Isla Margarita

[QUOTE=Jasoonnn;2119100]Had been reading this forum and decided I'd like to explore Venezuela. Did a lot of research so kind of knew how to prepare beforehand for money, transfers and a debit card.

My trip was from Nov 27 till Dec 3. (Monday to Sunday). I'm 35, and my Spanish is pretty good and have been to Colombia 3 times, and other Latin places a few times too, so I thought I'd take the next step.

Did a pre-search on tinder and some on Seeking arrangement and matched with a bunch in the Puerto la Cruz and Barcelona area. Also had a few in Isla margarita but not that many. One that did match told me she would help me with her dad's debit card and try and arrange for some cash. It turned out she would be out of town the week I was there so she gave me her sisters number who was also super-hot but I didn't expect to have relations with her (more on that later).

I booked an Airbnb in Porlamar next to La Samanna hotel which is about a 5 min walk from La Vela mall. Cost was about $160 usd and the apartment was in a nice building with a pool, doorman, balcony, 1 bedroom, 2 washrooms, a kitchen, den and DirecTV. After checking out, the Airbnb guy said if I paid in bolivares it would be about 30 $ for the 6 days. Since I had no option of doing that pre-trip I was ok with paying the 160 $. Have his number for next time.

The following is a very detailed report of my time there. Not just about P4P's as I believe this will help others in planning and getting an idea of how things work in Isla margarita, and Venezuela in general.

1ST DAY (Monday).

Reached the airport of Porlamar at about 4 pm and had Airbnb guy send a taxi from there to the airport. He said he would pay the taxi and when I had my debit card I could do transfer. Cost was 100.000,00 bolvares (about $1. 25) at that days exchange rate. Check in was easy and the Airbnb guy left in about 20 min after showing me around.

I was in contact with the tinder girls sister (let's call her Tinder girl) and she said she would reach my apartment at about 5 pm which would give me enough time to shower and change. She arrives and she's a 19 year old hottie. Huge 36 the breasts. She also has a cute friend with her who seemed young but was also 19. No problems with the doorman letting either of them in. She said her dad didn't find the card and she had about 50 k cash with her which is pretty much nothing. She did promise that tomorrow in the morning she'd have her dad's card and we would go get cash. So I said ok that's fine. And said let's go eat something. There was a pizza place (La Romana) nearby so we decided to walk there due to our lack of cash. The other girl said she's leaving her phone at the apartment because she recently got hers stolen. I decided to take the risk and took my Samsung S7 with me. The servers said they don't accept USD at all so they asked some customers if they would take it and pay the pizzeria. One agreed to take 10 $usd and pay 700 k for us. At this day the DolarToday rate was about 85 k so we said that's fine as we had no option. We all ordered a lot of good quality food and drinks, and still had some money left so took some water bottles to go. This is when I first realized 10 $ goes a long way there. After dinner we walked home at about 9 pm which wasn't recommended but it was a 5 min walk and we had no choice. After that the girls decided to head home and the tinder girl would meet me in the morning. Since I had a long travel day (left Bogota at 7 am after a heavy night of drinking) and no cash or debit, I decided to call it an early night.

2ND DAY (Tuesday).

Next day tinder girl reached at 10 am as promised with her dad's debit card (tarjeta) from Banesco. She gave me the online banking PWD as well as the cedula # of her dad. We had to send a pic of the cash to the money changer as he needed proof that we had 100 $ bills. I decided to change $300. The DolarToday rate was 85 k and I got 78 k for the transfer. All in her dad's account. I did for a moment think that she might scam me but I basically didn't have much choice. So we changed the money at a cell phone shop then to another Gold buying place to change 30 $ for cash. The max amount they would give was 150 k in cash (in small bills. See pic#1) and the rest in transfer to the tarjeta. We at least had cash for taxis and the debit card to pay for stuff. The transferencia didn't work the first day as there was a problem with the dad's email but worked the next day onwards without a problem. We then had a great meal with wine and beers in the Centro area for about 200 k. We headed home and then she wished me good luck and headed home too. She gave me a taxi guys number who accepted transferecia and would be available 24 hours a day for me with a half hour notice.

