Im flying into Lima and want to know would it be worth going to Venezuela rather than heading South.
I would like to see Venezuela but dont know weather it would be a good idea traveling through Colombia. What would be the best route? Is it a well travelled route or should I stick with everyone else seems to do and go south to La Paz and on.
Reply to this Hi, I'm no expert but my partner and I are starting our trip in Venezuela and heading South anti-clockwise. We can't really afford a flight over Columbia but I've been looking into advice from blogs and it seems it's no more dangerous than any other country in South America (Caracas actually scares me more). The people are supposed to be mega friendly. You are supposed to travel in the day, which doesn't sound great. I actually think it's going to be amazing and a bit of the beaten track (we are however travelling pretty much straight though it, but mostly because I want to get to Equador). If you do go look out for a crazy church/catherderal near the border town with Equador (it's near a town called something like Ipales) it looks mad, built over a ravine and very gothic.
I hope whichever way you go you have a ball,
and if you get kidnapped in Columbia, don't blame me!! Hee hee.
Reply to this Hi,
Personally I prefered the gringo trail south than anything I saw in Venezuela. E.g. Huaraz knocks the socks of Merida for scenery and the jungle in Rurrenabaque is far cheaper than say Puerto Ayacucho, besides being a nicer place in my opinion. And you've got so many amazing sights from Peru to Bolivia: Huacachina, Cerro Blanco, Colca Canyon, Inca Trail, Lake Titicaca, Potosi, Salar de Uyuni to name but a few. In Venezuela the only must see sight is of course Angel Falls and it's a long way from anywhere (Gran Sabana worth the trip i'm sure though i never made it there)!
I can't say anything much about Colombia - though I heard from fellow travellers only good things. Not as dangerous as Venezuela (provided you stick to the main tourist routes) and friendly people.
Final word of advice: if you do go to Venezuela make sure you stock up on US dollars cash BEFORE entering the country. The official exchange rate from US to bolivares is 1:2200 or so. The black market rate is around 1:3600-4000. You can almost double your money on the black market and if you don't things will seem very expensive! Having said that don't be tempted to rush into a money exchange deal at the airport/border. Shop around for your cash - often reputable hostels or travel agencies will give you just as good an exchange as the dodgy guys on the street. You certainly can withdraw US dollars from ATMs in Peru and Ecuador, and I think Colombia. Apparently the black market is fuelled by rich venezuelans wanting western goods like cars, tvs, etc... Either they'll go to Miami to buy them or get them imported. Problem is to make their purchases they need US dollars (no international company would accept bolivares) so they need to get their hands on dollars. Alas each citizen in Venezuela only gets a quota of a few hundred dollars a year from the Chavez government and even obtaining this can take a long application procedure. End result a black market has sprung up. The problem for the tourist seems to be that the price of commodities has risen to match the black market value - in other words if you don't use the black market things seem really expensive, pretty much western prices. E.g. a big mac meal costs 14,000 bolivares or US$6 at official rates! Only wish i'd known about it before i arrived there!!
Reply to this Yes it's better to get dollars in your pocket!!! Well beside Angel Falls, if you like beaches you have a lot here in venezuela: Morrocoy Parc, Los Roques ( a paradise) more places to know!!!!
If you would like to exchange I will help you and I can buy a ticket from here to get it cheaper;-)
Chao Reply to this 
