Is Venezuela accomodation expensive compared to Colombia ?

Saludos Viajeros por america latina !

Im going back to Caracas in next two weeks and have 3 months to pass in Colombia, Venezuela but need help because my last time in Venezuela Feb 209 was not too good experience.

I take it that $1 = 8 bolivares - is this the rate now you get when taking money out of cajeros or exchange houses or just from the unofficial money changers on the border with Colombia and in city centres . I was only getting 4 to the english pound back in 2009 spring so it didnt make sense paying 150 bolivares a night for accomodation back then cos that was nearly £40 for a room. In colombia same period i paid no more then 15000 pesos or £5 - quite a lot difference cos 1 english pouns always floats arouns 3600- 4300 pesos colombian.

The people in Venezuela where i was in maracaibo, caracas and puerto la cruz must charging the gringo more compared to 'ripping off the gringo' in other countries ive been to in latin america.

So if i got this right 8 Bolivar is about $1 so 13 Bolivars should be the english pound roughly ! if this is the case then £10-£15 a night should be sufficient in most places .

FINALLY, what is best to take € $ £ - as spare cash in my rucksack to change and where is it best to change it in caracas , merida and maturin. So the 6 day trek to Roraima should cost $300 or 2400 bolivares if im right, thats worth doing about same price i paid for amazon adventure from leticia to manaus.

Thanks in advance

Feliz Viaje

Jason www.travelblog.org/juanes

"My last time in Venezuela was not good". What are you coming back for? Venezuela is expensive, deal with that. Do not compare it with Colombia or any other country. There's no comparison travelling many days sleeping in a hammock with very loud music on board along the Amazon instead of trekking Roraima.

Venezuela is not expensive. However, it's more expensive than Colombia. Bring dollars. Change on the black market. End of story.

Mark