Venezuela Travel information

Venezuela | Travel Guide | Travel information | Security

It is sensible for travellers anywhere to take basic precautions to avoid attracting the attention of pickpockets, muggers, and opportunist thieves, who are most active in big cities around the world and places such as busy airports and bus stations.

In Venezuela, you should take special care in the big cities such as Caracas and Maracaibo: dress down, do not wear expensive jewellery, do not count your money in public, and take taxis after dark. Be street aware, and treat suspicious approaches (to ask the time, directions, offer help, etc) with polite refusal or incomprehension. Avoid the very poor 'barrios' around Caracas which are no-go areas for foreigners. If you are unlucky enough to be challenged by a robber, never resist.

Outside the cities no special precautions are generally needed, but follow your local guide's advice.

Uniformed police and national guard are generally helpful and should be treated with a little extra respect and politeness, e.g. remove your sunglasses at vehicle check points.

Check and follow the Foreign Office Advice to Travellers for Venezuela, comparing their advice for Venezuela with that for countries with which you are familiar.

The border area with Colombia has long been considered dangerous.