 Venezuela : Profile
Lying on the direct route to Panama and also being rarely affected by hurricanes, the Venezuelan coast and particularly the offlying islands have become a very popular cruising destination in recent years. The islands abound in picturesque anchorages and diving is excellent almost everywhere, particularly among the scores of islets and cays of Los Roques. An increasingly popular destination is the Delta of the Orinoco, much of which can be explored by keeled boats. Those interested in the mountainous interior can leave their boats in the safety of one of the many marinas. Venezuela is a good place to provision, especially if continuing on to the Pacific: prices are lower than most of the Caribbean and the selection is generally good, although shortages can occur lasting several months. Repair facilities are generally good and the prices competitive since labour costs are low; however, a written estimate should be obtained before embarking on any major work. There are good repair facilities and several boatyards in Cumaná, but many yachts are avoiding this area because of the rising crime rate; and several sailors have already been attacked. The majority of cruising yachts that need work done choose Puerto La Cruz where there are haulout facilities and spare parts can be obtained. Puerto La Cruz has now become the boating capital of Venezuela as far as foreign vessels are concerned, due to the good shipyards and marinas that have opened in recent years. Security is good also. The number of thefts, muggings and even knife attacks reported by visiting sailors has increased in recent years. 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.
Venezuela has a tropical climate and there is little change between the seasons, although it is drier from December to April. The northern coast and offlying islands are under the influence of the NE trade winds, which blow strongly between December and April. Summer winds are lighter and Venezuela is very rarely affected by tropical storms.
Carenero
*
, Carupano
*
, Cumaná & Puerto Sucre
*
, Gulf of Cariaco
, La Guaira
*
, Los Roques
*
, Los Testigos
*
, Pampatar, Margarita
*
, Porlamar, Margarita
*
, Puerto Cabello
, Puerto La Cruz
*
*Indicates a port of entry.
|
Related ReportsPorlamar and Venezuela - a positive view (08 Feb 2009) Venezuela, Margarita, Porlamar - Dinghy Theft (21 Jan 2009) Venezuela, Margarita, Porlamar - More Thefts and Incidents (21 Jan 2009) Venezuela, 10 miles from Puerto Santos - Attack on British Yacht (21 Jan 2009) Venezuela, Off NE Coast - Armed Boarding and Robbery (21 Jan 2009) Venezuela, Margarita, Porlamar - Spate of Robberies (21 Jan 2009) Venezuela, Puerto Santos - Yacht Boarding (21 Jan 2009) Venezuela, Isla De Margarita - Yacht Robbed and Crew Member Shot (21 Jan 2009) Venezuela, Margarita - Increase in Yacht Attacks in 2007 (21 Jan 2009) Venezuela - Gunpoint Robbery (21 Jan 2009) Venezuela - April Brings New Spate of Attacks (21 Jan 2009) Spanish for Cruisers - 2nd Edition (30 Nov 2008) Around the next Bend - a 7 month journey along the many rivers of Guyana and Venezuela (28 Oct 2008) Cruising in Venezuela - a local's perspective (25 Sep 2008) Caribbean: Reported Crime Incidents Against Yachts, 2005-2008 (26 Aug 2008) In Search Of Ralf/Ralph Dezek, Cumana, Venezuela (26 Aug 2008) Not All Bad News in Venezuela (15 Jul 2008) Cruising from St. Lucia Southwards (02 Jul 2008) Update on Aves/Los Roques Coastguard Report (14 Jun 2008) USA, Florida to Margarita, Venezuela (18 May 2008) Credit Card Fraud In Caribbean Alert (29 Apr 2008) Further Information On January Attacks On Yachts (20 Mar 2008) Cruising Report On Cuba & Venezuela (11 Mar 2008) Porlamar, Margarita, Security News (11 Mar 2008) Spanish for Cruisers: Book Review (06 Dec 2007) Venezuela Cruising Report (30 Jan 2007) Report of other pirate attacks in Venezuela 2003-2005 (26 Sep 2006) Update On Shooting Of Yard Owner at Puerto La Cruz (21 Jun 2006) Adios Venezuela - Paradise Lost? (20 Apr 2006) 2005: More Reports On Violent Attacks On Yachts In Venezuela (20 Jan 2006) Cruising Notes for the Los Roques/Venezuela (24 Aug 2005) A Response To The Positive View Of Venezuela (07 Aug 2005) Cruising Notes on Tortuga, Venezuela (10 Mar 2005) Cruising Notes on Los Testigos (09 Mar 2005) Caribbean Island Updates 2003 (23 Jun 2004) Venezuelan Rescue & Maritime Safety Organisation (01 Mar 2004) Venezuela, Status 13.3.2003 (08 Aug 2003) Latest on Venezuelan Formalities (19 Mar 2003) Los Roques & Las Aves (13 Jun 2001) Related NewsAttack on Yacht in Venezuela (12 Apr 2009) Fatal Pirate Attack in Venezuela (10 Nov 2008) Fatal Attack on French Cruising Couple in Venezuela (17 Sep 2008) Recent Spate of Attacks on Cruising Yachts in Venezuela (15 Jul 2008) Sailing Boat Shot At Between Venezuela and Trinidad. (06 Apr 2008) Venezuelan National Rescue and Maritime Safety Organization Urges Yachts To Report Attacks (18 Aug 2006) Sponsor of the Month: Puerto Lucia Yacht Club (20 Jul 2006) Yellow Fever Outbreak In Venezuela (22 Jan 2004) Ecuador’s Puerto Lucia Provides A Perfect Base En Route to the South Seas (05 Sep 2003) Venezuela Almost Back to Normal (01 Mar 2003) Worrying news from Trinidad and Venezuela (17 Oct 2001)
|