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QUESTIONS ANSWERED
YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED.
Q. What do I need to bring?
Students should all come equipped with the following:
Kit
60ltr backpack. sleeping bag, sleeping mat and sheet, pocket knife (swiss army / leatherman or similar), insect spray (deet best), sun cream, personal medical kit, mask and snorkel, flash light.
Kitchen
Knife, fork, spoon, plate, cup.
Clothes
Lightweight rain jacket, light weight trousers and long sleeved shirt, fleece, hat, lightweight hiking boots / shoes, teva or similar sandals, swim suit, town clothes for work experience months and partying.
Money
$50- $100 per week personal expenses / meals out etc.
Additional
All students will need a light-weight hammock and net which can be purchased on arrival.
Q. What’s included in the package?
All meals during all of the student activities, equipment, gear, cleaning stuff, tuition, transport, transfers, accommodation, expeditions, guides etc.
Not included
National Park Fees ( Los Roques $10 entry fee, Canaima $8, Cueva Guacharo $6.)
meals in restaurants, taxis, beer and fizzy drinks, local bus fares during work experience months (max $1 per day).
Q. When is the rainy season and how much does it rain?
Venezuela enjoys a tropical climate, the temperature dipping slightly in the mountains and also in the rainy season, June through to September, when it usually rains for a couple of refreshing hours in the afternoon.
Q. Why can’t I flush toilet roll down the toilet?
Because the plumbing is sub-standard and having to clean up big blockages of poo and paper is no fun at all. Loo-paper in the basket please.
Q. What is a gringo?
The expression Gringo was developed by the Mexicans for the invading American Army in ‘green’ being asked politely to go’.
Q. Can I drink the water?
No. We filter all water for drinking and if we can’t filter we sterilise or boil.
Q. Can I catch Malaria?
Yes, though only if you are really unlucky. We have had no cases of students
catching Malaria yet.
Q. Is Venezuela Dangerous?
Yes. There are dangerous places to be found in the cities and dangerous things to be found outdoors, as anywhere else in the world, if you want danger we can take you there. We prefer the safer locations of Playa Colorada and Merida where Jakera is based. All the destinations we take you to are safe.
Q. How do I stop mosquitoes biting me?
You can’t really. It’s best to take good precautions against getting bitten. Long clothes, mosquito nets at night and plenty of good repellent (with a high concentrate of deet), but they’ll get you eventually somehow. N.B. Accommodation at Jakera lodge is mosquito proof.
Q. Are there poisonous spiders and snakes in Venezuela?
Yes. Seldom a problem unless provoked or disturbed while mating as you would expect.
Q. Can my girlfriend / boyfriend visit?
Of course.
Q. Is the political situation dangerous?
Not really dangerous, it’s like it’s always been, comfortably corrupt.
Q. How expensive is Venezuela?
Right now it has never been cheaper.
Q. Does it rain much in Venezuela?
When it rains it rains cats and dogs. The rainy season only lasts for about 3 – 4 months and even then it usually only rains in the afternoon for a short while.
Q. Do we have to pay airport tax?
Yes. $10-40 depending on how long you’ve been in the country.
Q. Is it easy to sleep in a hammock and is it bad for my back?
Yes easy to sleep in and no, not at all bad for your back. Sleeping in hammocks is by far the most comfortable and convenient way of sleeping out here. Students usually toss and turn the first night, then settle right in thereafter. Some continue sleeping in hammocks when they get home.
Q. Are there sharks in Venezuela?
Yes. The fishermen sometimes catch them and they are excellent to eat. There are no dangerous sharks in these waters.
Q. Do I need to be fit?
No not really, though the fitter you are the more you will benefit.
Q. How long before I can speak Spanish?
Depends on you. Most students have a good grasp of the language within a couple of months.
Q. Can I play local Sport?
Yes. The locals are always encouraging us to get involved, generally we are bigger and stronger and sometimes much more skillful than they are so they try to recruit us.
Q. Will I get much time for myself?
Yes, plenty.
Q. What is the food like?
Excellent, we never have any complaints about our food, we all like eating good food and you’ll learn how to cook different cuisines from all over the world.
If you’d like to ask us a question we’ll be happy to hear from you.