Caracas, Venezuela Report of what it's like to live there - 05/19/15
Personal Experiences from Caracas, Venezuela
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
Yes
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
East coast - theoretically easy to get to and from through Atlanta or Miami - is actually never easy because of the dire flight shortages and delays and skyrocketing flight costs. Also, the Caracas airport is an hour away, plus you must get to the airport at least three hours before any flight - so you have to build in four hours before your flight.
3. How long have you lived here?
Around a year
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
USG
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
We are in nice apartments, all in the same neighborhood. We are all within walking distance or a five-minute drive to the Embassy.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Nothing is available here. A bit of an exaggeration, but seriously - milk, chicken, oil, flour, detergent, shampoo, cleaning products ... these are all luxury commodities. You will stand in line for hours for any of these hot items. Not sure how we would survive without DPO/Pouch + Amazon Prime.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Any consumables you can imagine.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
There are some really nice restaurants in Caracas that are pretty affordable for expats. You will see decent Latin, Italian, and Mediterranean food here.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Mosquitoes can be bad, especially outside Caracas. There was a serious outbreak of chikungunya (similar to dengue fever) last year, which is spread by mosquitoes.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO and pouch.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
Very available, very affordable. Most embassy families have household help and have positive reviews; however, some have had problems with theft.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Yes, the Embassy has a decent gym that is very inexpensive.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Don't.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
I think there is a Catholic church with English-language services.
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
You can't operate without Spanish.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
I think they might, especially if they need certain medical services. Caracas has well-trained doctors but a serious lack of medicines, supplies, and equipment. At some hospitals, patients are asked to bring their own needles for lab services, for examples.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Not safe but affordable.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
Bring a car you can get beat up. And then you can sell it to a local for the cost you paid for it. Cars are very expensive here, so it is easy to sell your car. It is hard to find auto parts if you need any repairs, so bring those with you.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, it's cheap, not so fast, but generally reliable.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
A phone from home with an international plan is probably best. You cannot get an international plan from a Venezuelan company.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
No quarantine. Venezuelans are very pet friendly and caring about their pets. There are excellent vets available, some even do house calls. Unfortunately, like people medicine, pet meds are in short supply.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Just teachers and maybe in the oil sector.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
At work - business or business casual. In public, fairly casual, lots of bright colors.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Caracas is incredibly dangerous - it has the second highest murder rate in the world. Embassy officers' movements are restricted to only certain parts of the city. We cannot take public transportation, and use only trusted taxi drivers. Walking around anywhere, especially after dark (6pm) is risky.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Yes - well-trained doctors but an alarming lack of medicines and supplies. Even acetaminophen (Tylenol) is a hot commodity. Getting sick or injured in Venezuela is my worst nightmare.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
I've had no issues.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Anyone should be careful with what they eat and where - many expats have stomach issues when they arrive and/or periodically.
5. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
In Caracas, which is surrounded by mountains, it's 70-80F degrees year-round with little humidity. It's quite a bit hotter outside the city. The only difference throughout the year is whether it's rainy season or not.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
There is a good international school within a five-minute drive from the Embassy.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Smaller and smaller each year. Morale is not the best, but people here work hard to stay positive and make the best of a challenging experience. I think that embassy families look out for each other and it is a close-knit community.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
There are nice restaurants, bars, and clubs.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
It seems like it is a challenge for kids at the middle school and up level because they can't get out very much. Singles and couples seem to do well.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
As Venezuela becomes more isolated, there are fewer and fewer tourists. So, local Venezuelans are not used to seeing foreigners around. They are not known for being patient or understanding to foreigners who don't have perfect Spanish or a Venezuelan accent. So, I think any expats here, even Latin Americans, can have challenges settling in.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
There are a lot of beautiful or interesting natural spots, such as Angel Falls, Los Llanos, and Catatumba (where lightning strikes almost every night).
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
In Caracas, strolling or running in Parque del Este, visiting the hummingbirds and flowers at the Topetepuy gardens, visiting galleries and shops in El Hatillo, getting a massage at La Hacienda in La Trinidad, going to see a 4D movie at San Ignacio mall.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Chocolate, rum, handcraft furniture, art, pottery, glass, etc.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Weather, saving money, beaches, rum and chocolate.
10. Can you save money?
Yes, lots, thanks to the complicated exchange rate systems.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
I'm not sure knowing or not knowing how things are here could have prepared me any better. It's a challenging place with a complicated economic system, lots of crime, endemic shortages, and a hostile government. I'm not sure there's anything you can do but just plunge in, be brave, and do your best.
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
I've made some great friends here and had some good experiences, but sadly, no, I would not.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Expectations of what a normal day, month, or year will be like.
4. But don't forget your:
Consumables!
