Venezuela Holidays

UK citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your entry date. You should carry proof of onward travel and sufficient funds. The situation in Venezuela can change, so always check the latest FCDO advice close to your departure date.

For Angel Falls and Canaima, the best time is during the rainy season from June to November, when rivers are high enough for canoe access and the waterfall is at full flow. During the dry season (December to March), the falls can thin to a trickle and river navigation may not be possible. Los Roques is warm year-round (28 to 32 degrees Celsius), with calmer seas from May to November. The Andes around Merida are best from December to March when trails are drier, though orchids bloom during the wetter months.

The official currency is the Venezuelan Bolivar, but US Dollars are widely accepted and strongly preferred throughout the country. The Bolivar has experienced extreme inflation, and exchange rates are volatile. ATMs are scarce and unreliable. Credit cards have limited acceptance. Bring US Dollars in cash, in good condition and small denominations. We will tell you how much cash to carry.

There are no direct flights from the UK to Venezuela. The most common connections route through Madrid (Iberia) or via other European hubs to Caracas Simon Bolivar International Airport (CCS). Total travel time is approximately 11 to 14 hours including the stopover. From Caracas, domestic flights reach Canaima (via Ciudad Bolivar), Merida, and Los Roques. Internal flights are operated by small regional airlines, and we book them with your holiday.

Yellow fever vaccination is mandatory for visiting Canaima National Park. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended for the lowland jungle areas. Drink bottled water everywhere. Use DEET-based insect repellent. The FCDO currently advises against all travel to parts of Venezuela, including Bolívar state south of the Orinoco (Canaima, Angel Falls and Mount Roraima), Delta Amacuro, Zulia and the areas near the borders, and against all but essential travel to the rest of the country. Many UK travel insurance policies do not cover travel against FCDO advice. Solo or independent travel is not recommended. Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is essential. Altitude acclimatisation is important if heading to the Andes.

Internal flights are the primary way to reach Venezuela's main destinations from Caracas. Canaima is accessed by light aircraft. Los Roques by small charter plane (about 45 minutes from Caracas). For Merida, fly to Merida airport or to nearby El Vigia. Within regions, travel is by 4x4, boat, or on foot, depending on the area. There is no reliable public transport infrastructure for tourists. We arrange all ground transport as part of your holiday. Private transfers and guides are standard on organised tours.

We price every Venezuela holiday around your dates, where you go and how many of you are travelling, with return flights from London included. Most regions are reached by small-plane flights from Caracas, and those make up a large share of the cost. Because parts of the country are under FCDO advice against all travel, we talk you through what is possible before we quote.

Venezuela's regions are far apart and each is reached by a flight from Caracas, so ten to fourteen days is the usual length for two or three of them. The FCDO currently advises against all travel to Canaima, Angel Falls, Mount Roraima and the Orinoco Delta, so check its advice for each area before you choose where to go.