Life in Venezuela

Venezuela is a country that includes mountains, plains, rainforests, deltas, and beaches with extremely high biodiversity. CIPLC is located near the Caribbean coast in Barcelona near Puerto La Cruz and Lechería. The local airport is General José Antonio Anzoátegui International Airport in Barcelona, Venezuela.

CIPLC employees live in well-appointed condos in scenic locations provided by the school. The housing is generous and furnished. The grounds are well-maintained with pools and often other forms of recreation such as playgrounds, tennis, or basketball courts. Teams of security personnel guard the grounds 24 hours a day.

Many of CILPC’s faculty enjoy activities that focus on the ocean. Weekends can be spent at the beach, enjoying fresh fish on the coast or on one of the surrounding islands, or practicing one of many water sports including snorkeling, scuba diving, kayaking, wakeboarding, sailing, and kite surfing.

CIPLC teachers are often very physically active. Many take advantage of ‘El Morro’ (where many of the condos are located) and can be seen hiking, running, or mountain biking up and down the small peninsula. Some faculty members join cycling groups, take salsa dancing or yoga classes, or work out at a local gym. A weekend trip to Mochima National Park or Los Altos allows even more opportunities to hike, swim, and explore the biodiversity that Venezuela has to offer.

Climate and Travel

Venezuela is located in the tropics near the equator. The temperature in the Puerto la Cruz area ranges from 20 to 29 °C, peaking in August. The rainy season also peaks in August and then declines with relatively little rainfall by March. The rest of Venezuela varies greatly in both terrain and climate. It is a diverse and beautiful country that includes warm and humid low-elevation plains, the Orinoco Delta of the far east, and the Amazonian jungle in the south.

CIPLC faculty members who are more adventurous can travel further to Angel Falls, the tallest waterfall in the world and the inspiration for ‘Paradise Falls’ in the animated movie “Up.” The Orinoco Delta also gives adventurous travelers the option to boat, kayak, and view river dolphins and other unique wildlife. In the Andes Mountains in the west of the country are quaint mountain towns, beautiful hiking, an astronomical observatory, ziplining, rock climbing, biking, and more. Another popular tourist destination is the town of Colonia Tovar. Settled in the mid-1800’s by German immigrants, this mountain village has maintained its cultural imprint while adopting some of the Venezuelan flare, making it a unique place to order sausage and sip on hot chocolate.

Challenges

Living in Venezuela is not without its challenges. It often requires you to be both flexible and patient. The challenges have been dynamic in nature over the years ranging from unpredictable power and water rationing, to gasoline shortages. Imported goods are available, but at a higher cost than local goods. Routine errands, including trips to the bank and car repairs, can often take much more time than in most western countries. It is not possible to predict what challenges will be faced in any given year, but it is safe to say there will be some frustrations. Fortunately, CIPLC is a close community that values looking after people. A successful candidate for employment at CIPLC will understand the realities of overseas living and will have realistic expectations based on the Venezuelan infrastructure and economy.