South America and South Atlantic Islands

No restrictions in this travel advice

Avoid all but essential travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all but essential travel to whole country

Avoid all travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all travel to whole country

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

• We advise against all travel to within 80km (50 miles) of the Colombian border in the states of Zulia, Tachira and Apure. We advise against all but essential travel to the remainder of Tachira state. Drug traffickers and illegal armed groups are active in these states and there is a risk of kidnapping.  In addition, travellers should take particular care if attempting to cross in to Colombia from any state since border crossings can attract criminal activity. Travellers should only use official crossing points.
   
  
• Venezuela has suffered exceptionally heavy rains which have affected wide areas of the country. Travel has been affected in many areas, and road conditions remain poor.
  
  
• The incidence of street crime in Venezuela is high. Armed muggings and ‘express kidnappings’ are a regular occurrence. Resistance to robbery has resulted in victims being shot dead. You should exercise caution at all times, especially when arriving in, and travelling around, Venezuela. See Safety and Security - Crime.
  
  
• Around 9,500 British nationals visit Venezuela every year. 25 British nationals required consular assistance in Venezuela in the period 01 April 2009 – 31 March 2010. See General - Consular Assistance Statistics.
  
  
• There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See General - Insurance.

Safety and Security - Terrorism
There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. You should exercise vigilance and be wary of suspect packages and parcels.

For more general information see our Terrorism Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Crime  
We advise against all travel to within 80 kms (50 miles) of the Colombian border in the states of Zulia, Tachire and Apure. We advise against all but essential travel to the remainder of Tachira state. Travellers should take care in the rest of Apure state and we advise those visiting the area, including the tourist area of Los Llanos, to do so as part of an organised tour. Drug Traffickers and illegal armed groups are active in these states and kidnappings are common. In addition, travellers should take particular care if attempting to cross in to Colombia from any state since border crossings can attract criminal activity. Travellers should only use official crossing points.

Kidnappings occur in Venezuela.  Although most kidnap victims are Venezuelan residents, foreigners have also been victims. You are advised to remain alert at all times. 

“Express kidnappings” - short-term, opportunistic abductions, aimed at extracting cash from victims by obtaining a relatively small ransom through the victim’s family/ friends - also occur in Venezuela. This type of crime has increased in all major cities within Venezuela but with higher levels reported in Caracas.  The duration of the captivity can vary from an hour to approximately 24 hours. 

Anyone, including tourists and business visitors, may be targeted for this type of crime. You should remain vigilant and take precautions at all times. Alternatively, victims can be targeted or selected at random and held while criminals empty their bank accounts with their stolen cash cards. Once the ransom is paid the victim is usually released.

There is a high risk of street crime (often armed) throughout Venezuela, especially in the major cities and on beaches, including on the popular tourist island of Margarita where there have been several incidents of armed robbery.  Resistance to robbery has resulted in victims being shot dead. You should exercise caution at all times.

You should remain vigilant and be aware that common crimes such as mugging and pick pocketing are often accompanied by violence. When walking in urban areas, avoid any unnecessary display of wealth, including visibly displaying your mobile or smartphone. Exercise caution if you choose to make or receive calls. You can reduce the possibility of your phone being detected by criminals by switching off functions such as Bluetooth and Wi-fi.

We do not consider Sabana Grande a safe area in which to stay in Caracas; cheap hotels can be found in safer areas such as Chacao, La Castellana and Altamira - although these book up early. It is not advisable to visit ‘barrios’ (heavily populated slums), as many of these are unsafe. British nationals walking in the Avila National Park have been robbed at gunpoint.

The risk of crime is higher after dark. Try not to go out alone. It is inadvisable to camp on or visit beaches after dark. People carrying large amounts of money, wearing valuable watches or jewellery or using mobile phones in the street are especially vulnerable.

Car-jacking is also a problem by day and night. Car-jackers tend to target expensive-looking vehicles, especially 4x4s. We are also aware of reports of armed gangs that ram their intended victim’s vehicles from behind, or attempt to flag them down in order to rob them. Resistance to robbery has resulted in victims being shot dead. Robberies occur frequently on buses.  

Do not accept pamphlets in the street or major shopping centres, as there have been incidents of these having been impregnated with potent and disorienting drugs which permeate the skin. Tourists’ drinks have also been spiked – do not accept food or drink from strangers who may befriend you in bars or restaurants.

