Caracas

[QUOTE=MaraCucho;2097682]I don't like to blindly hurl accusations at my countrymen, but I am starting to suspect that you may have been scammed.

[URL]http://contribuyente.seniat.gob.ve/BuscaRif/BuscaRif.jsp[/URL]

Try checking your RIF number in that link from the SENIAT (our nationl tax authority) website. If it returns your name (normally it also should show the cedula, the Venezyuelan ID number, but that is not possible for obvious reasons), then the RIF number is legit.[/QUOTE]
I ckecked using my RIF and my passeport number (versus cedula number for a local venezuelano) and it's Ok, it show my passeport number and my name.
Also when i paid with my card, i give my passeport number (versus cedula number for a local venezuelano).
As i understand, there is no need to have a permanent resident card to have a RIF.
You can get a RIF with a tourist visa if you tell SENIAT that you come in Venezuela to work a short time (in my case, I tell them that i'm a diving expert -buceo instrutor- and another tourist friend tell them that he is internet consultant).

[QUOTE=RobinHoodss;2093203]Want to visit Caracas.

Please anyone provide me some good contacts in Caracas with whatsapp. I will be going with around $3000 for 1 or 2 weeks. Ready to have a good time starting Oct 12th. I am currently in Colombia just want to safe and save time by having good contacts. I will pay these contacts good as well.

All advice is very appreciated.[/QUOTE]You will likely only spend $500 in 1 week. For $3000 you could have 20 girl orgies everyday and still have change!

[QUOTE=Korpu;2097000]Applicants have been rejected so you need to place your best foot forward. I think that they a moving away from the backpacker crowd and need people that will spend good money there.[/QUOTE]I'm still a few weeks away from dropping off the Tourist Application package for a USA citizen. Been following everything here and elsewhere. Seems that trying to only fly into Caracas would raise more questions. Perhaps get a denial. Anyone know of flights from west coast area / Las Vegas or Panama into Porlamar? I am only aware of Avior. And flights out of Porlamar to Caracas? Also does anyone know. Are there some officials actually checking to see if you are in the hotel or on the flights you make reservations for? I do have local contacts in Caracas for the (complicated) banking system. Guess we learn to love the challenge. Appreciate everything I've learned here so far.

[QUOTE=DonCarlos1234;2098507]I'm still a few weeks away from dropping off the Tourist Application package for a USA citizen. Been following everything here and elsewhere. Seems that trying to only fly into Caracas would raise more questions. Perhaps get a denial. Anyone know of flights from west coast area / Las Vegas or Panama into Porlamar? I am only aware of Avior. And flights out of Porlamar to Caracas? Also does anyone know. Are there some officials actually checking to see if you are in the hotel or on the flights you make reservations for? I do have local contacts in Caracas for the (complicated) banking system. Guess we learn to love the challenge. Appreciate everything I've learned here so far.[/QUOTE]Copa also fly's to Caracas from Panama City. While I was in Medellin airport, I did notice another airline there where passengers were flying out to Caracas. Do a search on internet for other airlines.

[QUOTE=RobinHoodss;2093203]Want to visit Caracas.

Please anyone provide me some good contacts in Caracas with whatsapp. I will be going with around $3000 for 1 or 2 weeks. Ready to have a good time starting Oct 12th. I am currently in Colombia just want to safe and save time by having good contacts. I will pay these contacts good as well.

All advice is very appreciated.[/QUOTE]If you want to be safe, it's better not to tell people how much money you'll be carrying and how generous you'll be with that money. This is true in most mongering destinations, but doubly so in Venezuela. People are starving and you're carrying more cash than many will earn in a year.

[QUOTE=LifeIsABeach;2099190]Copa also fly's to Caracas from Panama City. While I was in Medellin airport, I did notice another airline there where passengers were flying out to Caracas. Do a search on internet for other airlines.[/QUOTE]I was looking for flights out of Panama to Margarita Island to avoid Caracas (at least for my tourist Visa application) They just started service. [URL]http://portal.conviasa.aero/public/[/URL] twice a week from Panama.

