One quick note further to my previous post. Friends of ours recently arrived in Venezuela have departed Dominican Republic. During their stay there, they met Frank Virgintino, alias Richard Cranium. He advised them not to go to Venezuela because he says it is dangerous. They quickly put him in his place because our friends know Venezuela and been there many times for long periods. Dick then  told them he had not actually been to these places but had heard bad reports. Basically, he has financial interests in Dominican Republic and wants people to stay there.

That said, now an update of prices in Venezuela. The exchange rate for those using the Parallel rate, is 30 Bolivares to 1 US dollar. So I quote the average prices in US dollars.

Diesel 600 litres 1 US

Petrol 400 litres 1 US

Gas          4kg       50 cents

Potatoes  1kg      50cents

Tomatoes 1kg     75cents

Limes         1kg     25cents

Pineapple  3kg    75 cents

Flour          1kg      20cents

Chicken     1kg      1.2US

Fillet steak 1kg     5US

Mincemeat1kg     1.50US

Rum            1lt       3-6US

Wine           1bot   4US upwards

Beer 330cc            35cents

Milk             1ltr     50cents

Toilet rolls are currently hard to get, which can be a pain in the arse. Most other household things are available. Boat bits can be hard to get in some places because they are all imported, but normally marina people know where to obtain items.

Sunbrella Plus      30US per metre @ 1.5 wide (When you can get it.)

Marina slip in Puerto La Cruz   (Marina Tech Marine Oriente)  42ft Mono -- 4US per night inc.tax, electric and water, wifi

           "   "              "             "       (Bahia Redonda) -------------------"       "      --  5US   "      "         "              "                    "      and swimming pool,  1US extra per night for a/c, 3US per month for wifi.

Check in -- USE CLEARANCE port only,   --------  DIY  30US$  (Can be a pain)  Agent  120US$ (approx)

All anchorages in Venezuela are free except for Los Roques park, they charge if you stay for a while. I've never paid, some have. Mochima National park could charge but never do for short stays.

Internal Flights and long distance buses are cheap, and half price for over 60 Years.

Caracas Toronto Return can be 300 US$, Europe too. Depends on dates and what travel agent, but you must pay in Bolivares. A flight of 1000US$ x 6.3 (Bolivares official) = 6300 Bolivares. Divide that by 30 (Bolivares Parallel rate) is 210 US$, that's why it's cheap for us who have their money in Dollars, Pounds or Eurage.

In July 2013 I paid 5US$ (half price) to fly one way Caracas to Cumana.

So for the record these are some of the current prices, August 2013. Marina charges will rise in September by maybe 5 or 10%. Everything rises regularly, but so does the parallel rate. For us it is cheaper now for most things than two years ago.

Any info Email me  svchaser {CHANGE TO AT} gmail {DOT} com