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18 Jul 2010
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http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...enezuela-42199
read this post, it is one year old and I think is objetive.
It is inconvenient mix our politics positions with the folk peoples positions. Imagine me saying: "oohhhhhhh don´t go to the States, they have got handreds of Abu Ghraib and Guantánamo prisions and are going to torture you". That is not truth and all the people are wellcoming
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18 Jul 2010
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Location: Atlanta, GA / USA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gusonopa
she is not part of this community unfortunately!!! but is a true true story!!!
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As you know, it doesn't take much to join.
In addition, from the sound of it, she's a gal who likes to travel on motorcycles. She could hugely benefit from this site. Especially, getting good safety tips before departing into the "unknown"...
I'm am certain, she'd be most welcome by this group!
Look at it as signing her up for "AAA" 
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Thomas
"Hey, ...I'm just ridin' shotgun" 
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21 Jul 2010
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Caracas (VZ) - Santa Marta (Colombia) - Palmones (Spain))
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+1 to markharf comment.
btw i live and had been living for the last 15 years in venezuela !!
spend also part of my time in colombia.
Quote:
Originally Posted by markharf
Don't really know if there's a problem here, but the original poster was not asking what it's like to operate a business in Venezuela; the question was about traveling and hanging there, presumably with a motorcycle. That's an arena in which I've got recent experience, while the previous poster, apparently, does not....and I'll almost wager that neither do his business associates, but maybe I'm wrong about that.
Businesspeople in Venezuela (particularly well-off businesspeople) sound a common theme these days: without exception, those I spoke with said something like "Five years ago you could start up a business and pretty soon you'd be buying cars and a house and have everything you needed. Now Hugo Chavez takes it all. I've got a million dollars I'm trying to get out of the country, because it's too risky to invest it here...."
Now, that might not bode well for business, and it might not bode well for the country either, but these are not people who can generally be trusted to give balanced advice on what it's like to visit as a tourist on a motorcycle. They're too busy resenting Hugo and bemoaning the potential loss of what looks to me like a fairly comfortable lifestyle. Note that all this complaining happened over drinks in nice restaurants, or in private homes with hilltop views, or behind large, locked gates manned by security guards. As an overland rider, you're far more likely to spend your time joking with the soldiers at the roadblocks about your resemblance to Che and Fidel, if bearded like myself.
FWIW, I have no direct experience whatsoever conducting business in Venezuela or with Venezuelans. Ask me what it's like to do so and I'll defer to those more knowledgible than I.
Hope that clarifies.
Mark
ex-Venzuela, now in Guatemala (which is not exactly a paradise for businesspeople either, but is a wonderful place to ride a motorycle)
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21 Jul 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ClaudeNfat
...
I live and had been living for the last 15 years in venezuela !!
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Great! So what is your take on the OP question?
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Thomas
"Hey, ...I'm just ridin' shotgun"
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24 Jul 2010
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Brisbane Australia currently on 2 RTW
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Venezuela
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jabez Clegg
Hi, we are currently in Peru heading north 2 yrs into our RTW with no definate plan as to our ride, we have been to Venezuela before but about 14yrs ago and would like to visit again, Isle de Margarita looks good, it was a great place years ago to chill out for a while, any up to date info appreciated.
Thanks in advance Pete n Brucella
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Greetings from Puerto Colombia, Ven. We have been in Venuezela for a week now. Some problems at the border as immigration was open but Aduanes was closed.  Apparently only open week days.! Immigration guys did not know this as they directed us to the office. Policia very helpful as they rang Aduanes and a guy came out and processed the Temp. Import papers. No payment. Bit stressing though. Need photo copies of bike papers, passport, licence and insurance. Need to have fuel rang to Maracaibo if not maybe you can buy some locally. Black market exchange rate 7 - 8 Bols to USD. 
1st stop Maracaibo (3 nights) in contact with a Moto Club. motoclubzulia(at)gmail.com. Maximiliano the president looked after us and showed us around. Next stop Coro (3 nights). Bike friendly Casa Tun Tun. Damien and Norko French/Venezuela owned. Nice friendly colonial city. Next stop Puerto Colombia at Hostal Colonial (planned 3 nights.) 
On Monday to Colonia Tovar (German village) then follow the coast to Barcelona, Cumana, Isla Margarita. Cuapano on Peninsula Araya/Paria then south to Ciud. Guyana, Pto Ordaz, Ciud. Bolivar, El Tigre, El Sombrero, and West to the Colombian border. This plan like all our plans are never set in stone!!! Decided not to go to Caracas although we have met people who have been.
People are friendly and helpful. Spanish spoken is very fast. We have no GPS so we ask for directions a lot as signage is poor. Fuel is soooooooo cheap!!!  (91 and 95). Bought 28.8 litres for Bol2.80. Not available in towns near the border. Weather is HOT!!!
If anyone requires any more up to date info please contact us.
K & C
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24 Jul 2010
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Venezuela
In addition to this posting we will endeavour to update bike friendly accommodation in Venezuela.. Safety issues and corrupt police is another query we have received. To date we have experienced no corrupt Police and safety issues have been nil. We do not ride at night and always check with the hostal/hotel/casa management in regards to safe areas and no go areas.
K & C
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25 Jul 2010
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Great to hear that
Great to hear from you two and to hear that everythings fine, we are about two months behind you in Ecuador.
We are spending some time in Quito with Horizons comunity members doing some repairs to the bikes, just maintainance, but it must be done.
