Border Crossing from Colombia to Venezuela:

This has to be the most confusing and un-necessarily complicated border crossing we have ever done !

Colombia Side:

  1. 1. As you head towards the border control
    point, change any money at the Currency exchange booths, in preference to the dealers on the street. (The booth is the White and Green overhead sign you see in the picture)







  1. 2. You need to park up on the left hand side of the road. Yet there is no way to get there other than - do a u-turn, after the booth, and cross with difficulty the line of traffic then back and across into directly into the car park what is now your immediate right.


  1. 3.Go to the C.E.N.A.F. building to get
    passports exit stamped. The CENAF building is a cream building with the Colombia flag flying, it’s the one closest to the car park.









  1. 4.The go the next building on the right of the
    CENAF building- DIAN. Pictured here.











  1. 5.
    Instructions, in Spanish what to do.












  1. 6.Give original Colombian Vehicle Import Permit only. The officer will then inspect the vehicle.

  2. 7.The officer puts sticky tape over carbon paper and takes a rubbing of the VIN number and attached this to the original permit.

  3. 8.Returning to the DIAN office he stamps the vehicle paperwork.

  4. 9.In the same set of buildings is a photocopy shop, because you need a photocopy of your passport exit visa and its stamp.


Venezuela Side:

  1. 1.Turn clock forward 1/2 hour.

  2. 2. Be in the Right Hand lane to be able to turn
    into the parking lot directly behind customs building.










  1. 3.As you drive through the above building you will be stopped and explain you have to do get temporary vehicle permit and they will direct you as in (2) above.

  2. 4.Either you will do your immigration passport paperwork as you go through or park up and return for passport processing.

  3. 5.Now parked around the back of the SENIAT building, go to the counter ( left hand side - small window) and request a vehicle permit.

  4. 6.You will need: Passport,Drivers Licence, Ownership/Registration Papers, photocopy of Colombia export docs.

  5. 7.The officer will inspect vehicle.


8. Go to SAIME - The window next to where
you were before and fill in entry card and get entry stamp in Passport.

Instructions in Spanish on window


9. Now you need 3rd Party Vehicle Insurance. However the vehicle must stay in the compound. perhaps just as well once you see the traffic outside - it is horrendous.. no actually worse !











  1. 10.Get insurance from Mapfre La Seguridad. Walk about 3 blocks to the corner of Calle 5 and Carrera You will need original and copies of Registration papers.

  2. A Mitsubishi Fuso canter was not in their computer to issue, however they did have a  Mitsubishi Outlander, and they provided a letter together with the policy qualifying the misnaming 

  3. Cost BSF 695.50 for 1 year (About US$20). Mapfre were very helpful - nice people


  1. 11. Now you will need 3 x BSF10 stamps ( its is
    a Tax stamp - we think ??)










  1. 12. These are only available from a small shop
    about another 2 or 3 blocks away. Opposite the MIGRATION Y ZONA FRONTERIZA there is a small shop called ‘ESTAMPILLAS’










  1. 13.Return to SENIAT window and produce: Passport, Drivers Licence, Mapfre Insurance, and the 3 BSF10 stamps, vehicle Registration Papers, Photocopy of Colombia exit permit.

  2. 14.Officers will then check the vehicle Vin number and inside the vehicle and issue temporary vehicle permit

  3. 15.No you are not finished yet....

  4. 16.Now you need a Police signature on the Temporary Vehicle Permit to make it legal.


  1. 17. Walk to COMANDO de TRANSITO.
    SECTOR OESTE ( East) FRONTERA 2 Avenue de Mayo and corner of Carrera 10.


  1. 18. Police will stamp and sign the back of the Vehicle Permit


21. Return to compound - you are free to go.





The above process took us 2 days. We arrived at the control point exiting Colombia at  12 noon and drove away in Venezuela at 2pm the following day.  Customs would not let us camp in the vehicles in the compound, firstly they suggested we find a hotel but eventually allowed us to move the vehicles and we camped in a truck area on the edge of town. Returning the next morning.


Note: the traffic is just crazy in this part of town. We were more than 1 1/2 hours and travelled just 1 km.


