Venezuela and more..

[Gatzwiller]

Me and two buddies of mine are planning a trip to Venezuela, more accurately Isla de Margarita, where we will mainly be surfing arround the island, where ever the surf is. It should be mention that one of my travelling buddies have some relation to someone there, who might be able to hook us up with some housing or the like.

We will be staying there for about a month or so, and afterwards, we are going north to visit th e Antilles.

I would love to get some feedback from people who have been to Margarita, we could really need some help finding some information in advance.
Things like:
- How expensive is surfing equipment (i.e. boards, rashguards, and what else u need)
- What to generally expect surfwise (we are going to be there all through March'ish)
- Good general advice
- Anything else you would have liked to know in advance

Money is not a problem, but we would like to keep it as cheap as possible ofcourse, so any advice is welcome, so don't hold back


Thanks in advance, spread the Stoke!

EDIT: On a side note, that might be usefull to know, we are from Denmark, so if anyone has specific knowlledge about travelling from DK to Venezuela, please share!

[surf patrol]

Hi Gatzwiller, welcome to Surfing Waves!

Unfortunately I don't have any info to offer you with your trip, but it sounds like it will be fantastic. I hope that once it's done you can share your experiences.
Meanwhile, hopefully someone can help you out.

[perusurf]

should be abe to find cheap flights from Madrid to Caracas, once i flew one way for 250euros(air europa), if you can get a hold of US dollars b4 going, then do, and once there ask the people you know to exchange them in the black market, you get twice as much as the official places, don't exchange them in the offcial places or airport, dollars are valuable in Venezuela, i suppose euros are ok too, but don't take your crowns, other currency will definitely take some % off, like 30% some places, haven't been to margarita but did surf choroni and cuyagua, not much of a wave, heard is much better where you're going, so good luck, do wear rash guard/t-shirt or your nipples will get the worst part..hahah,
Veezuela or all latin america will seem ridiculously cheap comparing to europe, gasoline can be cheaper than water there!!! but taxis are expensive.

[Gatzwiller]

@surf patrol: I will definately post a thread with a detailed bunch of usefull information regarding Venezuela (and other places we come by), when we get back in late May.

@perusurf: Awesome advice mate, really useful. I found some cheap flights fr om Madrid allready, but the part on the valuta is really helpful!

On a side note to the gasoline, I can tell you that in 2011 the price was aprox 9 cents per gallon! And the island is taxfree! Mainlanders from Venezuela go there in weekends to do their shopping, so it should be quite cheap there.

Further advice is still much appreciated

[surf patrol]

9 cents per gallon


I.. caaant ... I'm in shock

[Gatzwiller]

Apparently their economy is based on oil production.. how about that