Venezuela captivates visitors with dramatic natural wonders from Angel Falls, the world's highest waterfall, to pristine Caribbean islands in Los Roques archipelago. This South American nation offers diverse landscapes including Andean mountains, Amazon rainforest, and the unique tepuis of Gran Sabana.
Venezuela is rated Level 4 (Do Not Travel) by the US State Department due to very high crime rates, political instability, and infrastructure challenges. Travel is possible with careful planning, reputable operators, and strict precautions, but Venezuela carries serious risks that distinguish it from most tourist destinations.
Current safety advisory
High
Level 4 Do Not Travel — crime, civil unrest, poor healthcare infrastructure, and detention risk cited. Check your government's current advisory before booking.
Last updated: 2025-01
Official advisories
Guidance from national travel-advisory services.
Level 4 - Do Not Travel
Do not travel due to crime, civil unrest, poor healthcare infrastructure, and the arbitrary enforcement of local laws
Advise against all but essential travel
High threat from crime including armed robbery, kidnapping and carjacking throughout Venezuela; heightened risk near Colombian and Brazilian borders
Exercise high degree of caution
Avoid non-essential travel to Venezuela due to high levels of violent crime, political instability, arbitrary detention, and poor healthcare infrastructure
Essential safety tips
Practical advice that applies everywhere.
Avoid border areas with Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana
Travel with reputable tour operators only
Keep copies of important documents
Avoid displaying expensive items or jewelry
Use registered taxis or pre-arranged transportation
Stay informed about local conditions and civil unrest
Have comprehensive travel insurance
Register with your embassy before travel
Carry small denominations of USD or euros for exchange; avoid official exchange rates which are unfavorable.
Avoid traveling at night between cities; arrange daytime travel and stay in well-known areas after dark.
Common scams to avoid
Recognise and sidestep tourist-targeted scams.
Unofficial taxi scam
Unmarked or pirate taxis at Simón Bolívar Airport and around Caracas may overcharge, rob, or in extreme cases collude with criminals. This is Venezuela's most dangerous tourist scam.
How to avoid: ONLY use hotel-arranged taxis, the UCAMC shuttle, or ride-hailing apps; never accept rides from strangers at the airport or on the street
Currency exchange trap
Street money changers may offer attractive rates but use sleight-of-hand tricks, counterfeit bills, or short-changing. Rate differences rarely justify the significant risk.
How to avoid: Exchange only at licensed casas de cambio or through your hotel; resist street exchange offers however favorable they appear
Express kidnapping
A form of crime where victims are forced to withdraw money from ATMs or hand over valuables over several hours before being released. Can happen to anyone including tourists.
How to avoid: Use hotel-arranged transport, avoid ATMs after dark, carry only the cash you need that day, keep phones hidden and avoid conspicuous displays of wealth
Fake police extortion
Individuals posing as plain-clothes police demand to see documents or wallets, then steal from victims or demand bribes. More common in crowded areas.
How to avoid: Real Venezuelan police wear uniforms; if approached by plain-clothes individuals claiming to be police, request to go to the nearest police station; do not hand over documents on the street
Health considerations
Staying healthy on your trip.
- Vaccinations
- Yellow fever (essential for travel to Amazonas, Bolívar, Delta Amacuro), Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies (if contact with animals likely), routine vaccinations (MMR, DPT, etc.), Malaria prophylaxis for jungle and delta regions
- Water
- NOT safe to drink. Use bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth, and ice. Widely available in stores and hotels.
- Food
- Facilities
- Pharmacies (farmacias) available in cities but medication shortages common. Bring all prescription medications in original containers with prescriptions. Bring extra supply beyond trip duration.
Safety for specific travellers
Tailored advice for different groups.
Solo travellers
Solo travel in Venezuela is extremely high-risk and strongly discouraged for all travelers. If proceeding, use only organized tour groups with reputable operators, stay in tourist-oriented areas like Las Mercedes and El Hatillo in Caracas, arrange all transportation through hotels, never walk alone at night, and register with your embassy. Solo female travelers face additional risks and should exercise maximum caution.
Female travellers
Venezuela is one of Latin America's most challenging destinations for solo female travelers due to high rates of harassment and crime. Travel in groups whenever possible, dress modestly outside beach areas, avoid displaying expensive items, use hotel-arranged transportation exclusively, and maintain situational awareness at all times. Many female travelers visit successfully with organized tour groups and reputable operators who know safe routes and venues.
Families
Family travel to Venezuela requires exceptional planning and strict precautions. Use only licensed family-friendly tour operators with established safety records. Stay at established resorts and posadas in tourist areas (Margarita Island, Los Roques, El Hatillo). Arrange all transport through accommodation. Ensure all family members have comprehensive travel insurance including medical evacuation — Los Roques has no hospital and medical facilities outside Caracas are severely limited.
LGBTQ+ travellers
Same-sex relationships are legal in Venezuela but same-sex unions are not recognized and social acceptance varies widely. LGBTQ+ travelers should exercise discretion outside Caracas's upscale districts where tolerance is higher. Public displays of same-sex affection may attract negative attention in conservative or rural areas. The political environment has made LGBTQ+ rights advocacy difficult. Venezuela's current instability means that legal protections, while theoretically in place, may not be consistently enforced.
Emergency contacts
Numbers to know before you go.
- Police
- 171
- Medical
- 171
- Embassy
- Tourist Police