Travel in Venezuela:

While other South American countries are romanticised for the Tango, Machu Picchu or Carnival, Venezuela's international reputation swirls around oil, its government and the next beauty pageant winner.


In brief Venezuela is best described as a rich nation with poor citizens.


The 6th largest country in South America boasts Andean peaks, the longest stretch of Caribbean coastline to be found in any single nation, tranquil offshore islands and wetlands teeming with caiman, piranhas and anacondas, the steamy Amazon, and rolling savanna punctuated with flat top mountains.


Despite all these natural wonders, this is a country in deep trouble. We have spoken to many of its people from the young to those of our age. They are waiting for life to hit rock bottom then maybe, maybe it will improve. " Maybe, one day, " they say.



For 14 years since Chavez came to power, life has got worse.  

One generation has been lost!!


Those kids who were young then, are now adults. They do not understand what it is to work.

They have been taught Chevaz, Chavez, socialism, socialism.




If someone has more than you...take it.


Those who were brought up in households with money and have been educated and are leaving while they can.   

The government has control over everything and everyone.  They control the TV and radio stations, the milk and power industries, the banks and the hotels. There is NO milk, and  power and water is rationed.  Car dealerships are empty and hotel buildings are abandoned.

Chavez has bought the people by giving them houses, each month they receive a government handout. If they voted for him they were OK. If they didn't, their names went on a list.


Even though Chavez died earlier this year, his deputy Maduro is in control. There are elections in December 2013, but the people have been kept in the dark. They only hear what the government wants them to hear. There is one AM radio station that reports the news.

We will watch with interest as to the future of this beautiful country.


Update Dec 13: Maduro's Socialists won nearly 50 percent of the overall vote against 43 percent for the opposition


The Currency is very confusing in Venezuela however with a little knowledge you can do quite well. Strange but there is two exchange rates the official and the unofficial or black market rate.  In September 2013 the official rate is 6.29 BSF to the US$ and the unofficial rate around 32 BSF to the US$. That is around five times better buying.

To be able to access the unofficial rate you will need to change all your money before entering Venezuela.   This can be done at the road side exchange shops at the border. The exchange dealers that run up and down the vehicle line do not give as good a rate as the exchange shops, who they work for.


At that time we got 32 BSF for the US$1 and also got 53 BSF for our Columbian Peso.


Inside Venezuela if you exchange money at a bank, vendor or use your credit card you will be charged the official rate. We have though been told you can change money at the unofficial rate at large jewellery or restaurants if you speak to the owner.

Thus it is important to work out your budget for travel in Venezuela before entering the country and change your money needed accordingly.


Overall  the country is very inexpensive, and everybody friendly.


Security....We were constantly warned to be careful by police, military and the locals. We never has any issues but were careful with our camping sites etc. We totally bypassed Caracas, here the traffic  is crazy and there can be up to 40 murders on a Saturday night.


An Interesting fact:

Over the past 50 years, Venezuela has won more international beauty contests than anywhere else in the world, and as such it is a thriving industry.

The plastic surgery industry in Caracas is the most profitable industry on the continent.   The average Venezuelan spends one fifth of their income on personal grooming and beauty products. Having said this the average young woman here seems to be larger than in other countries, and yet they appear very comfortable in their skin.


The other huge problem in this country is rubbish disposal. There is none. Rotting rubbish piles up everywhere. We cannot bring ourselves to join the locals in their total disregard for the planet, so often carry our rubbish, piled around my feet until we find a bin. There are no bins on the beach, so you can imagine the mess left behind..


The above may sound negative, however we loved Venezuela, the people and the country. Given the chance we would visit again.


For our travels to Angle falls we used and really had a great time.

We paid BSF 31200 – for the four of us. (US$ 975 or $250 each) including airfares from Ciudad Guayana, Accommodation, all meals and the great  two day return canoe trip.


