Travel Advisory
Please check your government's official travel advisory before departure. Situations can change rapidly.
Safety Level
Official risk level and travel advisories
Venezuela faces high crime, an economic crisis and shortages of power, water and fuel. Many governments advise against travel. Check your foreign ministry's latest advisory before going.
- Overall risk
- High; many governments advise against all or non-essential travel
- Main concern
- Violent crime, kidnapping, robbery and unrest
- Emergency number
- 911
- Venezuela remains beautiful, with sights such as Angel Falls, Mount Roraima and Los Roques, but conditions are difficult. Crime, an ongoing economic crisis and shortages of electricity, water and fuel affect daily life. Always review your own government's current travel advice and register with your embassy before travelling.
Danger Zones & Areas to Avoid
Regions with poor security or restricted access
Border areas with Colombia, parts of Caracas and some urban districts see higher risk. Many governments advise against travel to border zones.
- Border zones
- Colombian border areas: high risk of crime and armed groups
- Cities
- Extra caution in parts of Caracas and other urban districts
- Border regions with Colombia are associated with armed groups, smuggling and kidnapping. In Caracas and other cities, some neighbourhoods have high crime rates. Check your government's advisory for specific areas to avoid.
Natural Disaster Risks
Earthquakes, typhoons, floods, and other hazards
Risks include seasonal flooding and landslides during the rainy season, some seismic activity, and the tropical hurricane season affecting the Caribbean coast.
- Rainy season
- Flooding and landslides, roughly May to November
- Earthquakes
- Moderate seismic activity in parts of the country
- Hurricane season
- June to November may affect the Caribbean coast
- Heavy rain can trigger flooding and landslides, disrupting roads. Venezuela lies in a seismically active region. Monitor local weather warnings and follow the advice of local authorities.
Health & Disease Risks
Endemic diseases and hygiene concerns
Healthcare is under strain with shortages of medicines and supplies. Mosquito-borne diseases occur and tap water is not reliably safe to drink.
- Healthcare
- Limited; shortages of medicine and equipment
- Tap water
- Not reliably safe; drink bottled or treated water
- Diseases
- Malaria, dengue, Zika and chikungunya risk in areas
- Medical facilities are limited and may lack medicines and supplies; serious cases may require evacuation. Take mosquito-bite precautions, drink bottled water, and bring any personal medication with a prescription. Check recommended vaccinations before travel.
Crime & Scam Trends
Common crimes and scams targeting tourists
Violent crime including armed robbery, mugging and kidnapping is a serious risk, especially in Caracas. Express kidnappings and ATM scams occur.
- Main risk
- Armed robbery, mugging and kidnapping
- Hotspots
- Caracas, airport road, ATMs, crowded areas
- Advice
- Keep a low profile; avoid displaying valuables or cash
- Armed robbery and kidnapping, including short-term "express" kidnappings, are risks. Use trusted, arranged transport to and from the airport, avoid walking after dark, do not resist robbers, and be alert around ATMs. Given widespread use of US dollars, carry only what you need.
Political Situation & Protests
Political instability and potential demonstrations
The political and economic situation is volatile. Demonstrations can occur with little notice and may turn violent. Avoid all protests and large gatherings.
- Situation
- Volatile; ongoing political and economic crisis
- Demonstrations
- Can occur suddenly and turn violent; avoid them
- Political tensions and an economic crisis affect daily life, including shortages of electricity, water and fuel. Protests can escalate quickly and disrupt transport. Stay informed via local media and your embassy, and avoid political discussions in public.
Local Laws & Prohibitions
Important local laws and penalties for travelers
Drug penalties are severe. Currency rules are complex and US dollars circulate widely; avoid photographing military or government sites.
- Drugs
- Severe penalties, including long prison terms
- Currency
- Bolívar (VES) with high inflation; USD widely used
- Photography
- Avoid photographing military, police and government buildings
- Carry photo ID and keep a copy of your passport. Drug offences carry long sentences. Due to high inflation the bolívar loses value quickly and US dollars are widely accepted; use cash carefully. Do not photograph military installations, and follow instructions at checkpoints.
Emergency Contacts
Police, ambulance, and fire department numbers
Dial 911 for emergencies. Response times and reliability can vary, so also keep your embassy contact details to hand.
- All emergencies
- 911
- Note
- Response may be slow or inconsistent
- Also keep
- Your embassy or consulate contact number
- 911 is the general emergency number for police, ambulance and fire, but service reliability can vary. Save your embassy's contact details and, where possible, arrange help through trusted local contacts or your hotel.
Embassy & Consulate Info
Location and contact details of your embassy
No embassy or consulate information is available for your selected nationality in this country.
Travel Insurance
Recommended coverage and tips for choosing a policy
Comprehensive travel insurance is essential, with strong medical and emergency evacuation cover given limited healthcare.
- Medical cover
- High limits; local care may be limited
- Evacuation
- Include emergency medical evacuation and repatriation
- Check exclusions
- Confirm cover applies despite official travel advisories
- Because local medical facilities can lack supplies, insurance with high medical limits and emergency evacuation is strongly recommended. Some policies exclude cover for destinations under a government "advise against travel" warning, so check the terms carefully before you go.