Venezuela is the Best of South American Backpacking

Welcome to my Dream Destination series! Backpacking in South America has been high on my Bucket List since I got my sticky seven year old hands on a light-up globe and this month, I’m dreaming of Venezuela. It’s thanks to Will Hatton from The Broke Backpacker, who was lovely enough to share his experience of travelling in this beautiful South American country with me. Warning: read on at your own risk – you’re in for a bad case of wanderlust.

Scare stories didn’t deter him from visiting Venezuela

“You’re going to get robbed. And if you fight, you’re going to get killed.”

This was one of the tamer warnings I received before crossing the border into Venezuela. Others liked to tell me how they’d heard of a kidnapping here, a murder there. This was not the place for a backpacker, or so I was told.

I tightened my grip on my shiny new machete and approached the border. If sh*t got real, at least I kinda resembled Indiana Jones.

Riddled with tales of every single person carrying a gun, and how some white dude wandering around alone with a backpack would be a massive target, I decided to chance it anyway.

Didn’t these people know me at all? The more dangerous, or perhaps more accurately; the less appealing to the backpacker hordes, the more I would want to go. Venezuela was a place I had to explore.

Still, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t just a tad concerned. Knowing full well that Venezuela had the second highest murder rate in the world (this fact not being merely heresay from paranoid friends and family members), I thought I should probably prepare myself.

I logged into CouchSurfing, which is where I connected with Esthela. This wonderful woman collected me at the border, as I looked around nervously at the many soldiers eyeballing me, wondering what in the bloody hell I was doing there. 

Over the next few days, Esthela and her family would take me in as one of their own. They showed me warmth and generosity seldom found in our closed off Western bubbles. After explaining much of the political instability to me – from a Venezuelan point of view, rather than merely what the media depicts – and offering up heaps of useful advice to allow me to explore this beautiful, diverse country without getting shot, I went on my way.

Time to see what this untouched land had to offer.

So, why should we all visit Venezuela?

From unspoiled beaches (without a loud tourist in site) to massive mountains, from thick jungles to sprawling cities, the diversity was incredible. A few hour bus ride would land me in an altogether different environment, buzzing to be explored – and all the while rarely crossing the path of another backpacker; here was a true backpacking destination. This is what backpacking is all about, and likely how it was thirty years ago – even the internet didn’t work!

Finally I could immerse myself in a culture without hearing the English language at every second step. I was able to chat with locals – who were always down for an adventure, and were terribly intrigued as to what I was doing there (enough so to even tolerate my less than amazing Spanish skills). My machete-happy treks into the jungle did not follow neat little footpaths, but rather wildly untamed nature clawing at my every step.

This place is what it’s all about.

Then there’s the fact that no matter how broke you are, you become an instant millionaire in this country. Backpackers usually have tight budgets. Buying beers? Forget about it, unless you’re willing to forego food for the next three days.

This, however, was not the case in Venezuela. After changing my money on the black market, I was handed bags full of cash. So this must be how the other side feels, I thought. You become so rich in this place, that treating your new found local friends to a beer and a meal is nothing – and it feels amazing to be able to do so when so many people have helped your broke ass along the way while in not-so-cheap countries.

Okay, so we’ve got some of the kindest, most generous people you will ever have the pleasure of crossing paths with, unspoiled nature, a lack of tourists, and the ability to go from rags to riches with one smooth black market transaction. Do you really need any more convincing that this is hand’s down the best place to backpack in South America?

How about the fact that the political situation may be about to change drastically? As of the recent election, the opposition has won power, moving the Socialist party out after a sixteen year reign in Congress. Oh yeah, things are about to get a whole lot different in Venezuela, and I for one am incredibly eager to see how the country transforms as it becomes more politically stable.

Meanwhile, I’ve been dreaming of something for quite some time. It plagues my mind as I drift off to sleep; it excites me as I endure hellishly long bus rides to god-knows-where. I’m planning to open The Broke Backpacker Hostel, and where could be better than Venezuela?

It was a challenge at times to find a hostel while I was there (though kind locals often offered up guesthouses and homestays, so I was never at a lack for a place to sleep!) I want to build a hostel for everyone; I want those who saved up ridiculous amounts of cash prior to their trip to be able to splurge on a gourmet meal, while those starving and counting their coins can afford a grilled cheese sandwich for pennies.

I want sprawling gardens and hammock-happy enclosures. I want psychedelic paintings and live music nights. I want to create one of those places where people book in for two days, and stay for two months. You know what I’m talking about; you’re still dreaming of that one, magical hostel you visited five years ago.

To top it all off, I want to finally combine my two biggest passions: travel and CrossFit. I want somewhere that people can stay in shape (if they so choose – remember, there are still those legendary hammocks to laze in), to challenge each other, to be the best that they can be.

In short, I want to build my own little slice of god-damn paradise. The kind of place where I wake up at 6am, head to the box, work my ass off and then chill out while chatting to members of my tribe, those who have chosen to stay on in this magical hostel. Later in the day, I’ll help organise community-outreach programs, lead adventurous treks into the surrounding jungle and get in kick-ass poi masters and juggling-queens to get the evening’s party started.

Venezuela, man, this would be the perfect place to make this dream a reality. Venezuela will change soon, get yourself out there now whilst it is still well and truly off the backpacker radar…

Stay tuned people. Soon, The Broke Backpacker Hostel will open it’s doors… Workouts, parties, cheap digs and chilled vibes, be sure to come and say hello.

If you are planning a trip, one of the things you can’t miss is hiking to the summit of Mount Roraima. Find out the best way to do this in the Travelsauro guide.

How amazing does Venezuela sound? I know that if Will really does open a hostel there, I want to be one of the very first guests. Have you backpacked in South America? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

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