Thomas  Berry at Arekay Tours

AREKAY TOURS

Tel: +58 (0) 212.227.2306

Tele/Fax: +58 (0) 212. 285.5470

Mobile: +58 (0) 414.019.4183

Mobile: +58 (0) 414.181.7722

thberry@arekaytours.com

www.arekaytours.com



Venezuela Driving:

Other than at the Colombian border, drivers are courteous and not pushy. At roundabouts the rule is to give way to incoming traffic . Truck drivers indicate to the left for you to pass however sometimes they think you must drive a Lamborghini.

The roads are generally in a poor condition and as at September 2013 the toll booths were unmanned.



Everywhere are numerous old American V8 Cadillacs, some well restored others like this.


Noise is also a constant companion in Venezuela.


Locals go undisturbed by blaring music, vehicles as noisy as tanks and horns are used constantly, more so in traffic jams.




Camping:

It is wise to ask for advice, and feel comfortable.

We often camped at military/police checkpoints, in fuel stations, behind tire shops in secure compounds and in the car park of restaurants.

During our time in Venezuela we only free camped twice, and had no problem finding camping by asking locals.


Camping is safe in National Parks and cost only 10 BSF or US$ 0.30/ person. Register with passport and the gates are closed at dusk.


There is plenty of free and paid camping in Gran Sabana. Unfortunately in the Gran Sabana there are biting bugs called "the plague".  Small ‘no-see-ems’ or sandflies and there is no way to stop them biting, they seem to love even 80% deet!!!! The bites itch for days so be prepared.












Beach camping was great but it was challenging to find a quite one, when you did, it was superb.




Food:

All is not so good on the supply of basic items. Where fuel is so cheap basic commodities like meat, eggs, toilet paper, milk and sugar are in short supply everywhere.  


This is not a demonstration it is a long queue to get in to the Supermarket as they restock the shelves.

We have given up going to large supermarkets as you have to wait in line. The other day we didn't join the line, it was already 200 people before us. As for milk for our daily coffee, were able to buy some chocolate milk in a small shop.  When the word goes out there is milk or sugar in the supermarket the place gets mobbed. 


The supply of commodities is better close to Colombia but as you move west and south towards Brazil these items become impossible to obtain.  We eventually managed to buy Toilet Paper on the black market, and managed to buy powdered milk in some places.


Small villages are better for essentials than larger ones and the best fruit, vegetables and meat was always the road side stalls.



Overall meals and drinks are inexpensive US$2 to $4 each


Meals by the side of the road are cheap and of good quality.

Chicken, rice, salad and plantain or fried maize cake is good eating.

Arepas were also available


A meal of fish and salad costs the equivalent of US$3.00. A pine colada..$1.50.




I loved the roadside stalls that sold big hunks of Pork Crackling  - forget the Cholesterol content for a moment.


Part of the northern Caribbean coast is known as the Chocolate Coast, it is here they produce some of the best chocolate in the world, and it is cheap.  About A$3 for half a kilo.  Our drawers were bulging with chocolate.!!!



Venezuela cost us around US$4 per person per day.


Fuel:

Fuel is un-believably very cheap  at .048BsF or US$ .0014cent / lt.   !! Wow

All fuel stations are government owned and called P.D.V not all have diesel, but will display a diesel sign if they do. 

Often fuel stations are closed and when open there can be a long line up for petrol but not necessarily for diesel.  As a tourist it is accepted that you don't have to line up, and move to the front, being a diesel vehicle we found this un-necessary.



Fuel in Santa Elena just before entering Brazil, is available for tourists.

We could buy maximum 100 litres but were only allowed to fill the main tank, not any auxiliary tank.  

It is illegal to fill drums.  






There is a black market operating in Santa Elena for fuel and diesel can be purchased for about 0.60/lt. You can also get fuel for this price at the fuel station in ‘No-mans’ land between the border crossing of Venezuela and Brazil, however the line up is extremely long.


Petrol and diesel is difficult to get within 150 km of the Colombian border.

Some fuel stations have air and water.


Water:

Available at PDV service stations


Internet:

Very difficult to find free wifi, it is certainly not at Macca's. We found it occasionally outside upmarket hotels  in a couple of towns.



For our actual Travel Diary through Venezuela see: GoannaTracks Across Venezuela

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Venezuela: Overland Venezuela and the Border Crossing from Colombia

Angel Falls - World’s Highest