can u travel to venezuela

Security Alert May 17, 2024

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Travel Advisory May 13, 2024

Venezuela - level 4: do not travel.

Reissued after routine periodic review with minor edits pursuant to Department of State standard processes.

Do not travel to Venezuela due to  crime , civil unrest, kidnapping , and the  arbitrary enforcement of local laws . Reconsider travel due to  wrongful detentions ,  terrorism , and  poor health infrastructure .

Country Summary:   In March 2019, the U.S. Department of State withdrew all diplomatic personnel from U.S. Embassy Caracas and suspended operations. All consular services, routine and emergency, remain suspended until further notice. The U.S. government has no ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Venezuela. U.S. citizens in Venezuela who require consular assistance should try to leave the country as soon as safely possible to do so and should contact a U.S. embassy or consulate in another country.

Violent crimes, such as homicide, armed robbery, kidnapping, and carjacking, are common in Venezuela. Political rallies and demonstrations occur, often with little notice. Anti-Maduro demonstrations have elicited a strong police and security force response, including the use of tear gas, pepper spray, and rubber bullets against participants, and occasionally devolve into looting and vandalism. Shortages of gasoline, electricity, water, medicine, and medical supplies continue throughout much of Venezuela. 

The Department has determined there is a high risk of wrongful detention of U.S. nationals in Venezuela. Security forces have detained U.S. citizens for up to five years. The U.S. government is not generally notified of the detention of U.S. citizens in Venezuela or granted access to U.S. citizen prisoners there.

Colombian terrorist groups operate in Venezuela’s border areas with Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Venezuela.

If you decide to travel to Venezuela:

• Avoid all land border crossings into Venezuela on the Colombian border.
• Ensure you have a valid Venezuelan visa. Visas are not available upon arrival.
• Be prepared for the high risk of indefinite detention without consular access. 
• Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney.
• Develop a communication plan with family and/or your employer or host organization. Establish a “proof of life” protocol with your loved ones, so that if you are taken hostage, your loved ones know specific questions (and answers) to ask the hostage-takers to be sure that you are alive (and to rule out a hoax).
• Have a contingency plan in place that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.
• Keep travel documents up to date and easily accessible.
• Avoid travel between cities, or between Simón Bolívar International Airport and Caracas at night.
• Do not take unregulated taxis from the Maiquetia “Simón Bolívar” International Airport and avoid ATMs in this area.
• Consider hiring a professional security organization.
• Bring a sufficient supply of over the counter and prescription medicines for the duration of travel.
• Consider purchasing medical evacuation insurance.
• Visit our website for  Travel to High-Risk Areas .
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Venezuela.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.
• Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

Two pages, for visa and entry stamp.

Yes. You must get a Venezuelan visa before traveling to Venezuela. Visas are not available upon arrival. Note: U.S. travelers risk lengthy or indefinite detention for attempts to arrive at any Venezuelan border crossing without a valid Venezuelan visa.

Yellow fever vaccination required if coming from or transiting for more than 12 hours through Brazil.

USD 10,000 (or equivalent) or more must be declared.

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Colombia  Calle 24 Bis No. 48-50  Bogotá, D.C. Colombia  Telephone: +(57)(1) 275-2000  Emergency: +(57)(1) 275-2000  Fax: No fax  Email:  [email protected]   Website

The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends that U.S. citizens do not travel to Venezuela, and that U.S. citizens remaining in Venezuela depart immediately.  More information can be found in the U.S. Department of State’s  Venezuela Travel Advisory .  

The  U.S. Embassy in Caracas  suspended operations on March 11, 2019, and therefore cannot provide protection or consular services to U.S. citizens in Venezuela.  The U.S. Embassy in Colombia assists U.S. citizens in Venezuela when possible.  

If you are a U.S. citizen in Venezuela in need of assistance, or are concerned about a U.S. citizen in Venezuela, please contact us in one of the following ways:

Email  [email protected] ; or

Call us at +1-888-407-4747 (from the U.S. & Canada) or +1-202-501-4444 (from overseas).

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

The U.S. Department of State strongly recommends U.S. citizens do not travel to Venezuela. If you must travel to Venezuela, we recommend you avoid all land border crossings into Venezuela on the Colombian border.  Detentions of U.S. citizens at formal or informal border crossings into Venezuela are common.    

To enter Venezuela, you must have:

• A valid U.S. passport in good condition with at least six months of validity, and
• A valid Venezuelan visa.  Visas are not available upon arrival.

Visas:  The Venezuelan embassy and consulates in the United States are not open for visa processing.  Contact the Venezuelan Embassy in Washington  at 202-342-2214 for updates about the future availability of visa services.  You must have the proper visa class and appropriate accreditation before traveling to Venezuela or face refusal of admission, expulsion, or detention.

Immigration officials often require proof of accommodation while in Venezuela, adequate means of support, and an onward departure itinerary.  Use only official crossing points when entering Venezuela.  You must obtain an entry stamp upon entry.

If you reside in Venezuela as a non-citizen, you must obtain legitimate Venezuelan residency documentation and renew your residency visa well in advance of expiration.  Do not use intermediaries to purchase resident visas and/or work permits.  

Traveling with Children:  Venezuela’s child protection law mandates that minors (under 18) of any nationality who are traveling alone, with only one parent, or with a third party, must present extensive, specific, and notarized documentation granting permission for travel.  Consult the nearest Venezuelan embassy or consulate for further information.

Dual Nationality:  Venezuelan law requires Venezuelan citizens to enter and depart Venezuela using Venezuelan passports.  If you hold dual U.S. and Venezuelan nationality, you must plan to travel between the United States and Venezuela with valid U.S. and Venezuelan passports.  Dual-national minors are only allowed to depart Venezuela with both parents present or with a legal authorization signed by the absent parent in a family court. 

Immunizations:  Visit the  CDC Traveler website for vaccination information, including Yellow Fever vaccination requirements.  Carry your International Certificate of Vaccination (or yellow card) with you upon arrival or departure.

HIV/AIDS:  The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Venezuela.  Be aware that HIV/AIDS medications, like other medications, are often not available in Venezuela.

Find further information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction , and  customs regulations  on our websites.

Safety and Security

Terrorism:  Terrorist groups and those inspired by such organizations are intent on attacking U.S. citizens abroad.  Terrorists are increasingly using less sophisticated methods of attack – including knives, firearms, and vehicles – to more effectively target crowds.  Frequently, their aim is focused on unprotected or vulnerable targets, such as:

• High-profile public events (sporting contests, political rallies, demonstrations, holiday events, celebratory gatherings, etc.)
• Hotels, clubs, and restaurants frequented by tourists
• Places of worship
• Shopping malls and markets
• Public transportation systems (including subways, buses, trains, and scheduled commercial flights)

Terrorist groups such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia – People’s Army (FARC-EP), Segunda Marquetalia, and the Colombian-origin National Liberation Army (ELN) have expanded in Venezuela in recent years.  We are aware of reports of cooperation between FARC dissidents and the ELN in the areas of road/border checkpoints, forced displacement of communities, and narcotics trafficking.

For more information, see our  Terrorism  page.

Crime:  Violent crime is pervasive throughout Venezuela.  Venezuela has one of the highest homicide rates in the world, and kidnappings are a serious concern.  Be alert of your surroundings at all times and take personal security precautions to avoid becoming a victim of crime.  Maintain a low profile, travel in groups of five or more, and provide family or friends with your itineraries prior to departure.

Avoid police activity.  Corruption within the police forces is a concern, and criminals may be posing as police officers or National Guard members.  National Guard members may target U.S. citizens, especially at remote land border crossings, for bribery, extortion, or detention, possibly in collusion with criminal organizations.  

Criminal gangs operate openly and with little repercussion, often setting up fake police checkpoints.  Armed robberies, including with grenades and assault rifles, take place throughout the country, including in tourist areas and institutions such as banks and ATMs, national parks, shopping malls, public transportation stations, and universities.

Drugs:  Do not attempt to bring any narcotics or controlled substances into Venezuela, or substances that may be confused with illegal drugs.  Do not accept packages from anyone and always keep your luggage with you.  U.S. citizens have been actively recruited to act as narcotics couriers or “drug mules.”  Arrestees can expect extended jail terms under extremely difficult prison conditions.

Transportation:   Do not use any taxis hailed on the street.  Some taxi drivers in Caracas are known to overcharge, rob, injure, and even kidnap passengers.  Use only radio-dispatched taxis from taxi services, hotels, restaurants, and airline staff.  Do not use public transportation such as city buses and the metro (subway) in Caracas.  If you drive, be aware of attacks in tunnels and avoid obstacles in the road.

Maiquetía International Airport:  Only travel to and from Maiquetía International Airport near Caracas in daylight hours.  Kidnappings, robberies at gunpoint, thefts, and muggings are common.  Do not pack valuable items or documents in checked luggage.  Individuals wearing seemingly official uniforms and displaying airport or police credentials have been involved in crimes inside the airport, including extortion and robberies.  Make advance plans for transportation from the airport to your hotel or destination using a trusted party or dispatch taxi service.

ATMs:   Most ATMs do not accept U.S. debit or credit cards, and malfunctions are common.  Use only those located in well-lit, public places.  ATM data is often hacked and used to make unauthorized withdrawals.  Criminals target ATM users for robberies.  Many ATMs do not have cash.

Demonstrations  occur occasionally.  They may take place in response to political or economic issues, on politically significant holidays, and during international events.  

•  Demonstrations can be unpredictable; avoid areas around protests and demonstrations.  
• Past demonstrations have turned violent.
• Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.  

International Financial Scams:   See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information.

Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent in Venezuela.  Scams are often initiated through Internet postings/profiles or by unsolicited emails and letters.  Scammers almost always pose as U.S. citizens who have no one else to turn to for help.  Common scams include: 

• Romance/online dating 
• Money transfers 
• Grandparent/relative targeting 

Victims of Crime:  The U.S. government has extremely limited means of providing consular services to U.S. citizen crime victims in Venezuela.  U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Bogota.  Report crimes to the local police at 171, and contact the  U.S. Embassy in Bogota  by emailing [email protected] or dialing +57 (1) 275-2000 or +57 (1) 275-4021 after hours.  Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime. 

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crimes overseas .

• Help you find appropriate medical care 
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent 
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation  and following its conclusion 
• Provide a list of local attorneys  
• Provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.  
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home  
• If you are able to travel to a U.S. Embassy, we can replace a stolen or lost passport and provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution 

Domestic Violence:   U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the  U.S. Embassy in Bogota  for assistance.

Colombian Border:  The area within a 50-mile radius along the entire Venezuela and Colombian border is extremely dangerous.  U.S. citizens near the border are at risk of detention by Maduro regime authorities.  U.S. citizens must obtain a visa to enter Venezuela legally.  Visas are not available upon arrival.  U.S. citizens attempting to enter Venezuela without a visa have been charged with terrorism and other serious crimes and detained for long periods.  The Maduro regime does not notify the U.S. government of the detention of U.S. citizens and the U.S. government is not granted access to those citizens.  Additionally, cross-border violence, kidnapping, drug trafficking, and smuggling are common.  Some kidnapping victims are released after ransom payments, while others are murdered.  Do not attempt to cross the land border.

Tourism:  No formal tourism industry infrastructure is in place on any level.  Tourists participate in activities at their own risk.  Emergency response and subsequent appropriate medical treatment is not available in-country.  U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance.  See our webpage for more information on  insurance providers for overseas coverage . Serious medical issues require costly medical evacuation complicated by restrictions on air travel to and from Venezuela.  Air evacuations to the United States from Venezuela may not be possible.

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  You are subject to local laws.  If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.  Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities prior to practicing or operating a business.  Application of local laws can at times be arbitrary and/or politically motivated.

In Venezuela, it is illegal to take pictures of sensitive buildings, including the presidential palace, military bases, government buildings, and airports.

Drug trafficking is a serious problem in Venezuela and treated as such by Venezuelan authorities.  Convicted traffickers receive lengthy prison sentences.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law.  For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification:   If you are arrested or detained, attempt to have someone notify the U.S. Embassy in Bogota immediately.  See our webpage for further information. 

Please note that the U.S. Department of State may not be informed of your detention, particularly if you also hold Venezuelan citizenship.  Due to the suspension of operations of the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, consular visits to detained U.S. citizens are not possible. There have been instances of U.S. citizens in recent years who have been detained without being afforded due process or fair trial guarantees, or as a pretext for an illegitimate purpose, often due to their U.S. citizenship.

Currency and Exchange:   Venezuela has started to allow dollarized commercial transactions and shopping, but policies and availability are subject to change.  Some local businesses accept U.S. credit cards and electronic transfers through certain online vendors.  “Black market” currency exchanges – often offering significantly favorable exchange rates – are technically prohibited under Venezuelan foreign exchange controls.  Violators may be detained by Venezuelan authorities and face criminal penalties.

Wire Transfers:  Wire transfers cannot be used reliably as a source of emergency funds, and receipt of funds is generally restricted to Venezuelan citizens and residents.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods:   Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws.  You may also pay fines or have to give them up if you bring them back to the United States.  See the  U.S. Department of Justice  website for more information.

Faith-Based Travelers:   See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQI+ Travelers:  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTIQ+ events in Venezuela.  

See our  LGBTI Travel Information  page and section 6 of our  Human Rights report  for further details.

Travelers with Disabilities:  The law in Venezuela prohibits discrimination against persons with physical and mental disabilities, but the law is not enforced.  Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is not as prevalent as in the United States.  Expect accessibility to be limited in public transportation, lodging, communication/information, and general infrastructure.  Accessibility is more prevalent in the capital city of Caracas than in the rest of the country. 

The availability of rental, repair, and replacement parts for aids/equipment/devices as well as service providers, such as sign language interpreters or personal assistants, is limited.

Students:   See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

All air passengers entering Venezuela must present a certificate of vaccination against COVID-19 (completed vaccination schedule) in either physical or digital format (with QR code), with the last dose administered at least 14 days prior to the entry date in Venezuela.  If more than 270 days has passed since the last dose of a completed vaccination schedule, proof of a booster dose is required.  In lieu of proof of vaccination, passengers must present a negative PCR-RT COVID-19 test result, taken within 72 hours of arriving.  Please visit the U.S. Embassy’s  COVID-19 page  for more information on COVID-19 in Venezuela.

For emergency services in Venezuela, dial 171.

Ambulance services are:

• not widely available, depending on the individual’s health insurance, and training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards.
• unreliable in most areas. 
• not equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment. 

Injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.

Emergency medical evacuation flights between the United States and Venezuela may not be possible.

We do not pay medical bills.   Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance:   Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas.  Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments.  See  our webpage  for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.  Visit the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on types of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas. 

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription.  Before travelling to Venezuela with prescription medications, travelers should research current Customs and Immigration restrictions in place at Venezuelan ports of entry.

Vaccinations:  Be up to date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  A Yellow Fever vaccination is required if coming from or transiting for more than 12 hours through Brazil.  Carry your International Certificate of Vaccination (or yellow card) with you upon arrival.

Health Facilities in General:

• Do not depend on health care facilities in Venezuela for medical care. Serious medical issues require costly medical evacuation complicated by restrictions on air travel to and from Venezuela.  Air evacuations to the United States may not be possible.
• Public medical clinics lack basic resources and supplies, including soap and water.  In recent years, hospital infrastructure has deteriorated significantly, and medical staff are in short supply.  Patients frequently must supply their own water, medication, and medical instruments to receive care.
• Adequate private health facilities are available in Caracas and other major cities, but health care in rural areas is well below U.S. standards.  Many private hospitals and clinics are increasingly overcrowded and experience shortages of public utilities such as electricity and running water.
• Some private hospitals and doctors require cash payment “up front” prior to service or admission.  Credit card payment and online transfers are sometimes available.  If you cannot provide an up-front payment, you may be referred to a public institution.
• Medical staff may speak little to no English.
• Generally, in public hospitals only minimal staff is available overnight.  Consider hiring a private nurse or having family spend the night with the patient, especially a minor child. 
• Patients may be required to bear costs for transfer to or between hospitals. 
• Psychological and psychiatric services are limited, even in the larger cities. 

