Venezuela is famous for its dramatic landscapes – some of which are considered to be the best in the continent. This South American destination of around 30 million residents sits on the northern side of the continent.
In more recent years, political turmoil and instability have plagued the country. Because of the instability, travel to Venezuela is not advised. But there will always be those who are willing to visit high-risk areas, so our guide will provide you with some travel safety information.
Bienvenidos – Welcome to Venezuela!
Deep in the valley lies Caracas, which is the capital of Venezuela and the country’s largest city. As a major hub for the country and all of South America, the city is important for national and international businesses like petrol and banking. But Caracas is also the center of Venezuelan culture and there are many noteworthy museums, theaters, and galleries.
However, it’s known to be a rather dangerous city and travelers should take extreme caution as they explore the streets. It isn’t a place for everyone, but for the few who are willing to tough it out, Caracas will show you its hidden beauty.
- Culture and Language
- Safety
- Spending Budget
- Money
- How to Get Around
- Top Cities and Points of Interest
Culture and Language
Venezuela has a similar history to its neighboring South American countries in the fact that it was once dominated by indigenous people who were colonized by the Europeans. By 1502, Spain began its colonization of Venezuela, which saw the country favored for its rich natural resources.
But it wasn’t until Simón Bolívar led Venezuela to independence in 1821 that the country began to flourish.
The country had its periods of trouble with political instability, which threatened the balance of power and its international relationships. Hugo Chávez was Venezuela’s dictator from 2002 until 2013 when he died. His long reign led to the recent insecurity within the country, which began the Venezuelan Presidential Crisis in January 2019.
The presidency has been a major issue within the country with dictator Nicolás Maduro currently in power within the country, but Juan Guaidó was recognized as the rightful president by several foreign nations. As Maduro attempts to retain control of the country, Venezuela has spiraled into chaos.
Another major issue in Venezuela has been hyperinflation, which has happened sporadically throughout the years but started to get drastically worse by 2019. The cost of everyday items has skyrocketed and made it nearly impossible to purchase on low monthly salaries. A shortage of cash has also made it difficult to travel in Venezuela, as there is not enough currency circulating throughout the country.
But despite the difficulties, the Venezuelans who have remained in the country, whether by choice or no other option, are relatively positive. Many locals are still very friendly and inviting to the limited number of tourists who do visit their country and they are eager to show what their life has become under crisis.
Yet, it’s best to not discuss politics while you’re in the country. You’ll find that many Venezuelans may be eager to discuss the current political situation, but it can be dangerous as personal views are what has divided the country and created the crisis.
However, many locals do want travelers to understand the desperation of their situation, but that doesn’t mean that you have to particularly discuss who they support or don’t support.
Official Language
Spanish is the official language in Venezuela and the most commonly spoken. There are indigenous languages still spoken in rural areas, but they are not very common for tourists to encounter. Travelers will also find that English is important in Venezuela because of its international relationships with business and tourism.
However, you shouldn’t expect to be able to travel around Venezuela speaking English because the vast majority of locals will not speak English. You are more likely to encounter English in the streets of the capital in affluent neighborhoods.
Safety
For those who are still interested in traveling here, it’s important that you understand the risks and consider your safety for the duration of your trip. Firstly, you should never take any method of transportation that is not officially licensed. You should never walk around alone in Venezuela and stay in your accommodation location after dark.
Caracas, the capital, has become more dangerous than it previously was due to the current crisis. Before, Caracas was considered to be unsafe, but now many people will say that it is dangerous for travelers, even in touristy areas. Outside of the city can be dangerous as well, as there is less infrastructure and extremely limited access to resources.
Private Guides and Hauling Gasoline
For your safety, it’s suggested that you have a local contact or guide who can accompany you for the entire duration of your trip. Many travelers who are going outside of the tourist areas of Caracas and into the rural areas of the country will even hire private security to assist their safety.
You should not attempt to drive yourself and instead hire a private driver.
Gas is increasingly difficult to access outside of Caracas and many gas stations, even within the capital are left empty. If you do choose to travel outside of the capital city, you’ll need to carry all the gas that you’ll need for the duration of your trip with you.
This will mean that you’ll have to fill extra containers with gas and take them with you on your journey. You should bring more gas than you need.
Daytime Only Travel
You should also plan all your travel into and around the country for daytime hours. Kidnappings have become an increasing problem within the country as the locals grow more desperate and nighttime travel is the most dangerous.
It’s even recommended by the US government that you do not travel from the Simón Bolívar International Airport and Caracas at night due to the increased danger.
Don’t use ATMs that are not in well-lit areas. You should also avoid using an ATM within the area around the International Airport because of the increased risk of crime. Instead, look for ATMs within the capital that are in safer and more touristy areas. Chacao, La Castellana, and Altamira are considered to be safer areas in Caracas.
Spending Budget
With Venezuela in a crisis and tourism at an all-time low, many travelers would think that it would be cheap and affordable to visit the country now. But that is not the case and you’ll find that due to the limited access to resources, it can be expensive to visit and travel around Venezuela.
You’ll need to be fully prepared with a pre-planned spending budget to ensure that you have access to the resources you need. Reserve safe places to stay in for the duration of your stay. The most important parts of your budget will be airfare, accommodation, food, drink, and transportation.