I took a nap and then at about 10 pm headed to Haren with the taxi guy. I told him to come in and hang out with me as well and he did. Lot of cute girls, I would say a lot of 7's and a couple of 8's. I had drinks with a couple girls. They usually ask for a champagne bottle which is about 200 k (the girls get 60 k) so I said ok to whoever was sitting with me for more than a couple min. I was drinking a lot too and got hungry so one of the huge bodyguards said there was street food outside so I went with him. This is on 4 de mayo at about 2 am so wouldn't recommend to doing it alone but I decided to go. Met 2 girls working at another club outside and since I wanted company I offered to pay for their food. Total for 5 hamburgers was really cheap (I think 200 k). The girls themselves were not pretty at all (3-4's at best). One said she could get me bolivares cash in big bills next day so I took her number and said sure. After eating went back to Haren and found a light skinned spinner (Kendra) who was an 8 and decided to take her. I'm pretty sure I overpaid as I was drunk and the bodyguard knew that. Total was 4 million bolivares (50 $). We took a cab home and the sex was awesome. Without much pressure of me asking she did BBBJ as well as bareback sex. She left at about 7 am because she had something to do. Took her number for later and told her to come back when she's free.

3RD DAY (Wednesday).

Woke up at about noon, and walked to the mall for some food, and to get a SIM. It was about 40 k to get a line with about 2 GB, so definitely better than paying for the Roaming that I was. Also booked a massage at a spa there for later in the evening for 150 k. BTW, the mall is almost like any in North America, with big brand names, clean, nice food court etc. Wouldn't think you're in Venezuela while walking around there.

Anyways, headed back, and messaged an agency that I saw on some Anuncia website, and got them to send me a girl after looking at a couple of pics. Cost was 620 k with taxi for 3 hours. Paid by transferencia. The girl was very good looking (pics attached) and gave me BBBJ no prob. I was too tired from the night before so that's all I did, then she massaged me for a while. After that, I took her to a very nice restaurant nearby La Vaquera. We ordered steaks and beer, and she got something to go for home, and the total was probably around 900 k. She then took a cab home for which I paid about 20 k in transferencia since I was pretty much out of cash now.

In the meantime, the tinder girl from the first day messaged me and asked if I wanted to go to bar / lounge this evening. I said sure, and she said she'the come pick me up with the taxi guy at around 11 pm. She comes, and is looking awesome, and we go to a place called Green Martini. Again this is a great bar / lounge and wouldn't think you're in Venezuela while inside here. We dance, drink and eventually make out as well, so I'm feeling pretty good. We leave at like 3 am, and she invites herself to come upstairs and continue drinking, so I said of course. Once upstairs, wasn't a lot of drinking, but make out and then head to the bed to continue further. She was super awesome (some pics attached without her face). Also wasn't too hard to get bareback sex with her.

4TH DAY (Thursday).

Was still with the tinder girl in the morning, so we decided to head to the beach (Playa Parguito). Was about a half hour drive. Stayed there for a few hours and drank, ate, got massages, and probably paid about 1 million bolivares (about 15 $). She got dropped off at her house on her way home, but we made plans to go to another club at night. I go home and take a nap to recover.

She comes picks me up at like 1030 pm, and we are going to Bora Bora its Thursday, and that's ladies night, where all women drink for free! Place was huge and packed by 12, and this was more like a true nightclub. She had a couple of friends with her and I was dancing with all of them (reggaeton grinding kinda dance). I ordered a bottle of vodka and some food, and was about 5-6 of us, 1 other guy and the rest girls. After a while, they said this other place is better, and we should go there. So we take a cab to Loft, which was smaller, but stays open till about 5-6 am. Again got bottles / cokes / red bulls / juices and went to VIP. Left at about 6 am, and my bill was probably 3-4 million (40-50 $) for the both places. At the end, the tinder girl said she had university at 9 am, and had to go home, so I went and slept, which wasn't too bad as I had a big day the next day.

5TH Day (Friday).

