Venezuela

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WorldCaribbeanSouth AmericaMiddle AmericaLesser AntillesVenezuela

Venezuela Cruising Guide

An online cruising guide for yachts sailing to Venezuela.

Venezuela
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Venezuela
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Flag
Capital Caracas
Language Spanish
Currency Bolivar
Time zone ?
Calling code ?

Description of the country...

General cruising/sailing notes?


Climate & Weather

Submit the climate details and sources of weather forecasting here.

Venezuela is NOT in the Hurricane Zone.

Sources for weather information:

Navigation Charts

Source
Chart

Special Navigation Notes

Any navigation notes here.

Local Radio Nets

Also see World Cruiser's Nets

Submit details of Cruiser's Nets and VHF operating/calling channels here.

Arrival/Departure procedures

On arrival in Venezuela, clearing in must be done in the following sequence: (1)Customs, (2)Immigration, (3)Port Captain. Requirements:

  • Ship's papers
  • Crew list (with passport details)
  • Clearance form from previous port.

A cruising permit will then be issued.

Immigration & Customs

Customs

  • Firearms and ammunition MUST be declared on arrival
  • Animals must have both a valid health certificate AND valid anti-rabies innoculation certificate. Rabies is widespread in the country.

Foreign vessels can stay in Venezuela for 18 months, but crews (including the skipper) can stay for only 90 days. This can be extended by some agents (marinas) at a price.

Visas

An advance visa is not required for citizens from MOST countries (confirm with Venezuelan Embassies/Consuls) as these issues are dealt with on arrival. ALWAYS carry a certified copy of your passport when ashore as you will be asked to show this at the many police checks.

Health

  • Precautions and prophylaxis against Malaria is HIGHLY recommended
  • Yellow Fever vaccination is required before visiting. Proof is required by many countries on arrival after you have visited Venezuela.
  • Bilharzia is common so avoid swimming in the rivers.

Ports & Popular Stops

Offshore Islands

Security

The number of thefts, muggings and attacks with knifes or guns reported by visiting sailors has increased during 2008. Margarita and Cumaná seem to be particularly bad areas. Outboard engines and items on deck should be secured and if possibly the dinghy should be lifted out of the water. Also corruption within the government forces (Customs, National Guard, Harbourmasters) is rampant, so expect to pay handsomely to get your affairs resolved. Any anomaly will be sufficient cause to be requested copious amounts of money, otherwise you will be grounded. In 2010 a yacht had been in La Guaira port for 6 months while things were checked.

  • 10 November 2008. The sailing vessel Chill was attacked by pirates while at anchor at Isla Borracha near Puerto La Cruz. Chill and another sailboat had departed Puerto La Cruz from Bahía Redonda Marina headed west and had stopped at Isla Corracha for the night. A piñero with 3 men aboard approached the two anchored yachts asking for water. When one of the crew came back up from below with water, they shot one cruiser and wounded another.
  • 19 August 2008. An assault and robbery of a single-handed yachtsman was reported in Pampatar, Margarita. (The Port Captain in Pampatar closed the port to anchored yachts several years ago, to allow space for the local fishing fleet.)
  • August 2008. A dingy and engine were stolen from a visiting cruiser in Porlamar, Margarita Island.
  • 9 July 2008. A sailboat was boarded in Porlamar. Only a young female crew member and a baby were on board at the time. The woman was blind folded with a towel over her head and tied up with duct tape. The intruder went through the boat and was looking for money. He left the boat after 30 minutes.
  • 7 July 2008. Three burglaries or attempted burglaries were reported by cruisers in Porlamar, Margarita Island. Boats were boarded at night. There were approximately 70 boats at anchorage.
  • 5 July 2008. The yacht "Raven Eye" was attacked after leaving Puerto Santos. A pirogue with 6 men aboard approached the boat (whilst they were underway). One man was in military uniform. The men boarded "Raven Eye", shooting and stabbing the family dog. The pirates took US$300, a laptop computer, tool boxes, the SSB radio, outboard motor, ripped the microphones from the VHF, ripped the compass out, tried to take the radar and forward looking sonar but they were fixed too well, and left the boat a complete mess.
  • 1 July 2008. The sailing yacht "Naxos" was boarded by six armed pirates NNE of Cacao off the northern coast of Venezuela (10 46.41N 62 16.80W). None of the three crew aboard the yacht were physically injured during the encounter, however, the yacht was ransacked and everything of any value was stolen. The pirates took cash, jewelery, computers, radios, satellite phone, cell phones, EPIRB, outboard motor, AC unit, food, clothing, bedding and other items. "Naxos" was approached from behind by a very fast pirogue-type open fishing boat. Although the boat was not far from a harbour, the attackers came alongside and asked for water. When the captain of "Naxos" attempted to pass a water container to them, he was immediately facing 6 guns (5 x 9mm automatic pistols and 1 x semi automatic rifle).
  • July 2008. Four dinghies were reported stolen over a two week period in Porlamar, Margarita Island. Boats were being boarded either when crew are aboard or away from the boat.
  • July 2008. Three armed men entered the Marina at Porlamar, Margarita Island in mid-afternoon. A local policeman approached them and was shot. A gun battle ensured with some of the armed men being arrested or shot.
  • June 28, 2008. Five armed men boarded a sailboat at Pampatar. The owner was tied up for 2 hrs while they went through his boat and took all the valuables. There was only one boat in this anchorage. (The Port Captain in Pampatar closed the port to anchored yachts several years ago, to allow space for the local fishing fleet.)
  • 29 April 2008. Yacht Moon Goddess was boarded while anchored at night at Puerto Santos just four miles east of the port of Carupano. The intruders left when the owners (locked below) fired flares.
  • 12 January 2008. American Nomad was boarded by three pirates in Porlamar, Margarita. One armed with a shotgun and two armed with pistols. Money and electronics were taken.
  • 26 January 2008. Five armed men attacked a sailboat on Islas Los Testigos. The boat was anchored in a bay with only one other boat. Armed with a flaregun the skipper tried to scare off the boarders. He was shot twice once in the stomach and once in the back. The pirates left.

