What to Wear in Venezuela

General Style Tips

Venezuelans love to dress up and accentuate their best features – this is not a modest country but it is very stylish.
It is hot all year round so lightweight natural fabrics such as linen, cotton, silk and bamboo will work best.
But be sure to pack some warm layers and a sweater or pashmina too, as air conditioning can be fierce.
Wear plenty of sunscreen (we love the Riemann P20 range for 10 hour protection), sunglasses and a sunhat.
During the day, it is better to dress simply and with style.
Sadly, there is some extreme poverty and our advice would be to avoid wearing clothes and shoes with company logos that advertise your wealth, as it may leave you more vulnerable to theft.
Similarly we would suggest that you leave expensive jewelry at home, and you may want to consider a money belt.

Make sure you have comfy footwear for exploring – we love Hotter shoes, which are lightweight and look great too.
Add in some smart shoes or killer heels for evenings out. Or why not try the Lindsay Phillips Switch Flops range – using interchangeable shoe and flip-flop bases with snap-on decorations, you can change your look from day to evening in an instant whilst still packing light.

Any length of skirt is acceptable, but you will rarely see local women wearing shorts.
In the evening it is customary to really dress up when going out for dinner or dancing, so pack some accessories and make-up.
A few well-chosen pieces of costume jewelry will transform any outfit.
And pashmina is a versatile piece that will dress up any outfit too, as well as keep off a chill.
If you are traveling on business wear stylish suits or dresses with make-up and jewelry, and have a good manicure – it will be noticed here.

For heading out in the evenings, make sure you have a neat, clean smart-casual outfit.
And for versatile and stylish day wear, try the Madda Fella range of shirts, shorts and polos.
If you are traveling on business men should wear conservative dark business suits.
For great versatile travel jackets with multiple pockets including RFID security options, we love the SCOTTeVEST range.

The rainy season runs through May, June and July, so we'd suggest you pack a lightweight raincoat and travel umbrella.
December, January, February, March and April being the dry season is more pleasant for trekking.
We love the Weather+ app – it gives an accurate 6 day forecast for day and night, which when you're planning from home is really helpful. You can keep all the places you've been to too – a nice way to remember your trip 🙂 Download for iPad/iPhone or Android

If your trip includes an exploration of the the Andes then it is likely to include lots of walking – some strenuous and at high altitudes and very cold, so be sure to carry good rubber-soled walking shoes, warm layers, and sunglasses.
In the Amazon regions the humidity can be very high, so opt for lightweight natural layers and again good footwear.

Don’t drink or even brush your teeth in tap water. Consider taking a LifeStraw Filtration Water Bottle.
A bag or soft-sided rucksack is a more practical option than hard cases when traveling around the country, and using packing cubes can help to keep your belongings tidy whilst compressing the volume too.
A microfiber travel towel is another great item to pack – these are designed specifically for trekking: they fold really small so you can accommodate a larger size and they dry really quickly too.
Combine your bag with a fold away day sack that will carry your essentials on day trips.
Look after your mobile phone with a phone bunjee – it protects against loss, theft and damage and is especially useful in busy cities or when trekking.
To use electrical gadgets you may need a travel adapter plug, and also a step up voltage converter if your devices are not designed for the local voltage (120V).
Avoid paying unexpected baggage fees – use an accurate luggage scale to ensure you keep within the weight allowance. Don't forget to leave room for souvenirs on the way home! There is a thriving gold industry in the south, or look for warm woollen clothing from the highlands.