Today was the day that my Seeking Arrangement girl was coming from Cumana, about 3 hours or so away in a ferry. She was bringing a friend as she didn't want to travel alone, and I was fine with that. She never brought up money or anything, so I didn't know what to expect. I did pay for her ferry ride, which about 400 k, and also told her to bring some cash. She said she found someone who could give 1 million bolivares in cash for 1. 32 million. I agreed to that, since I had pretty much no cash. She would be here by around 11 pm at night, so I had a full day to myself.

1st, I wanted to get some more money in my account, so I asked the tinder girl if she knew anyone who could accept PayPal and then transfer to the account. She found someone who could give 95 k per dollar (DolarToday rate was about 105 k), so I accepted and sent over 100 $ to get 9.5 million BVF. 2nd, I messaged that girl I met on the street outside of Haren, as she said she could give me 1.35 million BVF cash for $20, and in big bills, so I definitely wanted that. She came over to do the exchange and actually gave me a nice massage too. I didn't want to do anything else with her as I wasn't attracted to her at all.

After getting all this cash situation out of the way, I called the Haren girl again (Kendra). She came by at about 3 pm and looked better than before. We hung out at the pool for a bit, then went back to the apartment. Good DFK, foreplay, and eventually bareback sex again. One of the better sessions I have had. I transferred her 500 k, and she was happy about that. We took a cab, I went to the mall, and she back to her place.

One of the girls at the Bora Bora club, who was with the tinder girl messaged me and asked if I wanted to come to the mall and meet up, since she worked there, and was free till 7 pm. So I said sure, and met up with her and had a nice pizza meal. She was down to meet up later after work, but I told her I that probably wasn't going to be possible.

While waiting for the SA girls to come, I went to another club near my place, 1900. It was also packed, but I was solo and didn't want to hit on any girls that might be taken etc. , so just had a few drinks and then went back. My taxi guy went to pick up the 2 girls from the ferry port, so he gave me a heads-up when they were about 15 min away. The SA girl (24 years old) was very nice and her friend average. She gave me the 1 million in cash as soon as she unpacked. I told them to change, and then headed to Loft again, the same place as the night before. Another night of drinking and dancing, and we head home at about 5 am. The friend sleeps on the couch, and the other with me, and we were pretty drunk but did end up having sex before passing out.

6TH DAY (Saturday).

I was pretty burnt out with late nights and excessive drinking, so wanted to have a relaxed beach day again with these 2. Didn't do much, went to the mall and ate etc. , they were really happy that I was spoiling them, even though it was costing me practically nothing. I did want to get some more money so asked them if they knew of any PayPal transfer guys. (didn't want to ask original tinder girl because she was kinda pissed I was blowing her off). They did say that someone would take cash instead, and I could pay them and they would take it back to Cumana. So got $100 changed for 95 k again (DolarToday rate was still about 105 k). The plan was to go out at night again, but all of us were tired, and just decided to stay home and drink, and chat. Learned a lot about Venezuela in the convo with these 2. One was a doctor, and the other a psychologist, so they were pretty smart.

7TH DAY (Sunday).

Not much happened this day, my flight was at 3 pm, their ferry was at 5 pm. My taxi guy would drop the both of us. Did some shopping for jerseys for me, and got them some Vodka and Cacique and chocolates that made them super happy. I had about 8 million left in my account, so I told the SA girl, I'll give her 4 million, and that made her really happy. The other 4 million I left for the tinder girl, for helping me with her dad's card. I met the tinder girl at the airport to drop of the card and thank her.

So there you go, my trip was awesome. I was expecting it to be way more dangerous than it was (it might still be, and I got lucky with doing what I did). I knew money would be an issue, and it definitely was, but I was able to overcome that. I knew it would be only Spanish there, and it was, don't think I spoke any English in the week I was there.

I do have more contacts now, of people willing to lend me their debit card, taxi guys, girls, bartenders etc. And will definably go again soon, and have a better idea what to expect.

