Venezuela Travel
 

Has anyone recently traveled Venezuela. I am conflicted whether to go or not. Is it expensive or cheap and is it safe. Also anyone going soon (Decemberish) that may want to ride together?

thanks Ryan

It is cheap, you can not spend your money , i am here now gas works out to be 50 gallons for a dollar, around the borders it is a little more trickier to get gas, but still cheap, beer is cheaper as coke and water about 0.50us, hotels are less as 15.00 with a/c

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Hi Ryan,

I'm in Mexico now but intend to go to Venezuela after Colombia. Having visited with throttlemeister who recently was there I wouldn't miss it. Gas is 7 cents a gallon. Friendly people. Lots to see. Sounds good to me.

Kindest regards,
John Downs

Sounds good Scooper and John.....I guess it is time to start planning a trip! Will be landing in Cartagena so figured I am close so why not.

Same as everywhere: you'll hear horror stories from your friends and relatives back home, and even more horrible things from the neighbors in (especially) Colombia....but it's a good country with some very good riding, scenery, people, and (notably) fuel prices. My only hesitation in recommending everyone go there is that I skipped Caracas, therefore don't know firsthand how things work there.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

Hi Ryan, I'm at present in the south of Colombia heading towards Cartageña. I am also thinking of popping next door if only to get a new stamp in my passport. If you fancy meeting up for beer and chat when you dock, give me a PM. Ride safe.

Venezuela was great the border was difficult but once in the country the local people were really friendly and the landscape down to brasil beautifull. Petrol was allmoast free and food too:

Gringo travels through Ecuador and Columbia - part 4

Have fun!!!

I'll second that, I went into Venezuela thinking I spend a few weeks and after more than 4+ months I'm still not done traveling around the country. Lots to see and do and the travel is 'free' with your own transport.

The people are more guarded than Colombians but once they open up to you they are great. The National Guard took good care of me when I asked to camp at their compounds and I met some wonderful people in Caracas off ADVrider that made my stays in Caracas wonderful, I spent way more than my fair share in the big town staying with friends.

The have island paradise of Los Roques and the tall peaks of the Northern Los Andes. You can even take you bike out to Margarita island cheaply for a little island touring and possible to go over to Trinidad if your came.

Nothing like the cheapest gas in the world, and don't forget Roraima and Angel Falls.

I've worked on Colombia and Venezuela extensively and highly recommend them both, this just a fraction of what I've covered in Venezuela:
http://throttlemeister.smugmug.com/M...C%202012-M.jpg

I crashed out big in Venezuela and can also recommend an excellent orthropedic trauma specialist:funmeteryes: I left my bike down in Caracas and look forward to the day of my return:scooter:

Well thats settled it looks like I am going to Venezuela with all the high endorsements. That s the great thing about ADV and the hubb is you tlake to people who have been there and did that rather than people on their couch to scared to leave. Will check everyones blogs for info.

thanks again and should be there sometime 3rd week of Dec! Sounds like a good place to spend XMas!

Glad you'll be checking out VZ - it's worth it.

The mountains near Mérida provide some great rides (many paved) and the Gran Sabana has a lot of dirt exploring to waterfalls (ask around in Sta Elena de Uairen).

Enjoy!

After reading everyones blogs and endorsements I am excited to see this country! Ride on all................

The country and the people are really nice..

If there are still military road blocks, expect bad attitude cops and/or military.

The border wouldn't let us out without a bribe either.

No reason to avoid it though.

And take LOTS of cash. The cash machines rarely accept foreign cards.

Venezuela/Ecuador
 

Good to hear of your experience there Throttlemeister - I plan to reach there in 2014 or so. Did you spend any time in Ecuador?

I only went down to Ecuador for a few weeks to get some fresh papers for my bike that was in Colombia for some time. My poor old neglected ride report on ADVrider, my sig line below, has most of the experience of my time in Ecuador, least they have nice and fairly cheap fuel as well. Plan to spend some quality time in the future if I ever get out of Venezuela.

I will throw my tuppence worth in.

I can't say I found Vz particularly good, the people seem beaten down by all the politics. I also found the accommodation to be pretty expensive (especially Colonia Tovar) but yep the fuel is dirt cheap. I did Angel Falls about 25 years ago but was told it is a tourist nightmare these days so didn't go to see it this time (ditto Los Roques)

I thought Ecuador was great, really liked the place - it has a bit of everything and more progressive than a lot of S America.

You pays your money and takes your choice, enjoy it where ever you go.

Delb