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Those entering Venezuela on a visa require a passport valid for at least six months. If travel is for touristic purposes, passports valid for two months will be accepted as long as the passport expires after the departure date. Tourist Entry Cards are issued free of charge by air carriers allowing for a stay of up to 90 days. Visitors must have return tickets or tickets for onward travel as well as all documents required for the next destination and sufficient funds.
Americans: United States citizens require a passport, but a visa is not necessary if entering on a completed Tourist
Entry Card, which is valid for a touristic stay of up to 90 days (no extension possible).
UK nationals: British citizens require a passport, but a visa is not necessary if entering on a completed Tourist Entry Card, which is valid for a touristic stay of up to 90 days (no extension possible).
Canadians: Canadians require a passport, but a visa is not necessary if entering on a completed Tourist Entry Card, which is valid for a touristic stay of up to 90 days (no extension possible).
Australians: Australians require a passport, but a visa is not necessary if entering on a completed Tourist Entry Card, which is valid for a touristic stay of up to 90 days (no extension possible).
South Africans: South African citizens require a passport, but a visa is not necessary if entering on a completed Tourist Entry Card, which is valid for a touristic stay of up to 90 days (no extension possible).
Irish nationals: Irish nationals require a passport, but a visa is not necessary if entering on a completed Tourist Entry Card, which is valid for a touristic stay of up to 90 days (no extension possible).
New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals require a passport, but a visa is not necessary if entering on a completed Tourist Entry Card, which is valid for a touristic stay of up to 90 days (no extension possible).
Health
There are no vaccination requirements for Venezuela, but those who plan to travel in areas outside the main cities should be immunised against yellow fever, Hepatitis A, and typhoid. Some airlines travelling to Venezuela will insist on a yellow fever certificate before boarding the plane, and travellers are advised to check with their airline before travel. There is a risk of malaria, particularly in jungle areas, but prophylaxis is not necessary for travel to Caracas or the coastal areas. Medical advice should be sought at least three weeks prior to departure. Insect protection measures are vital to avoid both malaria and dengue fever, which is on the increase. Mains water should not be drunk, but bottled drinking water is available. Venezuela's hospitals offer free emergency treatment, however the private hospitals are better quality, though expensive. Public hospitals suffer from a shortage of basic supplies, as do private hospitals and clinics outside Caracas. Health insurance is advisable.
Safety
The 1,000-mile (1,609km) long border between Venezuela and Colombia is notorious for the risk of violence, kidnapping, smuggling and drug trafficking. Visitors should give the border region a wide berth. Foreign nationals have also been kidnapped for ransom or violently mugged in Caracas and visitors should be alert to this threat in hotels, taxis and, in particular, the airport. Street crime is high in Caracas and other cities, and foreigners should be particularly cautious at night. Passengers have been robbed at gunpoint by bogus taxi-drivers at Caracas airport; it is best not to accept offers of assistance within the arrivals hall, only at the official taxi rank directly outside. Only licensed taxis bearing a clearly identifiable number should be used. The road from the airport to Caracas is undergoing major reconstruction, and journey times can be long and unpredictable. The road is best avoided after dark due to the recent spate of armed robberies taking place on the highway at night. Passengers arriving on late flights are particularly vulnerable. Unlicensed taxicab operators have been known to overcharge and rob passengers; travellers are advised to only use licensed radio taxis or those from reputable hotels. Political demonstrations, sometimes with violence and gunfire, occur regularly in Venezuela (many Venezuelans carry guns) and should be avoided. Pickpockets are very active in the city centres, particularly around bus and subway stations. Armed robberies and muggings are on the increase and theft of unattended valuables left on beaches or in cars is common. Obvious displays of wealth, and talking on mobile phones on the street, should be avoided to reduce the risk. The coastal beach resorts are generally trouble free, though visitors should use common sense in ensuring the safety of their person and possessions. There have been recent cases of robberies and assaults after tourists have been drugged - either through spiked drinks or pamphlets impregnated with substances that are handed out on the streets or in shopping centres. Safety standards in light aircraft are variable and there have been several accidents on the main tourist routes, including Margarita and Canaima/Angel Falls; visitors are advised to go with established companies operating modern multi-engined aircraft. Demonstrations are taking place in Caracas and other main towns in the run up to the referendum on 2 December 2007 and are likely to become tense; visitors are advised to avoid all public protests and demonstrations.
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