Spanish is the official language of Venezuela, but English is widely used and understood.
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Venezuela's currency is the Bolivar (VEB), which is divided into 100 centimos. U.S. dollars are the most favored foreign currency so it is best to have cash and travelers checks in US currency. Foreign currency and checks can be changed at bureau de change offices (Italcambios is at present the only one authorized by the government) found in most larger cities and tourist destinations. Some banks (e.g. Banco Mercantil) will now buy U.S. dollars for bolivares or sell bolivares against a foreign credit card; some major hotels will also swap US dollars for bolivares. Banks are usually open Monday to Friday. It is best to obtain local currency where possible before travelling. There are ATMs in the cities (however some travellers have experienced problems using them), and most credit cards, including MasterCard/Eurocard, American Express and Visa, are accepted in major cities. Visitors are also warned that there is a serious problem with credit card fraud.
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The international country code for Venezuela is +58 and the outgoing code is 00. City/area codes are in use, for example Caracas is (0)212. Mobile telephone GSM networks cover Caracas but are sparse outside of the city. Internet cafes are available in Caracas and tourist resorts.
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Tipping is at the discretion of the client and not obligatory. A 10 percent service charge is usually added to restaurant bills, but in budget places tipping is uncommon. Taxi drivers with meters expect about 10 percent, and it is customary to give baggage handlers some small change per bag. Tips in Caracas are usually the highest.
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The 1,000-mile long border between Venezuela and Colombia is notorious for the risk of violence, kidnapping, smuggling and drug trafficking. Visitors should give the border region a wide berth. Foreign nationals have also been kidnapped for ransom or violently mugged in Caracas and visitors should be alert to this threat in hotels, taxis and, in particular, the airport. Street crime is high in Caracas and other cities, and foreigners should be particularly cautious at night.
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There are no vaccination requirements for Venezuela, but those who plan to travel in rural areas should be immunized against yellow fever, Hepatitis A, and typhoid. There is a risk of malaria, particularly in jungle areas, but prophylaxis is not necessary for travel to Caracas or the coastal areas. Medical advice should be sought at least three weeks prior to departure. Insect protection measures are vital to avoid both malaria and dengue fever. Mains water should not be drunk, but bottled drinking water is available. Venezuela's hospitals offer free emergency treatment, however the private hospitals are better quality, though expensive. Public hospitals suffer from a shortage of basic supplies, as do private hospitals and clinics outside Caracas. Health insurance is advisable.
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110 volts, 60Hz. American two-pin plugs are generally used.
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