This is supposed to give the black market exchange rate: [URL]https://dolartoday.com/[/URL].
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This is supposed to give the black market exchange rate: [URL]https://dolartoday.com/[/URL].
[QUOTE=Manny51;1697520]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.[/QUOTE]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.
[QUOTE=LifeIsABeach;1711968]This is supposed to give the black market exchange rate: [URL]https://dolartoday.com/[/URL].[/QUOTE]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.
[QUOTE=MaraCucho;1727056]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.[/QUOTE]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.
[QUOTE=AlphaAlemn;1670109]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[/QUOTE]I am from Maracaibo. The city is far from being safe (none of the big cities are), but it's much better than Caracas.
[QUOTE=AlphaAlemn;1670109]I realized all the women of Zulia were incredibly hot on Latinamericancupid
Saludos[/QUOTE]Oh they certainly are!
[QUOTE=Razor;1727144]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.[/QUOTE]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.
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!
A follow up on Richard Tres report in the Caracas thread:
7 Things Nobody Told Me About Venezuela:
[URL]http://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/7-things-nobody-told-venezuela/[/URL]
7 Lies Everybody Told Me About Venezuela:
[URL]http://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/7-lies-everybody-told-venezuela/[/URL]
Changing Money on Venezuela's Black Market:
[URL]http://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/changing-money-venezuelas-black-market/[/URL]
Travel Costs / Top Things to See and Do / Daytrip from Colombia (Cucata to San Cristobel):
[URL]http://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/backpacking-in-venezuela/[/URL]
Anyone up for a trip and make a report?
Happy Hunting; Ken Apples.
[QUOTE=Ken_Apples;1731176]
7 Things Nobody Told Me About Venezuela:
[URL]http://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/7-things-nobody-told-venezuela/[/URL]
7 Lies Everybody Told Me About Venezuela:
[URL]http://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/7-lies-everybody-told-venezuela/[/URL]
Changing Money on Venezuela's Black Market:
[URL]http://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/changing-money-venezuelas-black-market/[/URL]
Travel Costs / Top Things to See and Do / Daytrip from Colombia (Cucata to San Cristobel):
[URL]http://www.thebrokebackpacker.com/backpacking-in-venezuela/[/URL]
[/QUOTE]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.
[QUOTE=Benargen;1731011]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![/QUOTE]Unfortunately, few people here are fluid in the language. Heck, few people have knowledge past of the very basic English they learned at school.
To illustrate the point, early this year, I was visiting some family I have in Caracas. While they were at the theater (nephews wanted to watch The Hobbit, and I wasn't really up for that) at the Sambill Mall, in order to kill time I decided to do a little experiment, I want around from shop to shop pretending to be a English-speaking tourist (yes, I was that bored, heh! To my surprise, in the entire mall I only found one clerk who knew how to speak English, a young college girl who told me she was interested in immigrating to the US in the future. Bear in mind the Sambill Mall is a pretty upscale place, a spot for tourists with cash.
Basically, if you can't speak Spanish, it could prove to be a very difficult time if you go around alone. A good idea would be to ask at the hotel you are staying, if they know somebody trustworthy who is up for the ask.
[QUOTE=MaraCucho;1731210]Unfortunately, few people here are fluid in the language. Heck, few people have knowledge past of the very basic English they learned at school.
To illustrate the point, early this year, I was visiting some family I have in Caracas. While they were at the theater (nephews wanted to watch The Hobbit, and I wasn't really up for that) at the Sambill Mall, in order to kill time I decided to do a little experiment, I want around from shop to shop pretending to be a English-speaking tourist (yes, I was that bored, heh! To my surprise, in the entire mall I only found one clerk who knew how to speak English, a young college girl who told me she was interested in immigrating to the US in the future. Bear in mind the Sambill Mall is a pretty upscale place, a spot for tourists with cash.
Basically, if you can't speak Spanish, it could prove to be a very difficult time if you go around alone. A good idea would be to ask at the hotel you are staying, if they know somebody trustworthy who is up for the ask.[/QUOTE]MaraCucho,
Do you have any suggestions for hotels in Caracas? Anyone planning a trip to Caracas?
Thanks!
[QUOTE=Benargen;1731377]MaraCucho,
Do you have any suggestions for hotels in Caracas? Anyone planning a trip to Caracas?
Thanks![/QUOTE]Hotels to stay, or just to do business with a nice girl? If the former, than I can't help much, I've got family in Caracas and I stay with them whenever I go to the capital. The Tripadvisor website most likely would be of more help.
On the other hand, I do know that the Centro Comercial Ciudad Tamanaco (or CCCT as most people call it) has a four star hotel, and what's convenient is that I know of at least one (and there are probably more!) massage parlor which provides sexual services. The mall is also a well known meeting point for girls looking to win an easy buck, and if you do plan to visit Caracas soon, from July 1 thru 5 the mall will be hosting a local erotic festival, the ExpoSexo 2015, and that quite obviously draws in an interesting crowd.
As for the latter, I usually go to the Dallas or the Aladdin, pretty nice motels and most Caraqueñas are OK to be taken there.
Do lady's have condoms cause I seen reports that condoms cost like $700 for 32 condoms in Venezuela.
Hello friends,
Is there any way I can get to Venezuela without a visa? I'm a US citizen and I will be in Colombia within 3 weeks. The Venezuelan require you apply for your visa 3 months in advance and is almost impossible due to diplomatic ties.
Can I travel trough bus / train / or auto and get in? If caught what is the penalty for entry without visa?
I'm a traveling backpacker / monger and I'm fluent in English and Spanish, so language won't be an issue. Thanks for your time and any response.
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Hola amigos,
Hay forma de entrar a Venezuela sin visa? Soy ciudadano de Estados Unidos why estare en Colombia dentro de 3 semanas. Venezuela requiere que aplique para una visa, 3 meses de anticipaciand why es casi imposible por razones diplomaticas.
Puedo viajar por autobus / tren o auto why entrar? Si soy descubierto, cual es la pena por entrar sin visa?
Soy mochilero why monger why hablo muy bien el espanol why Ingles why entonces el lenguage no sera problema. Gracias por su tiempo why respuesta.
[QUOTE=CorkyMexican;1736621]Do lady's have condoms cause I seen reports that condoms cost like $700 for 32 condoms in Venezuela.[/QUOTE]Concerning the price of the condoms, yes and no.
Yes, a box of 36 Trojans (which is the sample that Newsweek used for that article) would cost over $700. If you go by the official exchange price, that's it. Which of course, no tourist would ever do. If you exchange your dollars by black market prices, the same box would go for the equivalent of $12, which I understand it's the normal price in the US of A.