Medical Tourism and Elective Surgery

•  U.S. citizens have suffered serious complications or died during or after having cosmetic or other elective surgery.   
• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for information on medical tourism, the risks of medical tourism, and what you can do to prepare before traveling to Venezuela. 
• We strongly recommend supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation in the event of unforeseen medical complications.  
• Your legal options in case of malpractice are very limited in Venezuela.   

  Pharmaceuticals: 

• Some medical supplies are unavailable in Venezuela, and you should not expect to find all necessary medications in Venezuela.  Travelers should carry over the counter and prescription drugs sufficient to cover the entire duration of their trips.
• Exercise caution when purchasing medication overseas.  Pharmaceuticals, both over the counter and requiring prescription in the United States, are often readily available for purchase with little controls.  Counterfeit medication is common and may prove to be ineffective, the wrong strength, or contain dangerous ingredients.  Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments.  
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration are responsible for rules governing the transport of medication back to the United States.  Medication purchased abroad must meet their requirements to be legally brought back into the United States.  Medication should be for personal use and must be approved for usage in the United States.  Please visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration websites for more information.   

Assisted Reproductive Technology and Surrogacy 

•  If you are considering traveling to Venezuela to have a child through use of assisted reproductive technology (ART) or surrogacy, please see our ART and Surrogacy Abroad page . 
• There is no legal framework for foreigners or same-sex couples to pursue surrogacy in Venezuela.  According to Venezuelan law, the birth mother of a child born in Venezuela is the legal mother.  Surrogacy agreements between foreign or same sex intending parents and gestational mothers are not enforced by Venezuelan courts. 
• If you decide to pursue parenthood in Venezuela via assisted reproductive technology (ART) with a gestational mother, be prepared for long and unexpected delays in documenting your child’s citizenship.  Be aware that individuals who attempt to circumvent local law risk criminal prosecution.  

Water Quality:  

• Tap water is not potable, even in major cities.  Bottled water and beverages are generally safe, although you should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested.  Be aware that ice for drinks may be made using tap water. 
• Expect frequent shortages in running water.  
• Gastrointestinal illnesses such as severe diarrhea are common throughout the country.

Adventure Travel  

• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Adventure Travel . 

General Health

The following diseases are prevalent:

• Chikungunya
• Chagas Disease (Trypanosomiasis)
• Measles (Rubeloa)
• Leishmaniasis
• Schistosomiasis (Bilharzia)
• Travelers’ Diarrhea
• Use the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended mosquito repellents and sleep under insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets.  Chemoprophylaxis is recommended for all travelers even for short stays.  
• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about Resources for Travelers regarding specific issues in Venezuela.

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:

• Avoid driving in Venezuela.  If you do drive, drive defensively, as most drivers do not obey rules.
• Do not drive at night outside major cities.  Police and national guard checkpoints are mandatory, and criminals often set up fake checkpoints during nighttime to rob or kidnap victims.
• Road damage is not clearly marked.
• Traffic jams are common within Caracas during most of the day and are frequently exploited by criminals.  Armed motorcycle gangs operate in traffic jams.  Comply with demands as victims may be killed for not complying.
• Do not use buses due to high levels of criminal activity.
• Venezuela is experiencing severe shortages in gasoline, and you should plan accordingly.

Traffic Laws:

• Child car seats and seatbelts are not required and are seldom available in rental cars and taxis.
• Some Caracas municipalities have outlawed the use of handheld cell phones while driving.
• Stops at National Guard and local police checkpoints are mandatory.  Follow all National Guard instructions and be prepared to show vehicle and insurance papers and passports.  Vehicles may be searched.

Public Transportation:  Subways, buses, trains, and other means of public transport in Venezuela do not have the same safety standards as in the United States. 

 See our Road Safety page for more information.  

Aviation Safety Oversight:   The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed that Venezuela’s Civil Aviation Authority is not in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Venezuela’s air carrier operations.  Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

The U.S. Department of Transportation issued an  order  suspending all nonstop flights between the United States and Venezuela. The Department of Homeland Security concluded that conditions in Venezuela threaten the safety and security of passengers, aircraft, and crew traveling to or from that country.

Due to risks to civil aviation operating within or in the vicinity of Venezuela, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) and/or a Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR). For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions, and Notices . Emergency medical evacuation flights between the United States and Venezuela may not be possible.

Maritime Travel: 

Mariners planning travel to Venezuela should check for U.S. maritime  advisories  and  alerts .  Information may also be posted to the  U.S. Coast Guard homeport  website, and the NGA broadcast warnings website .

Incidents of piracy off the coast of Venezuela remain a concern.  Yachters should note that anchoring offshore is not considered safe.  Marinas, including those in Puerto la Cruz and Margarita Island (Porlamar), provide only minimal security, and you should exercise a heightened level of caution in Venezuelan waters.

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Venezuela . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

Venezuela travel advice

Latest updates: The Health section was updated - travel health information (Public Health Agency of Canada)

Last updated: May 6, 2024 10:24 ET

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Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, venezuela - avoid all travel.

Avoid all travel to Venezuela due to the significant level of violent crime, the unstable political and economic situations and the decline in basic living conditions, including shortages of medication, gasoline and water.

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Guayana Esequiba region

The security environment is volatile at the border between Venezuela and Guyana due to the ongoing dispute over the Guayana Esequiba region.

If you are in Venezuela, avoid discussing the dispute of the Guayana Esequiba region.

If you choose to travel near the border with Guyana:

• exercise caution at all times
• monitor local media to stay informed on the evolving situation
• follow instructions from local authorities and security forces

The security situation in Venezuela remains unstable and could deteriorate with very little warning.

International borders

Flights to and from Aruba are suspended until further notice.

Direct flights to and from the U.S. are also suspended.

Armed criminal groups frequently operate on both sides of the border with Colombia, conducting illegal activities such as:

• drug trafficking
• black market sales

There is a high military presence in a number of municipalities located along the border.  Nevertheless, general lawlessness, particularly in the area within 20 km of the border with Colombia, increases the risk of extortion and kidnapping in this region.

Smuggling, drug trafficking and illegal mining also occur along the borders with Brazil and Guyana which pose a greater security risk in this region.

Stay informed of the security situation, as well as which border crossings are open, and their hours of opening.

At the airport

Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía (Caracas) is dangerous. Incidents of violent crime occur frequently, both inside the facilities and in the surrounding areas.

Kidnappers and armed robbers have targeted foreigners, who are assumed to be holding large amounts of foreign currency. Criminals often approach tourists at the airport and offer to exchange money. They may also pose as taxi drivers.

• Arrange your travel so that you arrive and depart the airport during daylight hours
• Have a friend, family member or a trusted transportation service waiting to pick you up upon arrival
• Don’t take a taxi from this airport

Violent crime

Venezuela has one of the world’s highest homicide rates.

Violent crimes are pervasive throughout the country but particularly frequent in the capital city of Caracas. Crimes include:

• armed robbery
• home invasion
• kidnapping for ransom

Violence against locals and visitors alike can occur in both urban and rural areas, including in those popular with tourists.

Organized criminal groups and gangs are rampant. Many criminals carry firearms, and victims are often injured or killed for failing to cooperate.

• If you are threatened, stay calm and don’t resist
• Don’t walk through city streets at night, and avoid walking alone in less busy or isolated areas during the day
• Don’t visit “barrios” (heavily populated slums), especially in eastern and western areas of Caracas but also in any part of the country. Barrios are extremely unsafe

Petty crime

Street crime is common, particularly in major cities, and often results in violence. Pickpockets are active in crowded buses and subway stations.

Criminals often target pedestrians and motorists, sometimes from motorcycles.

Authorities (e.g. police, airport, immigration) have harassed and extorted money from travellers. If you experience such problems, report the incident to the Canadian embassy to Colombia, in Bogotá.

Police response times are poor or non-existent in most parts of the country, and most reported crimes don’t result in prosecution.

• Ensure that your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times
• Don’t show signs of affluence or display valuables, particularly jewellery and electronics, including cell phones
• Avoid carrying large sums of cash and keep foreign currency out of sight
• Maintain a low profile and remain aware of your surroundings at all times

Express kidnappings are frequent and can occur anywhere in the country. Victims are usually kidnapped from the street and forced to take the criminals to their houses to give foreign currency, electronics or other valuables.

• Be careful when dealing with recent acquaintances, especially when they offer rides
• Be discrete when handling money in public

Credit card and ATM fraud may occur.

Be cautious when using debit or credit cards:

• pay careful attention when your cards are being handled by others
• use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business
• avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature
• cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN
• check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements

Spiked food and drinks

Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances. These items may contain drugs that could put you at risk of sexual assault and robbery.

There are shortages of medicine and medical supplies. This has led to difficulties in the health care sector.

Basic food and personal care products are available but very costly. You will need U.S. currency to purchase them.

Service disruptions

Power outages and rationing of electricity is common in many parts of the country, including in Caracas. Outages lasting several days may occur suddenly. Other services are often disrupted during such events, including: 

• medical services
• public water supply
• communications, mainly cellular telephone and Internet
• purchasing goods
• transportation, including flights

Rioting, fighting and theft occur during power outages.

Water rationing is common in most parts of the country, even during the rainy season, due to water shortages in municipalities.

Fuel may also be scarce outside of cities, particularly in the border areas with Colombia, Brazil and Guyana.

Ensure that your emergency kit is complete.

Emergency kit

Demonstrations and social unrest

Large-scale and violent demonstrations frequently occur in Caracas and many other areas across the country. They have resulted in many arrests, including of foreign reporters, injuries and deaths in the past.

Demonstrations can take many forms, including:

• large-scale gatherings
• national strikes
• roadblocks, including on major highways

Demonstrations can lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Don’t attempt to cross road blockades, even if they appear unattended
• Don’t participate in political discussions or activities in public, or appear to take sides on any local issue related to the current political situation
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Communications

Telecommunication infrastructure is in a state of disrepair. Interruptions are frequent. It is very difficult to make international calls.

Some areas don’t have cellular coverage. Check local providers’ coverage.

Road travel

Road conditions and road safety are poor throughout the country.

Road conditions

Unmarked road damage or construction poses a hazard. Street lighting is often inadequate.

After heavy rains, sewer grates may have been displaced and potholes may be hidden in puddles.

Outside of cities, gas stations and restaurants can be few and far between, and gas pumps are often empty.

Road safety

Drivers do not respect traffic laws. They are extremely aggressive and reckless. Drinking and driving is prevalent.

Incidents of crime along intercity roads are common. Armed bandits set up illegal roadblocks and rob vehicles, including intercity buses.

Crime increases at nightfall.

There have been incidents of motorists being robbed after stopping to assess the damage to their vehicle from improvised spikes on the road or stone throwing from highway overpasses and bridges near poorer neighbourhoods.

• Keep your valuables out of plain sight
• Remain vigilant when driving, especially when stopped
• Always drive with the doors locked and windows closed
• Avoid driving after dark

Public transportation

Public transportation has declined in number and quality due to the shortage of parts and reduced capacity for maintenance and repair of vehicles.

There is a risk of theft in the subway, and some subway stations are unsafe.

• Only take the subway during daylight hours, and avoid peak hours
• Seek advice from locals before using this means of transportation

There is a high risk of theft on both inner city and intercity buses, especially at night.

Licensed taxis are safer than unlicensed taxis. Mototaxis are not recommended as drivers can be reckless.

• Pre-book a licensed, radio-dispatched taxi
• Avoid hailing a taxi in the street
• Advise a friend of your movements, the taxi company’s name and the taxi number

Pirate attacks and armed robbery against ships occur in coastal waters. Mariners should take appropriate precautions.

Live piracy report  - International Maritime Bureau

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Travelling within or out of the country on short notice can be difficult. International and domestic commercial flights are limited. Some international airlines have reduced the number of flights arriving to and departing from Venezuela or have suspended services altogether.

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Venezuelan authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Venezuela.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: required Business visa: required Work visa: required Student visa: required

Other entry requirements

Customs officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket and proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay. 

Ensure that you receive an entrance stamp in your passport from Venezuela’s immigration office at the port of entry.

Dual citizenship

Canadian citizens who also hold Venezuelan citizenship must enter and exit Venezuela using a Venezuelan passport.

Children born outside Venezuela to Venezuelan parents are assumed to be Venezuelan citizens and must also enter and exit the country using a Venezuelan passport.

Although immigration authorities have allowed dual citizens to enter without a Venezuelan passport, they have later prevented them from leaving the country.

Venezuelan documents

It is very difficult to obtain a new Venezuelan passport or to extend an expired passport. As a result, you may not be able to obtain a passport in Venezuela for your Canadian-born child.

If you are a dual citizen and planning to travel to Venezuela, make sure your Venezuelan passport is valid beyond the duration of your trip. If you need to renew your passport or obtain a new one for your Canadian-born child, contact the nearest Venezuelan embassy or consulate to make arrangements.

If you enter Venezuela with an expired Venezuelan passport, authorities may not stamp your travel documents upon entry. This may lead to difficulties when exiting the country.

Servicio Administrativo de Identificación, Migración y Extranjería (SAIME)   - Venezuelan Migration Department (in Spanish)

Children and travel

Children born outside Venezuela to Venezuelan parents are assumed to be Venezuelan citizens and must enter and exit the country using a Venezuelan passport.

• Travelling with children

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• Zika virus: Advice for travellers - 31 August, 2023
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Yellow fever   is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is a risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*    

• Proof of vaccination is required if arriving from   Brazil,   including travellers having transited for more than 12 hours through an airport in Brazil.

Recommendation          

• Vaccination is recommended depending on your itinerary.
• Contact a designated   Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre   well in advance of your trip to arrange for vaccination.
• Discuss travel plans, activities, and destinations with a health care professional.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada * It is important to note that   country entry requirements   may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest   diplomatic or consular office   of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

Malaria  is a serious and sometimes fatal disease that is caused by parasites spread through the bites of mosquitoes.   There is a risk of malaria in certain areas and/or during a certain time of year in this destination. 

Antimalarial medication may be recommended depending on your itinerary and the time of year you are travelling. Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic before travelling to discuss your options. It is recommended to do this 6 weeks before travel, however, it is still a good idea any time before leaving.    Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times:  • Cover your skin and use an approved insect repellent on uncovered skin.  • Exclude mosquitoes from your living area with screening and/or closed, well-sealed doors and windows. • Use insecticide-treated bed nets if mosquitoes cannot be excluded from your living area.  • Wear permethrin-treated clothing.    If you develop symptoms similar to malaria when you are travelling or up to a year after you return home, see a health care professional immediately. Tell them where you have been travelling or living. 

In this destination, rabies is commonly carried by dogs and some wildlife, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. While travelling, take precautions , including keeping your distance from animals (including free-roaming dogs), and closely supervising children.

If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. In this destination, rabies treatment may be limited or may not be available, therefore you may need to return to Canada for treatment.  

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who are at high risk of exposure (e.g., occupational risk such as veterinarians and wildlife workers, children, adventure travellers and spelunkers, and others in close contact with animals). 

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Typhoid   is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.  

There is a risk of schistosomiasis in this destination. Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by tiny worms (blood flukes) which can be found in freshwater (lakes, rivers, ponds, and wetlands). The worms can break the skin, and their eggs can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, or urinary problems. Schistosomiasis mostly affects underdeveloped and r ural communities, particularly agricultural and fishing communities.

Most travellers are at low risk. Travellers should avoid contact with untreated freshwater such as lakes, rivers, and ponds (e.g., swimming, bathing, wading, ingesting). There is no vaccine or medication available to prevent infection.

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

There is a risk of chikungunya in this country.  The risk may vary between regions of a country.  Chikungunya is a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Chikungunya can cause a viral disease that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times. There is no vaccine available for chikungunya.

• In this country,   dengue  is a risk to travellers. It is a viral disease spread to humans by mosquito bites.
• Dengue can cause flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to severe dengue, which can be fatal.
• The level of risk of dengue changes seasonally, and varies from year to year. The level of risk also varies between regions in a country and can depend on the elevation in the region.
• Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites . There is no vaccine or medication that protects against dengue.

Zika virus is a risk in this country. 

Zika virus is primarily spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. It can also be sexually transmitted. Zika virus can cause serious birth defects.

During your trip:

• Prevent mosquito bites at all times.
• Use condoms correctly or avoid sexual contact, particularly if you are pregnant.

If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, you should discuss the potential risks of travelling to this destination with your health care provider. You may choose to avoid or postpone travel. 