[QUOTE=SeanWilkds;2092389]I'm thinking it would be great to have access to a debit card and to maybe even to be able to do transfers with an account. I have visited before and always used cash, but it always took time and a bit of hassle to find someone and to arrange the transaction. Now the bills are bigger denomination which is great, but sounds like supply is more of an issue. Seems like a debit card would be a great solution. My question is did you manage to get an actual debit card with your name on it, or are you using one with someone else name on it and somehow able to do transactions anyways, or do you also have a cedula that matches the card? I will be coming in a couple of weeks, and bringing a reasonable amount of USD but would prefer to be able to do bank transfers or PayPal exchanges with Venezuelans and then access my funds through debit card. If I can arrange this or at least know the ins and outs of it before I arrive, it will mean I can bring less cash and also have more flexibility. I know to officially open an account you need a residency permit, so that is why I ask the specifics of your situation. Also Altamira Village sounds and looks great, I would also plan on staying there when I arrive. But if I do not find another way maybe would be good to stay at Chacao Cumberland for a couple of days, and meet the doorman, or possibly just visit him and see if he could also arrange something for me. How long you planning on being around? I will probably be about 2-3 months late October.[/QUOTE]For me the debit card worked very well. The process was:

1. I gave the doorman at Chacao Cumberland $100.

2. 3 hours late he gave me a debit card loaded with the cash in BS.

3. The debit card was in the name of a woman.

4. he also gave me a 'letter of authorization' from the debit card owner, which basically stated they allowed me to use the card. It included a copy of their ID card and their contact number.

5. You can use an app to see your balance.

6. Some shop owners will still ask to see your passport but 95% accepted the card with the letter.

I tried to keep my receipts and add up how much I spent so I could make sure the remaining balance was accurate (I. E. The debit card owner was not removing funds). In most instances I found it ok but there was 1 occasion when it felt 'light' by about 200 K but I could have just misplaced a receipt.

[QUOTE=ThePrince1127;2098205]You will likely only spend $500 in 1 week. For $3000 you could have 20 girl orgies everyday and still have change![/QUOTE]Honestly $3000 is a ridiculous amount of money to try and spend in 2 weeks, or even a month, I am not even sure it is possible. I brought something like $1800 in cash and have been here a couple of weeks already, and have not spent even half of that, my hotel is good and is 3 stars and it is about $5 per night, top hotels (like Altamira Suites or Altamira Village, or Chacao Suites) are $20-$30. A half an hour in a studio is less than a dollar, and a tip of a dollar is in most cases excessive. Most girls I know are happy with a tip of. 30 c for normal service, and. 50-. 75 for BBBJ, or cum in mouth. Escorts are $3-$7 an hour plus taxi $1-$2 and tip of a few dollars or a bit more if they stay all night. Unless you want to go to Roraima, or Las Roques, it is going to be hard to spend $100/ day. Personally I think $50 is quite reasonable. I am probably spending less than $30 and maybe living a bit conservatively, by some peoples standards, but eating well, staying in a nice place, and having lots of sex. If you really live large and eat at the most expensive places, drink a lot, go to clubs, maybe you could start to spend more, plus there are some escorts that are charging more money (but in most cases I do not think they are worth it). Almost anyone who really has more earning potential would be working outside the country now. I would recommend living a little bit low key. Take it easy blend in, and don't try and spend that amount of money. I have zero problems here, and live really comfortable and have mostly very good sex. The biggest caveat is that unless you have a lot better luck than me changing your dollars for bolivars in cash, you are going to need to find someone you can trust, that will loan you their bank card. You give them the money, and they deposit bolivars in your account, then you use the card for most transactions. It is good if you speak basic Spanish. Changing dollars into cash bolivars is more difficult. You will need some to pay for miscellaneous things like taxi's, tips for the girls, and any service you cannot arrange to pay for with your card. Even better is if the account owner can also make transfers on your behalf to multiple banks it will make it a lot easier to pay the escort agencies and mimics your need to use actual cash.

[QUOTE=SeanWilkds;2101102]Honestly $3000 is a ridiculous amount of money to try and spend in 2 weeks, or even a month, I am not even sure it is possible. I brought something like $1800 in cash and have been here a couple of weeks already, and have not spent even half of that, my hotel is good and is 3 stars and it is about $5 per night, top hotels (like Altamira Suites or Altamira Village, or Chacao Suites) are $20-$30. A half an hour in a studio is less than a dollar, and a tip of a dollar is in most cases excessive. Most girls I know are happy with a tip of. 30 c for normal service, and. 50-. 75 for BBBJ, or cum in mouth. Escorts are $3-$7 an hour plus taxi $1-$2 and tip of a few dollars or a bit more if they stay all night. Unless you want to go to Roraima, or Las Roques, it is going to be hard to spend $100/ day. Personally I think $50 is quite reasonable. I am probably spending less than $30 and maybe living a bit conservatively, by some peoples standards, but eating well, staying in a nice place, and having lots of sex. If you really live large and eat at the most expensive places, drink a lot, go to clubs, maybe you could start to spend more, plus there are some escorts that are charging more money (but in most cases I do not think they are worth it). Almost anyone who really has more earning potential would be working outside the country now. I would recommend living a little bit low key. Take it easy blend in, and don't try and spend that amount of money. I have zero problems here, and live really comfortable and have mostly very good sex. The biggest caveat is that unless you have a lot better luck than me changing your dollars for bolivars in cash, you are going to need to find someone you can trust, that will loan you their bank card. You give them the money, and they deposit bolivars in your account, then you use the card for most transactions. It is good if you speak basic Spanish..[/QUOTE]Agree 100%.