Airfare
Airfare is difficult to find because many airlines have limited the number of flights or suspended their services to Venezuela. With less access to the country, flights have become very expensive. The average cost for an airline ticket from the United States to Venezuela is over a thousand dollars. However, you can find cheaper flights by booking further in advance.
With virtually no tourism, there is no high season anymore. But the most popular times to visit the country are from December to April, which is the dry season. The climate of Venezuela is hot all year round, but with less rain, travelers usually choose to only travel during those dry months.
Accommodations
Accommodation is also important, but it’s extremely important that you choose safe places to stay. This often means that you’ll not be able to save money on accommodation because hotels will be safer than hostels. These types of hotels will have a Westernized style and have better security to assure your safety.
Venezuelan Food
Many travelers are also eager to try the local food as it allows them to connect to the country’s culture and national identity. Venezuelan cuisine will vary by region, but the most popular ingredients include rice, beans, corn, plantains, and meat.
Arepas are the most popular street food item in Venezuela, which can be eaten with any meal. Arepas are like mini corn flour tortillas with beans, rice, cheese, and meat on the inside. Pabellón criollo is the national dish of Venezuela, which is rice, beans, meat, and plantains.
Dining Out
Food has been majorly affected by the crisis and the prices have inflated. Hyperinflation has made it more expensive to eat, but for most travelers, it’ll still be considered affordable.
Drinking is also an interest for many travelers and most drinks can be purchased for less than a few USD. This is reasonable and can be worked into a budget. Non-alcoholic drinks will be even more affordable with coffee often costing less than a couple of USD.
Money
Hyperinflation has destroyed the Venezuelan economy and for many locals, the prices of everyday items have become impossible to afford. For many travelers, the price increase is not enough to be considered overly expensive, but it’s important that you understand the country’s current situation.
Venezuela’s currency is called the Bolivar after its old leader, Simón Bolívar and it has lost the majority of its value. This means that it’s one of the least-valued currencies in the world. It also means that Venezuela is not currently using its national currency in the streets because of its extremely low value.
For travelers, purchasing anything is difficult because most international credit cards are not accepted within the country. It’s also impossible to carry the amount of cash you need in the local Bolivar because hyperinflation means that everyday items will cost thousands of Bolivar.
Accepting US Dollars (USD)
Instead, Venezuela has begun to use the US dollar because it has more value. But hyperinflation has also made the US dollars have a high value in Venezuela. It also means that travelers will need to carry USD in cash for the duration of their stay.
How to Get Around
Traveling around Venezuela has become more dangerous as the country’s crisis has been ongoing. We do not recommend that you use any local transportation without a hired guide. Instead, private drivers are the safest way to travel around.
Private Drivers and Tour Guides
Tour guides will be the most expensive way to travel in Venezuela, but they can provide invaluable resources like safety and local knowledge. Guides will accompany you while you travel and provide you with safe places to stay if you venture outside of Caracas. They can take you to touristy areas, walk you around the city, and provide general protection.
With a guide, you may be able to save money by taking local transportation, which would cost less than a few USD, or arranging other safe transportation methods for you.
Top Cities and Points of Interest
With the decrease in tourism and concern for safety, it’s important that you choose the right places to go in Venezuela. Here’s a brief overview of the places and cities that are still relatively safe for tourists to visit.
Caracas
While the capital is not considered to be very safe, there are still safe areas for tourists. After all, the Simón Bolívar International Airport is nearby, and many tourists will head to Caracas to spend some time after a long journey.
The news often paints Caracas in a negative light, but if you stay in safe areas and are vigilant of your surroundings, you can have a good time exploring the city. Again, it can be helpful to hire a local guide who can take you to the touristy areas and help keep you safe.
Either way, do not explore at night and be wary of unlicensed taxis and crime on the local subway system.
Angel Falls
Angels Falls is the gem of Venezuela as it is the country’s most famous natural landmark and the world’s highest waterfall. The falls are located in Canaima National Park and are a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site. Many travelers are eager to explore the park for a view of the falls, its lagoon, and the nearby beaches.
Mount Roraima is also located within the national park. It showcases more of the dramatic landscape from which the falls cascade.
Mérida
For thrill-seekers, Mérida is the place to go because it offers a full array of exciting outdoor sports. Here, travelers can kayak, raft, bike, and paraglide to their heart’s delight. The laidback vibes of the town are also appreciated and with youthful energy due to the local university, this town has become a tourist hotspot.
Los Roques National Park
With over one thousand keys to explore, the Los Roques National Park is one of the most beautiful seaside locations in Venezuela. The stunning white sand and crystal-clear water are the perfect places to escape and relax. With surf, coral reefs, rocky beaches, and lagoons, you can also get out and explore the beauty of nature.
“Venezuela is Your Destination!”
While Venezuela isn’t considered to be a safe travel destination, the jaw-dropping beauty of the landscape cannot keep some explorers away. But, with the current political crisis and situation within the country, it’s important that you do your research and understand the risks you’ll take if you choose to take a trip here.
There are many tourist areas that were once considered safe but are now inaccessible due to violence in the area. With hostile borders, much of the country will have to be left unexplored. For those who want to witness the current situation and explore Caracas, a trip can still be worth the risk. For anyone who does visit Venezuela, you should be prepared, travel smart, and always make safety your top priority.
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