For more information, see Zika virus: Pregnant or planning a pregnancy.

American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease)   is a risk in this country. It is caused by a parasite spread by infected triatomine bugs. The infection can be inactive for decades, but humans can eventually develop complications causing disability and even death.

Risk is generally low for most travellers. Protect yourself from triatomine bugs, which are active at night, by using mosquito nets if staying in poorly-constructed housing. There is no vaccine available for Chagas disease.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Medical services and facilities

Good health care is limited in availability. Public health care has deteriorated, which has placed increased pressure on private facilities which are now low on supplies and extremely costly.

Payment is required in advance of treatment.

Emergency and ambulance services are very limited and response times are slow, especially in rural areas.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

There is a severe shortage of pharmaceutical drugs throughout the country.

Some medicines are no longer available in hospitals. Most hospital pharmacies and drugstores no longer stock basic medicine or supplies.

• Bring all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you may need with you
• Pack an extra supply in case you are away for longer than expected

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect immediate detention and lengthy jail terms.

All departing visitors are thoroughly screened for drugs by the Bolivarian National Guard. Pack your luggage yourself and keep it with you at all times. Don’t carry anything through customs for anyone else.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Identification

You must carry your passport at all times.

Photography

Photography of sensitive installations, including the presidential palace, military sites, government buildings and airports, is prohibited.

Importations

You must declare imports worth more than US$1,000 to customs officials and pay appropriate taxes.

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Venezuela.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Venezuela, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements .

Travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Venezuela.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Venezuela, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Venezuelan court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Venezuela to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• The Hague Convention - Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

Stopping at Bolivarian National Guard of Venezuela and police checkpoints is mandatory. There are many control points throughout the country. Follow all instructions and have vehicle and insurance papers and passports readily available.

Vehicles may be searched. It is not uncommon for authorities to seek bribes.

In the case of an accident, don’t move your vehicle until a traffic police officer fills out a report. Police response times are often slow.

You should carry an international driving permit.

International Driving Permit

The currency in Venezuela is the Venezuelan bolivar (Bs or VEF). It can be difficult to obtain local currency.

US dollars are widely accepted.

Carry small bank notes to facilitate daily transactions.

You must change money at the official government rate.

Banks often restrict transactions to their clients only. Official exchange houses are scarce outside of major cities and the law prohibits the sale and purchase of any foreign currency outside of authorized institutions. You are subject to a fine if you are caught exchanging foreign currency outside of authorized institutions. Very few exchange houses or banks will exchange bolívars outside Venezuela.

You cannot rely on wire transfers as a source of emergency funds.

Cash withdrawals from foreign bank accounts at ATMs are not possible. Malfunctions and insufficient cash are recurring problems. Many ATMs don’t accept international credit cards or ask for additional codes to confirm identity.

• Change your money in the official exchange offices only
• Don’t use the black market
• Only U.S. dollars can be exchanged

Identification is required for a credit card transaction.

If you are entering or leaving Venezuela with more than US$10,000, you are required to declare it to the authorities.

Rainy season

The rainy season extends from May to December. Heavy rains, flooding and landslides can occur during this period.

In the event of heavy rains, coastal roads and highways may not be fully operational and some utilities, especially water services, may be disrupted.

Earthquakes

Venezuela’s coastal range, which includes Caracas, is located in an active seismic zone. It is prone to earthquakes and landslides.

Local services

Dial 911 for emergency assistance.

Consular assistance

The Embassy of Canada to Venezuela, in Caracas, has temporarily suspended its operations. You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information from the Embassy of Canada to Colombia, in Bogotá.

Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Venezuela

Making international phone calls from Venezuela may be challenging. For emergency consular assistance, send an email to [email protected] to request a phone call. A consular officer will call you back without delay. Ensure that you provide a phone number where we can reach you.

From elsewhere, call the Embassy of Canada to Colombia, in Bogotá, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

Venezuela Travel Guide

Your ultimate venezuela travel guide, with tips, and things to see and things to do in venezuela. great for first-time and returning travelers..

Rich with culture, history, and friendly locals, Venezuela is a chance to see something different.

Located on the northern coast of South America, it is filled with many white-sand beaches, blue waters, and natural wonders, making it a great getaway.

Fans of the outdoors will love Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world, or Pico Bolívar, the highest mountain in Venezuela.

As English is not spoken here as much, it presents a great opportunity to immerse yourself in a new language.

This Venezuela travel guide will help you plan your next vacation. 

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5 Unexpected Reasons to Visit Venezuela

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Table of contents

Table of Contents

Fast Facts about Venezuela

• Power voltage is 120V at 60 Hz.
• Venezuela’s currency is the Venezuelan Bolívar and 1 Bolívar is equal to 0.100125 USD.
• The best way to get around Venezuela is by taxi or bus.
• You will need to get a Venezuelan Tourist Visa prior to visiting, as well as a US passport valid for at least 6 months after your stay.
• Crime can and does happen here, so keep valuables close to you and avoid being out at night.
• Popular network providers in Venezuela include Digitel, Movilnet, and Movistar Mobile. Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased through any of these networks. Note that your phone needs to be unlocked in order to use a SIM card, meaning you will probably have to contact your current mobile provider to change your settings to unlocked.
• Venezuela has a sales tax rate of 16%.

Things to See and Do in Venezuela

• Canaima National Park:  Fans of natural wonders will love the Canaima National Park. Declared a World Heritage Site, this park is the sixth-biggest national park in the world and is full of beautiful landscapes, diverse fauna, table-top mountains, and cliffs. Points of interest include Angel Falls (the highest waterfall in the world) and Mount Roraima (the highest of the table-top mountains). This park also has camping spots.
• Parque El Agua:  Come see Venezuela’s first waterpark. Whether you want to relax in the lazy river or venture through numerous waterslides (including the 18-meters high Churun Meru), this is sure to be a fun day for the whole family.
• Morrocoy National Park:  Set on the Caribbean coast of Venezuela, this island is perfect for those looking for a getaway. Relax on white-sand beaches, explore numerous cays (including the very popular Cayo Sombrero), look for dolphins, whales and green sea turtles, and stroll through the nearby towns.
• National Pantheon of Venezuela:  Come learn more about Venezuela’s history at this landmark in Caracas. Created in 1870, this mausoleum is now a final resting place for many of the heroes of South America, and also contains historical works of art, including a four-thousand-piece crystal chandelier.
• Teleférico de Caracas:  Take a cable lift and enjoy beautiful aerial views of Caracas while you ride to the El Ávila Mountain. Once on top, explore the El Ávila National park, grab a bite to eat, or go to the skating rink.

Venezuela Travel Guides

• 32 of The Tallest Mountains in the World by Continent
• All You Need to know about the Top 10 Best Hikes in South America

Accommodation

Budget:  You can find some cheaper hotels at around 200 to 400 Bolívars per night. These hotels come with private rooms, Wi-Fi, and sometimes the hotel’s restaurant and bar. 

Mid-Range:  For mid-range hotels, expect to pay between 500 to 800 Bolívars per night and enjoy private rooms and suites, an outdoor pool, fitness centers, and one (or more) restaurants inside the hotel. 

High-End:  Upscale hotels can go from 1,000 to 2,500 Bolívars per night. Amenities include outdoor pools, saunas, massage and salon services, airport transportation, a gift shop, and banquet rooms.

Check out our favorite booking platforms Booking.com , Tripadvisor and VRBO for the best deals on accommodation.

The Best Ways to Get Around Venezuela

Getting to venezuela:.

Getting to Venezuela:  The Simón Bolívar International Airport is the main airport for getting to Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, and is just 13 miles from the city center. The La Chinita International Airport is an alternative airport located in Maracaibo (northwest Venezuela), and is just over 9 miles from the downtown area.

Flights:   You can check for the best flights to Venezuela on   Skyscanner .

Transportation:

Train:  The train system for passengers is nonexistent.

Bus:  Buses are a cheap way to get around Venezuela and can be found in all major cities and towns. You can find buses for short trips with very cheap fares, as well as buses for long-distance trips that come with their own air-conditioning. You can also look for por puestos, which are essentially a ride share service that operates like a bus. Caracas also has its own metro system that runs frequently, with a typical fare costing less than 5 Bolívars.

Taxis:  Taxis are another good way to get around and come with cheap fares compared to other countries. As they do not operate on a meter, it is a good idea to ask around about typical fares so you can negotiate the price with the driver. You can take a taxi for an individual trip or, if you know where you will be traveling, you can contact a travel agency and arrange private taxi transfers between cities.

Rent a car:  To rent a car in Venezuela, you need to be at least 21 years old and have a U.S. driver’s license. Prices start at around 400 to 600 Bolívars a day.

You can also compare  prices here

When to go To Venezuela

• Venezuela, with its tropical climate, has two seasons: wet and dry. The wet season is between May and October and is considered the best time to see Angel Falls due to the increase in rainfall. March through May are the warmest months in Caracas. For those who want to pursue outdoor activities like hiking, November is a good month to visit due to the warmer temperatures and the start of the dry season. If you’re going to Los Llanos, October may give you the best chance to see wildlife.

Where to Stay in Venezuela

Hotel Waldorf:  Stay in this beautiful 3.5-star hotel in Caracas. Its prime location makes it a quick trip to the local movie theaters and beauty shops, as well as the Government Palace. Afterwards, relax in an air-conditioned room or suite, head to the fitness center, lounge in the swimming pool and terrace area, or dine at the sky bar and restaurant.

InterContinental Maracaibo:  Featuring beautiful views of the Maracaibo Lake, this four-star hotel is just minutes away from the Vereda del Lago park and the Aguamania waterpark, and just a thirty-minute drive to the La Chinita Airport. InterContinental’s amenities include complimentary breakfast, an Italian restaurant with 2 bars, and an outdoor pool and hot tub. Languages spoken at this hotel include English.

Lidotel Hotel Boutique Barquisimeto:  Come stay at this four-star hotel in Barquisimeto. Featuring a grand piano in the lobby and beautiful artwork in the rooms, this stylish hotel also includes a fitness center and outdoor pool, complimentary breakfast, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs in each room, and the hotel’s own restaurant. The Lidotel also includes a private and secure walkway to the nearby shopping mall with many stores. 

What to Pack for Venezuela

• Sunscreen:  Protect your skin from the beautiful sun with some sunscreen.
• Spanish Phrasebook:  As many people do not speak English, bringing a phrasebook to help with translations will help you out.
• Swimsuit:  With so many beaches and waters to explore, make sure to bring a swimsuit with you.

See our packing tips:  packing tips

Venezuela Travel Guide: Best Booking Resources

Whenever we travel to we make sure to start with these companies. We have tried a lot of different ones over the years and all of these have consistently proven to be the best when it comes to offering great prices.

We have used every one of these personally and continue to do so.

• Booking.com : This is our go site to when comparing prices for accommodation. It usually has the cheapest prices, especially in Europe and we love their interface. Not to mention you get free cancellation and you are guaranteed the best price.
• Trip Advisor :  What we like about Trip Advisor is that we can look at all the reviews and then book our accommodation. TripAdvisor is where we go when we want to compare prices with multiple accommodation providers.
• VRBO : is the main search engine we use when we are looking for a home or apartment rental. It can sometimes be cheaper than hotels and it is the best way to stay in areas that offer a more local feel.
• Hostelworld :  With one of the largest databases of hostels in the world, Hostelworld is the go-to site when you are looking for budget accommodation.
• Skyscanner : This is the first place we check for flights. It consistently comes back with the cheapest and best options. It allows us to compare a lot of airlines to get the best price.
• Rome 2 Rio :  If you want to see how to get somewhere by plane, train, bus, ferry or car Rome2Rio lays it all out for you as well as related costs.I love how they show it all to you on a Google Map and it works offline.
• Get Your Guide:  For all your day trip and city guide needs, we use Get Your Guide. It has the world’s largest collection of things to do with more than 30,000 activities in 7500 destinations.
• World Nomads Insurance:  When traveling to Italy you should always have travel insurance. We have found the best bang for your buck is by far World Nomads.

Venezuela Travel Guide: Related Articles

Venezuelan Food: 17 Dishes to try in Venezuela or at Home

Matador Original Series

Dear Travelers to Venezuela: Please Don’t Come Visit Until You’ve Understood These 7 Things

1. venezuela is a cheap destination for foreigners at the moment… as long as they are willing to negotiate in the parallel currency market..

In Venezuela, there’s an (unfortunate) exchange control that prevents the free flow of foreign currency. This creates an official exchange rate and a “parallel” one, that we called black dollar ( dólar negro ). A dollar-holder traveler can benefit from it: with a handful of dollars, you can get many Venezuelan bolivars, making the country particularly cheap. Though this parallel market is not legal, anywhere in the country you’ll meet people willing to do the exchange. For instance, a meal in a very good restaurant could cost 7.000 bolivares and it represents just USD$7 with the current parallel exchange rate. It’s an extremely expensive meal for a Venezuelan, considering the minimum salary is only 15.000 bolivars monthly. Similarly, spending 6D/5N exploring the Roraima (a must in the country) has an approximate cost of 200,000 bolivares (only USD$ 200 at the black market). Beware that some tour operators require the payment directly in dollars to foreign tourists to go to more remote areas like Canaima and Los Roques.

2. You can’t just improvise.

Venezuela is not the type of country where you can land without knowing where you’ll spend the night. Due to safety reasons, you can’t just wander around the cities with your backpack, looking for accommodation. You should book your hotels — at least — three days in advance. Secondly, you can’t visit the main natural landscapes on your own: you need to hire a tour operator, not only to guide you but to ensure your safety as well.

Thirdly, and going back to the exchange issue, it requires being thoughtful too. Regarding the currency of online reservations, you will have to pay a small fee at the official exchange rate. Once in Venezuela, you can then cancel the rest of the payment with bolivares that you obtain at a much convenient rate. In addition, travelers should travel with cash and change it in Venezuela… if they use their credit cards to withdraw money from ATMs, they’ll get the official rate. To make the process easier, visitors can ask tour operators for help in exchanging money and negotiating a good price.

Another aspect that needs planning is arrivals to and departures from the country. Though it’s a mistake to believe that “if you enter Venezuela, you can’t leave the country,” it is true that air tickets aren’t cheap, so you need to plan in advance. If you are traveling by land, the only option is to get in and out through Brazil, because Colombia’s border is closed. You can also get in and out via a cruise ship (from the port of Guaira, 30 minutes away from Caracas), but this is not the best option for foreigners.

3. There’s so much more to Venezuela than Caracas and Angel Falls.

Venezuela’s landscapes are stunning and adventurer travelers are doomed to falling in love with them. We have it all, including but not limited to the highest waterfall in the world (Angel Falls) and a capital city that is known as the largest open-air museum.

When you think of Venezuela, you should think of the Gran Sabana with its millenary tepuyes , the greenness of the plains, the desert of Médanos de Coro National Park . Los Roques, Margarita Island, Morrocoy National Park and the coast of Paria have nothing to envy to Caribbean or Southeast Asian beaches. If you are a mountain person, don’t miss the cold peaks of Mérida, and if you are not afraid of storms, you should definitely see the Catatumbo Lightning, south of Lake Maracaibo. Venezuela is a natural paradise!

This doesn’t mean you have to avoid Caracas either, though you have to be cautious. It’s one of the most violent cities in the world in terms of murder rate, but so are Baltimore and St. Louis (USA), Acapulco (Mexico), and several cities in Colombia and Brazil that are totally worth a visit with adequate safety measures.

When you see the love the “ caraqueño ” feels for the city and when you visit those places that they adore, then your whole vision will change. You must be careful: it is best if a local ( a caraqueño ) shows you the jewels of Venezuela’s capital, like street art and sculptures.

4. Be patient: public transportation to reach those natural wonders is not easy, but it’s manageable.

There are very few private bus terminals in the country and almost none allows to buy tickets online. So if you are in remote places, you must stand in line from dawn to buy your ticket for the same day and be willing to wait a few hours. When you arrive at your breathtaking destination, you’ll know it was worth it.

You can also find private drivers on the terminal, with whom you have to pay a little more to go to another city. Overall prices are low, in part because the price of gasoline in Venezuela is the world’s cheapest (USD$ 0.03 per liter). These private drivers are like a taxi or sharing an Uber car, because you are going with other passengers. For instance, if the price of the bus ticket is USD$1, you need to pay USD$3-4 for a seat on the private car. You pay this in bolivares and there’s no fixed price: it depends on the day and your negotiating skills. Private drivers charge what they consider fair.

