Shopping in Venezuela

There are many handicrafts unique to Venezuela that are made by local Indian tribes. Good purchases are gems and jewelry, cacique coins, gold, pearls, pompom slippers, seed necklaces, shoes and handbags, Indian bows, arrows, mats, pipes and baskets, alpargatas (traditional local footwear of the Campesinos), chinchorros (local hammocks) and many other Indian goods.

Shopping hours
Mon-Sat 0900-1300 and 1500-1900.

Currency Information:

Currency
Bolivar (Bs) = 100 centimos.

Notes are in denominations of Bs50,000, 20,000, 10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000, 500, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of Bs500, 100, 50, 25, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 centimos.

Currency exchange
Banks will change cheques and cash, and cambios will change cash only; as will hotels, although often at a less favorable rate.

Credit and debit cards
American Express, MasterCard and Visa are widely accepted; Diners Club has more limited acceptance. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and for other facilities which may be available.

Travelers cheques
Widely accepted, although one may be asked to produce a receipt of purchase when changing them in Venezuela. Exchange is more difficult in some places than others. Some kinds of travelers cheques are not accepted; seek advice before traveling. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take travelers cheques in US Dollars.

Currency restrictions
The import and export of local and foreign currency is unlimited.

Exchange rate indicators
The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the Bolivar against Sterling and the US Dollar

Note
The above rates are the official rates for non-commercial transactions. ‘Essential Import’ and ‘Preferential’ rates are also used.

Banking hours
Mon-Fri 0830-1530.