We,ll stay in touch as the situation seems to be fluid at the moment.
thanks for the info
Pete n Brucella
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26 Jul 2010
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Location: Caracas (VZ) - Santa Marta (Colombia) - Palmones (Spain))
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Quote:
Originally Posted by T.REX63
Great! So what is your take on the OP question?
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Referring to the op question, I would go ahead with my trip. S
using common sense and the same basic precautions you use inany poor nation, you should be ok and enjoy a nice trip. People are very helpful and eager to help. In my 15 yrs in Vzla I never paid a bribe to the police or national guard, but I agree that they are intimidating, not like the Colombian counterpart, but note that I always try to have all papers legal.
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2 Aug 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken & Carol
Greetings from Puerto Colombia, Ven.
1st stop Maracaibo (3 nights) in contact with a:
Moto Club. motoclubzulia(at)gmail.com
Maximiliano the president looked after us
If anyone requires any more up to date info please contact us.
K & C
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Ken & Carol,
The listed eMail does not work.
I am currently riding with Brucella and Peter, who started this post. I am hoping to arrange storage for my moto in Venezuela for 10 months and then rturn and continue riding.
I have tried the eMail for the moto club but got an "address invalid" reply.
Do you have a correct eMail?
Thanks,
Neal
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India Himal, 3mo,2x; Kazak/Krygyz/Tajik, 3 mo; Kashi-Lhasa, China 219! 6 wk; Nepal, 4 days/trekked 55; Santiago-Ushuia-Cusco, 7 mo; Peru, 3 mo; Chile-Medellin 3 mo; Medillin-Arica, 3 mo
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2 Aug 2010
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Venezuela
Greetings from Juan Griego, Margarita.
Sorry Neal.
Picked the email address up from the web site but now it looks like they use the following. motoclubzulia(a)hotmail.com. The web site is Moto Club Zulia :: Motociclismo de Aventura Maximiliano does not speak English (we speak little Spanish) however we used GoogleTranslator and this worked.
Road to Colonia Tovar was OK, read better than the one to Puerto Colombia. VERY STEEP but dual lanes made it better than the P. Colombia road. Cooler in the mountains. Road from C. Tovar to coast was great without going to Caracas. Followed coast towards Higuerote. Vague information on this road but was a great ride. Mostly paved (see below), coastal cities were busy but after Naiguta less traffic, hilly, twisty with great coastal views. Could have camped here for a week if we had the time. Less than 10kms of good dirt between Chuspa and Chipumena. Signage was OK although we did ask directions a couple of times. Reached Cumana following day and booked ferry and Hostel at Juan Griego on Isla de Margarita.
Safety. No issues on the road. Cumana...no walking streets at night as advised by Tourist Information. Colonia Tovar and Juan Griego OK at night.
Updating accomodation details now.
K & C
Last edited by Ken & Carol; 2 Aug 2010 at 19:23.
Reason: spelling + additional information
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2 Aug 2010
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Isla
Hi you two, we spent many weeks in Juan Griego about 19yrs ago, going back every year for 4 yrs, where are you staying there and is the island still as chilled out as it used to be, great beaches and very friendly people.
We used to rent a house there on the beach but I can,t remember the nameof the people we rented off.
Glad to hear your enjoying it.
Pete n Brucella
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26 Aug 2010
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Venezuela
We spent a week on Isla de Margarita and found it very pleasant. Juan Griego was safe and we walked around in the evening under the advice of our Hostal owner. Returned to Cumana for one night then headed East to Rio Caribe. Arriving we found this to be similar to Isla de Marg. so continued South towards Pto Ordaz. Got stopped by a huge storm after riding in a downpour for over an hour. Reached Pto Ordaz following day. No issues with Police often using them to get directions.
Met with HU Community member Roberto who advised us on road conditions and places to stay on the way to Merida. Two nights in Pto Ordaz then onto El Sombrero for one night then Barinas (not safe at night) for one night. Merida for three nights... Safe at night. Information advised was given to us by local people or Hotel/Hostal owners.
Sunday we rode to San Antonio del Tachira and stayed one night before crossing into Colombia. Got caught out with Customs (Dian) again on the Colombian side this time a Public Holiday and we had to stay one night in Cucuta. Met up with a bike shop (USA Motors) owner James Ospina (650 Dakar) who happened to be open. Actually stopped to ask for directions. Booked into a hotel before he gave us a tour of the city including the location of the Dian office. Very helpful guy who's shop is on the main road from the border.
Our experience in Venezuela was an excellent one with no problems at all. We were stopped twice by the Police in 3 weeks and 4000 kms for a document check. People were helpful and friendly. Would recommend the ride to anyone.
Please ask if any other information is required.
Ken and Carol
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18 Dec 2011
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up to date info
has anyone been there more recently? I am currently considering visiting in the end on January 12 and would appreciate any any info from recent travelers or locals.
Thanks,
Joe
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18 Dec 2011
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Venezuela
Greetings Joe.
Contact the communites in the direction you are travelling and we are sure you will find everyone very helpful with any information you need. I think we listed some of the hostels/hotels we used on the HU accomodation site. Some were very basic and others were exceptional.
Motoclub Zulia in Maracaibo were really helpful. Our map was old and some of the roads listed as dirt were paved. We had more Police checks in Argentina than Venezuela although Police checks never really worry us.
Cheers and enjoy the ride and the cheap gas.
Ken & Carol
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19 Dec 2011
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Thanks, for the quick answer, I'll try to contact the Motoclub you mentioned.
Cheers,
Joe
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