Let me know if anyone has any questions or wants any contact info in Porlamar / Margarita.[/QUOTE]Great report Jasoonnn, but how did you get to Porlamar? It seems pretty impossible these days to book on line a domestic flight in Venezuela.

[QUOTE=Tavares;2120655]Great report Jasoonnn, but how did you get to Porlamar? It seems pretty impossible these days to book on line a domestic flight in Venezuela.[/QUOTE]I had first booked a flight from Toronto to Bogota. Then called up Aviórair and got a Bogotoa-Porlamar flight with a stopover in Valencia. It was about 350 $. I had booked about 3 weeks in advance so there were some options available for me. Other options might be to get a flight to Barcelona and take a ferry to Margarita.

Jason, thanks for this post. You've earned my admiration. I was wondering what your nationality is? I'm from the USA and wondering if you were as well and what your experience might have been like getting a visa for Venezuela. The USA and Venezuela aren't on the best of terms right now.

[QUOTE=Jasoonnn;2119100]Had been reading this forum and decided I'd like to explore Venezuela. Did a lot of research so kind of knew how to prepare beforehand for money, transfers and a debit card.

My trip was from Nov 27 till Dec 3. (Monday to Sunday). I'm 35, and my Spanish is pretty good and have been to Colombia 3 times, and other Latin places a few times too, so I thought I'd take the next step.

Did a pre-search on tinder and some on Seeking arrangement and matched with a bunch in the Puerto la Cruz and Barcelona area. Also had a few in Isla margarita but not that many. One that did match told me she would help me with her dad's debit card and try and arrange for some cash. It turned out she would be out of town the week I was there so she gave me her sisters number who was also super-hot but I didn't expect to have relations with her (more on that later).\[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Kazeu;2120881]Jason, thanks for this post. You've earned my admiration. I was wondering what your nationality is? I'm from the USA and wondering if you were as well and what your experience might have been like getting a visa for Venezuela. The USA and Venezuela aren't on the best of terms right now.[/QUOTE]Thanks Kazeu. I'm Canadian so didn't need a visa. I am allowed 90 days from the day of landing. I can't really comment on US visas and didn't see or meet any Americans while I was there.

In the General thread there is some talk about US visas so maybe that might help.

[QUOTE=Jasoonnn;2121062]Thanks Kazeu. I'm Canadian so didn't need a visa. I am allowed 90 days from the day of landing. I can't really comment on US visas and didn't see or meet any Americans while I was there.

In the General thread there is some talk about US visas so maybe that might help.[/QUOTE]You were lucky Jasoonnn! After this diplomatic row between Canada and Vzla with the reciprocal expulsion of ambassadors, canadians most probably will soon need a visa for Vzla.

[QUOTE=Tavares;2121189]You were lucky Jasoonnn! After this diplomatic row between Canada and Vzla with the reciprocal expulsion of ambassadors, canadians most probably will soon need a visa for Vzla.[/QUOTE]I just saw that as well. Hope they resolve it without Visa restrictions, was looking forward to going back to Vzla soon.

[QUOTE=Jasoonnn;2121327]I just saw that as well. Hope they resolve it without Visa restrictions, was looking forward to going back to Vzla soon.[/QUOTE]I understand you very well, Jasoonnn, after the great week you spent in Porlamar.

Apparently there is a canadian living there who owns a hotel and helps his guests. Sent an e-mail a few months ago but never got any reply. I would like to go there myself, but to get from Europe to IsMargarita is a nightmare and to be frank I do not trust Avior: 35 year old planes, lack of spare parts, cancelled flights a. S. o.

As far as Conviasa is concerned, forget about buying a ticket on line. And at their counters either!

I once did Caracas-Puerto la Cruz by road and then crossed by ferry to Margarita. Everything was perfect but that was a looong time ago, in 1998.

[QUOTE=Tavares;2121334]I understand you very well, Jasoonnn, after the great week you spent in Porlamar.

Apparently there is a canadian living there who owns a hotel and helps his guests. Sent an e-mail a few months ago but never got any reply. I would like to go there myself, but to get from Europe to IsMargarita is a nightmare and to be frank I do not trust Avior: 35 year old planes, lack of spare parts, cancelled flights a. S. o.

