General

Island name: Isla la Tortuga (La Tortuga Island).

Country name: Republica Bolivariana de Venezuela (VE). 

Nationality: Venezuelan(s).

Languages: Spanish (official), numerous indigenous dialects. 

Capital: Caracas. 

Population: only some fishermen live sometimes on Isla la Tortuga. 

Climate: tropical; hot, humid.
 

Geography

Area: 60 square miles.

Geographic coordinates: 110° 56' N, 65° 18' W. 

Location: about 30 km north of the Venezuelan mainland and 140 km west of Isla de Margarita.. 

Size: about 1600 m in length and between 60 and 400 m in width. 

Terrain: flat. 
 

Tourist Information

Overview: The Island of the Turtle is the largest of Venezulas federal dependencies. It is a beautiful tropic island with white sand beaches, that are lined with coconut trees. The island is a favorite destination point for many excursion boats. Cruises bring passengers from various destination points to the island. Passengers take a 90-minute cruise from Puntarenas and Los Sueños marina, at Playa Herradura, near Jacó to head to Isla Tortuga. Each cruise company has its own section of the beach. On weekend it can get crowded.

Accommodations: a few simple huts.

Activities: sailing, diving, snorkeling, swimming, fishing.

Average tourist arrivals:  no day tours or mass tourism to spoil the nature.

Electricity: 110 Volts, 60 cycles. American two-pin plugs are generally used.

Entry Requirements: VE: a passport is required valid for at least six months, but a visa is not necessary if entering on a completed Tourist Entry Card, which is valid for a touristic stay of up to 90 days. No special vaccinations are required, although those traveling to the jungle should consult their physician as to whether or not they need protection from yellow fever and malaria. 

Extension of stay: not possible.

Health: There are no vaccination requirements for Venezuela.

Telephone: country code - 58. 

Time: UTC-4.5.
 

Money

Costs of  living: moderate. 

Credit cards: VE: There are ATMs in the cities (however some travellers have experienced problems using them), and most credit cards, including MasterCard/Eurocard, American Express and Visa, are accepted in major cities. Travelers’ checks are not recommended. Visitors are also warned that there is a serious problem with credit card fraud.

Currency: Venezuela's new currency is the Bolivar Fuerte (VEF), which replaced the Bolivar (VEB) in January 2008. US dollars are the most favoured foreign currency 

Inflation rate (consumer prices): VE: 29.9% (1998). 

Tipping: VE: Tipping is at the discretion of the client and not obligatory. A ten percent service charge is usually added to restaurant bills. Taxis require no tips, but it is customary to give baggage handlers a tip of $1USD per bag.
 

Transport

Airport: none, but a bush strip for small planes.

Ferry Service: none.

Ports and harbors: none.
 

Politics

Ethnic groups: VE: Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Arab, German, African, indigenous people. 

Government type: VE: federal republic.

Legal system: VE: open, adversarial court system; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction. 

Literacy: VE: 91.1% (male: 91.8%, female: 90.3%). 

Religions: VE: nominally Roman Catholic 96%, Protestant 2%. 
 

Economy

Agriculture products: fish. 

GDP per capita: VE: $13,000 (2009 est.). 

Industries: tourism. 

Natural resources: none. 

Unemployment rate: VE: 7.9% (2009 est.).