5. Shortages are a daily reality, and the way you can help alleviate the demand is by bringing some products for yourself with you.

The country is going through a difficult political and economic situation and sometimes it’s not easy to access food and personal-hygiene products. You will see long lines at supermarkets: those are locals waiting to purchase goods under government-regulated prices (they can do so once a week, as long as they bring the proper ID). You will also witness the “ bachaqueros ,” people who sell everything at unusually high prices.

Sad, but true, you can’t simply enjoy your shopping experience in Venezuela at the moment. Travelers can buy goods, as long as they are not under the regulated prices scheme. Many travelers come prepared with an alternative: they bring all hygiene products they need and some snacks of their choice for the excursions, for example. Hotels and guesthouses will be able to serve meals, drinks and all the basic stuff, even personal hygiene products.

Regarding bringing donations for Venezuelans, it’s a sensible topic. If you are coming to Venezuela, you may bring some small items you can then give as a gift to people you meet in your journeys. A visitor should come with an open mind to understand what happens in Venezuela, living their pity and judgements on the side.

6. Do go out at night or go camping… just take safety precautions.

In the big cities, there will be plenty of excuses to go out. Most likely, locals will invite you to join them for a drink and share with you their vision of the country. For safety, just take only the necessary stuff: some local cash and a photo ID like your driver’s license. Should you go back to the hotel early in the night? Yes, definitely. Good news is that in the smaller towns, the atmosphere is always much more peaceful and secure.

Regarding camping sites, there are many locations by the beach where you set up your tent, usually near villages or kiosks. It is recommended that you are not totally alone, but you CAN do it and it’s an economical way to travel in Venezuela.

7. You must be careful in public areas, especially with people on motorcycles, but do NOT think badly of the general population.

This is true in any new country you visit, and more so in Venezuela. To prevent thefts, you must avoid showing off your personal belongings: don’t wear expensive watches or rings, and don’t hang your camera around your neck. Locals and foreigners here have to redouble safety measures when walking down the streets in Venezuela due to thieves running around on motorcycles.

Now, please don’t be afraid of Venezuelans as a whole. The worse kind of advice you can receive is “please, don’t talk much with random Venezuelans you meet on the street, because they are going to notice you’re from another country and try to take advantage of you”. This is wrong because, firstly, we recognize foreign tourists from miles away. But mostly, it’s a mistake because the essence of traveling through Venezuela is meeting its people. You will be impressed by how much they are willing to help you out.

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• Backpacking Venezuela Travel Guide (2024)

By Joan Torres 8 Comments Last updated on May 16, 2024

Wanna travel to Venezuela with Against the Compass?

Join us on a 2-week adventure across Canaima National Park, Los Llanos, Mérida and the Caribbean coast.

January 8th to 21st, 2025

Arguably, Venezuela might be the best country for travel in the whole of South America.

Blessed with the longest coastline in the Caribbean, the tallest waterfall in the world and the least unexplored part of the Amazon, Venezuela is packed with wilderness highlights.

While you might be thinking that every country in the continent is filled with jaw-dropping attractions, what I truly enjoyed about traveling in Venezuela is that there is no other Spanish-speaking country in the continent which is also so raw and authentic.

Yet Venezuela doesn’t come without its own travel difficulties and obstacles, so in this guide, you will learn how to travel in Venezuela , including tips on safety, money, accommodation, getting around and much more.

In this Venezuela travel guide, you will find:

Table of Contents

• Venezuela Today
• Is it safe to travel?
• How to get visa
• Travel Insurance
• Money & Budget
• Best time to visit
• Top Experiences
• Independent Travel
• Transportation
• Accommodation
• Venezuelan People
• More Information

our recommended travel insurance for Venezuela

With its Backpacker plan, IATI Insurance is the best insurance for any kind of adventurous destination, like Venezuela.

📰 Venezuela today

Can you travel to Venezuela?

Similar to Iraq or Somalia , Venezuela has an incredibly bad reputation for being one of the most dangerous countries in the world.

Venezuela, nevertheless, has never experienced suicide bombings or war-related problems. What it did have was a problem with high rates of violent crime, inflamed by one of the worst and longest-lasting economic crises in the world.

Venezuela’s economy is fully dependent on oil and is managed by extremely corrupt leaders with absolutely zero incentives, all fueled by the impementation of extreme Communist laws and policies that saw the country experience 10,000% inflation and a shortage crisis that lasted nearly 10 years, until 2019, a crisis that brought hundreds of Venezuelans close to starvation because they couldn’t even find a bag of rice in the supermarket. 

Venezuelans have suffered what is not written, and listening to their stories should be an unmissable part of your trip , as much as visiting the Angel Falls.

Today, the situation isn’t great but with the stabilization of their currency and the significant improvement in security, local people are feeling more optimistic and enthusiastic about their futures.

In my opinion, there hasn’t been a better time to travel to Venezuela than now.

⚠️ Is it safe to travel to Venezuela?

Is Venezuela safe for tourists?

Several years ago, Venezuela was one of the most dangerous countries in the world – in my opinion far more dangerous than countries like Afghanistan , Yemen or even Mali .

Express kidnappings, muggings and road assaults were part of everyday life for Venezuelans.

On Monday mornings, the main topic of conversation between colleagues at pretty much any office or university was about who got robbed or kidnapped over the weekend.

Venezuela was so dangerous that even the Venezuelans’ habits shifted in cities, with streets clearing after 6 pm, since people preferred to celebrate and gather with friends in their own homes.

This terrible situation went on until around 2020.

Right now, traveling in Venezuela is safe, for the following reasons:

1. The Government took action against local mafias

Basically, by carrying out raids in specific shanty towns, targeting the organizations involved in kidnappings.

The police were very effective, but only because they went in and shot everyone indiscriminately, killing loads of innocent people at the same time.

2. Because of the crisis, kidnappings were no longer profitable business

Express kidnappings consisted of taking someone by force to make them empty their bank accounts, while threatening their and their family’s lives.

The problem however, is that Venezuela was suffering the worst of all inflations, so wealthy Venezuelans moved their fortunes to bank accounts in either Madrid or Miami, hence there was no way for them to transfers their funds, meaning the kidnapping business wasn’t very profitable any more.

Similarly, because of the crisis, ordinary Venezuelans weren’t carrying any money on them, mainly because the Venezuelan Bolívar was absolutely worthless, so mugging became increasingly difficult as well.

3. The thieves fled Venezuela to neighboring countries

Given the situation, many thieves decided to leave Venezuela, heading mainly to other Latin American countries such as Colombia, Ecuador or Perú.

Conclusion: Is Venezuela safe to visit?

Venezuela is safer to travel than it used to be, as all Venezuelans will tell you. But remember that still, this is rough and raw Latin America, so use your common sense: don’t display your valuables, don’t walk about alone after dark, etc.

Is Venezuela safe for Americans?

Yes, of course. Local people won’t judge you based on your nationality.

Also, it’s not like the USA has ever invaded and started a war in Venezuela, like they did in many Middle Eastern countries, so Americans can travel around Venezuela without fear.

🪪 How to get a visa for Venezuela

Most nationalities can get a free visa upon arrival, allowing you to travel in Venezuela for 90 days. This rule applies at both international airports and land borders.

Can Americans travel to Venezuela with a tourist visa?

Americans – and also Canadians – are the exception to the rule.

They can’t get a VOA, so instead must apply at the Venezuelan embassy in either Mexico City or Panama City.

The process can take up to 5 months (no kidding!) and the rules change all the time.

Fortunately, there is a pretty active Facebook group where travelers share their experiences in securing a tourist visa for Venezuela.

The group is called Venezuela Visa Support .

🚑 Travel insurance

Don’t travel to Venezuela without travel insurance. I recommend IATI Insurance because:

• One of the very few that covers travel in Venezuela.
• Different plans for all budgets.
• It covers senior citizens too.
• Readers of this blog can get a 5% exclusive discount

💰 Money & budget for backpacking in Venezuela

Money is a complicated matter when backpacking in Venezuela, there are so many particularities.

Here’s what you need to know.

The local currency is now in parity with the US dollar

In Venezuela, they use the Venezuelan Bolívar and approximately:

1 USD = 36 VES

I’m not an economist so I don’t know how this actually works, but after inflation of nearly 10,000% back in 2019, the Government of Venezuela managed to contain it by equalizing the Bolívar with the US dollar.

The Venezuelan economy is now completely dollarized

While the Bolívar is still in circulation, the US dollar is quickly becoming the main currency, and it can be used for any type of transactions.

At small local businesses, such as fruits & veg shops, or convenience stores, they’ll likely give you the price in Bolívares although you will always be allowed to pay in USD.

If something costs less than 1 USD, they will give your change in Bolívares.

Bring all your money in cash

You can’t really withdraw money from an ATM.

I mean, technically you can, but ATMs always give Bolívares and only up to a certain amount, which tends to be the equivalent of no more than 25 USD.

Therefore, do bring all your money in cash, and in US dollars.

Bring the smallest possible notes

This is the number one tip for traveling in Venezuela.

In Venezuela, nobody has change, but I am not talking about not having change of $100. I am talking about buying something worth $4 dollars, paying with a $5 note and not getting your dollar change because the guy from the shop doesn’t have any.

This didn’t happen just once, or twice, it was a constant nightmare that happened several times a day, every time I tried to buy something outside of Caracas.

There’s a shortage of cash in Venezuela. In Caracas you can pay by card virtually everywhere so this shouldn’t be much of a problem there, but outside of the capital it really is.

How are the locals dealing with it? Well, they don’t really use cash; instead they use Pago Móvil , a mobile app for instant payments that can only be used if you have a Venezuelan bank account.

I know it’s hard to bring $1 bills, but just try to bring the smallest possible notes.

You can’t get money out of ATMs but you might be able to pay by card

However, don’t rely on this.

For example, my Revolut Card didn’t work in Venezuela but my N26 did, even though both of them are Mastercard.

In Caracas, cards are accepted everywhere, but that might not be the case in other parts of the country. It’s just random, sometimes they do accept cards, sometimes they don’t.

How much does a trip to Venezuela cost?

Estimating the cost of traveling to Venezuela is difficult, since it really depends on where you go, and what activities you do.

On the one hand, there’s Caracas.

Caracas is super expensive. If you decide to stay in Chacao, which is the safest area in the entire city – pretty much the only place where you can walk around without any fear – then know that things will be ridiculously expensive, e.g. $100 for a basic hotel room, $15 for an average local meal and $60 for a meal in an international restaurant (nothing fancy).

Then there are the touristy places such as Los Roques, Canaima, Los Llanos, the Orinoco Delta and Roraima. These places are also super expensive, so you should budget around $150 a day depending on where you stay.

Check out our Canaima travel guide to find out how to reduce costs.

Mérida and Margarita are the only famous tourist havens that are pretty affordable, where you can find excellent accommodation for $30, and the food is cheap too.

Everywhere else is cheap. In Valencia for example, you can find decent accommodation for $20, and a good local meal for $4. Public transportation is also cheap, I don’t think I ever paid more than $10 for a long-distance bus.

⛅ Best time to visit Venezuela

Venezuela is a year-round destination, so the best time to visit will depend on what you want to do.

Traveling in Venezuela from July to October: the rainy season.

During the rainy season, all of the waterfalls in Canaima National Park will be at their fastest flowing, including Angel Falls , the tallest waterfall in the world and the country’s top tourist attraction.

It’s important to highlight that the rainy season in Venezuela isn’t one of those Asian monsoon seasons with hurricanes where it keeps pouring all day long. It’s more like heavy rain for a few hours a day.

This season, however, might not be ideal for visiting the coast and the islands of Margarita and Los Roques.

It will also be pretty cold in the mountains around Mérida and, while Los Llanos will be covered in lush green, it’s not the best season to spot anacondas and other animals.

Traveling in Venezuela from November to April: the dry season

The dry season comes with its pros and cons as well.

For Canaima, be aware that the later you go, the less water you’ll find, so I don’t personally recommend going there in March or April.

On the other hand, the dry season is an excellent time to visit the islands, as well as for doing a safari in Los Llanos, including spotting giant anteaters and 5-meter anacondas.

Check our travel guide to Los Llanos for more information.

Venezuela travel tip: avoid local Bank Holidays In Venezuela, there are very few foreign travelers but domestic tourism is pretty big, especially during certain annual festivities. You may want to avoid traveling to Los Llanos, Canaima, Margarita or Los Roques during the following dates: Carnavales (February or March, depending on the year) Easter (March or April, depending on the year) Christmas Holidays July 5th and 24th

🛖 Top Experiences in Venezuela

Go on an anaconda safari.

Along with the Amazon, Los Llanos boatds with one of the largest populations of giant anacondas, and safaris to spot them can be easily arranged.

Check our travel guide to Los Llanos .

Explore Caribbean towns

The coast of Venezuela has a very distinct, very Caribbean culture, with the added advantage that it hasn’t been spoiled by foreign tourism – Choroní or Chacao being great examples.

Visit the tallest waterfall in the world

Venezuela is home to the world’s highest uninterrupted waterfall (979 meters). This waterfall can be found in a stunning national park named Canaima, which is only accessible by flying in.

Check our travel guide to Canaima.

Venezuelan people

Venezuela has seen very few backpackers for the last 30 years, so expect to make friends everywhere – more than in any other Latin American country!

Backpacking in Mérida

Mérida is the best example of traditional Venezuela, old colonial villages built in the Andes that feel like stepping back in time.

🛫 Getting in: how to travel to Venezuela

How to fly to venezuela.

Maiquetía or Simón Bolívar International Airport is the main airport hub in Caracas.

To be honest, it’s a fairly small airport with few connections.

If coming from Europe, Madrid is by far the best hub. Check Iberia or Air Europa.

You can also fly from Lisbon (TAP Portugal) and Istanbul (Turkish Airlines).

There are direct flights from Moscow as well.

Alternatively, you can also fly from Colombia, Panamá or México.

How to travel to Venezuela over land borders

Venezuela shares a border with:

• Colombia: all borders are open and easy to cross
• Brazil: despite sharing a very long border, there’s only one proper border crossing at Paracaima, the rest being dense jungle.
• Guyana: there aren’t any roads connecting both countries, only jungle, hence there isn’t any official border crossing.

👨 Independent travel in Venezuela

I traveled around Venezuela for 25 days using public transportation.

Do you know how many backpackers I saw?

Zero, not a single one.

I did see foreign tourists in Canaima National Park , as well as a tour group in Los Llanos but not a single backpacker traveling independently around the country, not even in Mérida.

Venezuela is still perceived as a dangerous destination, few and far between are the travelers venturing here on their own, the reason being that it’s difficult to find any travel information about for it, e.g., there are barely any updated travel blogs on Venezuela.

🛺 Transportation: How to move around Venezuela

How to travel around venezuela by public transportation.

Transportation in Venezuela isn’t very different from other Latin American countries.

Each town will have its own bus terminal, from where you can catch a bus to other villages, towns and cities.

Wealthy Venezuelans will always tell you that traveling by bus is very dangerous and that you shouldn’t even think about doing it, but I found bus travel to be one of the most enriching experiences in Venezuela, especially on long distance journeys, where bus passengers tend to become friends.

It’s a great opportunity to get local insights from the segment of Venezuelans who have struggled the most, the people who can only afford to travel by bus. 

In big cities like Valencia or Caracas, some routes offer different types of buses, from comfortable AC coach buses to crumbling mini vans without windows.

Venezuela travel tip: If traveling with an AC bus, do always bring one extra layer cause they tend to put the AC at 8ºC

There are no general rules for taking buses, it just depends on the specific route, and which terminal it departs from. Sometimes there is a proper bus schedule, sometimes they depart only when full. You might also be lucky to ride on a neat air-conditioned coach, or you might get a crumbling mini van without windows.

Where are the bus stations in Caracas?

Caracas is obviously the main hub for bus travel around Venezuela, and these are the main 3 stations:

Terminal La Bandera : buses that travel West of Caracas, including Valencia, Maracaibo, Los Llanos, Mérida or Amazonas State.

Terminal Antonio José de Sucre : buses traveling east of Caracas – Oriente, like Venezuelans say – including Barcelona, Bolívar State or Santa Elena.

