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Learn about this beautiful country and its inspiring & resilient people, with a focus on experiencing one of the most outstanding social achievements in Latin America: Venezuela’s socialist communes. As a delegate, your primary objective will be to volunteer and support the development of these communes, working with locals to help create sustainable systems and empowering communities. Regardless of your skills or prior experience, there will be ample opportunity to make a positive impact. You will also experience the vibrant culture of Venezuela, its music, food, and dance. If you want to explore a new culture and be part of something meaningful, join us in this delegation to Venezuela.

What is a commune?

The commune is a form of popular political and economic organization based on the principles of self-governance, participation and direct democracy. In a commune, it’s the community members who plan, define and execute policies and projects within their own territory through enterprises that they themselves own and run.

"The commune must be the space on which we are going to give birth to socialism. Socialism has to emerge from the grassroots, this can’t be decreed; it has to be created. It is a popular creation, of the masses, of the nation.” Hugo Chávez

Reserve your spot here

You won’t want to miss this amazing travel opportunity!
Questions? Check out our FAQ below or email David or Michelle

FAQs and more

Our delegation will visit 3 Communes:

  • El Panal 2021 Commune in Caracas: This commune is located in one of Caracas most renowned popular sectors, with a deep tradition of popular resistance and organizing. This urban commune, the first one officially registered as such in Venezuela, was spearheaded by a grassroots collective, the Alexis Vive Patriotic Front, and is an example of decision-making by assembly. Initially sustained by the operation of a bakery and a textile factory, it has now organized its own tilapia and pork production for the community in the face of the U.S. blockade. They also run “Radio Arsenal,” an independent community radio station, as well as their own monetary system and a popular education project called “Pluriversity.”  

  • Luisa Cáceres Commune in Anzoategui: Communards of Luisa Caceres cleaned up an abandoned lot where they set up a communal recycling plant and a communal garden with more than 2,500 plants cultivated organically and using recycled materials. The lot also includes a space for communal assemblies. Our delegation will learn about the ecosocialist alternative that guides the Luisa Caceres commune. We will learn about the communal recycling process including the collection of recyclable materials, the production of recycled finished products and the commune’s organization. We will also visit the Women’s Communal centers and how they implement government-supported programs for the protection of women’s rights.

  • 5 Fortalezas in Cumanacoa, Sucre: The Commune "Las Cinco Fortalezas de la Revolución Bolivariana", began its activities with the rescue of a 63 hectares lot, very fertile land for the production of vegetables, legumes and sugar cane, as well as the experience of the breeding of red tilapia. A great achievement is the start-up of the sugar cane milling production unit and the production of molasses for livestock, and at this moment the production of sugar cane and panela is being considered. In the agricultural area, planting is being carried out for direct support to the food houses with training for women processors on the planting and care process.

$900 

Upon acceptance of your application, you will be required to submit a $250 deposit, which will be held and subsequently refunded prior to the trip. However, if you decide to cancel, the refund will be forfeited.

*Cost per traveler based on 10 - 15 fully paid participant. 

Program Cost Includes: 

  • Accommodations: It will vary depending on the commune we are visiting. Please note that we might be staying in the houses of commune members and not hotels. 
  • Breakfast lunch and dinner everyday
  • Water everyday
  • Ground transportation to and from the airport; 
  • Internal transportation to and from the communes
  • Visits and cultural activities included in the program; 
  • Recreational visits (including a beautiful beach on Caribbeean waters if the weather permits)
  • A farewell dinner and cocktail party with Venezuelan guests 
  • Expert guides

  Program Cost does not include:

  • Airfare and travel expenses to and from the U.S. to Caracas
  • Meals and drinks not included in the program as indicated in the itinerary; 
  • Tips or gratuities; 
  • Personal items/expenses; or 
  • Optional and/or unscheduled activities

  • A detailed itinerary will be sent 3 weeks before the trip 
  1. Fill out a participant registration. 
  2. Upon acceptance of your application, you will be required to submit a $250 deposit, which will be held and subsequently refunded prior to the trip. However, if you decide to cancel, the refund will be forfeited.
  3. Secure your flight tickets to and from Caracas to reach on the 1st of August and leave on the 13th. Sadly, because of the U.S. government not complying with international law and the Vienna Convention, there is no Venezuelan Embassy present in the U.S. We will take care of your visa application and send you detailed instructions after you have completed your deposit payment.
  4. Send Michelle your travel itinerary in order to process the visa.
  5. The cost for the trip is $900 (we will refund your deposit prior to the trip) and this should be brought to Venezuela in cash which means you must withdraw it before we leave for Caracas.
  • Upon acceptance of your application, you will be required to submit a $250 deposit via credit card, which will be held and subsequently refunded prior to the trip. However, if you decide to cancel, the refund will be forfeited. The $900 payment for the delegation must be brought to Venezuela in cash. To pay for meals, accommodations in the communes and other expenses.