For more general information see our Victims of Crime Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Heavy rains in Venezuela
Venezuela suffered exceptionally heavy rains in December 2011. Travel has been affected in many areas and road conditions remain poor. A state of alarm has been issued for the States of Miranda, Merida, Vargas and Distrito Capital (Caracas). There have also been reports of landslides and localised floods. Shanty towns built on hillsides are particularly vulnerable to landslides. Some road conditions are treacherous, and many others are blocked, or in poor condition. You are advised to leave plenty of time for your journey, and stick to the main roads. Travellers should monitor local media, and refer to this travel advice regularly for updates.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Travelling to and from Maiquetia Airport (Caracas)
You should avoid travelling on the road between Caracas and Maiquetia airport during the hours of darkness, particularly between 18:00 and 06:00. There are fewer cars on the road during this time and the risk of crime is much higher. We advise that you stay in one of the hotels close to the airport if your flight is arriving late at night, or leaving early in the morning. Journey times between the city and the airport can be long and unpredictable and you are advised to allow plenty of time for your journey.

There has been a reported increase in armed robberies taking place on buses travelling to Maiquetia Airport, and along Avenida de La Libertador (in Caracas).  The robberies have been taking place when the busses are full, or almost full.  If you need to rely on public transport, travellers should consider paying the extra cost and travelling by licensed taxi.

Since October 2008, the National Guard have increased random drug and security checks at Maiquetia Airport. Passengers are being asked by genuine officials to open their luggage for inspection or to accompany an officer to a local hospital for an x-ray. This is a routine security procedure but it has led to some passengers missing their flights. If you are travelling on an international flight you are advised to arrive at the airport at least three hours prior to departure in order to allow time for security procedures.

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

The airport itself can be a dangerous place. Be on your guard for bogus officials luring you into a quiet corner on the pretence of carrying out extra security checks. If approached by an officer purporting to be an airport official, even if they are in uniform and/or present credentials, you should try to ensure that you remain in a busy area of the airport and, if possible, check with other airport or airline staff that the official is genuine. If you are coming to Venezuela to work, we advise that you bring with you a letter from your employer and your local contact organisation details (including a Spanish translation), as there have been occasions when passengers have been hassled for bribes.

You are advised to exchange currency at official currency exchange booths only. 

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

We advise against hitchhiking throughout Venezuela.

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

There has been a reported increase in armed robberies taking place on buses travelling to Maiquetia Airport, and along Avenida de La Libertador (in Caracas). Travellers should remain alert at all times.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Road Travel
It is possible to drive in Venezuela on a British driving licence for up to 12 months. After that it is necessary to obtain a Venezuelan driving licence. You should ensure you have copies of insurance documents, driving licence and passport with you at all times. Failure to produce documents can result in the vehicle being seized by the police.

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

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

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

For more general information see our Driving Abroad page.

Safety and Security - Local Travel - Air Travel  
Visiting tourist destinations in Venezuela can often involve flying in light aircraft. There have been several significant accidents in recent years on the main tourist routes, including Los Roques, Canaima and Merida - several with fatal consequences.
  
In general it is better to seek out established companies operating modern multi-engined aircraft. Local and International travel agents should be able to advise on whether or not the airline has a good safety record.

For more general information see our Airline Security page.

Travellers flying from Maiquetia airport in Caracas do not have to pay an airport tax on departure, provided their plane ticket was purchased after September 2011. This is a pilot project being run by the Venezuelan authorities. If you bought your ticket before this date, or are travelling from another airport within Venezuela, you will have to pay the tax as detailed below. Currently the domestic airport tax, including journeys to and from Margarita Island, is Bolivar fuertes (BsF) 38. International passengers must pay two taxes to exit the country. The international departure tax is BsF 228) but it is usually, although not always, included in the cost of the airfare ticket. There is also an airport tax of BsF 190 that must be paid in cash (Bolivares) after check in at the airport (at one of the tax payment booths). Check with your airline before agreeing to pay anything extra.

You will need to pay this tax before you can enter the security baggage check area for departures. You can pay in cash or by local Venezuelan debit card (not credit card).  Please note, if travelling with American Airlines from any airport in Venezuela, that they also include this tax in the price of their tickets; their check-in staff will advise. Check with your airline before agreeing to pay anything extra.

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

For more general information see our River and Sea Safety page.

Safety and Security - Political Situation
Political opinion in Venezuela is polarised and demonstrations are a regular occurrence.   They may take place with little warning and can turn violent. You should exercise caution in Caracas and other major urban centres and avoid large public gatherings. Larger demonstrations are announced in advance in the local media. Please be aware that many Venezuelans carry guns and the police and the National Guard (Guardia Nacional) are heavily armed when involved in crowd control situations.

