Experience in Caracas - José's Venezuela

What is Caracas like for you? Do you recommend it? How is it?

Caracas is an excellent and beautiful city. It has a mountain in the northern part which has the name "Cerro El Avila" (Avila mountain)- it's impressive because it can be seen from anywhere from the east to the west of the city. The climate is perfect for living, with an average temperature of 23ºC throughout the whole year. The sun shines for the best part of the year, even during the rainy season. Venezuela has two seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. At this point in time, I wouldn't recommend the city for living for security reasons. The official statistics indicate that over the weekends, approximately 50 people die from criminal reasons. The delinquency has overflowed totally to the security bodies. In the margin, I comment on the issue of the shortage of food products, pharmaceuticals and all kinds that are all over the national territory.

Caracas by night with the silhouette of Avila in the background

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What is the student vibe like in Caracas?

The student vive is fairly pleasant, but it's also immersed in problems with safety. Sadly, it's not a great time to visit or to go to any city in Venezuela. From my life experience, I wouldn't say to anyone that at this point in time that it would be a good idea to visit Caracas.

How much does it cost to live in Caracas?

Caracas is a very expensive city, although for foreigners, tourists or students, it's pretty economic thanks to the exchange rate. Currently, $1USD equals 50 Bolívares (in the black market of foreign currency). Exchange control prevents the exchange at the official price, since the Venezuelan state controls that too. It's illegal to get foreign currency in the black market. A meal in a good restaurant costs 500 Bolívares per person. The daily diet for a student, for example in McDonald's, can come to about 350 Bolívares. Public transport is very economic given the cost of petrol, but it ends up very bad given the condition of the cars and when travelling in the car, it's not possible to know how much time the petrol will last you.

Did it cost you to find accommodation is Caracas? Do you have any advice?

Renting a flat in Caracas is quite expensive. What's more, you'd really have to think carefully about the place you're choosing to live in (yet again, it's a matter of safety). Renting a flat varies between 15, 000 and 20, 000 Bolívares. A room in a decent place is around 6, 000 and 10, 000 Bolívares. I'll tell you that according to the current statistics, Caracas is considered the ninth most expensive city in the world.

What's the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

Excellent! Very varied, with gourmet food in a lot of the restaurants, excellent international food and a very varied possibility of national food from the different regions of Venezuela. Italian food is also very good regarding the way it's made and its taste.

Which places would you recommend visiting?

Taking into account the constant presence of safety risks, Caracas has a diverse variety of places to visit. The Avila Mountain (Cerro el Avila) with the cable car which takes you to the top, the Tovar hill "Colina de Tovar" which is a settlement for Germans who arrived in Venezuela (in the outskirts of the city), "El Hastillo" population. The Teresa Carreño cultural centre, Trasnocho cultural centre, the Caracas centre (be very careful): the national pantheon, Bolívar Square, and heroes walk (Paseo Los Próceres). Adjacent to Caracas is "La Guaira" which is where the international airport is located and where there are some sunny beaches where the sun shines all year round.

And to eat? Can you name some of your favourite places?

Meat restaurants: El Alazán, Maute Grill, La Estancia - fairly expensive. I don't recommend for students because of the expensive prices. Spanish food restaurants: La Castañuela, La Cita, El Mesón de Andrés which are also expensive. Criole (Venezuelan) food restaurants: Ajillos, all of the "areperas" (where they sell arepas and other typical food of Venezuela) - they're interesting options for students. Japanese food: El Taiko. Mexican-Peruvian restaurant: El Tizón, Padrisimo. Both fairly costly.

Venezuelan Arepas

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Which places would you recommend for a night out in Caracas?

All the places for a night out are in "Las Mercedes". It's a place in the east of Caracas where all the young people hang out at the weekend. It's currently a very dangerous area.

Any advice for other students who are thinking of going to Caracas in the future?

I reiterate that currently, Caracas is very dangerous and if you don't have any other options apart from studying in Caracas, I would suggest that you maximise the steps you take to be safe.