As far as Conviasa is concerned, forget about buying a ticket on line. And at their counters either!

I once did Caracas-Puerto la Cruz by road and then crossed by ferry to Margarita. Everything was perfect but that was a looong time ago, in 1998.[/QUOTE]I know Ferries are an option from Puerto la Cruz or Cumana, so maybe try and get a flight until there.

This is the link for Conferry, with their updated schedules: [URL]https://twitter.com/lanuevaconferry?lang=en[/URL].

Just got back from Margarita again. This time I went with a friend, and was even better. To sum up quickly:.

- Still a GREAT place to visit.

- Still pretty safe place, but of course be vigilant. We always had a couple of locals with us at night, and walked around a bit too. But still no chains / watches / rings etc, to be safe.

- Still not a lot of BVF cash, so NEED a bank card to be able to do anything.

- On the last day I was able to change the dollar for 254 each. The best rate is for 100's and 50's, then goes lower for the 20's and 10's. I was able to get 100.000 bvf for a dollar bill from some bouncers or bathroom stall guys.

- I took a lot of smaller USD bills this time for tips, or for cabs that didn't take transferencia.

- Made some guy friends, who got some of his university girl friends to come party with us at the house and at a couple of the clubs. A night out with 3 bottles, food and drinks + "green and white" for about 8 people cost us about 100 $ at the top club (bora bora).

- One of the male friends spoke English, so my friend (who didn't speak any Spanish) hired him for 500.000 per day to help him translate when he was with girls.

- Had a taxi guy with us when we needed him for about $5 a day (could have negotiated cheaper but he was an awesome guy and had good connections to keep us safe).

- Only had the chance to get one Pro, and I think it was 5. 000.000 ($25) to take out 2 of them from (one for my friend) Mediterranean.

- Most of the other lucky ladies were contacts I had from earlier, or met at clubs, or through guy friends there.

- I paid (a lot) to get a RIF, and was able to open my own bank account now. This helps as I'm looking to go there more often as well as do some business there.

- We had a big lunch with 8 people at a great resto by the water (El Fondeadero), with a mix of steak / pasta / chicken / fish, plus wine, beers, juice etc, and the total came out to under 5. 000.000 ($20).

That is all I can remember for now, but Margarita is a great place. Can't get this type of value for money anywhere in this world that I can think of, at least not in the western hemisphere.

Any questions, fire away!

[QUOTE=Jasoonnn;2134915]Just got back from Margarita again. This time I went with a friend, and was even better. To sum up quickly:.

- Still a GREAT place to visit.

- Still pretty safe place, but of course be vigilant. We always had a couple of locals with us at night, and walked around a bit too. But still no chains / watches / rings etc, to be safe.

- Still not a lot of BVF cash, so NEED a bank card to be able to do anything.

- On the last day I was able to change the dollar for 254 each. The best rate is for 100's and 50's, then goes lower for the 20's and 10's. I was able to get 100.000 bvf for a dollar bill from some bouncers or bathroom stall guys.

- I took a lot of smaller USD bills this time for tips, or for cabs that didn't take transferencia.

- Made some guy friends, who got some of his university girl friends to come party with us at the house and at a couple of the clubs. A night out with 3 bottles, food and drinks + "green and white" for about 8 people cost us about 100 $ at the top club (bora bora).

- One of the male friends spoke English, so my friend (who didn't speak any Spanish) hired him for 500.000 per day to help him translate when he was with girls.

- Had a taxi guy with us when we needed him for about $5 a day (could have negotiated cheaper but he was an awesome guy and had good connections to keep us safe).

- Only had the chance to get one Pro, and I think it was 5. 000.000 ($25) to take out 2 of them from (one for my friend) Mediterranean.

- Most of the other lucky ladies were contacts I had from earlier, or met at clubs, or through guy friends there.

- I paid (a lot) to get a RIF, and was able to open my own bank account now. This helps as I'm looking to go there more often as well as do some business there.

