela will become a magnet for mongerers once the violence calms down (the prices will inevitably rise at that point). Of course, the violence might result in a revolution, and the country will be off limits for the next several years.

This scenario is theoretical, Can the guys on the ground tell us what the scene is like?

Actually as 1 dollar = 11000 bolivars, and as a short time cost 60000 to 70000 bolivars, yes it's cheap, less than 10 dollars. Not much chicas like to go for all night because they have baby, but if you are friendly and charming, many will stay all day for free.

About political situation, nobody known what will happen. But for sure, the situation is getting more and more dramatic. Venezuela is now under dictatorship.

[Member #4643]

I'm right now in Puerto la Cruz, yesterday in Barcelona and the day before in Cumana. It' s much diffucult to move between en the city, there are a lot army check point on the road and sometime protests which block the road. But inside Puerto la Cruz, it's calm. There are people on the beach and the restaurants are open this morning.

When I calculate the price of sex in USD in Venezuela these days, based on ISG reports, it represents the least expensive sex that I know of. This is why the Dominican Republic is filled with Venezuelan sex workers (and, I guess, lots of other countries) looking for better pay. I am reading that good looking, clean chicas are going for maybe $10 an hour (based on black market exchange rates) and long time is $30-40.

Is this true? If it is, I believe that Venezuela will become a magnet for mongerers once the violence calms down (the prices will inevitably rise at that point). Of course, the violence might result in a revolution, and the country will be off limits for the next several years.

This scenario is theoretical, Can the guys on the ground tell us what the scene is like?

[Haitek]

I'm right now in Puerto la Cruz, yesterday in Barcelona and the day before in Cumana. It' s much diffucult to move between en the city, there are a lot army check point on the road and sometime protests which block the road. But inside Puerto la Cruz, it's calm. There are people on the beach and the restaurants are open this morning.

[MaraCucho]

1 $ = 10300 BsF!

Maracucho, what's the situation?

At the moment, not good, lots of unrest among the population. These past few weeks have been marked by massive protests and civil disobedience around the country. Unfortunately, this climate of protests make it easy for the less desireable elements of society to come out and try to profit from the ensuing lawlessness. The other day I got my phone robbed by two guys riding a bike, and I know a few stores that have been broken and burglarized, as the streets are desert during the protests and the police only focuses on certain points of the city.

Not sure of how well this has been covered in international news, but tomorrow there will be a highly controversial and illegal election, which could very well mark the point of no return. Next week could be the big moment of change for Venezuela, we'll see.

[Mlatimudan]

1 $ = 10300 BsF!

Maracucho, what's the situation?

[Britisher]

Only and only for pleasure. I'm not mad to do legal business in Venezuela in this time.
It was Britishers's messages on this forum that encouraged me to go to Venezuela. Many thank to Britisher!.

Thanks Haitek.

I was the first one to post some mongering information on Venezuela thread in 2015 after this was dead almost since 2008.

I was recently in Venezuela in May'17. Things are not easy there. However, if you speak Spanish, do not easily get afraid, know a few locals to assist you. Things can be fun there.

I never travel there for holidays. But work often takes me to Venezuela.

In my last trip in May'17, one could have sex with a nice looking girl for 30,000 BS which was at that time about 5 usd. If you are generous and add 20,000 BS, that it pay 9 usd instead of 5 usd, you are well appreciated.

There is a BIG shortage of cash (Bolivares) in Venezuela. Changing usd to BS was a major struggle in my last trip.

New Bills of 20,000 BS have been published. But no where to be found. So I was steal dealing with 100 BS bills. (5000 BS = 1 usd).

Hope this helps.

[Haitek]

I thought I read somewhere that the government was demanding that hotels only be paid for in USD. Is that still true? It sounds like that's either changed or was false to begin with.

Everywhere in Venezuela, you can paid your hotel with both currency, in dollars or in bolivars. Only Eurobuilding hotel (and maybe a few more in Las Mercedes area) quote their room price in bolivars according to black market rate. Most hotels in Caracas downtown use official rate exchange.

[Kazeu]

I do not understand why you want appartment. Good hotels in Caracas are cheap thank to black market exchange rate, only 15 dollars by day. The hotels offfer internet, safe environment and they have big water tanks on the roof and electricity generator for their customers during water and electricity shortage.

I thought I read somewhere that the government was demanding that hotels only be paid for in USD. Is that still true? It sounds like that's either changed or was false to begin with.

[Haitek]

Thanks for your news. I understand Caracas is not only dangerous but there are also problems with water. Mmmm I think I will change my trip.

I do not understand why you want appartment. Good hotels in Caracas are cheap thank to black market exchange rate, only 15 dollars by day. The hotels offfer internet, safe environment and they have big water tanks on the roof and electricity generator for their customers during water and electricity shortage.

[Haitek]

Haitek,

I admire you! You travel the places I want to go. Can I ask, do you go for business or pleasure? I really want to go to Venezuela but scared of the ride from the airport and then the hassle of money exchanges etc.

Only and only for pleasure. I'm not mad to do legal business in Venezuela in this time.
It was Britishers's messages on this forum that encouraged me to go to Venezuela. Many thank to Britisher!
I like exploring little known countries. In Europe, I went to Moldavia and Transnistria. In South America, before Venezuela, I often went to Paraguay.