Health and Wellness
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Altum Fitness (Orinokia Mall). Premium equipment, approx. $60/month.
- Laundry Services
- Lavandería Super Clean in Centro Comercial Trébol. $1.50 per kg.
- Best Hospital
- Clínica Chilemex or Clínica Puerto Ordaz (Private, best for expats).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Centro Holístico Karuna in Los Olivos. Classes around $10 per session.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Yummy or PedidosYa. Delivery fee usually $1-$3.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Palo a Pique (beans/rice/meat) and fresh Pelua Arepas.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Fairuz (Lebanese cuisine) in Alta Vista; offers excellent falafel and hummus platters.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Heladería Artigiano (Alta Vista) for artisanal gelato (~$4 per cone).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Hyperlider or Rio Supermarket for bulk groceries and imported goods.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mercado Libre Venezuela or local Instagram stores with delivery.
- Grocery Delivery
- Bio Mercados app or WhatsApp delivery from local 'Bodegones'.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Alta Vista (Carrera Necua). Popular spots include 'The Wine Bar' and 'Bros'.
- Local Brewery
- Cervecería Tepuy (Artisanal craft beer found in upscale liquor stores and bars).
- Wine Bars
- La Vinería in CC Alta Vista II.
- Street Food Stalls
- Calle del Hambre in Puerto Ordaz (Sector Castillito) for late-night burgers and pepitos.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Sake Sushi (Japanese) and Ercole (Italian) in Villa Africana.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- La Llovizna Park and Cachamay Park (Stunning waterfalls within the city).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Ecomuseo del Caroní (Macagua Dam complex).
- Historical Sites
- Castillos de Guayana (Forts from the Spanish colonial era, 1 hour away).
- Religious Sites
- Catedral de San Juan Iturriza (Modern architecture in Alta Vista).
- Annual Events
- Carnavales de El Callao (UNESCO heritage, located 2 hours south in February).
- Cultural Districts
- San Felix Historic Center (Oldest part of the city, maintain caution).
- Theater Venues
- Auditorio de la UCAB Guayana or Sala de Arte Sidor.
- Local Markets
- Mercado de Unare (Large open-air market for fresh produce and local cheese).
- Music Scene
- Calypso music is the local specialty, particularly during the first quarter of the year.
- Street Art
- Murals surrounding the UCAB Guayana university campus.
- Cooking Classes
- Gourmet Guayana (Occasional workshops in local typical cuisine).
- Art Galleries
- Sala del Museo de Arte Contemporáneo de Guayana.
- Historic Buildings
- The CVG Headquarters (Corporación Venezolana de Guayana).
- Local Heritage
- Heavy industry heritage; the city was planned as an industrial hub for steel and aluminum.
Essentials
- City
- Ciudad Guayana (Puerto Ordaz & San Felix), Bolívar State, Venezuela
- Population
- Approximately 850,000
- Internet Speed
- Fiber optics is now common via private providers like Vnet or NetUno; speeds range from 50 Mbps to 200 Mbps ($30-$60/month).
- Currency & Banking
- VEB (Bolivares) used for small tasks; USD is the de facto currency for most transactions. 1 USD ≈ 36.50 VES (BCV Rate).
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable. 5-gallon bottled water (botellón) costs approx. $1.50 delivered.
- Power
- 120V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type A/B. Frequent voltage fluctuations; surge protectors and UPS are mandatory for electronics.
- SIM Card
- Digitel or Movistar. E-sims available at Digitel Orinokia Mall. Plans with 10GB data cost approx. $15/month.
- Banking for Expats
- Local banking is difficult for foreigners. Most use Zelle, Binance (P2P), or cash (USD/Euros).
- Accommodation
- Modern apartments in Puerto Ordaz (Alta Vista) are the standard for safety and amenities.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, via 'Pago Móvil' (instant local transfer) and international credit cards at major supermarkets.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb is limited; better to use localized Instagram agents or Booking.com for Apart-Hotels like Mara Inn ($70/night).
- Budget Accommodation
- Posada La Michi in Chilemex; approximately $35-$45 per night with basic amenities.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Alta Vista or Villa Africana (Safety, proximity to Orinokia Mall and parks).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Los Olivos or Chilemex. Quiet, residential, with the best fiber optic coverage and proximity to work-friendly cafes.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Global Working (Alta Vista, Edif. Torre Loreto). Offers dedicated desks, backup power, and fiber optic for approx. $15/day.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Café Olé in Orinokia Mall or Panadería El Parque (Chilemex). Reliable AC and decent Wi-Fi.
- Networking Events
- Events organized by Camara de Comercio de Caroní (Camcaroni) regarding local industry and entrepreneurship.
- Social Events for Expats
- The 'Club Italo Venezolano' or 'Club Centro Portugués' are the main social hubs for high-income locals and expats.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Canaima National Park (A short flight away, home to Angel Falls).
- National Parks Nearby
- Parque Nacional Jaua-Sarisariñama.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Running paths inside Parque La Llovizna (approx. 5km loop).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The bridge over the Caroní river (Puente Orinoquia) at sunset.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Rainforest edges near the Macagua Dam.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Remote river beaches on the Orinoco, accessible by private boat.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- MRW or Zoom (Local); DHL for international shipments.
- Tech Repair Services
- Centro Comercial Ciudad Alta Vista I has numerous micro-stalls for phone/laptop repair.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Club Italo-Venezolano sports facilities.
- Language Classes
- The English Lab (Puerto Ordaz) for language exchange.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Central de la UCAB Guayana.
- Community Centers
- Fundación La Barraca (Theater and community arts).
- Gaming Lounges
- Arena Esports in Alta Vista (limited availability).
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Guayana (inside Hotel Intercontinental/Laja Real area).
Business
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa/tax break; however, many nomads operate informally due to currency complexity.
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $450 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $18,000 in Alta Vista).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $250 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $10,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $400 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $24,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $220 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $13,200).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $380 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $30,400).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $180 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $14,400).
- Corporate Tax
- Standard rate is 34% for most companies.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 34% (subject to double taxation treaties).
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents (residing >183 days).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 34%.
- VAT
- 16% standard rate; plus an additional tax (IGTF) of 3% for payments in USD/Foreign currency.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Venezuela has transparency rules for income in low-tax jurisdictions.
- Property Tax
- Yes, 'Derecho de Frente' paid to the Alcaldía de Caroní; relatively low in USD terms.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx 1-2% in municipal taxes and notary fees.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Yummy Rides and Ridery are widely used. A cross-town trip averages $4-$7.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not widely available for public rental; private purchase at Tiendas Premiere is more common.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Playa Bonita on the Caroní River. For ocean beaches, Lechería is a 4.5-hour drive north.
- Top Regional Airline
- Rutaca Airlines or Avior, flying from Manuel Carlos Piar Airport (PZO).
- Top International Airline
- Copa Airlines (via Caracas) or Conviasa (flights to Manaus/Caribbean).
- Highway Access
- Troncal 10 connects to the Brazilian border (Santa Elena de Uairén) and Troncal 1 connects to Caracas.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Terminal de Pasajeros de Puerto Ordaz for long-distance bus travel.
- Public Transport Passes
- No digital pass system. 'Carritos' (shared taxis) cost $0.50-$1.00 cash per trip.
- Regional Travel
- Private transfers to Gran Sabana/Canaima. Expedition 4x4 rentals average $150/day.