Terminal Privado Aeroexpresos Ejecutivos : fancy buses for the most common destinations in Venezuela, including Mérida or Santa Elena. Buses here are more expensive, run less often and need to be booked in advance but they sell the idea of extra comfort and security. As a backpacker, I prefer traveling from either of the other 2 stations.

Traveling around Venezuela by shared taxi

In small towns with small terminals, where buses don’t run that often, it’s easy to find shared taxis as well.

You have to ask for a carrito a plaza .

Traveling around Venezuela by plane

Venezuela is a big country, so travelers with little time to travel in Venezuela might opt to take a domestic flight.

The problem, however, is that flights can’t be booked online; you must purchase your flight tickets at the respective office in the airport. That or look for a local travel agency to do it for you, for an extra fee.

Additionally, other than Los Roques and Margarita, flights between destinations don’t run every day, so you really need to plan your itinerary in advance.

Common domestic airlines are Avior Airlines , Conviasa and Laser Airlines .

Traveling around Venezuela with a Vehicle for Hire app

Yummy Rides and Ridery are the local versions of Uber, available in most cities across Venezuela, but they can also be used for long distance transportation.

🏨 Accommodation: where to stay in Venezuela

Booking sites such as booking.com are not very useful in Venezuela, since they only offer a few expensive options in Caracas.

The best way to look for accommodation in Venezuela is on Google Maps.

Look for a hotel, call them and ask for price and availability.

Local guest houses are locally known as posadas . They are usually cheap, averaging 20 USD a night without breakfast.

Posadas can be found virtually everywhere in Venezuela.

In touristy places such as Los Llanos, Delta del Orinoco, Canaima or Los Roques, you won’t find local posadas, and instead you will generally stay in lodges – which tend to always offer full board, especially since they are located in remote areas with no restaurants around.

👫 Venezuelan people

I found people in Venezuela to be extremely friendly.

The experience is similar to Colombia, let’s say, but many Venezuelans have barely interacted with a foreigner before, creating an extra incentive for them to meet foreign tourists.

I was the first Spanish person to ever talk to many Venezuelans across the country, especially people in their 20s or 30s. They had only heard Castilian Spanish accents in movies, in La Casa de Papel (Money Heist), or on YouTube, so that was the perfect ice-breaker for any conversations.

One day, I was walking along the promenade of Choroní when I approached a group of Venezuelans having a good time, with a portable fridge packed with beers.

“Are you selling beer? ” I asked.

“No, but here’s one for you “, – he answered.

It was 8 pm and I ended up partying with them until 4 am.

Venezuelans love partying, drinking, loud music, dancing, having fun… and they will never hesitate to ask a stranger to join them.

Other than friendliness, Venezuelans are generally very conservative. Well, I wouldn’t say conservative but it is still a very traditional society. They’re very family-oriented and things like homosexuality, for example, are still taboo .

Don’t get me wrong; their opinion on homosexuality is different from the Middle East . You won’t go to jail and nobody is going to bother you, but a large number of people will think that it isn’t normal.

How many people have fled Venezuela?

Depending on which part of the world you’re living in, you may have noticed a massive influx of Venezuelans currently living abroad, who have fled their countries due to the economic crisis.

It’s quite noticeable in Spain, as well as in the USA, and other countries in Latin America.

People in their 20s, 30s and 40s are the one who left, and they have no intention to come back. This massive exodus of people is also noticeable in Caracas, where there isn’t much going on.

Spanish is the official language of Venezuela, and I strongly recommend learning at least some basics because very few Venezuelans can speak English, not even in Caracas, or within the tourism industry.

Even in Hato El Cedral in Los Llanos – where I met a group of people from Central Europe – they didn’t have any English-speaking guides, and they were only able to communicate with them because one guy in the group spoke fluent Spanish.

Other than Spanish, up to 40 different languages are spoken in Venezuela by the indigenous communities, according to the local census .

🍲 Cuisine: what are you going to eat during your trip to Venezuela?

The local food isn’t the reason you will be traveling to Venezuela, but it’s alright, cheap and the portions are huge.

Breakfast in Venezuela

Most Venezuelans will have breakfast at the bakery, where they eat different kinds of pastries, the most popular being cachito de jamón y queso, a yeasted bread filled with ham and cheese.

Surprisingly, many hotels and posadas don’t include breakfast, but a heavier breakfast would typically consist of cheese, eggs and arepa (corn bread)

National dish

Pabellón Criollo is the national dish in Venezuela, consisting of black beans, rice, meat and plantain, available in most local restaurants.

Other snacks

My favorite was cachapa , a slightly sweet Venezuelan pancake filled with cheese, but you can find it with many other fillings too.

Another popular snack is the stuffed arepa , available with all sorts of fillings as well, but usually cheese and meat.

Beer in Venezuela

The cheapest thing you can buy in Venezuela is beer, which rarely costs more than 1 USD for a 20cl bottle.

Venezuelans like to drink it ice-cold, so anywhere you go, cold beer is guaranteed.

They have quite a few brands but Polar is the one that can be found everywhere. In fact, outside of Caracas and tourist sites, it’s difficult to find any others.

Internet in Venezuela

Venezuela has probably the slowest internet in all Latin America, here’s what you need to know.

Most hotels and posadas have Wi-Fi, with an OK connection.

In Canaima, many lodges have a StarLink receiver, which is good enough for simple browsing.

Internet data

You can easily buy a SIM card packed with internet data.

However, bear in mind that many areas of Venezuela, including Canaima or certain parts of Los Llanos and Mérida have very little coverage, and even in Caracas it’s a little bit slow sometimes.

I bought a Digitel SIM at their official store in the Chacao area.

Can you get an eSIM for Venezuela?

Yes, now you can get an eSIM with Airalo , which offers different packages for Venezuela.

However, I recommend getting a local SIM card, since eSIMs only offer internet service, but you might want to be able to call a local number, as explained in the accommodation section of this post.

❗More travel information for Venezuela

📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.

All guides and articles for traveling in Venezuela destination

• How to visit Angel Falls
• How to visit Los Llanos

More travel guides from the Americas

• Haiti Travel Guide
• Haiti Itinerary

This is really useful – thanks for all the information. Could be a good time to plan my dream Mount Roraima ascent!

Haven’t been in that part of Venezuela, but it’s really in my plans!

Thank you for this priceless guide to Venezuela. It’s impossible to find any updated information -or any at all-. My only concern is about bringing all the money in cash (US dollars). I’m relieved that it’s much safer now and thieves have fled the country; however it’s a bit stressful carrying say $1,500 with you at all times.

Hi Diego, yes, I can understand all the inconvenience. I was actually carrying way more than that, since i was there for 25 days, not to mention laptop and camera gear!

Hi Joan, how would you rate the safety outside the big cities?

Much safer than in cities of course, but one must be careful anyways.

I’ve visited 8 of the 12 countries in SA and enjoyed them all – very much! I hope to visit Venezuela soon (and also Guyana, Surinam and French Guiana) – before I become old and decrepit. Thank you, Joan, for a write up that’s both educational and inspiring!

Thanks a lot, Ben 🙂

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Latest update

We continue to advise:

Do not travel to Venezuela due to the dangerous security situation, the risk of food, water, medicine and petrol shortages, and the threat of violent crime.

Venezuela (PDF 366.91 KB)

Americas (PDF 3.25 MB)

Local emergency contacts

Fire and rescue services, medical emergencies.

Call 911 or go to the nearest hospital.

Call 911 or visit the nearest police station.

Advice levels

Do not travel  to Venezuela.

Do not travel  to Venezuela due to the dangerous security situation, the risk of food, water, medicine and petrol shortages, and the threat of violent crime.

See  Safety

• Common violent crime includes murder, armed robbery, drive-by shootings, sexual assault and carjackings. Criminals are often armed. Avoid walking in isolated areas, especially at night. Terrorist groups and criminal gangs are active along Venezuela's borders with Colombia, Brazil and Guyana.
• Kidnapping is a serious threat. The risk is higher along airport routes and in border regions. Only use official taxis organised through your hotel. Avoid kidnapping hotspots.
• Venezuela's political situation is volatile. Demonstrations and protests can turn violent. If you're in an affected area, leave if it's safe to do so.
• Shortages of basic goods can result in long line-ups at stores. This can lead to fighting, looting and theft. Be ready to change travel plans. Keep extra supplies of food, water, medicines and other necessities.
• Severe weather, earthquakes, hurricanes, tropical storms, flooding and landslides can occur. The rainy season is from May to December. Monitor local media and the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System  for updates.

If you're in Venezuela, you should consider leaving by commercial means if it's safe to do so. If despite our advice you remain in Venezuela, stay alert, keep stocks of essential supplies and be ready to leave at short notice.

Full travel advice: Safety

• Serious outbreaks of insect-borne diseases, including yellow fever and malaria, can occur. Get vaccinated against yellow fever. Consider taking medicine to prevent malaria. Use insect repellent. Zika virus can occur. If you're pregnant, talk to your doctor about the risk of Zika virus.
• HIV/AIDS is common. Take steps to reduce your risk of exposure to the virus. Other infectious diseases include typhoid, hepatitis, tuberculosis, Venezuelan haemorrhagic fever, measles, mumps, rubella, bilharzia and rabies. Boil drinking water or drink bottled water. Don't swim in freshwater.
• Medical services, medical supplies, medicines and emergency services are limited. If you become seriously ill or injured, you'll need to be evacuated. Get appropriate travel insurance and make sure your insurance covers medical evacuation.

Full travel advice: Health

• Don't use or carry illegal drugs. Severe penalties for drug offences include long jail sentences. Carrying even a small amount of marijuana can result in jail time. Jails in Venezuela are dangerous and among the worst in the world.
• Drug trafficking in Venezuela is a big problem. Authorities screen travellers at the airport when they arrive and leave.
• It's illegal to photograph military sites and installations, sites of strategic importance and airports. Be careful when taking photos.

Full travel advice: Local laws

• If you decide to travel to Venezuela, despite our advice, you won't need a visa for tourist visits of less than 90 days. Most sea and air borders with Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao have re-opened, however, entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. You should contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Venezuela for the latest details.
• Carry your yellow fever vaccination certificate. You may need to show it for onward travel.
• In some cases, a child cannot enter or exit Venezuela without written permission from both parents. If you're travelling with a child, you may need a letter of consent for travel.
• Driving in Venezuela is dangerous. Police and National Guard checkpoints are common. Slow down at checkpoints or stop as directed. Ask for local advice about your route before you drive.

Full travel advice: Travel

Local contacts

• The  Consular Services Charter tells you what the Australian Government can and can't do to help when you're overseas.
• Our ability to provide consular services in Venezuela is extremely limited.
• Australia doesn't have an embassy or consulate in Venezuela. The Canadian Embassy is no longer providing consular assistance to Australians in Venezuela.
• Be aware consular services may be limited due to local measures. 
• For full consular assistance, contact the Australian Embassy in Colombia .

Full travel advice: Local contacts

Full advice

Violent crime.

There's a high level of violent crime in Venezuela. 

If, despite our advice, you travel to Venezuela:

• always pay close attention to your personal security
• monitor the media and other sources for new security risks

Actual crime rates may be higher than official figures indicate. 

Violent crime occurs throughout Venezuela. Incidents include:

• armed robbery
• drive-by shooting

Many criminals carry firearms. They may kill or injure you if you resist.

Police response times are poor. Most murders and major crimes go unsolved.

On roads, the threat of serious crime is high. Australian Government officials take extra security precautions when travelling by car in Venezuela.

Crimes you could come across include:

• mugging and kidnapping, sometimes by criminals posing as taxi drivers at Maiquetia Simon Bolivar Airport
• violent street crime and robbery near ATMs, money changers or damaged vehicles
• armed motorcycle gangs robbing passengers in vehicles stopped in heavy traffic
• 'express kidnappings', where criminals force you to withdraw funds from ATMs
• harassment and extortion by criminals posing as officials
• drink or food spiking, often followed by robbery and assault , including sexual assault
• widespread theft of credit card data.

Petty crime is also common. This includes:

• pickpocketing on public transport
• theft from hotel rooms, safe deposit boxes and rental cars

Crime hotspots

Crime rates are high in Caracas, including in:

• central Caracas
• Sabana Grande district
• Avila National Park
• the Maiquetia Simon Bolivar Airport area, and the road between the airport and Caracas
• 'barrios' or 'ranchitos' slum areas, especially after dark 

Crime is also high in:

• poorer areas, such as Cumana, Maracaibo, Paraguana and Valencia
• on the islands of Los Testigos
• Margarita Island (Isla de Margarita)
• tourist and resort areas

If you go to Venezuela despite our advice, arrive and leave Caracas during the day. Organise your transport before you arrive at the airport.

If possible, have a friend, family member or trusted transport service pick you up on arrival. Only use official taxis that you have booked through your hotel or from the official taxi rank outside the airport arrival hall. Be cautious of fake taxi drivers at the airport. Don't accept offers of transport in the arrivals hall, and do not board a taxi if there are other passengers already inside the car. Stay alert at the airport car park.

Criminal groups operate in the Maiquetia airport area. Members of these groups work inside the airport to spot passengers who appear to be wealthy and then inform carjackers and muggers waiting on the roads outside the airport. Avoid displaying expensive jewellery, electronic items or other valuables. Don't bring large amounts of cash to Venezuela.

Avoid travelling on the road between Caracas and Maiquetia airport after dark. There have been armed robberies on buses travelling to Maiquetia airport.

If you're coming to Venezuela to work, bring a letter from your employer and details of your local contact organisation (including a Spanish translation).

There have been occasions where passengers have been asked for bribes at the airport.

The National Guard carries out random drug and security checks at Maiquetia airport, particularly on departure. Departing passengers are sometimes asked to accompany an officer to a local hospital for an x-ray. Beware of people claiming to be security officials, if in doubt ask other airline or airport staff.

To stay safe when you're out and about:

• be alert to your surroundings and always pay attention to your safety and security
• carry only what you need — leave other valuables in a secure place
• keep vehicle doors locked, windows up and valuables out of sight, even when moving
• avoid walking or driving in secluded areas, especially at night
• exchange currency at official exchange booths only

If you're female, take extra care when dealing with strangers or people you've just met. Be especially wary about accepting rides or invitations.

Check the local situation before travelling to Canaima National Park and the Gran Sabana area of Bolívar State, as there may be protests and closures (sometimes for days) of Canaima airport and main roads.

Incapacitating drugs

Criminals may use drugs to subdue or incapacitate their victims. Robberies and assaults may occur after victims accept spiked drinks, food, cigarettes, chewing gum or paper handouts. 

Always check that your drink has been opened or prepared in front of you. Avoid leaving food or drinks unattended and don’t accept anything from strangers. 

Cyber security

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.

More information:

• Cyber security when travelling overseas

Kidnapping occurs across the world with political, ideological, and criminal motives. Foreigners, including Australians, have been kidnapped overseas whilst travelling. Kidnaps can happen anywhere, anytime, including in destinations that are typically at lower risk.  

Incidents of kidnapping in Venezuela have increased since 2020, partly due to the increased availability of foreign currency, which acts as an incentive for perpetrators to engage in the crime. Kidnapping gangs operate throughout the country, including near the border with Columbia. Criminal and Terrorist groups are active. Express kidnapping also occurs.

If, despite our advice, you travel to an area with a high risk of kidnapping, our ability to provide consular assistance in these destinations will be limited.  

To reduce the risk of kidnapping:  

• always be alert to your personal security and surroundings  
• get professional security advice for travel in locations with a heightened kidnap risk  
• check your accommodation has appropriate security measures  
• avoid isolated locations, particularly when travelling alone  
• notify family or friends of planned travel and share your location   
• avoid talking about your money or business affairs  
• use ATMs in public places and during daylight hours  
• avoid giving personal details to strangers online or over the phone  

The Australian Government's longstanding policy is that it doesn't make payments or concessions to kidnappers. Ransom payments to kidnappers have funded further terrorist attacks and criminal activity. Paying a ransom to terrorist groups will likely break Australian counter-terrorism financing laws.  

More information:   

• Kidnapping  

Civil unrest and political tension

Protests and demonstrations.

