Traveling Luck for Venezuela. Venezuela, South America

Crime

There is a constant risk of street crime (often armed), especially in Caracas and other cities.  Contrary to the advice in at least one widely used travel guide, Sabana Grande is not a safe area in which to stay in Caracas.  Budget hotels can be found in the safer areas such as Chacao, La Castellana and Altamira.  It is not advisable to visit "barrios” (heavily populated slums), as many of these are unsafe.  The risk of crime is higher after dark.  Try not to go out alone.  People carrying large amounts of money, wearing valuable watches or jewellery or using mobile phones in the street are especially vulnerable.

Carjacking is also a problem by day and night.  Car-jackers tend to target expensive-looking vehicles, especially 4x4s.  You should not resist if you are subject to an armed hold-up. We are also aware of reports of armed gangs that ram their intended victim’s vehicles from behind, or attempt to flag them down in order to rob them.  Resistance to robbery has resulted in victims being shot dead. Robberies occur frequently on buses.

Do not accept pamphlets in the street or major shopping centres, as there have been incidents of these having been impregnated with potent and disorienting drugs, which permeate the skin.  Tourist’s drinks have also been spiked.

”Express kidnappings” – short-term, opportunistic abductions, aimed at extracting cash from the victim – continue in Venezuela.  Victims can be targeted or selected at random and held while criminals empty their bank accounts with stolen cash cards.  Once the ransom is paid the victim is usually quickly released. Tourists and business visitors have been targeted.

Political Situation

Political opinion in Venezuela is polarised.  Demonstrations may take place with little warning and can turn violent.  Many Venezuelans carry guns and the police and Guardia Nacional are often heavily armed when involved in crowd control situations.

You should exercise caution in Caracas and other major urban centres and avoid large public gatherings. Demonstrations happen frequently.  Larger demonstrations are announced in advance in the local media, including the English language newspaper "Daily Journal".

Local Travel

The road from the airport to Caracas is undergoing major reconstructions, and journey times can be long and unpredictable.  In the early hours of 7 February, a significant landslide on the temporary main road (La Trocha) connecting Caracas International Airport with the city blocked the road, closing both carriageways. The landslide has now been cleared but the embankments are still being shored up. Restrictions on movement on this road have been introduced resulting in severe delays.  In addition the road will be closed between 2200 and 0300 every night until the work to stabilise the ground has been completed.  Travellers are advised to allow extra time for journeys or use alternative routes. 

Try to avoid travelling after dark, and allow plenty of time for your journey to and from the airport.

There have been cases of passengers being robbed at gunpoint by bogus taxi-drivers at Caracas airport (Maiquetia) and being “express kidnapped”(see Crime section).  You are advised not to board a taxi if there are other passengers already inside the car.  Do not accept offers of transport in the arrivals hall.  If you have no alternative but to take a taxi, ensure it is one of those parked at the official taxi rank outside.  If possible, you should arrange to be met by friends, business contacts, or tour operators.  Only licensed taxis bearing a clearly identifiable number should be used.

There have been several instances of travellers being overcharged when paying airport tax for both international flights and internal flights within Venezuela.  You are advised always to check the amount printed on the receipt issued for the tax (normally a sticker affixed to the back of your ticket) before handing over any money.  Currently the airport tax from Caracas to Margarita island is US$8.  International departure tax is normally included in the cost of your ticket.  Check with your airline before agreeing to pay anything extra.

When taking a taxi in Caracas or other towns/cities, it is advisable to use only pre-booked taxis rather than hailing them in the street.  Official taxis have yellow number plates.  Hotels will normally book a taxi from a reputable company or supply their own limousine service.

When travelling in the interior of the country, especially more remote rural areas, you should be aware that ambulance services are not reliable and hospitals often lack adequate medical supplies and equipment.  It is advisable to ensure you have contact details for nationwide ambulance services, such as ServiMedic Venezuela:  Telephone 0212 395 27 03; e-mail: servimedicvzla@telcel.net.ve, who can help you get back to Caracas or other major cities in the event of an accident.

Road Safety

It is possible to drive in Venezuela on a British driving licence for up to one year.  After that it is necessary to obtain a Venezuelan driving licence.  You should ensure you have copies of insurance documents, driving licence and passport with you at all times.  Failure to produce documents can result in the vehicle being seized by the police.

There are regular police and National Guard checkpoints throughout the country.  You should drive slowly through these and stop if asked to do so.  There have been many reports of attempts by the police and National Guard to extract money for spurious reasons.  In such cases you may consider asking for a written record giving the basis of the offence and also the penalising officer’s details.

