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Many people speak English, but Spanish is the official language of Venezuela.
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Venezuela’s official currency is the bolivar, which breaks down into 100 centimes. It’s easiest to exchange foreign cash and traveler’s checks that are in US dollars. You can change money and checks at exchange bureaus found in most tourist destinations and large cities. Some banks and major hotels will swap US dollars for bolivars. If possible, exchange your money before traveling. ATMs can be found in most cities but are often unreliable. Major credit cards are usually accepted in major cities, but credit card fraud is a major problem throughout the country.
Venezuela’s international country code is 58. To call another country from Venezuela, dial 00 followed by the appropriate country code. Tourist resorts and Caracas usually have Internet cafes.
Tip at your discretion in Venezuela. Restaurant bills usually have a 10 percent service charge added to the bill. It’s customary to tip taxi drivers 10 percent and give baggage handlers small change. Caracas has the highest tipping expectancy.
Stay far away from the Venezuelan-Colombian border, which is notorious for violence, kidnapping, drug trafficking and smuggling. Tourists also risk kidnappings and violent muggings in Caracas. Be extremely cautious in hotels and taxis, and at the airport. There are high levels of street crime in all cities. Avoid going out at night.
If you’re planning on visiting Venezuela’s rural areas, it’s a good idea to get vaccinations for yellow fever, typhoid and hepatitis A. The jungle areas have a particularly high risk of malaria. Protect yourself against the mosquitoes that carry malaria or dengue fever. Check with your doctor at least three weeks before departing for Venezuela. Stick to bottled water. Private hospitals outside of Caracas, as well as public hospitals throughout the country, have limited supplies. Private hospitals can be very expensive. Make sure you’re covered by health insurance.
Venezuela’s electrical current is 110 volts, 60Hz and uses two-pinned, American-style plugs.
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