Demonstrations and other types of civil unrest are common, particularly in major urban centres, such as:

• San Cristóbal

The political situation is volatile and presidential elections planned for July 2024 have heightened tensions.

Disruptions to essential services can occur.

On-the-spot demonstrations and other ongoing unrest are a risk. Violent incidents, arbitrary arrest or detention, and military responses are possible.

Roads and highways are often blocked during demonstrations, disrupting public transport systems.

Days of national significance could motivate civil unrest. Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

National strikes can be called at short notice, often causing disruptions to:

• public transport
• banking services
• government services

The economic situation in Venezuela continues to be unstable. Shortages of basic food items and necessities, including water, electricity, petrol and medical supplies, are common. 

Power outages may impact communications, banking, and transportation, including airport operations and make international calls from Venezuela challenging.  

Shortages of basic items and long lines at grocery stores have previously led to:

• avoid all protests, political activity and large public gatherings
• leave affected areas as soon as it's safe
• monitor the media and other sources for news about possible unrest
• be particularly alert during days of national significance
• follow the instructions of local authorities
• keep spare supplies of food, medicines and other necessities
• keep enough bottled water supplies on hand. Tap water is not safe for drinking.

Border areas

Avoid border areas, as they can be dangerous due to the presence of terrorist groups. 

Most sea and air borders with Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao have re-opened. However, entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Monitor local media and contact your transport provider for updated information. 

In border areas, there are limits on the right to:

• free movement

Demonstrations and civil unrest

Terrorism is a threat in Venezuela.

Terrorist groups are particularly active in the region within 80km of Venezuela's border with Colombia. This region includes parts of:

Colombian armed groups, such as the ELN (Ejército de Liberación Nacional) and criminal gangs, are active along Venezuela's borders with:

Hostages, including foreigners, have died after being kidnapped in these areas.

The Venezuelan military conducts searches and arrests in border regions, but threats remain. Troop movements and border closures can occur at short notice.

If, despite our advice, you decide to visit an area where there's a threat of kidnapping:

• find out about  kidnapping before you travel
• seek professional security advice
• arrange effective personal security measures

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

Climate and natural disasters

Venezuela experiences natural disasters and severe weather , including:

• earthquakes

If a natural disaster occurs:

• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof place
• monitor local media and other sources, such as the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
• follow the advice of local authorities
• keep in touch with friends and family
• seek local advice before entering affected areas

Hurricanes and severe weather

The rainy season is from May to December, bringing:

Tropical storms and hurricanes can also occur in other months.

The direction and strength of hurricanes can change with little warning.

If there's a hurricane or severe storm:

• you may get stuck in the area
• flights could be delayed or suspended
• available flights may fill quickly
• sea ports may close
• proper shelter may not be available

If a hurricane is approaching:

• know your hotel's or cruise ship's evacuation plan
• identify your local shelter
• monitor alerts and advice from the US National Hurricane Center and Tropical Prediction Center

Travel insurance

Get comprehensive  travel insurance  before you leave.

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won’t pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you’ll be away

You're likely to need a specialised insurance policy for travel to a 'do not travel' destination. Some Australian insurance policies may not cover you for travel to 'do not travel' destination.

Physical and mental health

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare, or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your  nearest Australian Embassy or Consulate  to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips  (Healthdirect Australia)

Medications

Most pharmacies, including in hospitals, no longer stock basic medicine or supplies due to short supply.

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Venezuela with the nearest Venezuelan Embassy . Take enough legal medicine for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription and a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medication is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use

Health risks

Insect-borne diseases.

Rates of insect-borne and infectious diseases are increasing. Diseases not seen for many years are re-emerging.

Venezuela has  yellow fever . Yellow fever is a potentially fatal virus spread by mosquitoes. It's prevented by vaccination. Get vaccinated before you travel.

Malaria occurs year-round in some areas of Venezuela. The risk is highest in rural areas including:

• Bolívar, including the Angel Falls
• Delta Amacuro

Strains of malaria that are hard to treat have been reported.

Other insect-borne diseases in Venezuela include:

• Chagas disease
• leishmaniasis

Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.

Zika virus  is widespread.

To protect yourself from disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

Consider taking medicine to prevent malaria.

Get medical advice if you develop a fever, muscle pain, a rash or a bad headache.

• Infectious diseases
• Immunisation

HIV/AIDS is common. Take steps to reduce your risk of exposure to the virus.

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne, and other widespread infectious diseases include:

• tuberculosis
• Venezuelan haemorrhagic fever

To reduce your risk of illness:

• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
• avoid ice cubes
• avoid raw and undercooked food, such as salads
• don't swim in fresh water 
• avoid contact with dogs and other mammals

If you're bitten or scratched by an animal, get medical help straight away.

Visit a doctor if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

Medical care

Medical facilities.

The standard of public medical facilities in major cities is poor. It's even poorer in rural areas.

Basic medical supplies and medicines are hard to find.

Caracas and other major cities have good private hospitals and clinics. These hospitals are expensive and often require up-front cash payment. Bear in mind that they may also be affected by medication and power shortages.

Most healthcare providers don't speak English.

Emergency and ambulance services are very limited. Response times are slow, especially in rural areas.

Find hyperbaric chambers at:

• Unidad de Buceo PDVSA in Lagunillas Norte
• Hospital Naval Raul Perdomo in Catia La Mar
• Compania Oriente marine Group in Puerto La Cruz
• Venezuela Divers in Ciudad Ojeda

If you become seriously ill or injured, you'll need to be evacuated to Caracas. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.

If you need emergency medical assistance during your trip, dial 911 (free of charge) from a landline or mobile phone.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter . But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

You must carry photo ID in Venezuela. You can carry a copy of your passport and keep the original passport in a safe place. Local security forces may ask you to show a form of ID at any time, particularly at police checkpoints.

Penalties for drug offences are severe. They include long sentences in dangerous local jails that are among the worst in the world.

If you're found with even a small quantity of marijuana, you may face a prison term.

Drug trafficking in Venezuela is a serious problem. Advanced detection methods have been introduced to help identify drug traffickers.

You'll be screened for drugs when you arrive and depart. You may also be screened while waiting in the airport.

Carrying or using drugs

It's illegal to photograph:

• military buildings and surrounds
• sites of strategic importance, including the Presidential Palace and airports

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you’re overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

Staying within the law and respecting customs

Dual citizenship

Australian-Venezuelan dual nationals must enter and leave Venezuela on a Venezuelan passport. This applies to children born to Venezuelans abroad, as they are assumed to be Venezuelan by local authorities. Contact the nearest  Venezuelan embassy or consulate  for further information.

If you're a dual citizen, this limits the consular services we can give if you're arrested or detained.

Venezuela has national service obligations. You may have to comply if you're a male dual citizen aged 18 years or older.

Dual nationals

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering. 

Visa-free travel for short stays

If you decide to travel to Venezuela despite our advice, you won't need a visa for tourist visits of less than 90 days. However, you'll need:

• a passport valid for at least 6 months after you plan to depart the country
• proof of return or onward travel

You can be detained or deported if you don't comply with your visa conditions.

Ensure your visa status is up to date by contacting the Venezuelan migration department (Spanish) .

Entry and exit conditions can change. Contact the nearest Venezuelan embassy or consulate for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

Travel via the United States

If you're transiting via the USA, you must meet US entry and transit rules.

Check your visa requirements with the nearest US embassy or consulate well in advance of travel.

Travel advice for the US

Travel via Chile

If you’re travelling via Chile, ensure you meet all current entry or transit requirements.

• Travel advice for Chile

Border measures

We recommend that you do not travel to border areas or cross borders due to a high risk of terrorism and violent crime.

Do not attempt to cross Colombia, Brazil, and Guyana's borders by land.

Flights to and from Venezuela continue to be limited. 

Other formalities

Yellow fever vaccination.

You may need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Venezuela. Some airlines may want to see one when you leave.

Find out about returning to Australia after exposure to yellow fever .

Countries with a risk of yellow fever

Embassy or consulate of Venezuela

Travel with children

To enter and leave Venezuela, children of any nationality under 18 years who travel alone or with one parent will need a certified copy of their birth certificate and a notarised permit. The permit must be obtained through the nearest local  SAREN  office or the respective Court for Children and Adolescents. It must include all the relevant travel details.

If the child resides overseas, the permit and birth certificate must be certified by a Venezuelan embassy or consulate . The child should carry this travel permit while travelling within the country and also at time of departure from Venezuela. Children may be denied exit from the country otherwise. Both documents must be translated into Spanish.

Advice for people travelling with children

Departure tax

You'll have to pay a tax if you leave the country via an international airport.

Payment can be made in cash, in Venezuelan Bolivar.

The cost of your ticket sometimes includes the departure tax. Check with your airline.

Don't make any non-official payments at airports and ask for a receipt for any customs duty payments you make.

Some countries won’t let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you’re just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport’s expiry date before you travel. If you’re not sure it’ll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport .

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service .
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate .

Passport with ‘X’ gender identifier

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest  embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination  before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.

• LGBTQIA+ travellers

The local currency is the Venezuelan Bolivar Fuerte (VEF).

It's not easy to exchange Australian dollars for local currency. Accessing money from an Australian bank account may be challenging.

There are 2 official exchange rates as well as black market rates. It's only legal to change money at the official government rate. 

Differences in exchange rates can mean you need much larger amounts of Australian dollars for small purchases.

US dollars are widely accepted. 

Money changers will exchange US dollars and travellers' cheques for VEF but generally can't convert them to other currencies. 

The inflation rate is high.

Demand for large-value notes remains high, and notes are hard to obtain.

You are required to declare to authorities if you are entering or leaving Venezuela with more than US$10,000.

Credit cards and ATMs

Credit card transactions are charged at the official exchange rate.

Local EFTPOS machines don't always accept international credit cards. You may be prompted to enter your passport or identity document number when paying with a credit card.

ATMs have low limits for cash withdrawals on international cards. Don't rely on ATMs as your main way to access money.

With the shortage of banknotes, the local card payment system is under extra strain. Debit or credit card transactions may take longer than expected or require several attempts.

Credit card fraud is common. Always keep your card in sight.

Local travel

Driving permit.

You can drive in Venezuela for up to 1 year if you have both:

• a valid Australian driver's licence
• an International Driving Permit (IDP)

After 1 year, you'll need to apply for a local driver's licence.

Get your IDP before you leave Australia.

Road travel

Driving in Venezuela is dangerous.

Hazards include:

• poorly maintained roads and vehicles
• drunk drivers
• drivers ignoring red lights, particularly at night

Fuel shortages are common across all parts of the country.

Rural roads are often unmarked. They have little or no street lighting.

Make sure you have copies of insurance documents, driving licence and passport with you always. Failure to produce documents can result in your vehicle being seized by police.

There's a risk of extortion on roads outside major cities. Armed groups may pose as police and set up illegal roadblocks. Beware of attacks in tunnels. See Safety

At regular police and National Guard checkpoints:

• drive slowly
• stop if you're asked

Checkpoint officials might ask for bribes.

If you plan to drive in Venezuela:

• check you have the right insurance cover
• get to know local traffic laws and practices before driving
• get local advice and monitor local media about routes you plan to travel

Avoid hitchhiking and cycling.

There is a risk of theft on both inner city and inter city buses, especially at night.

Driving or riding

Motorcycles

Make sure your insurance policy covers you to ride a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.

Always wear a helmet.

Crimes involving taxis occur. See Safety

If you need a taxi, use either:

• a pre-booked, licensed, radio-dispatch taxi
• a limousine service

Arrange these through your hotel. Don't hail taxis on the street.

Public transport

Avoid public transport. Theft is prevalent in public transport, including subway stations. Public transport providers, including state-owned companies, may not carry out routine maintenance. Services could be cancelled or delayed.

Your safety may be at risk.

Transport and getting around safely

Ferry companies may not look after their fleets properly. This could make them unsafe. Services could be cancelled or delayed.

Piracy occurs in the coastal areas of Venezuela. The International Maritime Bureau issues piracy reports .

• Travelling by boat

DFAT doesn’t provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Venezuela's air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.

Tours and adventure activities

Tour operators don't always meet the safety standards you might expect.

They may not take safety precautions or follow maintenance schedules. Safety gear, such as life jackets and seatbelts, may not be provided.

If you plan do a tour or adventure activity :

• check if your travel insurer covers it
• check the operators' credentials and safety equipment before booking
• ask about or insist on minimum safety requirements
• always use available safety gear, even if others don't

If standard safety equipment is not available, use another provider.

Emergencies

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider

Phone operators may not speak English.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your travel insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Consular contacts

Read the  Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can’t do to help you overseas.

Australia doesn't have an embassy or consulate in Venezuela. Contact the Australian Embassy in Colombia for assistance.

Australian Embassy, Bogota

Edificio Tierra Firme Avenida Carrera 9 No. 115-06 Oficina 2003 Bogotá, Colombia

Phone: +57 6016578030 E-mail: [email protected] Website: colombia.embassy.gov.au Facebook: Embajada de Australia en Colombia y Venezuela X: @AusEmbCO

Check the embassy websites for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia

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Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

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After Your Trip

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Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Venezuela.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Venezuela. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Venezuela.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

CDC recommends that travelers going to certain areas of Venezuela take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Find  country-specific information  about malaria.

Malaria - CDC Yellow Book

Considerations when choosing a drug for malaria prophylaxis (CDC Yellow Book)

Malaria information for Venezuela.

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Rabid dogs are commonly found in Venezuela. If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in Venezuela, there may be limited or no rabies treatment available. 

Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.

Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include

• Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers)
• Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
• Visitors to rural areas

Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to Venezuela. 

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

Yellow Fever

Required for travelers ≥1 year old arriving from Brazil; this includes >12-hour airport transits or layovers in Brazil

Recommended for all travelers ≥9 months old except as follows. Generally not recommended for travel limited to the Distrito Capital or the states of Aragua, Carabobo, Miranda, Vargas, or Yaracuy. Not recommended for travel limited to areas >2,300m (≈7,550 ft) elevation in the states of Mérida, Táchira, or Trujillo; the states of Falcón or Lara; Margarita Island; or the cities of Caracas (the capital) or Valencia .

Yellow Fever - CDC Yellow Book

• Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Schistosomiasis

• Wading, swimming, bathing, or washing in contaminated freshwater streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, or untreated pools.

Avoid bug bites

Chagas disease (american trypanosomiasis).

• Accidentally rub feces (poop) of the triatomine bug into the bug bite, other breaks in the skin, your eyes, or mouth
• From pregnant woman to her baby, contaminated blood products (transfusions), or contaminated food or drink.
• Avoid Bug Bites

Chagas disease

• Mosquito bite

Leishmaniasis

• Sand fly bite
• An infected pregnant woman can spread it to her unborn baby

Airborne & droplet

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Venezuela, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Venezuela. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Venezuela include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection that can be spread in fresh water, is found in Venezuela. Avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Venezuela’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Malaria is a risk in some parts of Venezuela. If you are going to a risk area, fill your malaria prescription before you leave, and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the pills; some need to be started before you leave.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Venezuela may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in Venezuela, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Venezuela for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor about your travel history.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

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A Short Guide to Traveling in Venezuela – How, Where & Frequently Asked Questions

When our friends found out that we are traveling to Venezuela , it wasn’t the usual reaction we get. They were pretty worried and in fact, advised us to bring our own tissue, water, and food. We took necessary precautions and brought supplies, just in case. But to our surprise, we didn’t really need to bring all of those.

There were actually a lot of supplies available to us in Venezuela and our experience didn’t differ much from the other South American countries we’ve already visited, aside from the unique experiences the country itself has to offer. Of course, we’re not disputing that times are hard, economically and politically, for many Venezuelans, but as tourists there we felt like we had reasonable access to everything we needed.

Venezuela is a federal republic on the northern coast of South America and has a population of almost 32 million. While political riots in the city can be frequent at times, we found it very safe to travel in the between the cities by both air and road. Even the random police checks on the highways were a simple experience and the officers inspecting the vehicle and our identification were polite, friendly and happy to have a casual chat with us in Spanish. Exploring Caracas itself is best advised with a knowledgeable guide, who understands where to go, when and how. The local people we met along the way were wonderful, traveling was extremely affordable and the raw, authentic beauty of the country actually made it one of our top must-visit destinations.

Questions and Answers about Venezuela

Where is Venezuela?