Incidentally I forgot to mention that I found a money changer along Av Principal Del Bosque. If you turn left as you come out of hotel Chacao Cumberland, walk for about 30 seconds then turn left at the main road. You will see the metro station in from of you, walk past this and turn right. You are now on a pedestrian walk way. About 100 metres on your right you will see a parade of shops, with lots of mini shops inside. Within this complex you will see 2 or 3 money / pawn shops. Be careful and test the water with a small amount first and you will need to go early in the day otherwise they will run out of cash.

Happy punting!

[QUOTE=SeanWilkds;2101102]Honestly $3000 is a ridiculous amount of money to try and spend in 2 weeks, or even a month, I am not even sure it is possible. I brought something like $1800 in cash and have been here a couple of weeks already, and have not spent even half of that, my hotel is good and is 3 stars and it is about $5 per night, top hotels (like Altamira Suites or Altamira Village, or Chacao Suites) are $20-$30. A half an hour in a studio is less than a dollar, and a tip of a dollar is in most cases excessive. Most girls I know are happy with a tip of. 30 c for normal service, and. 50-. 75 for BBBJ, or cum in mouth. Escorts are $3-$7 an hour plus taxi $1-$2 and tip of a few dollars or a bit more if they stay all night. Unless you want to go to Roraima, or Las Roques, it is going to be hard to spend $100/ day. Personally I think $50 is quite reasonable. I am probably spending less than $30 and maybe living a bit conservatively, by some peoples standards, but eating well, staying in a nice place, and having lots of sex. If you really live large and eat at the most expensive places, drink a lot, go to clubs, maybe you could start to spend more, plus there are some escorts that are charging more money (but in most cases I do not think they are worth it). Almost anyone who really has more earning potential would be working outside the country now. I would recommend living a little bit low key. Take it easy blend in, and don't try and spend that amount of money..[/QUOTE]Which hotel are you staying?

I am going to be in Caracas on December 16, I thought it was easy to change money with doormen at hotels especially Chacao.

I am going to be there for 4 days so I need to change my cash quickly.

"There are some escorts that are charging more money, but in most cases I do not think they are worth it." What can they do that's worth more than the others? I don't care if they have sparks flying out their ass, it's still just sex.

"I have zero problems here, and live really comfortable and have mostly very good sex." Are you living there, or spending an extended stay? What's the possibility of renting an apartment? Do you know the visa possibilities for living there? Is it possible to change 'digital dollars', Paypal or debit card transfers, for cash? Any information about Merida? What's the possibility of getting introductions to women through doormen or other locals, rather than escort services?

[QUOTE=ElMinetero;2102049]"Is it possible to change 'digital dollars', Paypal or debit card transfers, for cash? [/QUOTE]Absolutely, that's how many Venezuelans (me included) make a living, freelancing over the internet and exchanging the e-money. I do it with a guy I know on Facebook, but of course there is always a risk involved. A safer (and quite popular around here way is using Uphold / AIRtm, with that service you can easily transfer dollars from a variety of sources (credit card, bitcoin, processors like Paypal, etc) to a local bank account in bolivares.

[QUOTE=MaraCucho;2102073]Absolutely, that's how many Venezuelans (me included) make a living, freelancing over the internet and exchanging the e-money. I do it with a guy I know on Facebook, but of course there is always a risk involved. A safer (and quite popular around here way is using Uphold / AIRtm, with that service you can easily transfer dollars from a variety of sources (credit card, bitcoin, processors like Paypal, etc) to a local bank account in bolivares.[/QUOTE]I'd rather just transfer $100 or $200 at a time and get cash in hand. Do people want to get Bolivars out of the country in Dollars? Seems like a transfer from one US Paypal account to another US Paypal account would accomplish that.

Planning on taking a trip to Caracas. Some questions please:

1. How safe is Caracas for a gringo? (I don't speak a word of Spanish).

2. Whats the names of the best strip joints?

3. Which hotels in Caracas are girl-friendly?

4. Which escort agencies are the best??

5. Can anyone recommend a reliable driver / guide who speaks good English?

6. Should I change my dollars into VZ Bolivars in North-America, or should I do it in VZ?

7. How safe is it to use credit cards in Caracas?

Thanks in advance.