Major city · Venezuela
Santa Elena de Uairén
Spend 2 days in Santa Elena de Uairén as a base for La Gran Sabana tours; longer only if hiking Mount Roraima.
Santa Elena de Uairén is a frontier town on the Brazil border, serving as the gateway to La Gran Sabana and multi‑day treks like Mount Roraima. It has basic accommodation, cheap taxis and limited air service, making a short stay practical.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- VES
- Best months
- Dec–Mar (dry season, check)
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season, check)
- Airport
- SNV
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…Check your own government travel advice for Venezuela bef…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Venezuela ↗Check your own government travel advice for Venezuela before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Venezuela ↗Entry rules depend on your passport and how you arrive (air or land); confirm with a Venezuelan embassy or consulate and your airline before booking.
- Venezuela ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Venezuela before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Santa Elena de Uairén911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Santa Elena de Uairén, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Bring all funds as clean, small US dollar notes: see Insurance & payments above.Venezuela-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe during daylight; stay in well‑lit areas, keep valuables hidden, and avoid remote night travel.
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire and ambulance · 911 Medical assistance (if available)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSNV Santa Elena de Uairén Airport (Small Cessna flights, schedule varies).
- Getting aroundTaxis are very cheap; walk about 30 min to bus station.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee (bakery)VES 2,000–3,500
- Street or quick mealSandwich (Panaderia Gran Sabana Deli)VES 3,000–5,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (short ride)VES 1,500–2,500
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personVES 12,000
- Mid-range bedBasic double room, a night, per roomVES 35,000
- High-end bedBasic double room, a night, per roomVES 50,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget VES 12,000 · Mid VES 25,000 · High VES 45,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SNV Santa Elena de Uairén Airport (Small Cessna flights, schedule varies)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Apr
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
May
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jul
Avoid
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Aug
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Dec–Mar. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jun (15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Apr (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Santa Elena de Uairén: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
12 rd
Mar
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
Apr
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
8 rd
Jun
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
10 rd
Jul
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
12 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
12 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
10 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
8 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxis are very cheap; walk about 30 min to bus station. Co‑taxis run to the Brazilian border (Pacaraima).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mount Roraima
overnightDoor to door: 5–6 days total
Organised 5‑6 day trek from Santa Elena; hire gear and guide locally
Requires full‑day preparation and equipment rental
Angel Falls
overnightDoor to door: 3–4 days
Fly to Canaima then boat; multi‑day tour from Santa Elena
Longest day‑trip option; best with a tour operator
Canaima National Park
overnightDoor to door: 2–3 days
Fly or join a river tour; base in Santa Elena
UNESCO site, requires guide
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel Michelle
Central location, basic rooms, travel‑agency desk
Posada Backpackers
Hostel style, helpful staff, restaurant with live music
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- VES 12,000–25,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- VES 25,000–45,000 excl. bed
- High
- VES 45,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hostel dorm bed2 × 2 nights × VES 18,000 | VES 72,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × VES 25,000 | VES 100,000 |
| Rutaca flight (round‑trip)2 × VES 50,000 · check | VES 100,000 |
| Taxi within town (30 min)2 × VES 2,500 · check | VES 5,000 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × VES 3,500 · check | VES 7,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | VES 28,400 |
| Trip total≈ VES 78,100 per person per day, bed included | VES 312,400 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee (bakery) | VES 2,000–3,500 |
| Sandwich (Panaderia Gran Sabana Deli) | VES 3,000–5,000 |
| Taxi (short ride) | VES 1,500–2,500 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Night buses are cold (≈7 °C (45 °F)) and drivers keep temperature lowNight buses are cold (≈45 °F (7 °C)) and drivers keep temperature low
- Venezuelan passport office closes 12:00–14:00Venezuelan passport office closes 12:00 PM–2:00 PM
- Security alerts vary; check local advice before night travel
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
- Medical assistance (if available)
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Santa Elena de UairénSanta Elena de Uairén
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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Emergency
- Police911
- Fire and ambulance911
- Medical assistance (if available)911
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Rutaca flight to Santa Elena: about VES 35,000–50,000 round‑trip
- Taxi town centre → bus station: about VES 1,500–2,000
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Santa Elena de Uairén. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Mar (dry season, check) · avoid May–Oct (rainy season, check)
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add bus‑to‑airport transfer info for Rutaca flights
- Map cheap taxi routes to bus station and border
- Link to La Gran Sabana page for extended itineraries
Sources
Ask about Santa Elena de Uairén
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