Venezuela is bordered by several different countries. You have Colombia on the west, Brazil to the south, Guyana on the east, and the island of Trinidad and Tobago to the north-east.

Is it safe to travel to Venezuela?

We can’t really say it’s perfect for solo backpackers and hitch-hikers at the moment, however, the condition of the country fluctuates, so what you read in the media is often reflective of something that happened weeks, months or even longer before. It’s important to find current information about what is going on at the time you’re planning to go there so that you can make an informed decision. Like in any part of South America, or the world for that matter, there are areas which you should stay clear of. We decided that we wanted to travel there with someone local who knows the country inside out, understands the situation and also knows how to use that knowledge to make a safe and exciting experience without feeling like a guided bus tour.

After a small amount of research we contacted Osprey Expeditions , who have been a leading guide and travel specialist in Venezuela since the 1990’s, have the the top Lonely Planet reviews and are the advisors of choice for travel writers looking to document Venezuela, even when government travel advisories tell you to stay away! Osprey Expeditions also offer tours and travel services all over South America.

How to Change Money in Venezuela?

Money in Venezuela is an interesting phenomenon. An economy in depression and long term inflation mean that you can cover a double bed in $50 USD worth of Venezuelan Bolivars, that’s how incredible the exchange rate is! Part of the issue for tourists is that if you try to use your foreign debit or credit card in Venezuela, then the exchange rate the government is trying to set (unsuccessfully) will see you paying $50 USD for a cup of coffee, but technically, bringing in USD’s to exchange them into local currency at the actual market rate is… let’s just say… not allowed! The situation in Venezuela has seen some dramatic changes since we were there a few months ago, so we suggest doing some research on travel forums and contacting your chosen local operator there to give you the most current information.

What is Unique about Venezuela?

If you are a fan of Miss Universe, then you already know that Venezuela is home to some of the most beautiful women on the planet. But that’s not the reason we went there! I am not exaggerating when I say that they have great landscapes, beaches, and sights which can’t be seen anywhere else. Venezuela is also one of the most ecologically diverse countries in the world – mountains, forests, jungle, wetlands, tropical deltas, coastal wilderness – all densely packed with wildlife!

What is the culture of Venezuela?

Like most South American countries, Venezuela has a very rich culture brought by groups from different parts of the world. You can see minor influences from Italians, Arabs, Germans, and Portuguese to name a few. But in general, the Venezuelan culture has a very prominent Spanish and Caribbean influence.

And if you are a baseball fan, then initiating a conversation with the locals wouldn’t be hard as baseball is the most popular sport in Venezuela.

It might surprise you to know that even with the political rifts in the country, Venezuelans are known as one of the happiest people on earth.

What is the Geography of Venezuela?

Venezuela is around twice the size of California. The country is shaped like an inverted triangle and has a 2,800 – kilometer coastline, which occupies much of the northern coast of the continent.

The climate varies wildly depending on your location, mostly due to altitude. The coastal areas are some of the hottest, but with the added benefit of a sea breeze. Lowland areas inland also have a very tropical climate with high temperatures and plenty of humidity. Moving up into the Andean mountains sees a decrease in temperature relative to the increase in altitude, where temperatures can drop to as low as 9°C (48°F). Like most tropical environments, Venezuela has a heavy rainy season, which is from May to December.

The mountain ranges in Venezuela create 4 distinct regions.

• The Maracaibo lowlands
• Mountainous regions in the north and northwest
• Orinoco Delta – A wetland and jungle region leading out to the Caribbean
• Guiana Highlands

There are over 10,000 rivers in the country, but the most significant is the Orinoco river being the 3 rd longest river in South America.

How to travel to Venezuela?

If you are planning to travel to Venezuela, here are some of the airlines that will take you to this amazing country.

• From the USA – From Miami Florida, you can take non – stop flights going to Caracas via SBA and American Airlines.
• From London – There are no direct flights but you may take Air France, American Airlines, United Airlines and Avianca.
• From Dubai – If you are from the Middle East, specifically in Dubai, there are a number of flights going to Venezuela. Swiss, Air France, Lufthansa, British Airways, KLM are just a few of your choices.
• From Singapore – You may choose, Air France, Singapore Airlines or Lufthansa.

How to travel in Venezuela – Transport in Venezuela?

Public buses – As always, this would be the cheapest option. However, public buses do not have a good reputation when it comes to safety. Reputations are not always correct or in date, so make sure you find reliable information before making this decision

• Train – Caracas has a subway system if you still want to stretch your budget.
• Taxis – The taxis in Venezuela don’t have meters and in fact, there are a lot of unlicensed taxis. Make sure you negotiate a fixed fare before going inside the taxi. This is the most practical means of transportation.
• Private transfers – If you can spend more, then it is always best to have private transfers. Osprey Expeditions have a network of trusted drivers to pick you up and deliver you to hotels, airports or whatever your planned destination is.

What’s the food like in Venezuela?

When you go to Venezuela, the food is different from region to region. Some are influenced by European, West African and even Native American cuisines.

The staple foods in Venezuela are rice, yam, corn, and beans. For sides, these are potatoes, onions, squash, and spinach to name a few. Being one of the most fertile lands in the world, the country is able to cultivate a huge range of fruits and vegetables, much like neighbouring Colombia.

What is the weather like in Venezuela?

The different regions of Venezuela have different climates, which makes this country even more interesting.

• Maracaibo Lowlands – Dry and hot
• Andes Mountains – Cooler in higher areas
• Central Plain fronting Orinoco Rivers – Warm
• Guiana Highlands (where you can find the world’s highest waterfall, Angel Falls)  – Hot and humid

Important things to pack for a trip to Venezuela?

If you are about to pack your bags, here are some things you should keep for your Venezuelan adventure.

• Lightweight clothes – Cotton and linen will do you good.
• Sunscreen and hat – The sun is strong and you’ll burn faster than you think.
• Money belt – Or some other discreet storage device.
• Light jacket and umbrella – May to July are the rainy months
• Water – Once you arrive, keep plenty of water with you, especially on hiking trips.

Comfortable shoes – Much of Venezuela’s attraction is the great outdoors, so make sure you have outdoor shoes that let you enjoy it!

10 Amazing places to see and things to do in Venezuela!

1. Caracas City Tour – This is a full day tour that will allow you to see the real capital city of Caracas behind the stories and news reports. You can even visit museums and ride a cable car at Avila National park.

2.  Angel Falls Expedition – It would be a mortal sin not to see Angel Falls when you are in Venezuela. You will get into the jungle and will set up a camp close to the waterfalls. The flight by light Cesna aircraft from Bolivar to Canaima National Park is an experience in itself!

3.  Choroni and Henri Pittier National Park – This is just 3 hours away from the capital city. Enjoy the fantastic view of the waters and palm tree beaches. You can even go, snorkelling, paddle boarding and have fresh tuna barbecue on the beach!

4.  Roraima Trek – Go to the highest rock formation of Canaima National Park. This place is very sacred to the Pemon indigenous people and the rock stack itself is formed mostly from pure rose quartz.

5.  Orinoco Delta – See the mangrove swamps and the virgin jungle of the Warao, where wildlife like monkeys, snakes, macaws, river dolphins, tarantula spiders and load more are so densely packed you won’t know where to look first! Compared to more frequented tourist destinations, the Orinoco Delta is seriously unspoiled and unique.

6.  Los Roques Archipelago – This is truly a paradise! The coral reef formation and the white sand is like heaven under water.

7. Catatumbo Lightning – This phenomenon happens only in April to November. If you want to see and witness such beauty, you know which dates to book. Before you go, do some research on lightning photography to grab the best shots of this display of pure meteorological power!

8.  Merida – This town is known to be the adventure-sports capital of Venezuela. You can go hiking, rafting, mountain biking or paragliding, to name just a few!

9. Isla Margarita – This is the best place if you want to see the most popular beaches in Venezuela. You can also try snorkeling and kitesurfing and there are a host of very affordable luxury hotels if you just want to relax and recover after all the hiking and exploring.

10. Pan de Azucar – Join this tour as it is considered one of the most interesting treks in the Venezuelan Andes mountains. Pan de Azucar peak is one of the highest peaks in the country.

Final thoughts on Venezuela

We all know that politically and economically, Venezuela is going through some of the toughest times in the history of the country’s existence, and we all hear the negative news and travel warnings portrayed in the media. We would be lying if we said that all of these things are untrue, or that there is zero risk in visiting Venezuela, but as with any country the risks are localised and are often not as constant or severe as they are made out to be. It is entirely possible to travel the country and be just as safe as you would in any other South American country, particularly if you plan your journey properly and work with a local specialist who can give you the best real-time information to help you make the right decisions.

Give this beautiful country and its wonderful people a chance to show you things and offer you experiences that you will never forget and cannot be experienced anywhere else on Earth, and you will be rewarded with more than you can imagine!

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14 thoughts on “ A Short Guide to Traveling in Venezuela – How, Where & Frequently Asked Questions ”

Hi ive worked in venezuela 7 years ago and would like to return to visit. Do you have any services or recamendations for safe travels there?

The Country and people suck and there are much better places to go . I should have had my head examined before I went Bloody thieves . My bags were ransacked desperate pigs . My wife is Venezuelan and hates it their. Hope they all starve and Die!

I don’t think your disaster tourism is very ethical. At least help the local folks and don’t just go with the major tour providers. Stay with locals, hire local guides, and eat at mom and pop places.

Hi! Did you receive any paid advertising from the Venezuelan government for saying only good things about the trip and posting a lot of food pictures?

Nope not really.. we actually paid for our trip! =)

And we’re not investigative journalists.. we’re travel bloggers and focused on the positive vibes and things you can do safely! =)

So if I fly by air I should be able to get a visa to stay for at least 20-30 days right? And how do you travel around with bricks of Bs??? Like going to bars or clubs??? Do you just carry a back pack with bricks of Bs in it? Lol

now is very different the exchange rate change because a convert of the currency, if you want more information i’m happy to help i’m a living in venezuela, telegram: angel23as

Hi, I would love more info, I dont have the telegram thing….maybe u can ad me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/fizz.tf , Fizzah Mian

Thanks a lot for your well explained and detailed guide. Amazing pictures. Now it invites me to visit Venezuela. Peace

Hi thanks for the great advice. I heard they are not giving out visas so easy for Americans Do you know about this? Thank you

Is pretty easy i think is just a formality and to take like 50$ for the entry.

Hello, I really liked your post on Venezuela and the pics! I have been reading Lot about it lately and your description is a stark contrast to what I’ve been reading about the severe poverty and malnutrition of the people that live there. I was curious if you came across any of these things and if you were scrutinized heavily when you arrived since I hear they aren’t allowing food or foreign aid into the country.

Amazing post with cool photos. Certainly on my list of places to visit. Whenever I travel I use Avianca Airlines to book affordable plane tickets.

Loved your post! Cool Photos!! This is first time I am visiting your website and I find this post very very useful thanks for giving such a great information.. Regards!

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Written by Kach Umandap

Founder of Two Monkeys Travel Group. Since 2013, Kach has visited all the 7 continents (including Antarctica) and 151 countries using her Philippines Passport. In 2016, she bought a sailboat and went on sailing adventures with her two cats - Captain Ahab & Little Zissou in the Caribbean for 2 years. She now lives in Herceg Novi, Montenegro where she's enjoying her expat life and living on a gorgeous Stonehouse. She writes about her experiences traveling as a Filipina traveler with a PHL Passport. Also tips on backpacking trips, luxury hotel experiences, product reviews, sailing & adventure travel.

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Can Elections Force Venezuela’s Authoritarian Leader From Power?

President Nicolás Maduro has held on to power by holding sham elections. In July he will run again, but would he willingly cede power?

People in the Catia neighborhood of Caracas, the Venezuelan capital, lined up to vote last year in a primary election held by the opposition. Credit...

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By Julie Turkewitz

Photographs by Adriana Loureiro Fernandez

Reporting from Bogotá, Colombia

• May 11, 2024

The stakes could hardly be higher.

This July, for the first time in more than a decade, Venezuelans will vote in a presidential election with an opposition candidate who has a fighting — if slim and improbable — chance at winning.

Amid an economic and democratic crisis that has led more than seven million Venezuelans to abandon the country — considered among the world’s largest displacements — Nicolás Maduro, the country’s authoritarian president, has done something few thought he would: allowed an opposition candidate with widespread support to appear on the ballot.

Though largely unknown, the challenger is leading in several polls, underscoring how many Venezuelans are hungry for change.

Still, few have illusions that the vote will be democratic or fair. And even if a majority of voters cast their ballots against Mr. Maduro, there is widespread doubt that he would allow the results to become public — or accept them if they do.

Venezuela prepares to vote at a moment when the country is facing consequential issues that will resonate far beyond its borders.

They include overseeing the fate of the country’s vast oil reserves, the world’s largest; resetting — or not — battered relations with the United States; deciding whether Iran, China and Russia can continue depending on Venezuela as a key ally in the Western Hemisphere; and confronting an internal humanitarian crisis that has propelled a once prosperous nation into immense suffering.

A win for Mr. Maduro could drive Venezuela further into the hands of U.S. adversaries, intensify poverty and repression and spur an even larger exodus of people to head north toward the United States, where an immigration surge has become a central theme in the November presidential election.

His opponent is Edmundo González, a former diplomat who became the surprise consensus candidate of the opposition after its popular leader, María Corina Machado, was barred by Mr. Maduro’s government from running.

His supporters hope he can help the country cast aside 25 years of Chavismo, the socialist movement that began with the democratic election of Hugo Chávez in 1998 and has since grown more authoritarian.

Ahead of the July 28 vote, Mr. Maduro, 61, has in his grip the legislature, the military, the police, the justice system, the national election council, the country’s budget and much of the media, not to mention violent paramilitary gangs called colectivos .

Mr. González, 74, and Ms. Machado, 56, have made it clear that they are a package deal. Ms. Machado has been rallying voters at events across the country, where she is received like a rock star, filling city blocks with people making emotional pleas for her to save the country. Mr. González has stayed closer to Caracas, the capital, holding meetings and conducting television interviews.

In a joint interview, Mr. González said he was “taken by surprise” when Mr. Maduro allowed him to register as a candidate, and still had no clear explanation why.

While Mr. Maduro has held elections in recent years, a key tactic has been to ban legitimate challengers.

The last competitive presidential election was held in 2013, when Mr. Maduro narrowly beat a longtime opposition figure, Henrique Capriles. In the next vote, in 2018, the government barred the most popular opposition figures from running, and the United States, the European Union and dozens of other nations refused to recognize the results.

But in recent months, Ms. Machado said, the country has witnessed a series of events few thought possible: Mr. Maduro’s government allowed an opposition primary vote to go forward, in which turnout was enormous and Ms. Machado emerged as the clear winner; the opposition — infamous for its infighting — managed to coalesce around Ms. Machado; and when she wasn’t able to run, opposition leaders united to back a replacement, Mr. González.

“Never in 25 years have we entered an electoral process in a position of such strength,” Ms. Machado said.

(Both declined to say exactly what role Ms. Machado, if any, might take on in a González government.)

Three polls conducted inside the country showed that a majority of respondents planned to vote for Mr. González.

In a dozen interviews in different parts of the country this month, voters showed widespread support for the opposition.

“He is going to win, I am convinced of it,” said Elena Rodríguez, 62, a retired nurse in the state of Sucre. Ms. Rodríguez said that 11 family members had left the country to flee poverty.

Mr. Maduro still retains a slice of support inside Venezuela and can motivate people to the ballot box with the promise of food and other incentives.

One Maduro supporter in Sucre, Jesús Meza Díaz, 59, said he would vote for the current president because he trusted him to navigate the country through economic problems for which he blamed U.S. sanctions.

Perhaps the most important question, though, is not if Mr. González could attract enough votes to win — but whether Mr. Maduro is ready or willing to cede power.

The Maduro government has been choked by U.S. sanctions on the country’s vital oil industry, and some analysts say he allowed Mr. González to run only because it might help him sway Washington to ease up on the sanctions.

“I think the negotiation with the United States is what is making an electoral process possible,” said Luz Mely Reyes, a prominent Venezuelan journalist.

Mr. Maduro has hardly indicated that he is ready to leave office. He promised a large crowd of followers in February that he would win the election “ by hook or by crook .”

