Venezuela

Called "Land of Grace," Venezuela doesn't fit into just one category of travel destinations. Because of the wide array of options available to travelers to this region, you're sure to find something to satisfy your all travel needs. Whether you're looking for a backpacking adventure or a relaxing beach sojourn, you're likely to find more than one reason to visit Venezuela.

Private Jet Venezuela

The country is home to the world's highest waterfall, Angel Falls and the second longest river in South America, the Orinoco. Hikers have the chance to see the spectacular spines of the Sierra Nevada, Sierra de Santo Domingo and the Sierra de La Culata, which rise over 16,400 feet

Must See: Primary regions visited by jet charter to Venezuela tourists are the Caribbean Coast and Merida and the Andes. Whether you want to visit the "Serengeti of South America" (Los Llanos), the incredibly remote and surreal southeast region of the country, or the amazingly lush watershed of the Río Orinoco, taking a week or two to head into the lesser-traveled regions of Venezuela is recommended the trip of a lifetime. But keep in mind that the farther afield you travel, the more useful - in terms of navigation, know-how, safety, and gear - a tour operator will be. Decide the area you want to explore, make a list of the top experiences you'd like to have, and then choose your tour operator accordingly. There's no doubt that traveling to remote areas is trying in this country, with its insufficient tourism infrastructure and frequent social and political unrest, but it's also worth the time and effort if you're craving a memorable, captivating adventure.

Lodging: Venezuela is filled with hundreds of good options in every category for the discerning private jet charter traveler. Our three favorite 5-star hotels begin with the InterContinental Guayana in Ciudad Guayana, located in an enviable spot overlooking Llovizna Falls, and equally at home hosting eco-adventurers, business travelers and couples wanting a quiet weekend away. InterContinental Tamanaco Caracas is our second choice, a luxury hotel in a surrounding of lush tropical gardens, with Gran Melia Caracas Hotel as our third recommendation, constructed and decorated in true traditional European fashion of a Grand Hotel, with elegance and supreme comfort.

Ground Transportation: Most arrive in Venezuela via Simon Bolivar International Airport near Caracas and La Chinita International Airport near Maracaibo. In the south and east the Amazon rainforest region has limited cross-border transport; in the west, there is a mountainous border of over 1,375 miles shared with Colombia. The Orinoco River is navigable by oceangoing vessels up to 400 km inland, and connects the major industrial city of Ciudad Guayana to the Atlantic Ocean.

Venezuela has a limited national railway system but no active rail connections to other countries. Several major cities have metro systems, with the Caracas Metro operating since 1983. The Maracaibo Metro and Valencia Metro were opened more recently. Venezuela has a road network of a bit over 60,000 miles, with about a third of roads paved, though for only the most adventurous it's recommended you hire an experienced driver to take you were you need to go.

Recommended Books: Keepers of the House, Lisa St Aubin de Teran (1982). The story concerns Lydia an Englishwoman who has married Diego, the second to last survivor of the Beltrán family. They return to La Bebella, a dilapidated mansion on a neglected Venezuelan estate upon which years of drought and disease have taken their toll. Only Benito, her husband's retainer, remains and when her husband becomes depressed and a virtual recluse, Lydia has to take on the management of the estate with its sparse avocado and sugar cane crops.

Currency: The Venezuelan bolivar is the local currency

Calling Code Venezuela: 011 + 58 + area code (for landlines) + number

Best Travel Dates and Packing Tips: Venezuela's climate is tropical, with wet and dry seasons rather than hot and cold. The dry season in Caracas is from December to April; January and February are the coolest months, and the hottest months are July and August. The Caribbean coast is generally dry all year. In the Gran Sabana, the dry season is November to May, but the best time to visit this area (including Angel Falls) is just after the rains, when the rivers are full and the humidity isn’t yet too high. In the Andes Mountains, the dry season is October to May, with the rains generally beginning in June, but the weather in the mountains can be unpredictable and change during the course of one day, so bring clothing that can serve multiple needs for both rain and temperature, and dress in layers.

Cities in Venezuela