Travel Vaccines and Advice for Venezuela
If you wish to see a lush and unspoiled landscape, Venezuela is a must visit.
Venezuela’s Catatumbo river is famous for the Catatumbo lightning, as there are sometimes over 100,000 lightning strikes each night. If that isn’t fascinating enough, Mount Roraima, found in the Canaima National Park, was part of the inspiration for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic The Lost World.
Do I Need Vaccines for Venezuela?
Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Venezuela. The PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Venezuela: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.
See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunizations:
- Hepatitis A –
Food & Water –
Recommended for most travellers - Hepatitis B –
Blood & Body Fluids –
Accelerated schedule available - Typhoid –
Food & Water –
Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. - Yellow Fever –
Mosquito –
Required if travelling from Brazil. Recommended for all travellers over 9 months of age. Excludes Merida, Tachira, Trujillo, Falcon, Lara, Margarita Island, Caracas and Valencia. - Rabies –
Saliva of Infected Animals –
High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals. - Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) –
Various Vectors –
Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. - TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) –
Wounds & Airborne –
Only one adult booster of pertussis required. - Chickenpox –
Direct Contact & Airborne –
Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. - Shingles –
Direct Contact –
Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. - Pneumonia –
Airborne –
Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. - Influenza –
Airborne –
Vaccine components change annually. - Meningitis –
Airborne & Direct Contact –
Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. - Polio –
Food & Water –
Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended.
See the tables below for more information:
Recommended Travel Vaccinations for Venezuela |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatitis A | Food & Water | Recommended for most travellers |
| Hepatitis B | Blood & Body Fluids | Accelerated schedule available |
| Typhoid | Food & Water | Shot lasts 2 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator. |
| Yellow Fever | Mosquito | Required if travelling from Brazil. Recommended for all travellers over 9 months of age. Excludes Merida, Tachira, Trujillo, Falcon, Lara, Margarita Island, Caracas and Valencia. |
| Rabies | Saliva of Infected Animals | High risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-term travellers and those who may come in contact with animals. |
Routine Vaccinations for Venezuela |
||
| VACCINE | HOW DISEASE SPREADS | DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
| Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR) | Various Vectors | Given to anyone unvaccinated and/or born after 1957. One time adult booster recommended. |
| TDAP (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) | Wounds & Airborne | Only one adult booster of pertussis required. |
| Chickenpox | Direct Contact & Airborne | Given to those unvaccinated that did not have chickenpox. |
| Shingles | Direct Contact | Vaccine can still be given if you have had shingles. |
| Pneumonia | Airborne | Two vaccines given seperately. All 65+ or immunocompromised should receive both. |
| Influenza | Airborne | Vaccine components change annually. |
| Meningitis | Airborne & Direct Contact | Given to anyone unvaccinated or at an increased risk, especially students. |
| Polio | Food & Water | Considered a routine vaccination for most travel itineraries. Single adult booster recommended. |
A yellow fever vaccine is generally recommended for all travellers to Venezuela. Dengue and Zika are also present in the country, be sure to use mosquito netting and repellents.
Malaria is found in some parts of Venezuela. Antimalarials are recommended for some itineraries.
Visit our vaccinations page to learn more. Travel safely with Passport Health and schedule your appointment today by calling or book online now.
Customer Reviews
Passport Health – Travel Vaccines for Venezuela
“Staff are very knowledgeable and thorough on what shots you require for Venezuela. Overall a great experience at this location.”
“Very knowledgeable. Answered all my questions about Venezuela thoroughly. Friendly and inviting.”
Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Venezuela?
A passport which is valid for at least 6 months from the expected date of departure is required to enter the country. A tourist visa is not required for stays up to 90 days. A business visa is required. A return/ onward ticket is required to enter the country. A departure tax is required to be paid but the cost varies depending on method of travel.
Venezuela Entry Requirements |
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| Do I Need A… | For My Trip to Venezuela? | |
|---|---|---|
| Passport |  |
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| Tourist Visa | ||
| Business Visa | |
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| Vaccinations | |
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Sources: Embassy of Venezuela and Canadian Travel and Tourism
Visit the Canadian Travel and Tourism website for more information on entry and exit requirements.
What is the Climate Like in Venezuela?
Due to its geography Venezuela has a variable tropical climate.
Temperatures stay regionally consistent throughout the year. Most of the country has temperatures in the 20’s. The higher in Venezuela you go the cooler it is. Temperatures in the Andes often fall to 5 degrees.
The rainy season is from May to November. During this time low-lying regions are at a strong flooding risk. Though hurricanes are rare, the downpours from the hurricane season can cause disasters. Rain can come at anytime, even in the dry season. This is especially true for the mountainous areas.
How Safe is Venezuela?
While Venezuela is an often popular country to visit. There are some key items to consider. Political unrest is common in the region. Until the sitution has resolved, consider avoiding travel to the region.
Travellers should avoid buses and the metro as crimes rates are very high. Don’t hire taxis on the street or use “libre” taxes as they pose a significant risk to travellers. Some drivers kidnap, rob, overcharge and more.
Many cars in the country, even rentals or taxis, do not have seatbelts or child car seats. If you are driving while in Venezuela note that many drivers also do not follow the law. Traffic jams are frequent sites for armed motorcycle gangs. Tunnels are also prime spots for attacks. Road damage is not well-marked.
See the Staggering Angel Falls
Venezuela’s Angel Falls is the tallest waterfall in the world at about 980 metres – 19 times as high as Niagara Falls. It is in Bolivar in the Canaima National Park. The sandstone tepuis of the waterfall was formed over 130 million years ago.
Angel Falls is named for American pilot Jimmy Angel who was stuck with his wife and two companions at the top of Auyantepui in 1937. Instead of gold after trekking for days they found the falls.
Local Indians call it “Kerekupai-Meru” in Pemom, or, “falls of the water to the deepest site”.
To see Angel Falls, visitors may travel by boat and/or by plane, and many often enjoy seeing double rainbows over it. Angel Falls is fuller from July to September due to rain.
What Should I Pack for Venezuela?
Think ahead on what to pack by perusing these suggestions:
- Light Clothing – Venezuela has a hot climate. Be sure to pack for the time of year and the activities you wish to do. Consider items such as sunscreen, light-weight clothing, and water-protective gear.
- Insect Repellent – A variety of mosqutio-borne diseases are present in Venezuela. Make sure you’re protected with quality repellent.
- Copies of Travel Documents – Be sure to keep a copy of these items with you at all times while in Venezuela. Leave your originals in a safe place like hotel safe.
Canadian Embassy in Venezuela
Canadian consular services can help travellers with many issues they may face including passport services. Once in Venezuela, the information for the Canadian Embassy is:
Canadian Embassy Caracas
Avenida Francisco de Miranda con Avenida Altamira Sur,
Altamira, Caracas 1060, Venezuela
Phone: +58 212 600 3000
Stay safe abroad with Passport Health. Call or book online now and start travelling safely today!
On This Page:
Do I Need Vaccines for Venezuela?
Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Venezuela?
What is the Climate Like in Venezuela?
How Safe is the Venezuela?
See the Staggering Angel Falls
What Should I Pack for Venezuela?
Canadian Embassy in Venezuela
