Treatment abroad: Venezuela 

Venezuela, with its advanced medical facilities and skilled healthcare professionals, is a sought-after destination for medical tourism, offering specialised treatments in fields such as cosmetic surgery, dentistry, and ophthalmology.

The continuing falls in the cost of global transport are making exciting new destinations affordable and popular. Venezuela combines a Caribbean coast and climate with one of the highest medical standards in South America. Prices in Venezuela are also extremely competitive, not only for cosmetic surgery itself but also for accommodation, gift shopping and transport.

Why consider Venezuela, the Caribbean for cosmetic surgery?

With miles of Caribbean coastline and a pleasant year-round temperature Venezuela is an idyllic destination to combine cosmetic surgery with an exotic holiday.

Venezuela is in the top three countries in the world for plastic surgery procedures per capita. Looking and feeling beautiful is big business in Venezuela and after intensive study and training, which typically lasts between 12 and 14 years, the plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgeons pride themselves on their skill and expertise and have a particularly good reputation for buttock augmentations. All clinics and hospitals are supervised by the Venezuelan National Health Department and private clinics are equipped with modern technology.

Venezuela is a popular international medical tourism location, not least because of the competitive prices. The favourable exchange rate means that cosmetic surgery is available at very attractive prices. At Surgical Services International (SSI) clinic in Margarita Island for example, a face lift costs from €2,600. Breast augmentation starts at around €1,800 and all-inclusive-packages are available which include accommodation, travel assistance, surgery and pre and post op support.

Venezuela has a tropical climate with dry and rainy seasons. The dry season is from December to May while the rainy season lasts the rest of the year. September to early April is considered the best time to go as flights around Christmas, New Year and Easter tend to be more expensive.

Spanish is the official language but English, French, German and Portuguese are also spoken (in addition to over 25 Indian languages around the country).

The currency is the Venezualan Bolivar (VEF) and €1 is worth approximately VEF6.3.

Reasons to choose Venezuela

One of the highest medical standards in South America

Highly competitive prices

Vast experience in cosmetic surgery

Easy to reach fro the US and Europe

Caribbean coastline and spectacular interior

Duty free fun on Margarita Island

Accreditation and qualification of cosmetic surgeons and doctors in Venezuela

Doctors study for six years at university before graduating as a general doctor, followed by two years of rotating residency. To train as a surgeon involves three years of postgraduate general surgery study followed by three years of plastic, reconstructive and maxillofacial postgraduate training.

Many doctors study in Venezuela, including their specialty in plastic surgery, but some train in the USA or Brazil. There are medical schools at Central University (Caracas), Los Andes University (Merida) and Zulia University (Maracaibo).

Professional memberships/organizations

Plastic surgeons in Venezuela must belong to the Venezuelan Society of Plastic Surgeons and it takes an average of 14-15 years to become a full member of the Venezuelan Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, the equivalent of the US American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Plastic surgery in Ibero American countries is ruled by a common code of ethics and all plastic surgery boards affiliated to theFederacin Ibero Latinoamericana de Ciruga Plstica y Reconstructiva (FILACP) must abide by these. (FILAP is the organisation which unites all the plastic surgeon societies and boards in Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries) Spanish web pages only.

Cosmetic and plastic surgery specialists should be accredited and their qualifications and credentials verified by the Venezuelan Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Maxillofacial Surgery Board (The Sociedad de Cirugia Plastica Venezolana) which is part of the International Confederation of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (IPRAS) and be registered with the Colegio Mdico in Venezuela. Other professional memberships include the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), the Brazilian Society of Craniomaxilofacial Surgery, the Buenos Aires Society of Plastic Surgeons and the Peruvian Society of Plastic Surgery.

The Venezuelan Ministry of Health; the Ministerio de Sanidad y Asistencia Social (MSAS) based in Caracas is the governmental body which is responsible for the country’s health system.

Cosmetic surgery in Venezuela: Travel and accommodation

The Simon Bolivar International Airport is located in Caracas and is 12 miles (19km) north of the city. This is the hub of the national and internal flights that operate throughout the country, as well as inbound flights from international locations.

The best way to get from the airport into town is via Black Explorer taxi. Avoid bogus taxi drivers and never get into a car if there are other people already inside. There is also a public bus from the airport departing every 30 minutes but with taxis being so reasonably priced they are a more convenient option.