Do not handle illicit drugs. Drug trafficking is a serious problem in Venezuela. Detection methods are sophisticated and drug traffickers should expect to be arrested. Conviction leads to severe penalties, including up to two years being held on remand prior to sentencing. Drug traffickers receive lengthy prison sentences (usually eight to ten years). Conditions in Venezuelan jails are harsh and dangerous, and among the worst in the region. There are no secure areas for visitors to meet with prisoners and all visits take place amongst the general prison population. Many prisoners carry firearms and violence is common.  Due to realistic concerns over staff safety, prison visits by consular staff in Venezuela have been limited to specific pressing issues e.g. first visit, emergency visits including for medical purposes and the signing of Prisoner Transfer Agreements.  It is an offence to photograph military or strategic installations (e.g. military airports, and the Presidential Palace). Innocent pastimes such as plane spotting are not recognised as such in Venezuela and should be avoided.

For more general information for different types of travellers see our Your Trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas
If you are arriving by air, you can enter for up to 90 days on a tourist card issued on arrival. You should also have a valid return ticket. If you are arriving overland, or by sea, you need to obtain a visa in advance from your nearest Venezuelan Embassy or Consulate. You must not overstay the 90 days or you may be arrested and fined when departing. Extensions of up to 60 days can be arranged at any DIEX (Department for Foreigners of Ministry of Interior) office on payment of a fee plus presentation of passport, tourist card, photograph and return ticket.  

If you are resident in Venezuela, the only location where you can apply for or extend your residency permit is the main SAIME Office in Caracas. There have been reports of other ways of obtaining a residency permit, including at least one company offering residency permits for the island of Margarita, but these permits may be of dubious legality and should be avoided.

Entry Requirements - Passport validity
You must hold a valid passport to enter Venezuela. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into Venezuela.

Entry Requirements - Yellow Fever vaccination certificate
A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is not a requirement to enter Venezuela, but there have been cases where officials have illegitimately fined travellers who have been unable to produce such a certificate. Some airlines travelling to Venezuela will insist you have a Yellow Fever vaccination before boarding the plane unless you can produce your vaccination certificate. You are advised to check with your airline before travelling to Venezuela.

Entry Requirements - Dual nationality
The Venezuelan Nationality and Citizenship Law requires any dual national Venezuelan to use their Venezuelan identity documents to enter, reside in and leave the country. Dual British/Venezuelan nationals entering, leaving or residing in Venezuela should ensure that they are in compliance with these Venezuelan Government requirements.

Entry/Exit Requirements - Travelling with children
Children travelling unaccompanied, with non-parental guardians, or travelling with just one parent, are required to provide a certified letter from the non-travelling parent(s) confirming that they are satisfied for the child to travel without them.  This letter can be certified by a notary public, IDENA (Instituto Autonomo Consejo Nacional de Derechos de Ninos, Ninas y Adolescents), or the local prefects office.  Venezuelan authorities have confirmed that children should carry this letter whilst travelling internally within in the country and also when leaving Venezuela.  Children may be denied exit from the country if they do not have this letter.  

In March 2011, the Government of Venezuela confirmed an outbreak of AH1N1 flu in Merida State, and cases were confirmed in most other states, including in Caracas. Over 1,500 cases of AH1N1 were confirmed within Venezuela during this outbreak, Venezuelan Health Minister Eugenia Sader reported. Three deaths were recorded in Venezuela in 2011 by A H1N1 flu but the outbreak now appears to have been contained.

For further information see this factsheet from the National Travel Health Centre and Network.

Medical facilities in Venezuela vary widely in quality. In large cities, private clinics provide good quality care for routine treatments. More complex treatments may require evacuation to Miami so you should ensure that your insurance covers this. Public health facilities are poor, with frequent shortages of medicines and funding. This is a problem reflected nationwide, and exacerbated outside major cities by the great distances involved in reaching them.

Dengue Fever is endemic to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. There has been a marked increase in the number of reported cases of Dengue Fever across the region in recent years and in Venezuela's western and south western states in particular.  A dengue epidemic has been declared in all the Venezuelan states. Travellers are advised to take precautions against being bitten and use insect repellent.

In May 2010, the Venezuelan Health Ministry announced a rise of Chagas (Trypanosomiasis) disease cases in central Caracas (Libertador Municipality). Further information on Chagas disease can be found on the National Travel Health Network and Centre website.

There have also been cases of Yellow Fever in a number of different states of Venezuela. Many countries in the region, such as Brazil, require those arriving from Venezuela to have proof of a Yellow Fever vaccination. You should check with the relevant embassy before you travel.