- We had a big lunch with 8 people at a great resto by the water (El Fondeadero), with a mix of steak / pasta / chicken / fish, plus wine, beers, juice etc, and the total came out to under 5. 000.000 ($20).

That is all I can remember for now, but Margarita is a great place. Can't get this type of value for money anywhere in this world that I can think of, at least not in the western hemisphere.

Any questions, fire away![/QUOTE]Hi Jasoonnn,

Assuming you live in Canada and that Margarita is not around the corner, it has to be a fantastic place for cheap pro's and non pro's mongering. It is your 2nd time there in less than a month...

Because I want to go there myself, the sooner the better, a few questions:

1. How did you get there? If flying, where did you buy the ticket and for which airline? Still Avior?

2. Where did you stay this time? Hotel? Air bnb?

3. How to get around the shortage of cash? How much does a RIF cost?

4. Are you willing to share your contacts - speak fluent spanish - with fellow mongers?

5. Any business opportunities, like buying a house?

Looking forward to your reply, THANKS!

[QUOTE=Tavares;2135187]Hi Jasoonnn,

Assuming you live in Canada and that Margarita is not around the corner, it has to be a fantastic place for cheap pro's and non pro's mongering. It is your 2nd time there in less than a month...

Because I want to go there myself, the sooner the better, a few questions:

1. How did you get there? If flying, where did you buy the ticket and for which airline? Still Avior?

2. Where did you stay this time? Hotel? Air bnb?

3. How to get around the shortage of cash? How much does a RIF cost?

4. Are you willing to share your contacts - speak fluent spanish - with fellow mongers?

5. Any business opportunities, like buying a house?

Looking forward to your reply, THANKS![/QUOTE]Hi Tavares,

Yes, I am in Canada, so travel is a bit long, specially because Porlamar doesn't have any internationl flights (not that I'm aware of).

Here are the answers to your questions:

1. I used Avior to get into Venezuela. They have international stops of Miami, Panama, Bogota and Lima. So I flew to Panama from Canada, and took avior from there on. So it was Canada. Panama. Valencia, then Porlamar. I believe Copa Air also does PTY to Caracas, so that is another option too. Some of the other smaller Venezuelan airlines also go around that area, but I didn't check up on that.

2. I stayed at the same place as before, but paid less as I paid them in Bolivares, and not thru Airbnb. Hotels are also available for around 5 $ a day.

3. I didn't really need much cash, as I used bank card or transfers to pay for everything. If you need cash, you pay about double the price for it. Example, you pay 200.000 in transfer to get a 100.000 bill. A RIF is illegal to get for foreigners on tourist visas, so had to grease some palms to get it. If you want to know the details, you can PM me.

4. Sure PM for contact deails.

5. I wouldn't look at houses, but apartments with security are about 35 k - 60 k (USD) depending on location and size etc.

You can see all around how Veneluela was a deeply class-ridden society. You see pockets of shining glory. Huge opulent hotels, gated communities of marine-side detahed houses with privately owned yachts, decadent shopping malls selling designers goods at prices way above neightbouring countries. And all surrounded by squalour. Flithy neighbourhoods with broken pavement and roads, taxis with cracked windscreens and wornout seats, with downtrodden people trying to grind out an existence.

This is a Hellscape. A dystopian future for us all under capitalism, that funnels all cash to the top, the 1%, and the exploitation of an ever widening pool of underclasses. This is not caused by socialism. It is caused by rampant authoritarian capitalism. The type we can see taking over the entire world.

So I came to have a look. To play my small part in trying to support the local economy to recover. But it is hard work. The banking system is completely isolated from the international financial system. This means it is not possible to use the ATMs to withdraw cash, there are no foriegn exchange bureaus, no ready access to cash that nearly all of us take for granted. The only mechanisms are to send money via Western Union (but they won't allow you to use foreign ID to accept the cash, you need to send to a Venezuelan that you trust. And in any case its super expensive), or to make a foreign exchange swap with a local that can give you dollars inside the country in exchange for a bank depsoit to their USD bank in the US somewhere (again, quite a lot of trust required).