Travel within the country

Getting about the country is best done by air as most large towns are connected with scheduled flights by domestic airlines Aeropostal andAerotuy, the latter offering discount tickets for students and families, but be aware that flights are very busy so travellers are advised to arrive extremely early at the airport to ensure a seat. Margarita Island is served by Santiago Marino Caribbean International Airport, located at El Yaque, Isla Margarita, telephone 58 (295) 2691135/1122, where several daily air shuttles are available to and from Caracas airport. The journey time between Caracas and Margarita is 35 minutes. Ferries also link Puerto La Cruz with Margarita Island with a journey time of two hours and 45 minutes.

Although there are plans for a major rail network overhaul, at the moment there is just one railway running between Barquisimeto and Puerto Cabello along with cheap interurban bus services between the major towns. The usual international car rental companies such as Hertz, Avis and Budget are available at the international and domestic terminal of the airport but while the main roads in Caracas are fine, the quality of the roads in Venezuela can vary greatly. Driving is on the right.

There is a 35 station metro in the capital, Caracas, which is a comfortable and easy way to traverse the city, as are the ‘Por Puestos’ (share-taxis) which are operated by minibus companies. Fares are similar to the buses, although they are higher during the evenings and at weekends. Traditional taxis in Caracas are white cars with yellow plates and run by meter, but the fare can also be negotiated with the driver if/when they don’t use the meter, which is often the case after midnight. Always make sure a fare is agreed beforehand.

The time zone is GMT + 4 and no vaccinations are needed for Caracas or the coastal areas in Venezuela, but visitors planning on travelling to rural areas will need to be immunised against yellow fever, Hepatitis A, and typhoid. Most European visitors just need their passports, a tourist card will need to be completed upon arrival but no visa is required.

About Venezuela

Located in the northeast corner of South America, Venezuela lies just above the equator with the Caribbean Sea bordering the north, the Atlantic Ocean and the Republic of Guyana to the east, Brazil to the south and Colombia to the west. Venezuela has four regions; the Venezuelan Highlands in the west, the Maracaibo Lowlands in the north, the central plain of the Llanos around the Orinoco and the Guiana Highlands, which make up almost half of the country.

With tropical rainforest, Caribbean beaches, the world’s highest waterfall and a whole island of duty free fun, you’d expect Venezuela to be drawing in the tourists by their millions, but sadly this is not the case. A struggling economy and high crime rate means less than half a million tourists visit the country each year. But for those that do, there is plenty to reward their sense of adventure.

The two most popular tourist destinations in Venezuela are Angel Falls and the island of Margarita. At a mighty 979 metres high, Angel Falls, deep in the Venezuelan jungle, is the highest waterfall in the world and can be reached by boat or visited by air from the local town of Canaima. You need to plan your visit carefully though, because if you pick the wrong season it could be too cloudy to see the top, or too dry to see more than a trickle falling down. Spring is usually best, but consult the local guides before you spend too much of your holiday money making the trip.

Margarita, on the other hand, is always ready for action, with over 50 pristine Caribbean beaches, a great party atmosphere and low, duty free prices to keep down your costs. Margarita is just north of the mainland, with plenty of cheap flights, and is popular with Venezuelans and visitors alike. Those in search of top beaches should head to Paria Peninsula in eastern Venezuela, especially Medina Beach with its many coconut trees and desert-island ambience, while snorkelling and diving enthusiasts should visit the Morrocoy National Park in the Falcn state for its gorgeous stretches of white sand and coralline ecosystem.

If you prefer things a little more sophisticated, the capital Caracas is rich in colonial architecture and has played a huge role in the politics of the region for centuries. Today, you can take in the city from above from the nearby Motorcable de Caracas, a spectacular cable car ride designed to bring in commuters from the mountain villages. However, of all places in Venezuela, Caracas in particular demands extra care, as crime and disorder are rife in the city.

Caracas features modern architecture contrasting colonial buildings, great restaurants, a vibrant night life and excellent shopping. Margarita Island, which is just 30 minutes from Caracas, is one of the country’s most celebrated tourist destinations boasting beautiful beaches, mountains and rivers, an international airport and a booming real estate industry, as well as being home to many cosmetic surgeries and clinics.

Much of Venezuela is rainforest, and it is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, with over 120,000 species of animal in the jungles along the banks of the mighty Orinoco river. It is also home to the Andes, rising over 16,000 feet to majestic snow capped peaks. Countless national parks are just waiting to be explored, and there are plenty of options for the adventurous traveller.

Venezuela is fighting hard to repair its image with international travelers, and has lots to offer for those that are prepared to give it the benefit of the doubt.