Since January, his government has detained and jailed 10 members of Ms. Machado’s political team. Five others have warrants out for their arrest and are hiding out in the Argentine Embassy in Caracas.

Avi Roa, the wife of Emill Brandt, a leader in Ms. Machado’s party who has been detained since March, called his capture a “horrible terror.” Irama Macias, the wife of jailed Machado ally Luis Camacaro, called his detention “a very cruel thing” that “shouldn’t happen in any part of the world.”

A proposal in the legislature, called the Law Against Fascism, could allow the government to suspend Mr. González’s campaign at any moment, said Laura Dib, the Venezuela expert at the Washington Office on Latin America. “This is a constant risk,” she added.

If Mr. Maduro does give up power, it would almost surely be the result of an exit deal negotiated with the opposition.

Ms. Machado has argued repeatedly that her main challenge is to make Mr. Maduro see that staying in power is unsustainable — that his government is running out of money, that too many Venezuelans want him out and that Chavismo is crumbling from the inside.

“The best option is a negotiated exit,” she said in the interview, “and the later it comes, the worse it will be.”

The country’s economic situation is dire, much of Mr. Maduro’s base has turned against him and there are signs that Mr. Maduro is fearful of an internal rupture: He recently turned on a high-ranking ally, the oil minister Tareck El-Aissami, jailing him on accusations of corruption.

The move was seen as a warning to anyone who might challenge him from the inside.

But few people see Mr. Maduro as so weak that he would be forced to leave. And Mr. Maduro has a strong incentive to hold on: He and other officials in his government are being investigated by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity . He is also wanted by the U.S. government , which has offered $15 million for information leading to his arrest.

If Mr. Maduro did leave the presidency, he would almost surely want to be shielded from prosecution, something that could be difficult to guarantee.

Still, Ms. Machado and Mr. González, in the joint interview, indicated a willingness to negotiate a peaceful transition with the Maduro government before the election.

“We are absolutely willing to move forward in putting on the table all the necessary terms and guarantees,” said Ms. Machado, “so that all parties feel that it is a fair process.”

One senior American official said there was no indication that talks about Mr. Maduro’s departure were happening now.

But, the official added, Mr. Maduro’s government was still talking to U.S. officials and to the opposition, a sign that Mr. Maduro continued to seek international legitimacy and sanctions relief. That could make him change his posture, the official said, providing a sliver of optimism for the country’s future.

Isayen Herrera contributed reporting from Caracas, Venezuela; Nayrobis Rodríguez from Cumaná, Venezuela; and Genevieve Glatsky from Bogotá, Colombia.

Julie Turkewitz is the Andes Bureau Chief for The Times, based in Bogotá, Colombia, covering Colombia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru. More about Julie Turkewitz

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• Turkey – Certain Passengers in Transit via Istanbul Airport to Some Countries Need New E-Visa

GMS Flash Alert 2024-109

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Jump to:  More Details   |  Can Be Obtained via Internet Free-of-Charge |  Passenger Practical Matters 

An electronic airport transit visa requirement has been introduced, starting15 April 2024, for citizens of 10 countries who will transit to Mexico, Panama, Colombia, and Venezuela using Istanbul Airport. 1

WHY THIS MATTERS

Turkey, which is both a transit country and a destination country in terms of global “irregular” migration movements, is actively implementing measures to reinforce its fight against irregular migration. 2

With this obligation, irregular migration is expected to be prevented to some extent.

Passengers travelling from the afore-mentioned countries, from 15 April 2024, have new steps and procedures to complete in order to be in compliance. 

More Details

Inspections within the framework of accepted international aviation rules have been increased due to the recent rise in the number of irregular immigrants heading to North America via various Central and Latin American countries, using transit airline opportunities via Turkey.

Turkish Airlines (THY) warned in March for passengers traveling to South American countries that "some additional checks may be applied in addition to the general rules such as passport and visa requirements for accepting passengers on flights." 3

According to information obtained from diplomatic sources, in this context, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has completed the necessary preparations to implement the electronic airport transit visa (e-HTV) application. 4

Citizens of Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Guinea, India, Mauritania, Nepal, Somalia, and Yemen who will travel to Mexico, Panama, Colombia, and Venezuela, but transit through Istanbul Airport, as of 15 April 2024, must obtain an electronic airport transit visa.

Can Be Obtained via Internet Free-of-Charge

The electronic transit visa can be obtained free-of-charge online from the "evisa.gov.tr" portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as of 15 April 2024. 5  Passengers must correctly enter their personal information, accommodation address information, and ticket numbers when obtaining an electronic visa.

Passenger Practical Matters

Istanbul Airport transit passengers who are subject to an electronic transit visa are also expected to have print-outs of their transit visas with them.

Passengers subject to an electronic transit visa will be able to pass through security control and go to the departure floor after having their visas checked at one of the visa points located in both wings of the Istanbul Airport international transit passenger arrivals hall.

KPMG INSIGHTS

The changes to the rules for nationals of the 10 countries in question mean additional steps and procedures in order to complete their journeys.  There may be some confusion and questions regarding who the rules apply to and the appropriate next steps.  Concerned parties may wish to consult with their usual travel agents and immigration counsel.  They may also reach out to a member of the KPMG Immigration team in Turkey for assistance (see the Contacts section).

1  As an example of the Turkish government’s announcement of this policy, see: Turkish Embassy in New Delhi, India, " IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT THE INDIAN/NEPALESE PASSANGERS TRAVELING TO MEXICO, PANAMA, COLOMBIA, VENEZUELA VIA İSTANBUL AIRPORT ."

2  The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) defines the term 'migrant in an irregular situation' as follows: A person who moves or has moved across an international border and is not authorised to enter or to stay in a State pursuant to the law of that State and to international agreements to which that State is a party (Source: https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/networks/european-migration-network-emn/emn-asylum-and-migration-glossary/glossary/irregular-migrant_en ).

3  See this webpage on the Turkish Airlines website: https://www.turkishairlines.com/en-int/announcements/passenger-admission-rules-for-south-america/ .

4  Passengers can obtain their e-ATV via the website: evisa.gov.tr .

5  Ibid.

Please note the KPMG International member firm in the United States does not provide immigration or labour law services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.

The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in Turkey.

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Argentina Ramps up Pressure on Venezuela Over Opposition Embassy Refugees

FILE PHOTO: Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado looks on while addressing the media, in Caracas, Venezuela, March 20, 2024. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/File Photo

By Nicolás Misculin and Vivian Sequera

BUENOS AIRES/CARACAS (Reuters) - Argentina's government is set to ramp up pressure on Venezuela to grant safe passage to six opposition aides who had sought refuge in its embassy in Caracas, official sources said, adding they were at physical risk if they didn't leave the country.

Two senior Argentine officials told Reuters last week that the administration of President Nicolas Maduro, who has looked to head off political rivals ahead of July presidential elections, had reneged on promises to allow the six to safely leave the country.

In March, aides to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado requested asylum at the Argentine embassy in Caracas, after a local prosecutor issued arrest warrants against them for conspiracy. Machado, who has denied any allegations of misconduct by her team, was blocked from being a candidate in the upcoming election despite being the front-runner in polls.

Maduro's government has been going after political opposition candidates, including Machado, despite electoral commitments signed last year, a trend that saw Washington reimpose broad oil sanctions in April.

In April, Reuters reported, citing a Venezuelan official source, that Maduro's socialist government would allow the six aides to leave safely, in order to travel to Buenos Aires.

However, senior Argentine sources from the government of right-wing libertarian Javier Milei, told Reuters no such concession was ever granted.

"Venezuela is not issuing safe-conduct passes, it is not complying with what was agreed upon or with the (1954) Convention on Diplomatic Asylum", said one of the sources, an official from Argentina's foreign ministry.

"In the official Argentine residence in Caracas is the entire Machado campaign office, who are politically persecuted," the person added, asking not to be named. "They have to leave Caracas because their physical integrity is in danger."

Venezuela's Ministry of Information did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Argentine comments, previously unreported, mark an important hardening of tone on the embassy issue from the country against Maduro, putting diplomatic pressure on him just months before the oil-rich country's controversial election.

A third Venezuelan source with knowledge of the matter said that they expected Argentina to make a significant and more public push on the matter this week, aiming to bring more regional pressure on Caracas.

"It is likely that other countries will soon begin to speak out asking for a resolution of this issue," the first Argentina government source added.

A second Argentine government official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the country expected the region to "demand Venezuela respect and comply with the Convention."

"Venezuela must grant safe-conduct passes without conditions so that the six asylum seekers can leave the residence."

(Reporting by Reporting by Nicolás Misculin; Additional reporting by Vivian Sequera; Editing by Adam Jourdan and Diane Craft)

Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .

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Watch The 10 Wildlife Destinations To Visit In 2024

Posted: February 25, 2024 | Last updated: February 26, 2024

#1 Yellowstone National Park, US.

Welcome to 10 Wildlife Destinations To Visit In 2024.

With travel opening up internationally, what better time to start planning your dream itinerary than to visit some of the best destinations where wildlife is rich, and travel opportunities are plentiful?

We have compiled the top 10 wildlife destinations to visit.

Read the entire article or jump to every section you like. We hope you enjoy this article.

Top 10 wildlife destinations : Because of the Old Faithful Geyser and Grand Prismatic Spring, it was the world’s first national park and is one of America’s most famous.

Yellowstone is home to grizzly and black bears, hundreds of wild bison, wolf packs, massive waterfalls, and the world’s most significant concentration of active geysers.

Grizzly Bears

Yellowstone has two types of bears: grizzly bears and black bears. Only the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and northwest Montana have considerable grizzly bear populations south of the Canadian border. Around Yellowstone Lake, Fishing Bridge, Hayden and Lamar valleys, Swan Lake Flats, and the East Entrance are the best viewing places.

Gray wolves can now be found in Alaska, northern Michigan, northern Wisconsin, western Montana, northern Idaho, northeast Oregon, and Wyoming’s Yellowstone National Park. Mexican wolves, a subspecies of gray wolves, have been reintroduced to parkland in eastern Arizona and southwest New Mexico.

Where to Look for Wolves: The Lamar Valley, Hayden Valley, Canyon region, and Blacktail Deer Plateau are the most often seen wolf packs in Yellowstone. They can be found in Willow Flats in Grand Teton. The best times to go are at dawn and night.

The Bison has been made famous as the USA’s official state mammal and also known as a buffalo, the bison. The American bison has a long and varied history in the United States. Nearly 30 million bison roamed the Great Plains 150 years ago.

Lamar Valley is undoubtedly the best spot in Yellowstone to watch wildlife.

The grasslands that cover this valley, carved by glaciers and fed by the Lamar River, are easily accessible on Highway 212 and attract the park’s largest land species, such as the bison, elk, moose, and bears.

#3 Canaima National Park, Venezuela

Top 10 wildlife destinations: Canaima National Park is a three million-hectare park near the Guyana-Brazil border in south-eastern Venezuela.

Table mountain (tepui) formations cover roughly 65 percent of the park. Cougars, Linnaeus’ two-toed sloths, white-faced sakis, brown-backed bearded sakis, South American bushmasters, toucans, hummingbirds, dusky parrots, yellow-banded poison dart frogs, harpy eagles, red-shouldered macaws, Roraima mice, Tyleria mouse opossums, and Tyler.

Angel Falls is reached via Canaima National Park. Although other waterfalls and lagoons can be visited from Canaima camp, the three-day, two-night tours to the foot of Angel Falls are the main reason people fly here. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the World’s Highest Waterfall, according to UNESCO.

The flat-topped table mountain (tepui) formations of Canaima National Park in southeast Venezuela are distinctive and hold deep cultural significance to the Pemon communities of Venezuela.  Tepuis are a unique biotic ecosystem with an essential evolutionary story about the earth’s evolution.

#4 Okavango Delta, Botswana

One of the world’s largest inland deltas is Botswana’s Okavango Delta. The Okavango River, unlike most river deltas, flows onto open land, flooding the savanna and forming a unique and ever-changing inland delta.

The Okavango Delta is regarded as one of the most beautiful wilderness locations on the planet. African Bush Elephant, African Buffalo, Hippopotamus, Lechwe, Topi, Blue Wildebeest, Giraffe, Nile Crocodile , Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Brown Hyena, Spotted Hyena, Greater Kudu, Sable Antelope, Black Rhinoceros, White Rhinoceros, Plains Zebra, Warthog, and more…

In the Okavango Delta, lions have adapted to their water habitat and thrive. Don’t be startled if you see a lion swimming slowly closer to its prey.

A lion pride can have anything from three to thirty members; the more, the better. These large cats are pretty friendly.

#5 Sabi Sands Park, South Africa

The Big Five, as well as additional animals . The Big Five are well-known in the Sabi Sands (Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, and Rhino). It was in the Sabi Sands when the Big Five concept was reborn as a classic safari term.

The Sabi Sand benefits from the wide diversity of species found in one of the most incredible wildlife locations on the African continent. It is mainly well known for leopard sightings, given there are no boundary walls between it and Kruger Park.

The Sabi Sand leopards, normally notoriously elusive, have become habituated to safari vehicles, allowing for close-up encounters and incredible photography opportunities.

#6 Etosha National Park, Namibia

Top 10 wildlife destinations: Etosha National Park is the only one of its kind in Africa. The park’s major feature is a massive salt pan that can be viewed from space. Yet, because so much wildlife congregates around the waterholes, game sightings are nearly inevitable.

At the same time, Etosha National Park is one of Namibia’s and Southern Africa’s most accessible wildlife reserves. Etosha National Park is one of Africa’s most excellent savannah conservation areas, including elephants, black and white rhinoceros, lions, leopards, cheetahs, enormous herds of springbok, zebra, wildebeest, giraffes, and a plethora of other intriguing animals, big and little.

Etosha National Park is the only one of its kind in Africa. The park’s major feature is a massive salt pan that can be viewed from space. Yet, because so much wildlife dwells around the waterholes, game sightings are nearly inevitable.

#7 Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Top 10 wildlife destinations: These 19 islands and the adjacent marine reserve, located 1,000 kilometers from the South American continent in the Pacific Ocean, have been dubbed a unique “living museum and showcase of evolution.”

The Galápagos Islands are a ‘melting pot’ of marine species because they are located at the confluence of three ocean currents. Seismic and volcanic activity are still active, reflecting the processes that created the islands.

Following his visit in 1835, these processes, together with the islands’ splendid isolation, led to the formation of peculiar animal life, including the land iguana, giant tortoise, and various finches, which inspired Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection.

The islands are home to animals such as land iguanas, lava lizards, geckos, and harmless snakes. Some of these can only be found on a single island.

On the more incredible coasts, penguins, Darwin’s finches, frigatebirds, albatrosses, gulls, boobies, pelicans, and Galápagos hawks are among the most notable.

#8 The Amazon Basin, Brazil

The Amazon rainforest is crucial in managing the global oxygen and carbon cycles. It produces about 6% of the world’s oxygen and has long been assumed to operate as a carbon sink, quickly absorbing enormous amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The Amazon is home to sloths, black spider monkeys, and poison dart frogs, as well as one of Earth’s final refuges for jaguars, harpy eagles, and pink river dolphins.

It is home to one out of every ten known species, including 40,000 plant species, 3,000 freshwater fish species, and over 370 reptile species.

#9 Maasai Mara National Reserve

The Masai Mara National Reserve is located in the south-east of Kenya. The northern section of the Serengeti Ecosystem spans 25,000 square kilometers and comprises the National Serengeti Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, in addition to the Masai Mara in Kenya.

The Maasai Mara is one of Africa’s most well-known and vital wildlife conservation and wilderness areas, known for its remarkable lion, African leopard, cheetah, and African bush elephant populations.

The Maasai Mara is also Kenya’s isolated protected area with an indigenous black rhino population undisturbed by translocations. It can host one of Africa’s largest populations due to its size.

#10 The Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

Volcanic craters provide a magnificent backdrop to some of Africa’s most fertile and abundant grazing lands.

Ngorongoro, the world’s largest intact volcanic caldera and home to Africa’s highest population of big game, is undoubtedly the most famous of these craters.

The Ngorongoro Crater is home to an extraordinary variety of species, including all five members of the Big Five. Hippopotamus, zebras, crocodiles, antelope, leopards, cheetahs, and lions are all found here.

Approximately 25,000 large animals are thought to live within this natural and enclosed sanctuary.

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