South America and South Atlantic Islands
Venezuela
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Still current at: 03 July 2009
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Updated: 10 June 2009
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This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Summary and Health section (Swine Flu). The overall level of the advice has not changed.
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
Travel advice for this country
- Travel Summary
- Safety and security
- Local laws and customs
- Entry requirements
- Health
- Natural disasters
- General
See entire profile
Travel Summary
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There is a confirmed case of A (H1N1) (swine flu) in Venezuela (source: Venezuelan Health & Social Welfare Ministry). The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert Phase to Level 6. The WHO website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html
has further details. Check Swine Flu for further information.
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We advise against all travel to within 80 kms (50 miles) of the Colombian border in the states of Zulia, Tachira and Apure. Terrorist and illegal armed groups are active in these states and there is a risk of kidnapping.
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The incidence of street crime in Venezuela is high. Armed muggings and "express kidnappings" are a regular occurrence. You should exercise caution at all times, especially when arriving in, and travelling around, Venezuela. People carrying large amounts of money, wearing valuable watches or jewellery or using mobile phones in the street are especially vulnerable. See the Crime section of this advice for more details.
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The road to and from the airport to Caracas is dangerous and there have been muggings and kidnappings by bogus taxi operators at Caracas International Airport (Maiquetia). Where possible you should avoid travelling on this route during hours of darkness, and particularly between 2300 and 0400hrs when there are few vehicles on the road. Journey times can be unpredictable and you should allow plenty of time for any journey to and from the airport.
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Since October 2008, the National Guard have increased random drug and security checks at Caracas International Airport (Maiquetia). This has led to some passengers missing their flights. We advise travellers on international flights to arrive at the airport three hours before departure, in order to allow time for security procedures. Please see the Local Travel section of this advice for more details.
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Around 13,000 British nationals visit Venezuela every year. The main types of incident for which British nationals have required consular assistance in Venezuela in 2007 were lost or stolen passports and arrests and detention for drug offences. Do not handle illicit drugs: penalties are among the most severe in the Americas, and the prisons among the most dangerous. See the Local Laws and Customs section of this advice for more details.
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There is an underlying threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
- We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
There is a constant risk of street crime (often armed), especially in Caracas and other cities, but also throughout Venezuela, including on beaches. Contrary to the advice in at least one widely used travel guide, we consider that Sabana Grande is not a safe area in which to stay in Caracas. Relatively 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.
There are growing concerns about the incidence of all of the above types of crime on the island of Margarita. Travellers are advised to exercise particular caution there. We have also been made aware of companies offering residency permits for Margarita Island. You should only obtain residency permits from the Venezuelan immigration authority, Oni-Dex. See the Entry Requirements – Visas section of this advice for more details.
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
Political opinion in Venezuela is polarised. Demonstrations are a regular occurrence in Venezuela. 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,. Many Venezuelans carry guns and the police and Guardia Nacional are heavily armed when involved in crowd control situations.
Venezuala Country Profile
Journey times on the road between Caracas International Airport (Maiquetia) and Caracas can be long and unpredictable. You are advised to allow plenty of time for your journey.
There have been cases of passengers being robbed at gunpoint by bogus taxi-drivers at Caracas Internationl Airport (Maiquetia) and being “express kidnapped” (see Crime section). You are advised not to board a taxi if there are other passengers already inside the car. Do not accept offers of transport in the arrivals hall. If you have no alternative but to take a taxi, ensure it is one of those parked at the official taxi rank outside. If possible, you should arrange to be met by friends, business contacts, or tour operators. Only licensed taxis bearing a clearly identifiable number should be used.
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.
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: Telephone 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.
For more general information see Driving Abroad.
For more general information see Airline Security.
For more general information see River and Sea Safety.
Local laws and customs
For more general information for different types of travellers see Travel Advice Relevant to You.
Entry requirements
If you are resident in Venezuela, the only location where you can apply for or extend your residency permit is the main Oni-Dex 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.
Health
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has raised its Pandemic Threat Alert phase to Level 6. See the WHO website at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/swineflu/en/index.html for further details.
There is a confirmed case of A (H1N1) (swine flu) in Venezuela (source: Venezuelan Health & Social Welfare Minsitry). Doctors are checking travellers at all ports and airports for signs of illness. As part of Venezuela's preventative measures passengers are required to complete health declaration form on arrival.
The British Government will not be in the position to offer evacuation to British nationals in the event of an influenza pandemic.
You should take personal responsibility for your safety in the event of a future pandemic, including access to adequate healthcare and ensuring that your travel documents are up to date.
Travellers should consult a doctor immediately if they show signs of flu-like symptoms.
Further guidance on precautions you can take to protect yourself can be found on the Health Protection Agency website and on the FCO website at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/swine-flu
Dengue Fever is endemic to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. In 2007 there was a marked increase in the number of reported cases of Dengue across the region, a trend that has continued into 2008 in Venezuela's western and south western states in particular.
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 especially if planning on sleeping or camping outside, it might be prudent 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 HIV and AIDS.
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.
For more general health information see Travel Health.
Natural disasters
During the rainy season (which normally 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). You should be aware that flooding may affect services and infrastructure, which has been the case on Margarita Island. There is also a higher risk of landslides which can affect transport links, such as roads and motorways.
Venezuela is vulnerable to earthquakes. On 4 May 2009 tremors radiating from an earthquake with an epicentre in Los Teques (just outside of Caracas) were felt in Caracas and elsewhere in the country.
General
If things do go wrong when you are overseas then this is How We Can Help.
Registration
Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency. More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.
If you are staying in Venezuela for more than 90 days, you are advised to register at the British Embassy in Caracas on arrival (tel: 0212 263 8411) or on-line at the British Embassy Caracas.
In most towns and all major cities, credit cards are accepted. However, it can be difficult to withdrawing cash from ATMs. There is also a serious problem with credit card fraud and cards being "cloned."
Travel advice for this country
- Travel Summary
- Safety and security
- Local laws and customs
- Entry requirements
- Health
- Natural disasters
- General
See entire profile
Change country
contacts
Venezuela, Caracas, British Embassy
Address:
British Embassy
Torre La Castellana, Piso 11
Avenida La Principal de la Castellana
La Castellana
Caracas 1061
Fax:
+58 (0)212 267-1275
Email: britishembassy@internet.ve
Office hours:
GMT: Mon-Thurs: 1200-2030; Fri: 1200-1715
Local Time: Mon-Thurs: 0800-1630; Fri: 0800-1315
Consular Section
GMT: Mon-Fri: 1200-1600
Local Time: 0800-1200
Passport/Notarial collection:
GMT: Mon-Fri 1200-1600
Local Time: 0800-1200
Emergency number for British Nationals who need Embassy assistance: Mobile Number: +58 416 610 2118 (Please call this number outside of the above Embassy Operating Hours)
Website: http://ukinvenezuela.fco.gov.uk/en