Included:

  • Accommodations: It will vary depending on the commune we are visiting. Please note that we might be staying in the houses of commune members and not hotels. In some places we might sleep on mats on the floor.
  • Breakfast lunch and dinner everyday
  • Water everyday
  • Ground transportation to and from the airport; 
  • Internal transportation to and from the communes
  • Visits and cultural activities included in the program; 
  • A farewell dinner and cocktail party with Venezuelan guests 
  • Recreational visits (including a beautiful beach on Caribbeean waters if the weather permits)
  • Expert guides

What is not included?

  • Airfare and travel expenses to and from the U.S. to Caracas
  • Meals and drinks not included in the program as indicated in the itinerary; 
  • Tips or gratuities; 
  • Personal items/expenses; or 
  • Optional and/or unscheduled activities
  • You will need a valid passport (passport must be valid for another six months before you depart) We will take care of Venezuelan visas!
  • Try to get on a flight the next day, and let us know asap.
  • We will create a Whatsapp group before the trip for delegates to connect with one another! We will also create an email list serve for delegates who are not active on Whatsapp

The temperature varies from about 86°F degrees Fahrenheit in August. Make sure to bring all toiletries and medications you may need -- because of the U.S sanctions they could be challenging or expensive to find in Venezuela. There is no dress code for the trip, so bring whatever you are the most comfortable in. 

Must haves:

  • Your passport
  • Trip fee in cash + some more for your personal expenses
  • Any medication you use
  • Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothbrush/toothpaste)
  • Sun-hat, visor, sunglasses and sunscreen
  • One set of nice clothes for high-level meetings (no need to be very professional, but bring something presentable!)
  • One pair of comfortable shoes 
  • Old clothes that you don't mind getting dirty

Some things to consider packing:

  • Aspirin, pepto bismol, or immodium just in case
  • Mosquito repellent
  • Day pack
  • Bathing Suit
  • A notebook and pen
  • Light sweater for the evenings
  • Dancing outfits if you choose to go dancing
  • Ear plugs (in case you are a light sleeper and your roommate snores)
  • Pink clothing! :)
  • $900 in cash (we will refund your deposit prior to the trip) which means you must withdraw it before we leave for Caracas. You should get your bills from the bank in the U.S. so that they are unmarked and clean. Try to bring 50s, 20s, and 10s. 
  • For personal expenses you can use US credit cards (Visa). It is common to find private shops accepting Zelle payments. 
  • Below is a list of items/activities that you might need money for.

Might need money for:

  • Other beverages
  • Private excursions / optional cultural activities separate from the group (evening shows, not included in the program, etc.)
  • Transportation if you go off on your own (the public transportation is very unreliable, but taxis are easy to find and affordable)
  • Shopping! There will be lots of artwork, gifts, and rums to purchase for yourself or friends back home, so make sure to budget accordingly!

The plugs are the same as American plugs! 

  • You should drink bottled water during your stay in Venezuela. It is available in stores throughout the cities. For those of you with environmental concerns regarding the use of bottled water, an alternative is to bring with you a water purifier or tablets– the kind used for backpacking in regions where the water is impure. We encourage you to buy large bottles of water and fill up your individual bottle as needed.
  • We encourage participants to share their best photos and videos. 
  • In addition to giving talks and contacting the press, you can also help pushing your elected officials to lift the sanctions on Venezuela. We’ll provide you will information on your return.
What language is spoken in Venezuela?
  • Spanish is the official language of Venezuela, but English is widely spoken in tourist areas.

We recommend that you spend some time researching the communes, the economic and political situation in Venezuela, as well as Venezuela-US relations. It is important to have a base level understanding of the history and current political context of Venezuela to get the most out of our delegation.

Some articles:

Books

Videos:

Webinars:

  • Be patient and flexible: Traveling in any group presents challenges, and this is especially true in such a large group. Number one requirement to make this a great experience is PATIENCE. Number two requirement is FLEXIBILITY. Plans change at the last minute. Speakers don’t show up. Buses break down. Make the best of these snafus by making new friends in the group, leading us in song, telling jokes. Have fun and bring up the spirits of the others, especially the grumpy ones!
  • Be courteous: Please be courteous to your fellow participants, our country hosts, guides, translators, waiters and those Venezuelans who choose to make presentations to our group. If a difficult situation should arise, try to think in terms of how you, as a member of the group, can contribute to a solution.
  • Respect and help the trip leaders: All of the trip leaders, both in the US and Venezuela, have been working very hard to put this trip together, and will be working REALLY hard during the trip. Please give all the trip leaders thanks, encouragement and assistance. For reasons of safety or for the interest of the group, there may also be times when the group leaders will advise against a particular action. Please respect their request.
  • Be punctual: Please try to be at our meeting places on time. Being mindful about punctuality will ensure that the group isn’t late and/or you won’t be inadvertently left behind. 
  • Respect different political views: Please remember that we are guests in Venezuela, a country with a different culture from that of the US, with a different (although intertwined) history. It is best to approach each new situation with an open mind. You are not there to convince either the other participants or the Venezuelans that Venezuela (or the US) are really great or really terrible. You’re there to learn, exchange ideas and have a good time. And remember: there are very different political viewpoints among Venezuelans, and among the trip participants. During this trip, you'll be hearing the pro-government side at many of our official visits. Some of your best information about everyday life in Venezuela can come from interactions with your guides, the informal evening sessions, and conversations you might strike up with people on the street.