There have been reports of rabies in bats, in particular in the Amazonas region of Venezuela. If you are travelling to this area and are planning on sleeping or camping outside, it would be advisable to ensure you have the necessary vaccinations before travelling.

Tap water is considered unsafe to drink. You should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Venezuela you should seek immediate medical attention.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see our HIV and AIDS page.

You should seek medical advice before travelling to Venezuela and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

Further guidance on precautions you can take to protect yourself can be found on the Health Protection Agency website and on the “Travel Health” and “Swine Flu” pages.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November, and can affect portions of northern Venezuela.  Venezuela is not prone to tropical cyclones, but can occasionally be hit, impacting on coastal regions particularly, with torrential rain, powerful winds, high waves and storm surges.  Caracas would likely experience heavy rains, but be largely sheltered from any cyclone as it is protected by the Avila mountain range; cyclones also lose their strength as they move over land.

There are a number of things you can do to prepare yourself if you live in, or are planning to travel to, this region including:

• Keeping important numbers handy such as family and friends, airlines, tour operators, travel insurance providers and that of the British Embassy.
• Giving family or friends the address and telephone number of where you are staying, and calling them to let them know your plans if a cyclone is forecast to affect the area you are in.
• Keeping an eye on weather reports on local TV and radio. You can also monitor weather updates on-line from the World Meteorological Organisation and the US National Hurricane Centre.
• Monitoring our website, Facebook pages and Twitter channels for the latest updates to our Travel Advice.  
• Registering with us using our on-line system called LOCATE. If something happens, we'll let you know what we are doing and how we can provide assistance to you.  
• The US Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) website contains practical information about how to prepare for extreme weather conditions. It also provides a useful list of disaster supplies that will help if you live in an area affected by storms and hurricanes.

During the rainy season (which runs from May to November, though heavy rains can occur outside this time) there is the possibility of flooding in certain low-lying areas of the country (e.g. the Llanos) and in some valleys in the Andes (Merida State).  Recent heavy rains have led to trees being uprooted, causing traffic delays.  You should be aware that flooding may affect services and infrastructure. There is also a higher risk of landslides, and uprooted trees, which can affect transport links, such as roads and motorways.

Venezuela is vulnerable to earthquakes. If you should monitor media reports and follow the advice of the local authorities.

General - Beaches
Visitors should be aware that the waters of the Caribbean can be deceptive. There are strong currents and undertows in some areas that can make swimming hazardous. Lifeguards and warnings are not always in place. Caution is necessary.

General - Infrastructure
Electricity cuts occur and you may find yourself without water or electricity for short periods of time, sometimes with no notice. You may wish to consider packing a torch.

General - Insurance
You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. Check for any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all activities you wish to undertake. For more general information see our Travel Insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then see our When Things Go Wrong page.

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

General - Money
Strict currency controls are in place in Venezuela. Bureaux de change, including at the airport, will exchange US dollars for Bolivars. US dollars and US dollar travellers' cheques (American Express) are accepted at most Italcambios (bureau de change) offices throughout Venezuela.

You are advised to exchange currency at official currency exchange booths only and not to use the black market. Travellers are approached at the airport by individuals offering to exchange foreign currency and those who have done so have in some cases been left with forged local currency. There is no facility for changing Bolivars to US dollars, or any other currency, when leaving Venezuela; travellers should consider only changing the required amount to avoid having leftover Bolivars.

In most towns and all major cities, international credit cards (visa and mastercard) are accepted. However, it can be difficult to withdraw cash from ATMs with UK bank cards. Branches of Banco Mercantil and Banesco have worked for some travellers.  Sometimes the ATM will ask you for a 2 digit identification number, after you have selected the amount to withdraw. If you are asked for this, input 00, and it should work. (This is a security measure as all Venezuelan bank cards are linked to an identity document, which UK-bank cards are not). Travellers should be aware there is also a serious problem with credit card fraud and cards being "cloned." You are advised to exercise caution whenever you are using your credit or debit cards.

There are branches of Grupo Zoom (affiliated to Western Union) throughout Venezuela.  If you run out of money and discover that your bank cards do not work, you can arrange with friends and family overseas to deposit funds into any Western Union, and pick up the deposited funds at any Grupo Zoom branch.

General Consular - Assistance Statistics
Around 9,500 British nationals visit Venezuela every year. 25 British nationals required consular assistance in Venezuela in the period 01 April 2009 – 31 March 2010 for the following types of incident; three deaths; one hospitalisation; and ten arrests, for a variety of offences (10 cases). During this period assistance was also requested with regard to lost or stolen passports (27 cases).