Cruiser's Friends

Submit details/contacts of cruiser's "friends" that can be contacted in advance or on arrival - who can offer information and assistance to our cruising "family".

References & Publications

Books, etc.

Links to Forum Discussions

List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)

External Links

Submit useful website links for the region

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Comments

We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.= 1.

I'm the webmaster the Bahia Redonda Marina. Allow me to give a brief rundown on the Venezuelan situation as it affects cruisers. But first let me say that I'm neither partner nor employee at Bahia Redonda. Bahia Redonda used to be Persuasion's home port and doing websites is more hobby than business. I retired back in 1991.

[b]Politics:[/b] The political situation does not affect visiting cruisers and my advice is to just ignore it. Please stay clear of any protest march that may be in progress.

[b]Security:[/b] Venezuela is "reasonably" safe, no more dangerous than most other parts of the world. Please check out our "Precautions" page, part of the Welcome Pack.

[b]Currency:[/b] The new currency (effective January 1, 2008) is just the same old one with three zeros taken off. Any other claim made for it is bogus.

[b]Currency exchange:[/b] The government has set a fixed exchange rate vs. the US$ at Bs.2,150.00 per dollar. You can buy US dollars from the government at this rate if you qualify. There is a parallel market based on the CANTV ADR traded on the NYSE as I explain here -CANTV ADRs. The marina has to charge at the official rate but you can sell your dollars (cash) at the parallel rate in Puerto La Cruz. You can see the current parallel rate at Venezuela fx. This is the rate in Caracas. In Puerto La Cruz you'll likely get 5% less.

[b]Price of diesel fuel:[/b] According to Venezuelan law, diesel fuel is supposed to be sold at international rates to foreigners and at subsidized rates to locals. Until recently this law (as many others) was ignored and foreigners could get fuel at local prices. Now the law is being applied in some areas and not in others. Unfortunately for us, in Puerto La Cruz they are applying the law and diesel is expensive. I believe you can get cheap diesel in Cumaná (but don't quote me).

[b]VAT (Sales tax):[/b] Yes, there is a VAT that is usually already included in the price but not always. When you get a quotation, remember to ask if the VAT is included or not. There are some services for foreigners that are VAT free (I don't know the details but out boatyard can explain).

[b]Cruising grounds:[/b] For well over 30 years I have sailed up and down the Eastern Caribbean from Trinidad to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and along the Venezuelan coast to Bonaire and Curaçao. Our cruising grounds are among the best in the world, you shouldn't miss them for fear of politics or violence. I'm an interested party but read: What are sailors saying about Venezuela?

[b]Time zone:[/b] The Venezuelan time zone (VET) was recently changed from GMT -4:00 to GMT -4:30.

If you need specific information from the marina, please use our Marina's Contact Form. The boatyard starts working again on Monday, Jan 7. If you need some general information about the country, I'll do my best to answer your questions on the CruiserLog Forum.

2.



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