Fact file
When To Go
This is a tropical region. The wet season extends from May-Nov, when it is extremely hot and humid. The dry season, Dec-Apr, has clear skies and breezes mitigate the heat. Travel through the llanos is very difficult in the wet season as much of the lowland is submerged. The best period is probably at the end of the rains, when it is less humid, the water levels have dropped but you can explore by boat.
Language
Spanish
Getting Local Currency
Bolívar Fuerte. Banks will offer advances on a credit card. Money exchange offices and many hotels will happily buy US dollars cash (very few accept euros or sterling and the rate will be poor). Obtain your local currency before heading to the llanos. There are banks and ATMs at Barinas and San Fernando de Apuré but you are unlikely to spend much time, if any, in the towns.
Time Difference
GMT -5.5 hours (yes, really).
Combines With
A visit to the Andean town of Mérida and the surrounding countryside, 4hrs by road from Barinas; a beach wind-down on the islands of Los Roques, accessible by air from Barinas via Caracas.
Getting There
There are regular short domestic flights between Caracas and Barinas, from where you travel by road to the hato where you will be staying.
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