All vehicles must carry a spare tyre, wheel block, jack wrench and special reflector triangle.  In many areas roads are poor and potholed and a four-wheel drive vehicle is recommended.

Driving under the influence of alcohol is common, especially during weekends.  Many vehicles are in poor condition and drivers routinely ignore red lights, especially at night.  In the event of an accident, however badly traffic may be blocked, both vehicles must remain in the position of the accident until a Traffic Police Officer arrives.  Insurance companies are unable to pay claims on vehicles that have been moved without a Traffic Police accident report.

Air Safety

Visiting tourist destinations in Venezuela can often involve flying in light aircraft.  Safety standards are variable and there have been several significant accidents on the main tourist routes, including Margarita and Canaima/Angel falls since 2003, two with fatal consequences.

In general it is better to seek out established companies operating modern multi-engined aircraft.  Local and International travel agents should be able to advise on whether or not the airline has a good safety record.

Sea Safety

There have been incidents of piracy and armed robbery against ships and small vessels in and around Venezuela's waters, especially east of Puerto La Cruz and in waters between Venezuela and Trinidad.  Mariners are advised to take appropriate precautions and avoid these areas if possible.

Drug trafficking is a serious problem in Venezuela.  Arrests for drug trafficking is common and conviction leads to severe penalties, including up to two years being held on remand prior to sentencing and lengthy prison sentences (usually ten years) in harsh and dangerous conditions in Venezuelan jails.  Many prisoners carry firearms and violence is common.  Do not handle illicit drugs.

If you are arriving by air, you can enter for up to 90 days on a tourist card issued on arrival.  You should have a valid return ticket with you and your passport should have at least six months validity.  If you are arriving overland, or by sea, you need to obtain a visa in advance from your nearest Venezuelan Embassy or Consulate.

You must not overstay the 90 days or you may be arrested and fined when departing.  Extensions of up to 60 days can be arranged at any DIEX (Department for Foreigners of Ministry of Interior) office on payments of a fee plus presentation of passport, tourist card, photograph and return ticket.

The Venezuelan Nationality and Citizenship Law, which came into force on 1 January 2005, requires any dual national Venezuelan to use their Venezuelan identity to enter, reside in and leave the country.  Dual British/Venezuelan nationals entering, leaving or residing in Venezuela should ensure that they are in compliance with these Venezuelan Government requirements.

Adults travelling alone with children should be aware that Venezuelan authorities usually require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before permitting the children to leave the country.  For further information on exactly what will be required at immigration please contact the Venezuelan representation in the UK.

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.  Please see:  Travel Insurance.

Non-malarial mosquitoes and tropical parasite diseases are endemic.  Cases of dengue fever are common.  In the interior of the country precautions must be taken against dengue, malaria and yellow fever.  There have been sporadic cases of Yellow Fever in a number of different states of Venezuela. Many countries in the region, such as Brazil, require those arriving from Venezuela to have proof of a yellow fever vaccination. You should check with the relevant embassy before travel. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is not a requirement to enter Venezuela, but there have been cases where officials have illegitimately fined travellers who have been unable to produce such a certificate.

Tap water is considered unsafe to drink unless it is first filtered or boiled.  Bottled drinking water is widely available.

You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up to date.  For further information on health, check the Department of Health’s website at www.dh.gov.uk.

NATURAL DISASTERS

During the rainy season, there is the possibility of flooding in certain low-lying areas of the country (eg the Llanos) and in some valleys in the Andes (Merida State).  Venezuela is vulnerable to earthquakes.  In August and September 2006 – tremors radiating from earthquakes with epicentres offshore were felt in Caracas and throughout the east of the country.

If things go wrong when overseas, please see:  What We Can Do To Help.

Strict currency controls remain in place in Venezuela, but Bolivares can be obtained in the UK through banks and some travel agencies.  It is best to obtain local currency where possible before travelling.  Bureaux de change, including at the airport, will exchange US dollars for Bolivars, as will some major hotels. Some banks (e.g.  Banco Mercantil) will buy US dollars for Bolivars or sell Bolivars against a foreign credit card. US dollar travellers' cheques are accepted at most Italcambios offices.

In most towns and all major cities, credit cards are accepted.  However, it can be difficult to withdrawing cash from ATMs.  There is also a serious problem with credit card fraud and cards being "cloned."

If you are staying in Venezuela for over three months, you are advised to register at the British Embassy in Caracas on arrival (tel: 0212 263 8411) or on-line at http://www.britain.org.ve.

We have had reports of growing difficulties with Real Estate/Timeshare investments, particularly on the Island of Margarita where title to land/property is not easily established.  Potential purchasers are advised to take comprehensive legal advice and exercise caution in any investment transaction.

Venezuela Country Profile