The people are friendly, and tourists are certainly a novelty at this stage, but if you want to visit, my advice is to bring big bags of cash. USD only. You can use bank cards to pay for goods in hotels, big supermarkets, and higher quality restaurants, but you need cash for street action and day to day living. Venezuela is a very cash based society, and you need cash to access it. For ths reason, I will have to leave earlier than I had hoped, and return once the USA-led crippling financial sanctions ease.

[QUOTE=JustTK;2719133]You can see all around how Veneluela was a deeply class-ridden society. You see pockets of shining glory. Huge opulent hotels, gated communities of marine-side detahed houses with privately owned yachts, decadent shopping malls selling designers goods at prices way above neightbouring countries. And all surrounded by squalour. Flithy neighbourhoods with broken pavement and roads, taxis with cracked windscreens and wornout seats, with downtrodden people trying to grind out an existence.

This is a Hellscape. A dystopian future for us all under capitalism, that funnels all cash to the top, the 1%, and the exploitation of an ever widening pool of underclasses. This is not caused by socialism. It is caused by rampant authoritarian capitalism. The type we can see taking over the entire world.

So I came to have a look. To play my small part in trying to support the local economy to recover. But it is hard work. The banking system is completely isolated from the international financial system. This means it is not possible to use the ATMs to withdraw cash, there are no foriegn exchange bureaus, no ready access to cash that nearly all of us take for granted. The only mechanisms are to send money via Western Union (but they won't allow you to use foreign ID to accept the cash, you need to send to a Venezuelan that you trust. And in any case its super expensive), or to make a foreign exchange swap with a local that can give you dollars inside the country in exchange for a bank depsoit to their USD bank in the US somewhere (again, quite a lot of trust required).

The people are friendly, and tourists are certainly a novelty at this stage, but if you want to visit, my advice is to bring big bags of cash. USD only. You can use bank cards to pay for goods in hotels, big supermarkets, and higher quality restaurants, but you need cash for street action and day to day living. Venezuela is a very cash based society, and you need cash to access it. For ths reason, I will have to leave earlier than I had hoped, and return once the USA-led crippling financial sanctions ease.[/QUOTE]I don't like going political, but I must say this: while it is true that what do we have here in Venezuela is not textbook socialism, historically the same goes to every nation that attempts socialsim. Even those few that don't fail (IE: Vietnam), they only do so by straying far from what the socialist doctrine says. So, if Socialism is tried again and again and it never works as intended, there must be a point where people have to agree that it simply won't work.

Another thing, what you say about the use of cash (and by cash = USD, nobody gives a damn about bolivares) is true, I'd be wary of using a credit card anywhere, even in high end places. OK, paying your stay in a five star hotel is probably safe, but even a luxury restaurant in the nicer parts of Caracas, (like Las Mercerdes or La Castellana) the people serving you are as downtrodden and desperate as those you see selling stuff in the streets, and the temptation of pulling a "chanchullo" on a guy that they perceive as rich would be too great.

[QUOTE=MaraCucho;2719604] straying far from what the socialist doctrine says. So, if Socialism is tried again and again and it never works as intended, there must be a point where people have to agree that it simply won't work.

be wary of using a credit card anywhere,.[/QUOTE]But its the failures of capitalism that I see here. The disgusting segregation of the country in to haves and have nots. The crazy inequality and injustice that there must have been here.

I don't have any option but to pay bills by card bcos I can't get cash. So far the people are very friendly and helpful in the limited roles that they can play. I have not seen any desperation. Just people getting along w their simple lives.

[QUOTE=JustTK;2719647]But its the failures of capitalism that I see here. The disgusting segregation of the country in to haves and have nots. The crazy inequality and injustice that there must have been here.[/QUOTE]Unfortunately, I found Venezuela to be a very racist place as well. I have traveled extensively throughout Latin America, and Venezuela was the absolute worst for this kind of thing based on my personal experiences. Lots of inequality and injustice, lots of arrogance among the rich, and lots of racism. Well, I bet they aren't feeling so arrogant anymore are they?